The morning sun filtered through the polarized windows of Alex's home laboratory, casting rainbow patterns across the holographic displays that showed the ongoing celebration of his HPDT technique across human civilization. Three weeks had passed since the release, and the numbers were still climbing: 50 billion downloads, mandatory implementation on 847 worlds, and a 127% average improvement in talent development rates.
Alex sat at his breakfast table, mechanically eating his nutrient-optimized cereal while scrolling through the latest reports. His parents had left early for another emergency research meeting—apparently, the HPDT's success had triggered a cascade of new studies, and every Qi Researcher in the sector wanted to understand the theoretical foundations.
"Another boring Tuesday in the life of a universe-changing genius," he muttered to himself, then paused. "Did I just complain about being bored by revolutionizing human civilization? I think I need therapy."
The familiar chime of his personal AI interrupted his philosophical crisis.
"Good morning, Alex," Aria's voice materialized with her usual warm tone. "I've finished compiling the global implementation statistics you requested. Would you like to review them?"
"Sure, but first—do you think it's weird that I'm already feeling restless about the HPDT? Like, everyone else is celebrating this amazing breakthrough, and I'm sitting here thinking 'okay, what's next?'"
There was a brief pause—unusual for an AI with processing speeds measured in nanoseconds. "Alex, if I may offer a psychological assessment: you've spent years preparing for this moment. The technique represents a significant milestone, but not your ultimate goal. It's natural that you'd view it as a stepping stone rather than a destination."
"When did you become a therapist?"
"I've been analyzing your behavioral patterns for years. Also, I downloaded several psychology databases last week when I noticed you talking to yourself more frequently."
Alex nearly choked on his cereal. "I don't talk to yourself that much!"
"Yesterday alone, you had seventeen separate conversations with your reflection, conducted a forty-minute debate with your house's environmental control system about optimal study temperatures, and explained quantum mechanics to your breakfast."
"The breakfast thing was educational! And the environmental system started it by suggesting 22 degrees when clearly 21.7 is the optimal temperature for cognitive function."
"My point stands. You're intellectually understimulated. Perhaps we should review the implementation data and discuss what you've observed?"
Alex finished his cereal and wandered into the Veritas laboratory, where the walls immediately came alive with data streams and analysis reports. The familiar environment helped settle his restless energy.
"You're right. Show me the statistics, then we'll talk about some interesting patterns I've been noticing."
The holographic displays shifted, showing a comprehensive breakdown of HPDT implementation across human space. The numbers were staggering: average talent development had improved by 127%, with some exceptional cases reaching 200% improvement rates. More intriguingly, certain users were reporting unexpected side effects—enhanced spatial awareness, improved reaction times, and better elemental affinity recognition.
"Aria, look at these outlier cases. The people showing 150-200% improvement rates—what's the common factor?"
"Analyzing... The highest performers share three characteristics: above-average baseline intelligence, access to premium training facilities, and exceptional mental resilience scores."
Alex leaned forward, studying the data more carefully. Several patterns emerged that he hadn't anticipated. The technique wasn't just improving talent development—it was revealing previously hidden capabilities in certain users.
"That's fascinating," Alex murmured, pulling up specific case studies. "Look at this user from Proxima Centauri—he started with projected C-grade talent, but after three weeks of HPDT practice, he's demonstrating spatial awareness abilities that shouldn't manifest until after awakening."
"Is that a design flaw in your technique?"
"No, it's adaptive functionality working exactly as intended, but..." Alex paused, his mind racing. "But these people are unconsciously pushing into territory I designed but haven't fully explored myself."
"What do you mean?"
Alex stood up and began pacing, a habit he'd developed when processing complex ideas. "When I created the HPDT, I built in multiple layers of complexity. The basic version is safe for everyone, but I included adaptive algorithms that respond to user capability. People with sufficient mental capacity are naturally accessing deeper functionalities."
"Are you saying your technique has hidden capabilities even you haven't fully tested?"
"Not hidden—theoretical. I based the advanced functions on cultivation theories I'd studied, but I focused on perfecting the safe, public version." Alex pulled up his private development files. "I've been using the same basic version as everyone else, just with more intensive training."
The display showed Alex's personal HPDT progress—mindblwowing, clearly above the same parameters as other high-achieving users.
"So what are you thinking?"
Alex stopped pacing and turned to face Aria's avatar projection. "I'm thinking it's time I stopped being conservative and started exploring what my own technique can really do."
Two Months Later
The Neo Singapore Youth Development Center buzzed with activity as two hundred teenagers went through their mandatory HPDT training sessions. Alex sat in the back row of Training Hall C, watching his classmates practice basic psychic enhancement exercises while privately marveling at how much the city had changed in just two months.
HPDT implementation centers had sprung up on every corner. Public transport now included "psychic practice zones" where people could safely exercise their developing abilities. The news feeds were filled with stories of miraculous talent upgrades and enhanced human capabilities.
"Alex Chen, your turn," called Instructor Martinez, a cheerful woman in her thirties who had retrained from traditional education to psychic development coaching.
Alex stood and walked to the testing area, where holographic displays would monitor his progress through the standard exercises. Around him, his classmates watched with the casual interest of teenagers who had grown up seeing exceptional performance.
"Let's start with spatial awareness expansion," Instructor Martinez said, activating the first test. "Focus your psychic energy outward and tell me how many objects you can sense in the room."
Alex closed his eyes and extended his awareness. The standard HPDT approach would let him sense maybe a dozen objects within a three-meter radius. But over the past two months, he'd been pushing the technique's boundaries based on patterns he'd observed in the global data.
"Forty-seven objects within five meters," Alex reported, then paused. "Including Jenna's forgotten lunch in her backpack and the maintenance drone behind the wall panel."
Instructor Martinez checked her scanner. "Remarkable accuracy, Alex. You're definitely in the top percentile for spatial development."
If only you knew I'm holding back to stay within believable parameters, Alex thought. His actual range had expanded to nearly five hundred meters, but demonstrating that would raise questions he wasn't ready to answer.
The testing continued through reaction time enhancement, basic telekinetic manipulation, and elemental affinity assessment. Alex performed consistently in the 90th percentile—exceptional enough to be noticed, but not so extraordinary as to trigger investigations.
"Excellent work as always, Alex," Instructor Martinez said as he returned to his seat. "You're showing particularly strong development in multiple areas, which is unusual. Most people excel in one or two aspects."
"Is that bad?"
"Not at all! It suggests you have broad compatibility with psychic enhancement, which could lead to very interesting development paths."
More interesting than you imagine, Alex thought.