The room grew eerily silent as Adrian placed his hand on the Power Class Classification Orb. Time seemed to slow, and all eyes fixated on the sphere, waiting for the glow to reveal its secrets. The orb shimmered faintly before glowing white, signaling Common Class.
"Hah, maybe it's just a mistake," one of the agents muttered, relieved.
But then the orb shifted, its glow turning green for Uncommon Class powers. The tension in the room rose as murmurs spread among the onlookers. Some leaned closer, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"Wait," Lucas's voice was almost a whisper. "It's changing again."
The orb's hue deepened to a red glow. Rare Class. A collective gasp rippled through the room.
"No way," Nova exclaimed, leaning closer, her dark eyes wide with disbelief. "Three shifts? That's almost unheard of!"
Before anyone could process, the orb pulsed once more, turning a radiant blue — Unique Class. The agents exchanged nervous glances, their earlier relief evaporating.
"Is this... even possible?" one of them asked, their voice trembling. "Four classifications? That defies all standard data."
Adrian's hand hovered over the orb as it pulsed erratically. The glow shifted rapidly, cycling through white, then green, then red, and finally blue multiple times. The colors seemed to dance in a frantic loop, leaving everyone bewildered. Suddenly, the cycle stopped, and the orb's glow darkened, transforming into an ominous black light that filled the room. A chilling aura emanated from the orb, forcing everyone to step back as if repelled by an unseen force.
"Black?" Nova's voice cracked. "Isn't that..."
"Calamity Class," one of the agents finished, their tone filled with both awe and fear. "A category only spoken of in legends."
Adrian removed his hand, staring at the orb, now still and dark. The weight of the moment pressed down on everyone, the silence thick with unspoken dread.
"Adrian?" Lucy's voice quivered, pulling everyone's attention back to him. "What does this mean?"
Adrian shook his head, unsure of what to say. He felt a strange pull in his chest, as if the orb's energy had left a mark on him.
"How... how is this possible?" Lucas finally asked, breaking the silence. "You didn't even have powers before! You're way past the awakening age."
Nova nodded, her usual confidence replaced by a mix of confusion and unease. "And Calamity Class? That's... that's supposed to be a myth."
The lead agent cleared his throat, pulling out a tablet and scanning through records. "We need to confirm something. According to our database, Adrian Clarke was classified as powerless. Not a single trace of energy was detected in him when tested during his awakening phase."
"That's true," Adrian replied quietly. "I never had powers before."
The agent frowned, his eyes narrowing as he examined Adrian. "And yet, not only do you have powers now, but they're manifesting at a Calamity Class level. Even stranger..." He hesitated. "The energy signature is localized in your left eye. Your right eye appears... normal."
"Normal?" Nova crossed her arms, her tone skeptical. "No one awakens powers in just one eye. That's unheard of."
Lucas stepped closer, his white eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Adrian. "Adrian, do you feel... different? Like something's changed?"
Adrian hesitated. He couldn't bring himself to tell them about the void, the voice, or the exchange that gave him his new eyes. Instead, he shrugged, feigning ignorance.
"I'm not sure," he lied. "I just... I don't understand it either."
Lucy clung to Adrian's arm, her small frame trembling as tears welled in her eyes. "It's scary," she whispered. "What if something happens to you?"
Adrian placed a reassuring hand on her head, his voice soft. "I'll be fine, Lucy. I promise."
The agents exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unsure how to proceed. The lead agent finally spoke. "Adrian Clarke, this situation is highly irregular. We'll need to conduct further tests. For now, consider yourself... under observation."
"Observation?" Nova's voice rose, indignation flaring. "He's not some lab rat!"
"We understand your concerns," the agent replied, trying to stay calm under her glare. "But this is unprecedented. Calamity Class powers haven't been confirmed in over a thousand years. If this is real, it's our duty to ensure both his safety and the safety of those around him."
Lucas stepped forward, his tall frame imposing. "Adrian isn't a threat. He's our friend. Whatever this is, we'll figure it out together."
Adrian felt a surge of gratitude but also guilt. He couldn't tell them the truth, not yet. Instead, he nodded, his expression earnest.
"Thank you," he said softly. "I appreciate it."
The agents packed up their equipment, their movements stiff with tension, leaving behind an air of uncertainty. Before exiting, the lead agent turned to Adrian, his expression grave.
"If you notice anything unusual... anything at all... contact us immediately. The PAO will be monitoring closely."
As the door closed behind them, the room fell into silence once more. Nova plopped onto the couch, running a hand through her dark hair with a frustrated sigh.
"So," she said, breaking the tension, "What now? Do we just sit here and wait for them to poke and prod at Adrian like some experiment?"
Adrian glanced at the orb, its ominous black glow still etched in his mind like a lingering shadow. The memory of its chilling aura made his chest tighten.
"Now?" he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "We figure out what's happening to me. Together."
The group exchanged determined looks, their resolve hardening in unspoken unity. Whatever came next, they would face it—as a team.