Lucian followed Amelia through the winding halls of the Citadel, his eyes darting around to take in the seamless blend of gothic architecture and cutting-edge technology. The corridors seemed alive, glowing runes pulsating faintly on the walls, casting an eerie light that followed their steps. Occasionally, masked figures in sleek black armor passed them, their glowing visors snapping to attention at the sight of Amelia.
"What is this place?" Lucian muttered, his voice tinged with awe.
Amelia didn't slow her stride, her voice clipped and efficient. "This is one of Lady Spectra's private facilities, designed for combat training and ability enhancement. It's where raw potential is forged into power."
Lucian raised an eyebrow, smirking despite himself. "So, it's like a supervillain gym?"
Amelia's lips twitched in the faintest hint of amusement. "You could call it that. Though most here wouldn't survive the first week."
He swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling over him as they entered a massive chamber. The training room was unlike anything he had ever seen. Dark, polished metal walls lined with glowing purple lights and pulsating runes seemed to hum with latent energy. The ceiling stretched impossibly high, and the air itself felt charged, as though the room held more than just technological marvels.
At the center of the room was a circular platform, its surface inlaid with glowing lines that pulsed softly like a living entity. Amelia walked to a sleek console near the platform, her movements precise as she adjusted settings.
Lucian stood in the middle of the cavernous room, shifting uncomfortably as Amelia worked. "You sure this thing isn't going to fry me?"
She turned toward him, her sharp emerald eyes assessing him. "If it does, you wouldn't last long here anyway."
"Comforting," he muttered, trying to mask his unease.
Amelia ignored him, the console lighting up with a holographic display that showcased a scale ranging from F to S, each level represented by a glowing bar. She pointed to the scale, her tone firm.
"Before we begin, you need to understand the scope of power levels. You've heard of them, but now it's time to grasp their meaning."
Lucian crossed his arms, leaning slightly to the side. "I'm all ears."
"Superhumans are graded by their capabilities," she began, gesturing to the lowest tier. "F-class. Slightly better than normal humans. Enhanced speed, strength, or endurance, but nothing extraordinary. They can perform feats just beyond human limits."
"Sprinters on steroids?" Lucian quipped.
"Essentially," Amelia replied without missing a beat, moving her hand to highlight the next level. "E-class. Individuals here surpass Unawakened league-level athletes. They can leap over fences, sprint much faster than the normal human limit, and endure hits that would incapacitate ordinary humans."
Lucian nodded slowly. "Alright, so where does it get... destructive?"
Amelia's finger moved to the D-class section. "Here. D-class superhumans defy logic. Lifting cars, punching through walls, and surviving injuries that would kill others. They're the kind who can walk into a gang fight and leave unscathed."
Lucian's eyes widened. "Sounds like a party. What's next?"
"C-class," Amelia continued, her tone sharpening. "True power begins here. They can destroy entire buildings with ease, move faster than the eye can track, and withstand explosions. They are walking weapons."
He swallowed, the scale of power beginning to dawn on him. "And above that?"
"B-class," she said, her voice lowering slightly. "They can devastate city blocks, their strength and speed unmatched by most. They're forces of nature, capable of overwhelming entire squads of opponents."
She paused, her expression hardening as she highlighted the next level. "A-class. These are individuals capable of annihilating cities. Their abilities are immense, and their presence alone can change the course of battles."
Lucian raised a hand. "Let me guess. S-class? World-enders?"
Amelia's gaze grew colder as she tapped the top of the scale. "S-class. Strategic resources for nations. They can level cities, annihilate armies, and hold entire countries hostage. Lady Spectra is an S-class."
He exhaled slowly. "Yeah, figured as much. And you? The famous Ironmaiden?"
Amelia's lips curved into the faintest smirk. "I'm an A-class. Amelia Sterling, known publicly as Ironmaiden. My physical enhancements grant me immense strength, agility, and endurance. I also wield B-class magical augmentation and healing abilities."
"So, you're her right-hand woman," Lucian said, his tone light but respectful. "That explains the attitude."
Amelia didn't respond, instead gesturing toward the circular platform. "Step onto the scanner. Let's see what we're working with."
Lucian hesitated, eyeing the platform warily. "This thing isn't going to zap me, right?"
"Move," Amelia said, her voice leaving no room for argument.
He sighed, stepping onto the platform. The glowing lines beneath his feet flared brighter as the machine activated, beams of light sweeping over his body. The hum of energy grew louder, and lines of data began to populate on the holographic display.
Amelia read the results with a practiced eye. "Your baseline stats are as follows."
---
Stats
Strength: F
Agility: F
Endurance: F
Special: F
Powers:
Telekinesis: F
Unawakened Ability: Estimated B to S-class potential
Unknown Ability: ???
---
Lucian stared at the screen, his initial enthusiasm fading. "Wow. F across the board. Guess I'm not winning any medals."
"Your current stats are irrelevant," Amelia said sharply. "What matters is your latent potential."
She pointed to the second entry. "Your unawakened ability is highly unusual. With training, it could manifest as a B to S-class power."
"And the third one? 'Unknown' doesn't exactly sound comforting."
"It is strange...We are unable to detect anything other than that there is a skill." Amelia replied. "We'll need to monitor it closely."
Lucian sighed. "So, I'm either a ticking time bomb or just weird. Great."
"Both," Amelia said dryly. "For now, focus on what you can control. Your telekinesis is your only active power, and it's barely functional. Training begins now."
She gestured for him to follow her, the determination in her voice sparking something within him. "This is your first step, Lucian. Prove you're not a waste of my time."
He nodded, his humor fading as determination took its place. I won't stay weak. Not anymore.