Flint Marko, or rather, the newly reborn Sandman, followed Wesley, stepping into the futuristic assessment room once more with a feeling akin to pilgrimage. Unlike his previous tension and despair, his heart was now filled with anticipation for the future and a hint of curiosity about his own abilities—what exactly did the cold electronic voice mean by "S-Rank potential"?
Wesley operated the control panel for a few moments, and the room's dim blue light began to flow. The inhuman, synthesized electronic voice spoke again, this time, its subject was Flint himself.
"Hero: Sandman (Flint Marko), identity confirmed. Comprehensive ability assessment and potential analysis program initiated."
"Phase One: Basic Parameter Scan."
Several beams of light in different colors shot from emitters on the walls and ceiling, gracefully sweeping over Flint's entire body as if alive. He barely felt anything, only seeing his 3D holographic model rapidly constructing on the main screen of the control panel, with data streams refreshing like a waterfall beside it, too fast for him to follow.
"Body Density (Normal State): 1.4 g/cm³. Sand Transformation State: Adjustable, range 0.8 - 2.5 g/cm³."
"Cellular Activity (Sand Transformation State): Extremely high, possesses rapid reorganization characteristics."
"Energy Sensing: High resonance with silicon-based materials (primarily SiO₂)."
"Mental Load: Moderate mental energy consumption when using abilities; emotional fluctuations will affect ability stability."
Flint understood only bits and pieces, but Wesley's eyes lit up. These basic data points were terrifyingly precise, far exceeding the level S.H.I.E.L.D. or any known research institution could achieve.
"Phase Two: In-depth Ability Test."
"Please fully transform your right hand into sand and attempt to condense it into a cone shape," the electronic voice instructed.
Flint complied. His right hand instantly disintegrated, turning into a flowing stream of sand, then quickly condensed into a sharp sand cone under the control of his mind.
"Sand Manipulation Precision: Beginner. Form Transformation Speed: Moderate. Energy Conduction Efficiency: 17.3%. Evaluation: Immense potential, current technique is crude."
"Now, attempt to transform your left arm into sand and simulate resisting an impact."
No sooner had the voice fallen than a low-energy impact beam suddenly shot from one side of the assessment room, striking Flint's sand-transformed left arm. The sand arm rippled slightly, the impact force dispersed and absorbed, leaving it completely unharmed.
"Physical Impact Resistance: Extremely high (against blunt force, kinetic attacks). Energy Resistance: Low (against high temperature, extreme cold, specific frequency energy attacks). Weakness analysis recorded."
"Maximum Sand Transformation Range Test."
Flint took a deep breath, concentrating. His entire torso began to transform into sand, the particles spreading outwards like a living mist, almost covering half of the assessment room.
"Current Maximum Sand Transformation Volume: 2.8 cubic meters. Effective Sand Control Radius: 5 meters. Sand particles exceeding the control radius will lose activity. Evaluation: Range is limited by mental strength and control technique, possesses significant room for expansion."
"Phase Three: Environmental Simulation Combat Test."
The surrounding light abruptly changed, and Flint found himself seemingly in a howling desert, with a scorching Sun high above and rolling sand dunes beneath his feet.
"Respond to simulated enemy attack. Objective: Survive and counterattack."
As the electronic voice faded, the sand in front of him suddenly rose, forming several vaguely human-shaped puppets made of sand, which roared and charged at him.
Flint's heart tightened, and he instinctively transformed his arms into sand, turning them into two sand whips that lashed out at the puppets. The sand whips struck the puppets, scattering some sand particles, but the puppets quickly drew sand from the environment and reformed.
"Utilize the environment! You are Sandman, not a boxer!" the electronic voice calmly reminded him.
Flint paused, then had a sudden realization. He abandoned direct attacks, his body plunging into the sand dunes beneath his feet. The next moment, the sand beneath the sand puppets suddenly collapsed, swallowing, squeezing, and crushing them like quicksand! At the same time, some of the sand particles he had previously dispersed into the air, as if guided, condensed into countless tiny sand needles, shooting from all directions at another puppet attempting to approach. Although not powerful, the harassment effect was excellent.
"Tactical Thinking: Possesses initial awareness of environmental utilization. Combat Instincts: Acceptable. Adaptability: Needs improvement. Comprehensive Combat Rating: C+. Potential Correction: Possesses the potential to grow into an A-Rank tactical executor."
The simulated environment vanished, and the room returned to its original state. Flint breathed slightly, sweat beading on his forehead, but his eyes were unusually bright. Although the battle was short, it gave him a new, albeit vague, understanding of how to use his abilities.
