MC POV
Two days had passed. I continued going to school, but I avoided vigilante activities, using this time to rest with my boyfriend or brother and to practice my Soul Energy and the new soul power I had acquired. It was very strong, but over the years provided by the system, I gained better control over my Soul Energy and the power of the flames themselves.
Currently, I was facing a man with stone-gray skin and heavy armor. He was tall and emitted an overwhelming aura and pressure.
I moved my right hand and sent a draconic fire claw toward him, which he countered with powerful lasers from his eyes, destroying it. I continued my attack, bringing my hands together to create small, western-style fire dragons, which I launched forward. The dragons, appearing almost alive, proved more troublesome; the giant grew irritated by their intense flames. However, a field of cosmic energy surrounded him, and with a flick of his fingers, the flames were extinguished as if they were nothing.
I then felt his powerful, focused gaze on me, chilling me to the core, as he fired a laser that seemed capable of destroying a planet—stronger and more intense than before. I gathered all my energy, creating a massive dragon's mouth that emitted a dragon breath toward his attack. The red-orange flames, even more intense than before, surged toward the laser, emanating not only intense heat like magma but also divine energy and something even more ancient.
The attacks clashed, but in the end, I was still the one on the losing side… Time froze, the world returned to its previous state, and I sat on the ground, exhausted, looking at a screen in front of me.
**Training Status**
Host:
- Physical, mental, and soul conditions preserved.
- Only available abilities are Soul Energy-related powers, including Reiatsu, Kai Kai, and the Ancient God Dragon of Fire's Nuclear Flame.
- All other energies, powers, and items have been restricted.
Opponent: Dark Side.
Result: Took a beating, as expected.
I didn't comment. My improvement with the flames alone was something I was pleased with; this power will definitely be a trump card, especially against extremely powerful enemies in the future. Not only does it deal damage in the physical world, but its impact on the spiritual realm is significant.
I took a deep breath, stood up, and returned to training. Alongside my Soul Energy, I also practiced other abilities and combat skills.
…
Today was a regular school day, but the topic was particularly interesting as we had a special guest: someone from Oscorp Industries. The lecture focused on recent advancements the company has made in genetics and medicine.
"Our project has always aimed to recreate the super-soldier serum. If our experiments succeed and we can mass-produce it, humanity will enter a new evolutionary phase, becoming a species superior to all historical human developments—a new sapiens, if you will," the guest said.
"Specifically, Oscorp's new serum, D-1, enhances physical healing and repairs injuries, albeit temporarily. It has shown positive results in surgeries and accident cases, though production costs remain high."
A bright student, with a strong interest in the field, asked the researcher and professor, "Professor, you're talking about a new sapiens, correct?"
"Indeed."
The researcher replied with pride, but the student followed up with a sharp question—one touching on political, social, and even military issues today.
"The promise of this research is that the serum takes an ordinary human to peak physical form in strength, endurance, speed, senses, and similar traits. While impressive, there are mutants capable of far more extraordinary feats, such as the renowned mutant rights advocate, Dr. Charles, and the current criminal leader, Magneto."
"The latter is said to be capable of causing disasters by manipulating Earth's magnetic field… In comparison, the serum doesn't seem as significant. Mutants are also born with diverse and often highly useful, if dangerous, powers."
His question was straightforward but logical, especially for someone like me who has encountered such beings. After all, someone enhanced by the serum is no match for mutants like my mother or aunt.
The researcher remained calm, unlike the director beside him, who appeared mildly panicked. "Your point is valid. Regarding mutants, or 'gifted' individuals, as some prefer to call them, they can indeed exceed technological limits in extraordinary ways. However, they are rare, and their powers are often unstable and unpredictable. Our serum is not intended to replicate that; it aims to advance humanity as a whole. One could say that once it's realized, humanity will become an enhanced species. We haven't tested it, but it might even work on mutants."
"We also don't know what exists beyond Earth; what if there are powerful alien races? We must ensure our civilization continues advancing, independent of uncontrollable factors. But let's set that aside for now…"
I agreed with him. He may not know what's out there, but I do. Just like Asgard, which combines a strong populace, advanced technology, magic, and even godly protectors, Earth also needs to become more capable—and hopefully united.
Though I haven't explored space yet, I know there are countless civilizations out there, many with advancements far beyond Earth's. While I and other mutants or vigilantes might act as protectors, Earth must unify as a society and civilization. This is why I have high hopes for what companies like Oscorp—and others like Tony Stark's—could create.
After all, if a time of inter-civilization war were to come… a small group cannot—and should not—fight the battle for an entire race.
