The woman gasped in awe as the screen displayed:
[Abilities found!]
[1st ability: Cosmic Telepathy]
[2nd ability: Elemental Speed]
The pod opened, and Stefan emerged, his brilliant crimson eyes surveying everyone in the room.
"What?" He questioned, puzzled by the trio's astonished gazes, making him feel like an ancient artifact or an unseen scientific marvel.
Glancing at the screen, he spotted the word 'ALPHA' boldly written above what appeared to be his abilities. "Where does Alpha rank?"
This question startled Landon and the woman. "Where does Alpha rank? Are you serious? That's the peak level of any ability!" Landon exclaimed, wincing when Jason nudged his abdomen.
"There are three levels: Elite, Master, and Alpha. Most titans possess what we classify as classless abilities, and only a select few can be categorized into these three levels," Jason elucidated.
"So, this means I pass," Stefan concluded, prompting Landon to feel a surge of jealousy towards that remarkable ability.
"You did," the woman, having witnessed a galactically stunning sight, managed to respond despite her astonishment.
[Stefan Anderson - 1020 points]
[Position - 1st!]
Despite scoring a mere 20 points in his first test, the possession of an Alpha abilities was supposed to grant 500 points. Yet, he shattered records by acquiring two Alpha abilities.
"Landon, you can leave. I'll handle Stefan's registration," Jason commanded solemnly, prompting Landon's departure.
"Should any information about his abilities reach other clubs, I'll hold you responsible," Jason warned the woman before departing with Stefan.
En route, Stefan turned to Jason, "You have something on your mind, what is it?"
"You sensed it, huh," Jason chuckled. "Elemental Speed, a tremendous talent, Stef. I anticipated something astonishing from you, but Cosmic Telepathy... that's an infamous ability."
"Oh?"
"Stef, Cosmic Telepathy is more than just mind reading or communicating telepathically. It grants you access to emotions, planes beyond scientific understanding, memories of others, and even allows manipulation of their will. It's despised because it violates privacy. It's a good thing you haven't been using it on everyone," Jason explained.
"Is it that severe?"
"Stefan, using your abilities on teammates without consent will break their trust irreparably. You can't play with people who don't trust you. Trust is fundamental in Titan games, even more so than abilities."
"I get it, but why is Telepathy so dreaded?" Stefan inquired, his eyes filled with curiosity.
"Telepathy itself isn't feared; the government employs many telepaths, and there are devices to counter their mental influence. However, Cosmic Telepathy is on another level. It enables a person to sift through millions of minds, manipulate emotions, and transmit information to groups thousands of light-years away. Not even the federation can neutralize such power without resorting to elimination."
"Who are you referring to?" Stefan's voice remained calm and gentle.
Stefan learned about the first man from Earth with Cosmic Telepathy, renowned as the most dangerous criminal across galaxies.
Jason's words were intriguing to him, yet he made it clear they weren't the same person. However, the idea of uniting a team of eleven Titans, with himself as the core connecting their minds, stirred a sense of euphoria within him.
But before forming this envisioned united force, he needed to secure a spot on the team and familiarize himself with his teammates, as advised by Jason.
Escorting Stefan to another floor, the personnel led him to a pod. Confused about the purpose, Stefan inquired about the setup resembling a surgical theatre.
"It's for your Phase Venom implant," one of the medical staff informed him.
"I'll be here when you wake up," Jason assured him before a surgeon administered an injection, inducing sleep.
---
Opening his eyes hazily, Stefan felt an unfamiliar sensation in his right hand, momentarily struck by fear, assuming something had gone wrong during the procedure.
He stared in awe at the peculiar device on his forearm, resembling a metallic insect that covered half of the back of his arm. Curious, he questioned its purpose, and suddenly, a screen materialized in his field of vision. Data scrolled briefly before an interface appeared.
[Preparing for appraisal…]
[Titan Name: Blaze]
[Age: 121]
[Titan Rank: ….]
[Talent: Dual Alpha]
[Martial arts: ….]
[Martial Techniques: ….]
Discovering his age displayed on the screen widened Stefan's eyes. He swiftly approached Jason as the door slid open. "Why did it have to reveal my age?" he murmured to the coach.
Amused, Jason patted his shoulder. "Looks like you've adapted well to the Phase Venom Bracelet, which is good."
"It shouldn't have exposed my age," Stefan grumbled.
"Why does it bother you? You're officially a Titan now. Let's take you to your apartment. Remember, your goal is to make it to Team B, also known as the rising stars," Jason reminded him.
"What's this rank thing on the interface?" Stefan inquired, studying the screen in his vision.
"Titans have ranks: Continental, World, Star, Galactic, and Nova, the highest. Your Phase Venom interface shows points gained from training. Accumulate enough, and it unlocks, enhancing your abilities, strengthening your cells, and increasing your inhuman capabilities," Jason explained.
While Stefan explored more features of his interface, which even had online capabilities, they departed and arrived at the second silver skyscraper.
"Here's your room. Choose your martial arts, get familiar with them, regain your touch with the ball before heading to the field. They'll evaluate you, and you wouldn't want to be ridiculed," Jason advised as he was about to leave.
"Coach, about my mum…" Stefan began, wanting to address a personal concern.