~Twelve Years Later~
The Arcanum Helix Institute was built on a remote island in the South Atlantic Ocean. The island could only be accessed by boat, passing three levels of security before getting to the shores of the island, and passing other security checkpoints on land before getting to the institute. The affairs and existence of the institute were disclosed only to the leaders of the United World Authority, making it the most concealed place in the world.
The institute had numerous halls, chambers, annexes, and so on, built for different purposes. Some of these annexes were used as training facilities by the island's security unit. In one of those annexes was a young lad hanging invertedly from a horizontal bar with his upper body left bare and his eyes closed. His body perspired profusely as his muscles tensed from the pressure they were under, and his veins bulged so much that they appeared like worms all over his body. Notwithstanding how much strain this position placed on his body, the lad remained silent, maintaining a tranquil expression.
Just then, the door to the annex opened and a young girl stepped in. She had a petite frame and delicate features that contradicted her confident and charming personality. The young girl walked up to the lad and scoffed,
"I thought you were doing inverted sit-ups, not sitting invertedly…"
The lad opened his eyes, and even invertedly, he could make out the outlines of her smile. Seeing that she had gotten his attention, she continued to the main point,
"The president wants to see us."
Hearing this, the lad said nothing and got down from the bar and reached for a towel to dry his sweaty body. The lad looked twenty years of age, with a slender build and a tall frame, dwarfing the girl.
"All of us?"
He asked, to which the girl affirmed with a nod.
"Why didn't I get beeped?"
He asked again, looking at the black band on his right wrist.
This time, the girl grabbed his wrist and double-tapped it, revealing a sleek screen interface. She fiddled with the band for a bit before she pointed at a part on the screen,
"You were beeped, but as usual, you silenced your band. The president's furious with you, Johan."
Johan shrugged and put his clothes on before they left.
A board of directors was in charge of running the institute, and at the top of the board was the president, Dr. Ilene Parson. Being the president of the institute has taken its toll on her but that didn't dent her charm in the slightest.
At this time in her office, seven people stood gallantly like soldiers, with their hands behind their backs. Among them, four were men while the rest were women, all of them looked roughly twenty years old. They all wore matching black turtle neck sweaters with black combat trousers and black leather boots, as though a uniform.
Dr. Ilene had a cool expression when she intently starred at the people in front of her before she finally spoke up,
"Today, we're expecting an important guest. One of our sponsors will be arriving later to see how far the project has come along. As a result of the project, I want you all to display the full extent of your abilities, understood?"
"Yes ma'am!"
Everyone shouted in unison.
Dr. Ilene nodded,
"Dismissed."
At her command, everyone dispersed, but she called out again,
"Johan, wait behind."
Johan, who was about to turn, froze at the spot. He then turned to Dr. Ilene,
"Yes, ma'am?"
It wasn't until everyone exited her office that she spoke up again.
"You didn't answer when I called, why is that?"
"I silenced my band when I was training… I'm sorry."
Dr. Ilene took a deep breath before speaking up again,
"It's always one excuse or the other with you. I know how dedicated you are in your training, but I don't like being ignored when I call, is that clear?"
"Yes ma'am, it won't happen again!"
Dr. Ilene waved her hand and Johan exited her office.
Later that day, Dr. Ilene was informed that a group of people were making their way to the island. After the series of security checkpoints, a group of ten people were led to the institute's main building where Dr. Ilene was waiting to receive them.
She smiled and called out,
"General Norman, I can't say it's pleasant to see you."
"I can't say the same for you."
General Norman laughed, exchanging pleasantries.
His group was led into the institute and they chatted along the way.
"I wasn't expecting you to come," said Dr. Ilene.
"I'm just a representative. He thinks I'll have more knowledge about what's going on here… he doesn't know how wrong he is. But then he complained that you haven't given feedback, and you know how worrisome he can get when he's left in the dark."
Dr. Ilene nodded with a smile,
"I understand his reason, but I assure you there's nothing to worry about. Now that you're here, you'll witness firsthand the result of this project."
While they talked, Dr. Ilene led General Norman and his group into a chamber. The chamber was divided into two sections, demarcated by hardened acrylic glass. Behind the glass were seven people, the same people Dr. Ilene had spoken to earlier. They stood upright with their hands behind their backs awaiting orders.
General Norman exchanged glances with Dr. Ilene,
"Are they…"
"Yes, they are."
"But they don't look like much. They look normal to me."
Dr. Ilene then replied with a faint smile,
"General Norman, haven't you heard that looks can be deceiving?"
She then spoke into a mic,
"The General has doubts about your abilities… why don't you clear his doubts?"
Turning back to the General, she smiled,
"Just pick two people and leave the rest to them."