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"Telekinesis!?" Leo muttered under his breath. The word felt electric on his tongue, heavy with meaning, almost vibrating in the air.
As soon as the system's mechanical voice faded, that familiar crackling sensation of energy coursed through him again, like thousands of tiny sparks racing along his nerves.
For a few heartbeats, Leo could only sit there, eyes closed, surrendering himself to the strange current.
It wasn't painful if anything, it was exhilarating, like standing on the edge of a thunderstorm and letting lightning kiss the skin without burning.
The tingling built to a crescendo, and then, as quickly as it had come, it vanished.
He opened his eyes.
The living room was quiet, the faint glow of early dawn creeping in through the curtains. Dust motes drifted lazily in the air, illuminated by pale golden light. And there, in front of him, the sofa was… floating.
Leo's jaw dropped.
The heavy piece of furniture, which usually groaned whenever old Paul shifted his weight into it, now hung suspended several inches above the floor.
It wobbled slightly, swaying like a boat on calm waters, but it wasn't falling. His heart hammered in his chest, and an irrepressible grin tugged at his lips.
"This feeling… this is incredible," he whispered, awe dripping from every word.
Very carefully, Leo exhaled and imagined lowering the sofa. The air shimmered faintly, and the piece of furniture descended with surprising grace, landing on the carpet without so much as a squeak. His grin widened.
Excitement surging through him, he vanished from the room in a flicker of teleportation. If he had this kind of power now, he needed to test it properly outside, somewhere he could stretch without worrying about breaking old Paul's favorite chair.
---
Half an hour later, Leo reappeared inside the house, his hair tousled, clothes dusted with dirt, and eyes burning with exhilaration. His chest rose and fell with sharp breaths, but the smile on his face looked carved from pure triumph.
During his secret test, he'd discovered more than he dared hope. This is telekinesis, no, this wasn't some weak Party trick.
He had managed to lift entire vehicles off the ground, tossing them aside as though they were toys. His rough estimate? At least thirty tons of weight he could move, and maybe even more if he pushed.
But raw strength wasn't the only gift.
He found he could shape the force into invisible walls, layering them around his body like armor.
He could form barriers that shimmered faintly in the air, stopping rocks and simulated projectiles dead in their tracks.
When he tested further, he realized he could even use the power to propel himself skyward flying clumsily at first, then with growing confidence as he learned to balance.
By the time he trudged back into the house, dawn had fully broken. The streets of their quiet neighborhood buzzed faintly with life the bark of a dog, the hum of a passing car, the distant ring of a shop bell. Leo felt alive in a way he hadn't in weeks.
---
The morning light spilled through the thin curtains, painting the room in warm gold. Emma stirred. The rays of sunshine kissed her cheeks, coaxing her awake from a deep, dreamless sleep.
She blinked slowly, her long lashes fluttering as she adjusted to the brightness. For the first time in what felt like years, she had slept soundly, without nightmares, without the cold dread of captivity.
She turned on her side, clutching the blanket closer to her chest, savoring the warmth that lingered, and then she remembered him.
Leo.
Her heartbeat quickened. Images of the night before flooded back his steady presence, his unyielding resolve, his awkward yet endearing sincerity. And her own reckless choice. Her cheeks flamed red at the memory.
"Why… why did I do that last night?" she whispered, hiding her face in her pillow. The bold kiss, the way she had pressed her lips against his to silence him it hadn't been calculated.
It had been raw, instinctive, a desperate attempt to express gratitude she couldn't voice. But still, it left her restless now, torn between embarrassment and an unfamiliar giddiness.
Pushing herself upright, Emma tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"What is he doing now?" she murmured. Curiosity prickled at her.
She reached out with her telepathic senses, probing gently for his familiar mental presence. But instead of the easy connection she remembered, her thoughts slammed into a barrier. It was subtle yet firm, like glass transparent but unyielding.
Emma gasped softly.
"Blocked?" Her lips parted in surprise. At the facility, her powers had slipped into his mind easily, almost too easily. But now, it was as if something new shielded him.
"Telekinesis… no, psychic energy," she realized. Her eyes sparkled with intrigue. This was different. Stronger. She wanted to know more.
And then his voice rang through the house. "Breakfast's ready!"
Emma blinked, startled, and then smiled faintly.
---
In the kitchen, the air smelled of butter, toasted bread, and freshly cooked eggs.
Leo moved about with surprising efficiency, balancing plates in the air with invisible force while flipping pancakes with a spatula.
He wasn't about to admit it, but he had definitely been experimenting with using his newfound power to cook without lifting a finger.