I quickly shook my head, trying to clear away my anxious, worried thoughts. Even though I love this world and universe I live in, and I have confidence in my ability to protect myself and my family, I also want Earth to be safe against so many dangers, including those from within.
After the lecture, our group gathered around Harry.
"Harry, is it true that there have been more and more advancements?" my partner, who was holding my hand tightly, asked with interest.
"Yes. After the mysterious incident with Professor Connors, we've made a few advancements and improvements… but there's still a long way to go…" He seemed like he was about to say something more but then looked away.
"Nothing," he said, brushing it off.
Seeing his reaction, I asked, "Did something happen?"
He sighed, answering vaguely, clearly not wanting to go into detail.
"It's about my dad… He's been acting strange lately. He seemed sick for a while but has been getting better every day… which should be good news, but something feels off… he seems a bit unstable," he said, frowning. Seeing his discomfort, I used one of my voice-tuning abilities to help calm him.
"I understand. Maybe he used one of the experimental items, which could have some effects on his mental state. But I'm sure it'll be fine—whatever happens, we're here for you," I said, comforting him and offering support without prying too much into a topic that might make him uncomfortable.
Uncle Norman seems like a good person, as far as I've seen, but experimental drugs can always have side effects. I just hope it's nothing too serious.
----
Note: Just an idea for anyone interested in how the MC status is currently set up.
STATUS
Name: Adrian Henutse
Race: Human? (questionable?..)
Age: 16 years old.
Title: Beloved son, Transmigrated being, child prodigy, Beloved older brother, Boyfriend, Watcher: Immortal,
Physical improvement: Slight by cultivation technique, Improvement by T-Virus (perfect), improvement by the title Master of Poison, extra ability: Thermal fluctuation, greater increase in fire resistance and complete and constant purification given by the Nuclear Flame of the Ancient God Dragon of Fire,
Soul improvement: Reinforcement by the power of the Black Lotus Phantom Clan, slight due to the ancient power of domination, Improvement by the spiritual eye of god; Wook of the black constellation (slight); Improvement by the Reiatsu control technique, improvement by the Nuclear Flame of the Ancient God Dragon of Fire,
Mind improvement: Slight by the Haki technique of vision; slight by the Jedi technique; by the ancient power of domination; improvement by the spiritual eye of god; improvement by Saiki no Kuzuo's mental power capabilities; Wook of the Black Constellation;
Special Abilities: Writing Buddha Epithet, Tunist Voice Chanting Technique, Mimetic Voice (Class E),
Combat Arts: Goku's Combat Art, Zodiac Killers' Combat Art, Resident Evil Weapon Art, Wind and Cloud Sword Art, Madara Uchiha's Taijutsu,
Internal Energy/Qi/Chakra Techniques: Moonlight Cultivation Technique, Zetsu, Tunist Voice Technique (Heavenly Library), Transformation Jutsu,
Magic: Light Lance, Cleansing Magic, Teleportation, Candlelight (Skyrim), Use of Magoi, Borg, Ice Make Magic (Static and Alive).
Mental Energy Power/Techniques: Vision Haki, Jedi Mind Calm Technique, Ancient Power Domination; Telepathy and Mind Reading of Saiki Kusuo;
Soul Power/Techniques: Reiatsu Control Technique; Kai Kai; Divine Power One-Leaf Vision; Ancient God Dragon of Fire's Nuclear Flame;
Physical Power: Poison Master (strong resistance to poison); Doa Doa no Mi; Ancient Power Sound of the Wind;
Items: Ruby Strawberry (Infinite), Low-level Physical Healing Potions (2 per day), Red Jujube Spirit Tea (3 daily doses with the ability to recharge internal energy), Goku's Training Weights, Gin's Wooden Sword, Virtual Training Space Generator Mouse Necklace (1 real-world hour = 6 virtual-world months), Interstellar Era Telephone, Medium-sized Prison Capsule created by Cooler,
Combat Items: Sword used in combat (Imperial Kitchen Knife): Daedric Sword. Silver Horologium Key, White Jedi Saber, Goddess of Night and Darkness Nyx Protective Suit Fused with , Rimuru's Majin Mask, A Nightwing Equipment Kit, Aladdin's Staff, 2 DC Canary Bombs, Black Constellation Wook; Omnitrix [Alien: Arthropod, Ghostfreak, Slime.]
Pet: "Kryptonian AI (Anturian)", Scarlet Bee Queen, Shady (Shadow Slime), Digging Slime, Cleaning Slime (2, 1 in base), Arcanine, 4 Minions (2 in base), 2 Battle Droids (2 in base),