The rhythmic sound of snoring permeated the rooms silence. As cracks of light broke through the gaps in the blinds, signifying the rise of a new day.
"Huh? It's morning already?" Tai groggily muttered as he awoke from his slumber.
Still muddle headed, Tai clumsily rose to his feet, walking to the bathroom. There, he splashed water on his face, slightly rejuvenating him and waking him up. Finally awake, Tai continued with his morning routine.
As Tai finished brewing his coffee, he sat down to contemplate his new ability. His new chance.
'This power....It's different from others. It seems like I replicate others' abilities. But I don't have an actual power as of right now.' Tai summarized the most important part of his ability, as he scoured his mind for information.
An Ascender's ability was innate. When an ability manifested, the knowledge of how to use the power came with it. There were three ways that an ascender could manifest an ability.
The first two ways of attaining an ability is power manifestation via desire and personality. For example, those who are pyromaniacs will almost always manifest a power closely related to heat and fire.
The other way one can manifest an ability is through bloodline. If one is a descendent of a powerful and talented bloodline, they are likely to develop the same or very similar powers to that of their parents or ancestors. Though there are times when this bloodline can be mutated in individuals when born, which can cause the power to change drastically.
As Tai recalled his fight with the aggressive man, he began to play the scene out in his mind. Tai quickly realized that when he killed the man, a silver energy emerged from the man's body, and entered his own. From Tai's knowledge on Chronicle energy and Ascenders, he knew that every time an ascender died, they would release all of their accumulated energy. This allowed for the victor to absorb that energy and become stronger. This gave Ascenders incentive to fight and kill each other, and also confirmed the reason for Tai's sudden ascendence.
"Hmm…It would be best if no one knew about the nature of my ability. But I still wish to test my talent and potential." Tai stressed with a frustrated expression.
The potential of an ability was based on the users talent, and the nature of the ability that the user wields. For example, an ability that allows one to control plants and greenery is limited due to the strength of the power being incredibly weakened in areas without a large amount of plants/greenery. Meaning that the powers potential is on the lower side due to the powers nature. But, if the user's talent is high enough, even summoning plants from the smallest speck wouldn't be an issue. So though having a high-potential power was useful, having an even better talent was the most important.
As Tai lamented and thought of what to do, as he couldn't just enter the Ascender recognition agency, without an actual power. He quickly remembered someone who could help him with his obstacle. Though he knew that the help wouldn't come without a little sacrifice.
…
Arriving in front of a huge high-rise building, Tai couldn't help but shiver a bit as he was about to visit the women of his nightmares. Entering the buildings SRTD, Tai selected the input for the buildings highest floor via his Access link. Before he could even think, he found himself in a different environment.
Below him in the center of the room and floor stood the SRTD. Exiting the pod, Tai gazed at his familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings. Far in front of, and far behind Tai stood two identically luxurious doors, these doors lead to the suite penthouses of the high-rise building. Two more doors to were present to his left and right. Struggling to remember her room number, a light finally went off in Tai's head
"Hmm….I believe it's 515?" Tai muttered uncertainly, as he made his way towards the room with the same number on it. Though before Tai could get within two meters of the door, the room door to Tai's far left suddenly opened.
"Hey moron! Who do you think you are?! Why are you up here? I know all of the other residents guests, and I've never seen you before. If you don't wanna get fined and arrested, as well as have the shit beaten out of you, I suggest you leave!" A big man that Tai did not recognize yelled at him smugly.
'What the hell? Who is this retard? And why does he remember all the residents of the top floor's guests?' Tai thought inwardly as he stared at the man with a strange gaze.
Noticing Tai's strange gaze, the man quickly saw through Tai's thoughts.
"I..it's apart of the security system okay! That's why I remember their faces!" The big man embarrassedly clarified.
"Uhh…Why the hell do I even care" The big man muttered with a gruff voice as he started to approach Tai.
"Listen. Leave, or I make you leave." The man had clearly gotten angry at Tai due to his strange gaze previously, and he was now becoming annoyed and aggressive. As if to blame Tai for him being a creep.
"Aye man, lets just talk this out. You haven't even let me defend myself. I'm just here to meet an old friend. Nothing more, nothing less. I really don't feel like getting in another fight." Tai attempted to diffuse the situation. He was really telling the truth. Even if he beat this muscle for brains, he would sustain substantial injuries. Potentially bad enough to have to use the Rejuvenation pod (Rej pod), which was the last thing he wanted to do now that he had no coverage.
"Another? Hahahahaha…" The big man sneered as his laugh trailed off and a violent intent began to emit from him. "You think you're a tough guy or something?" The man laughed as he got within arms reach of Tai.
Though, just as he was about to grab Tai, the door to his left abruptly swung open and before he could even react, a busty women of average height had suddenly appeared and attached herself to Tai's chest, as she seductively wrapped her legs around his waist and yelled in delight:"Tai, my lover! Are you back for more?" The women questioned excitedly with a lustful gaze as she shortened the distance between the two's faces and let her burning gaze burrow into Tai. Due to them being so close, hot breath emitted from the women's mouth as it landed upon Tai's face.
Before the big man could react in shock, Tai replied with an emotionless expression: "Your breath stinks." This comment nearly made the big mans eyes pop out of his head as he had never witnessed anything so seductive before, and yet Tai insulted the devilishly beautiful women?! But once again, before he could do or say anything, a resounding clap was heard as a door was ferociously slammed shut.
"Hmph! That's what you get, asshole!" A muffled voice sounded from the other side of the now closed door.
Hearing that, the man peered back at Tai. Though as soon as he did so, he became shocked then frightened. Tai was sprawled out on the ground with a swollen face and blood leaking from his lips. Though the man was originally planning to teach Tai a lesson. At this moment, he only felt pity for the stranger. But before he could dwell on the scene in front of him, the door started to open once again. Taking Tai as incentive, the man gave the beaten down Tai a last look of pity before he quickly retreated to his suite.
"Oh..I'm-I'm sorry Tai. You know I can be impulsive sometimes, plus that was pretty mean!" The women said with an apologetic look that turned into a pout by the time she finished speaking, as she applied some translucent liquid to Tai's face. Tai's face quickly healed as he sat up with an annoyed and frustrated grunt.
"Y'know it would be nice of you to remember that I'm a Rank zero ascender whilst your a Rank three." Tai said to the now smiling women.
"Hahh…Anyways. Nice to see you again, Genie." Tai said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, as he inwardly lamented.
...
SRTD = Short-Range Teleportation Device