"Assessment complete. Generating exclusive ability report and growth path recommendations."
On the main screen of the control panel, an extremely detailed report was generated.
Hero: Sandman
Ability Level: Current C+, Potential S
Core Abilities: Sand Transformation / Sand Manipulation
Advantages: Extremely high physical immunity, versatile forms, strong environmental adaptability (sandy areas, urban dust environments), excellent stealth and surprise attack capabilities, possesses potential for large-scale crowd control.
Disadvantages: Fear of Water (Water causes sand particles to cohere, hindering movement), fear of high temperatures (vitrification), fear of strong winds (structure blown apart), low energy resistance, high mental consumption, insufficient control precision.
Current Development: 18%
Tailored Growth Path Recommendations:
Short-Term (1-3 months):
Basic Mastery: Improve sand transformation and condensation speed, reduce mental consumption. Goal: Instantaneous sand transformation, maintaining partial sand transformation in normal state to improve reaction speed.
Precision Training: Conduct microscopic manipulation exercises, such as threading a needle with sand particles, constructing complex structures. Goal: Able to condense sand particles into sharp blades or sturdy shields.
Environmental Resonance: Learn to sense and mobilize dust and sand particles in the environment, expanding effective combat radius. Goal: Increase control radius to 10 meters.
Mid-Term (3-12 months):
Form Expansion: Train to solidify sand structures, forming temporary weapons or tools (e.g., sand hammer, sand wall). Explore rapid switching between fluid and solid forms.
Weakness Overcoming: Conduct anti-Water (assisted by hydrophobic coating technology) and anti-high temperature (incorporating high-temperature resistant material particles) adaptability training. Research the possibility of using sand particles to refract and absorb specific energy attacks.
Tactical Development: Develop a unique tactical system by combining stealth, disguise, and large-scale sandstorm creation techniques.
Long-Term (1 year or more):
Domain Construction: Explore the possibility of creating an absolute Sand Domain within a certain range, controlling all sand particles within the domain.
Advanced Material Assimilation: Attempt to assimilate and manipulate other types of particulate matter (e.g., metal powder, carbon powder), expanding the breadth of abilities.
Body Enhancement: Research how to feed back sand transformation abilities to the body itself, enhancing normal physical fitness and recovery.
Following the report, there was also a system-recommended training schedule, suggested auxiliary skills or equipment to redeem (such as [Advanced Sand Manipulation Insight], [Basic Elemental Resistance Training Method], all requiring points for redemption), and even a tailored nutrition and physical enhancement plan.
Flint looked at the clear, visible path to power laid out on the screen, and his breathing quickened again. For the first time, he "saw" his future so clearly, no longer a future of confusion and despair, but a carefully designed, step-by-step path to success! All of this stemmed from this miraculous assessment room, and from the man who decided to give him a chance.
Wesley handed Flint a printed, condensed version of the report, his voice tinged with barely concealed admiration: "Mr. Marko, this is your development roadmap. The Association will provide you with all necessary resources and support. Now, do you understand why the boss values you so much?"
Flint clutched the still-warm paper tightly, nodding vigorously, his voice firm: "I understand! I will train desperately and will never let the boss down!"
Kingpin had also returned to the assessment room entrance at some point. He looked at the agitated Sandman and the detailed report on the screen, nodding slightly.
The value of this system-produced assessment room far exceeded his imagination. It could not only accurately assess abilities but also discern potential and plan for the future. This was equivalent to providing every hero with the highest-level exclusive coach and development consultant. This systematic cultivation capability was the core competitiveness that would allow the Hero Association to crush those rogue heroes in the future.
"Very good," Kingpin said in a deep voice. "Remember this report. Your power is not just for yourself and your daughter, but also the cornerstone of the Association's future. Do not waste your talent."
"Yes, Boss!" Sandman straightened his chest and responded loudly.
Kingpin turned and left, the system prompt reappearing in his mind:
"Successfully completed the first hero's in-depth assessment. Association's technological strength verified."
"'Hero Cultivation System' initially established. Development +5."
"New function unlocked: 'Training Simulation Pod' (Basic), allows redemption of training time with points, simulating various combat environments and opponents."
New functions, new resources. Kingpin knew that Sandman, this important chess piece, had been placed. Next, it was time to invest resources to help him grow quickly and become the Association's first intimidating signboard.
Another solid cornerstone had been added to the Association's path to rise.