Delom smiled and said, "So, you should accept her."
Clive swallowed hard, his heart hammering. "Is this safe? Are you sure about that?" he asked, voice trembling slightly.
Delom nodded, eyes warm. "Yep... I am. And trust her. She is a good girl. Just a ball of fire," he said.
Clive exhaled slowly, trying to calm the storm of thoughts in his mind. "Ok... I'll accept... But you?" he asked.
Delom shrugged lightly, "Me... I think I'm fine with Naro," he said, a small smirk playing at the edge of his lips.
"Ok... I'll accept her," Clive said, finally.
Delom left, walking away with confident strides. Soon after, Oragi appeared before Clive, cheeks slightly flushed, eyes nervously darting.
"Would you like to accept me as your roommate?" Oragi asked shyly.
Clive took a long, steadying breath and said, "Ok... I am fine."
Oragi's face lit up, and she threw herself into his arms. "I am so happy today," she whispered, clinging briefly before stepping back.
Moments later, Terrance and Era returned.
"Are you all decided on your roommates?" Era asked.
"Yes," everyone replied in unison.
Terrance nodded. "So, let's show your rooms," he said.
The group followed as Terrance and Era guided them. As the rooms were settled, Untras appeared, his presence commanding yet calm. Terrance paused, noting the vice lead.
"Are you searching for something, sir?" Terrance asked.
Untras shook his head. "No... How are they? Are they comfortable?" he asked, eyes scanning the group.
"They are, sir," Terrance said.
Oragi whispered, curiosity soft in her voice, "Who is he?"
"He is our vice lead," Terrance replied.
Oragi swallowed and greeted, "H-hi sir... How are you?"
Untras smiled gently. "I am good. And how are you, boy?"
"I-I am good, sir," Clive stammered.
"Get settled and come quickly... You have a lot to discover," Untras said, stepping back.
Clive nodded, "Yes, sir," and the group finally settled.
Terrance began explaining the layout: the main training grounds, practice areas, and labs. They now stood before the scientist, vice lead, and lead.
Seuph Lux stepped forward gracefully. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Seuph Lux, your Lead. This is Untras, your vice lead, and he is Titus, our scientist. And Terrance, your captain. Now I'll explain how we gave you your power. Titus, please."
Titus cleared his throat. "Uhm... You all will receive two pills. One will boost your regeneration power up to ×50, and the other will attract your energy's Skyph core," he said, his tone precise.
Seuph looked at the group, smiling. "So, what do you all want? Watch who gets what power, or see everyone receive them at once?"
Everyone chorused, "We want to watch who is getting what power."
"Madam, all want to watch," Terrance confirmed.
Seuph nodded. "Ok... Every code will come with Titus," she said.
The group followed Titus to the practice ground. It was vast, open, and perfectly designed for training under the stars. Gravity pulled them normally, yet the night sky stretched endlessly above, each star twinkling like a promise of their destiny.
Oragi whispered in awe, "It's incredible," watching the expanse.
Titus addressed them, voice firm. "Look... We don't choose fighters by talent, skill, or educational certificates. We choose you all by your DNA—deoxyribonucleic acids. Each of you is unique. Eat these two pills. They have side effects, but that's part of becoming a warrior," he said.
Terrance approached with two boxes, one green and one violet. "Take them. Eat from the blue box first, all together. Since you want to watch, eat from the violet one individually," Titus instructed.
He extended his hand, and a display appeared, coding a set of instructions. Chairs arrived neatly to the side. The students ate the blue pills and sat. Terrance placed the violet box on a table slightly distant from the chairs.
Seuph smiled. "Terrance, say something. They'll feel more comfortable."
"Yes, madam," Terrance said. "Ah... Guys, who wants to go first?"
All eyes turned to each other, tension and excitement crackling.
Plus stood up, voice slightly shaky. "I want to... go first," he said.
Untras smiled approvingly. "So brave. Go and eat the pill first."
Plus's hands trembled. Terrance squeezed his hand, encouragement radiating through him. Dark red cracks appeared across Terrance's skin, faint lava glowing beneath. "Look. You'll get a cool power like this. Go and eat," Terrance said confidently.
Plus nodded. "Ok... I am..."
He stepped forward, took the violet pill with a shaking hand, and closed his eyes. At first, nothing seemed to happen.
"What! Nothing?" Angus exclaimed.
Seuph smiled knowingly. "Ah... Wait a moment," she said calmly.
Plus began to relax, a tentative smile forming. Then, suddenly, something shot like a bullet into his chest. Yellow light flared from within, his body glowing as energy embedded itself. He fell to one knee, blood trickling from his mouth, but within seconds, his chest regenerated perfectly.
"What! I... It's very..." Plus gasped, awe-struck.
"All... Be careful. We don't know what power he has, and he can't control it yet," Untras cautioned.
Seuph looked at Terrance. "As captain, you should fight with him a little. Let him realize his power while we observe."
Terrance nodded, stepping back. His body transformed—the smoldering dark-red cracks deepened, muscles stretching, a smoky tail unfurling from his back. His hands became jagged and powerful.
"Hey Plus... Come. Fight with me," Terrance growled.
"Sure, captain... I don't know if I'll hurt you," Plus admitted.
"No problem. Come," Terrance said.
Plus advanced one step. A massive shockwave erupted, slamming into Terrance. The captain flew back, but landed firmly, undeterred.
"Ah... I am sorry," Plus said, guilt flashing across his face.
"Come... Never apologize," Terrance said, pressing his hands into the ground. He crouched low, his form resembling a panther ready to pounce.
"Show me what you've got," Terrance challenged.
Plus nodded. He took a step forward again.
Shockwaves rippled with each movement, Terrance deftly dodging, sensing the rhythm. Raising his right hand, Plus unleashed a supersonic wave that collided with Terrance, sending him flying across the open ground.
"What was that?" Terrance exclaimed, landing gracefully.
"Super cool power," Angus said, awed.
"If I got this power..." Rusla muttered, a twinge of envy in her voice.
"Incredible power," Rote said, unable to hide his excitement.
Everyone watched, breathless.
"Terrance... Let him back," Seuph instructed.
"Yes, madam. Hey buddy, never move. Take a deep breath and remind yourself I am normal. I don't need power," Terrance said.
Plus nodded, taking a moment to steady himself, and sat back down.
Seuph's gaze shifted. "Now, I want a girl to go."
Alina stood up hesitantly. "I'll go, madam," she said.
"Then go," Untras encouraged.
"Go and show what you've got," Era added.
Alina stepped forward as Terrance remained crouched, agile and panther-like, ready to respond.