Together, they headed home. Exhausted, Adrian collapsed into bed, and before long, he drifted into sleep.
Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains as the city slowly came alive outside. Adrian was still fast asleep when a firm knock echoed against his bedroom door, pulling him awake.
"It's me," his father's voice called from the hall. "We need to talk."
Rubbing his eyes, Adrian swung his legs over the side of the bed and shuffled to the door. He opened it to find his dad standing there, calm but serious. Adrian stepped aside, and his father entered, settling on the edge of the bed.
"Adrian," his dad began, his tone steady yet tinged with concern, "you awakened your powers yesterday. That means you can finally become a superhero. But it's not as easy as it looks. There are dangerous people out there—strong ones—who won't hesitate to hurt you."
Adrian smiled faintly. "Dad, it's okay if I get hurt. I just want to protect our city."
His father let out a quiet sigh, half worried, half proud. "If that's truly what makes you happy, then I suppose I'll let you try… but not so fast!" He held up a finger, a hint of a grin breaking through. "First, we need to visit the Hero Headquarters and get your hero license."
Adrian's face lit up. "Wait, really? We're going to the Hero Headquarters? I've never been there!"
"You will now," his dad replied, standing and patting his shoulder.
A short while later, the two of them were in the car, the city rushing past as they headed downtown. Eventually, a towering building came into view — one of the largest in the city. Its polished walls glimmered in the sunlight, and a bold emblem marked it as the place where heroes were made official.
They parked and approached the main entrance, passing through strict security checks before stepping into a spacious office. Behind an ornate desk sat an older man in elegant clothes. He rose as they entered.
"So, this is the boy?" the man asked, his voice deep but friendly.
"Yes," Adrian's father replied. He turned to his son. "Adrian, meet the CEO of Hero Headquarters."
Adrian straightened, a little surprised. "Hello, sir. My name is Adrian. It's an honor to meet you."
The CEO smiled warmly. "Well then, Adrian. If you'll follow me, we'll measure your power level and determine your starting rank. After that, you'll be ready for your license."
"Power level?" Adrian echoed, glancing at his dad.
"It's a way to see how strong your abilities are," his father explained.
They followed the CEO into a sleek room filled with advanced machines and glowing gadgets. Screens flickered with unreadable data, and a faint hum filled the air.
"Stand in the center," the CEO instructed. Adrian stepped forward cautiously, placing himself beneath a ring of hovering sensors.
With a soft chime, the machines activated. Lights dimmed, and the room sank into near darkness, illuminated only by shifting blue panels. The CEO and Adrian's father stepped outside, sealing the door behind them.
"This will take some time," the CEO said quietly to Adrian's dad. "Please, wait in the lounge while we complete the assessment."
Adrian's father nodded, though his gaze lingered on the closed door.
Hours passed before the door finally opened. A woman dressed in a pristine white uniform entered the lounge, holding a clipboard.
"We've completed the analysis," she announced. "His power level is 700, and his starting rank is C."
Adrian's father exhaled, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face before he masked it with a smile. "Seven hundred… C rank," he repeated. "Not bad. Power levels can always improve."
"Dad, is that good?" Adrian asked, looking between them.
"Well… it's average," his father admitted. Then he rested a reassuring hand on Adrian's shoulder. "But don't worry. I'll train you myself — we'll make you as strong as I am."
Adrian's lips curved into a grin. "I'll work hard.
The CEO returned, handing over a polished card. "Congratulations, Adrian. Here is your hero license. With this, you can capture bandits and fight aliens without running into legal trouble."
Adrian accepted the license carefully, almost reverently. After thanking the CEO, he and his father left the headquarters, heading home beneath a fading sky. That night, they celebrated quietly before turning in for some much-needed rest.
The next morning, sunlight spilled once again across Adrian's room. He stepped outside to find his father waiting, arms crossed and eyes sharp.
"Today," his dad said in a firm tone, "we start your training."
Adrian nodded without hesitation, determination settling over him like armor.