"You will understand more as time goes on, with access to the right information, of course. That is, assuming you earn the strength and the right to obtain said information."
'Right, right.' Frost resisted the urge to roll his eyes. 'Information is a valuable resource around here. We get it.'
"Now that I've explained what the Evolution System is, I should mention something considerably more relevant to your immediate circumstances." Harod's expression became more serious. "The grace period during which you will be supplied with basic necessities such as food, water, and lodging is temporary. The sooner you learn to fend for yourselves, the better."
Frost's eyes widened slightly.
'Well... that's certainly a surprising turn of events.' Then again, perhaps it wasn't.
Putting aside the fact that their lives had just been completely turned upside down, they were now playing some sort of survival game as well, except it wasn't a game.
'Fantastic.'
"I already mentioned that what you bring to the table will determine your worth," Harod continued. "So I suggest taking some time to think about what profession each of you would like to pursue. As for what I mean by professions, I won't waste my time explaining; those of you who wish to walk this path will naturally make an effort to find this out. I have watched some of your fellow earthlings fall into despair over the last few days after spending hours explaining everything to them in detail."
His eyes moved across the fifteen young adults.
"You have youth and time on your side. In fact, young adults such as yourselves perhaps possess the greatest advantage among your people at present.
"Some would argue that teenagers, or children even younger than that, have landed upon a golden opportunity. Their bodies are young, adaptable, and they potentially have far more years ahead of them. Personally, however, I disagree."
Harod shook his head.
"Coming from a lower world which is only just starting on its path of evolution, their minds are not yet prepared for a world like this."
Considering what Frost and the others had experienced within their first few hours here, he couldn't exactly disagree.
"And the older members of your race..." Harod continued before pausing. "Well, I don't believe I need to explain why they are at a disadvantage.
"They are racing against time, and more importantly, against the limitations of their own remaining lifespan.
"Which is to say, if I were forced to predict which generation will eventually make up the majority of Earth's strongest Evolvers, Elites, and its future upper echelon, I would place my wager on young adults such as yourselves."
Several expressions around the room changed; others visibly brightened at the implication, but a few were quite clearly overwhelmed.
Jason, unsurprisingly, seemed particularly interested.
"That is, of course," Harod added, "assuming you possess sufficient talent, discipline, intelligence, and perhaps a little luck."
Jason's expression flattened slightly.
"Don't take too long deciding what path you intend to pursue, though. As I said, your time is limited."
Harod gestured toward his companion.
The armed man who had remained mostly silent until now finally stepped forward.
As he raised one arm, a faint light shimmered above his forearm before expanding outward into a translucent holographic interface filled with text Frost couldn't recognise.
"Before you start throwing questions at me, I will let Steve here give you some general information concerning Runes, as well as the markings that should have appeared on your backs after your Evolution Systems awakened."
Frost's thoughts came to an abrupt halt.
"Wait."
Harod looked toward him.
"Markings?" Frost asked.
Harod stared at him for a moment.
"Yes."
Frost's brow furrowed.
"What markings?"
"The Rune markings that should be on your backs." He pointed to his own back.
Frost remembered the pain, that horrible fucking burning sensation that had suddenly erupted across his back when the Evolution System appeared.
And then the tattoo on Lois's back
'No fucking way...'
That explained a lot.
Steve stepped forward, not caring for Frost's surprise.
"The System can only be perceived by its specific wielder," Steve began. "Rune markings, however, are a physical manifestation of your progression along the path of Evolution, allowing others to glimpse and understand how powerful you are as an Evolver."
He gestured vaguely toward his own back.
"Of course, most people prefer to keep theirs hidden. The markings only display the specific Runes you've mastered in the form of your Soul Script, as well as your level of progression. They don't reveal the finer details of your abilities, but even that can be a dangerous amount of information to give to a potential enemy. For that reason, most Evolvers choose to conceal their markings beneath their clothing."
Everyone began twisting around in their seats, trying to look over their shoulders and check whether they really did have a freaking tattoo on their backs.
Unsurprisingly, seeing much of anything proved rather difficult.
That quickly resulted in people asking their friends to check for them, and within moments, several surprised exclamations spread throughout the shack as they easily confirmed what Steve had just told them.
"No way!"
"I actually have one!"
"What does mine look like?"
"Wait, let me see yours!"
Frost lifted his T-shirt all the way to his shoulders and tried looking over his own shoulder, twisting his neck as far as it would go.
"Fuck..."
He couldn't see it.
Wherever the marking was, it had to be somewhere near the upper portion of his back, probably starting close to the base of his neck.
At least, that was what he could gather from looking at the markings on everyone else.