By the time Paul and Lynn shuffled in, the table was neatly set, each plate steaming with food.
"Leo, you're up so early?" Lynn asked, eyes widening as she took in the spread. She tucked a stray curl behind her ear, her expression halfway between disbelief and pride.
Leo flashed her an innocent grin.
"Just… couldn't sleep, that's all." He certainly wasn't about to confess that he'd spent hours outside lifting cars with his mind.
Lynn took a cautious bite of the eggs, then smiled in surprise. "It tastes good."
Paul, already chewing a piece of toast, nodded approvingly. "Not bad, kid, not bad at all."
Leo puffed out his chest. "Told you I could cook if I wanted to."
Breakfast passed with warmth and laughter. But when the plates were cleared, Leo hesitated. A thought had gnawed at him all night, refusing to let go.
He leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. "Uncle Paul… Aunt Lynn… I've been thinking. Maybe it's time we move, to another city."
The words fell like stones into a still pond.
Lynn blinked, setting down her cup. "Move? Why?"
Paul frowned, studying Leo's face. For a moment, Leo worried he'd gone too far. But then the old man chuckled softly. "Truth is, your aunt and I talked about that years ago. We just didn't have the means back then. If you think it's time, I won't argue."
Hope lit up Leo's eyes. "Really?"
"Of course," Lynn said gently. "But where would we go?"
"New York," Leo said firmly. The word came out with unshakable certainty.
Emma, who had been quietly eating, froze. Her spoon clinked against her bowl. New York. The name sent a shiver through her. Opportunity, danger, possibility all wrapped into one.
---
Three months later, the city became their reality.
Their modest home in New York buzzed with life. Thanks to Emma's powers and her growing fascination with finance they had secured a comfortable three-bedroom apartment.
For the first time, Leo had a room of his own instead of a lumpy sofa.
Emma enrolled herself at NYU Stern, charming professors and students alike while secretly leaning on her psychic abilities to smooth the path.
She devoured books on economics and management, eager to shape a new identity for herself.
Paul and Lynn adapted quickly, relishing the city's energy, even if they sometimes grumbled about the noise.
But for Leo… things weren't so simple.
Unlike their quiet town, New York overflowed with crime. Pickpockets, gangs, armed robberies every night, the city seemed to call to him. His system tasks could be ignored, sure, but his own conscience wouldn't let him stand by.
Whenever he stumbled upon injustice, he intervened.
Three months of this, and whispers began to spread. A mysterious young man, appearing out of nowhere to foil crimes. A vigilante in the shadows.
"Maybe I'm becoming… a hero," Leo mused one night, perched on a rooftop.
The memory of grateful smiles, of whispered thanks, filled him with a sense of pride he hadn't expected.
And then the system chimed.
[Congratulations, Host, you have unlocked the achievement: 'One Hundred Days of Good Deeds.']
[Reward: One lottery spin.]
Leo blinked. "Achievement?"
The system's flat tone continued:
[Achievement Description: As a rookie hero, you have taken your first true steps. Through persistence, you have gained recognition. Your name is whispered. You have earned this.]
His heart raced. An unexpected reward? From this system, which usually bled him dry with punishments and cruel tasks? His hands trembled slightly.
"Finally… some luck," he muttered.
Another chime:
[New Task Unlocked: Rising Reputation.]
[Task Description: Rookie hero, you have gained a foothold. Now the world must see you. Garner recognition, Grow and Rise]
[Reward: Increase any one power level by +1.]
Leo froze. No punishment clause. No deadline. Nothing.
He narrowed his eyes.
"This… feels wrong. Since when is the system generous?" Sweat prickled at his neck.
But before he could dwell, another message arrived.
[System Notice: To celebrate your hero's debut, you will receive a gift. From now on, every year, you will be granted one free lottery spin.]
Leo nearly dropped to his knees. "The hell? This system's broken… or plotting something worse."
Shaking his head, he teleported back into his room. His heart thudded with anticipation as he summoned the glowing wheel.
"Alright… spin."
The wheel blurred with light, clicking rapidly. His breath caught in his throat.
[Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: Knowledge and Invention Experience of 'Heimerdinger.']
Leo's smile collapsed. "Heimerdinger? Who the hell is that?"
And then the flood hit.
Information surged into his mind blueprints, theories, mechanical designs, strange inventions that defied common sense. His skull throbbed as if it were splitting open, every nerve ignited with fire. He staggered, clutching his temples, gasping in agony.
"AHHHHHHHH!!!"
With a final cry, he collapsed. The world went black.
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