Meanwhile, Amelia entered Lady Spectra's private command chamber, where the supervillain stood before a massive holographic display. Maps, tactical data, and surveillance footage hovered in the air, casting a faint purple glow over her regal figure. She turned as Amelia approached, her sharp amethyst eyes expectant.
"Report," Lady Spectra commanded, her voice smooth but authoritative.
Amelia bowed slightly before speaking. "Lucian's baseline stats are weak—F-class across the board. However, his latent abilities show immense potential. There's an unawakened power with an estimated grade between B and S. Additionally, there's an unidentified ability that the scanner couldn't classify."
Lady Spectra's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "I expected no less. And his progress?"
"He is diligent," Amelia replied. "Despite his inexperience, he pushes himself beyond his limits. He has a long way to go, but he's not lacking in determination."
Spectra's smile widened slightly, a flicker of excitement dancing in her eyes. "Yes. I knew he wouldn't be ordinary." She turned back to the holographic display, her expression thoughtful. "It's time to awaken his potential."
Amelia hesitated, a rare moment of doubt flickering across her composed face. "My lady, are you not taking too much interest in him?" Her voice was careful, almost hesitant.
Spectra's gaze snapped to Amelia, her tone sharp but calm. "No. He is important." She paused, her expression softening as a trace of vulnerability slipped through. "He is... someone dear to me."
Amelia's eyes widened slightly, though she quickly masked her reaction. "As you command," she said, bowing. Internally, her thoughts churned. This is strange. Lady Spectra, the most feared supervillain in existence, showing such personal interest in someone? What makes him so special?
Amelia straightened, her face neutral once more. "I will focus fully on his training. Other tasks will be delegated as you ordered."
Spectra nodded, her gaze returning to the display. "Good. Ensure nothing interferes with his progress."
Amelia bowed again and left the chamber, her mind still grappling with the unusual situation. As she walked through the silent halls, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was the beginning of something far larger than she could understand.
Left alone in her chamber, Lady Spectra stared at the holographic display, her thoughts far away. A faint smile played on her lips, her amethyst eyes glowing softly in the dim light.
"Soon," she murmured, her voice barely audible. Her fingers brushed the edge of the console as though tracing an invisible thread. "Very soon."
For a moment, her regal composure slipped, replaced by a spark of genuine excitement. She turned away from the display, her gaze softening as she whispered to herself, "My dear Lucian."
---
Lucian lay sprawled on the sleek, black couch in Lady Spectra's opulent bedroom, his body sinking into the plush cushions. The earlier rejuvenation from the medicated bath had left him feeling invincible for a time, but now, as the adrenaline faded, a dull soreness began to creep through his muscles. Every movement, even the smallest shift, was accompanied by an ache that reminded him of the grueling training he had endured.
His gaze drifted toward the ceiling, where faint patterns of swirling lights from the enchanted windows danced like distant galaxies. The beauty of the room was undeniable, yet it felt strangely hollow to him. As much as he tried to relax, his mind refused to quiet.
The only reason I survived today was because of those drinks and shakes, he thought, frowning. They're not normal. Whatever's in them is beyond anything I've ever seen.
The memory of the glowing protein shakes and the strange replenishment liquids came back to him. Each had revitalized him almost instantly, healing his aching body and giving him bursts of energy that felt unnatural. But it wasn't just the drinks—the entire training facility was unlike anything he'd imagined. From the adaptive weight machines to the medicated bath, everything screamed advanced, almost alien.
And then there was this world itself. Lucian's thoughts drifted to the hierarchy of power that Amelia had explained earlier. He was at the very bottom, an F-class with no strength, agility, or endurance to speak of. The only glimmer of hope lay in the unawakened abilities Amelia had mentioned. Yet even those felt more like a question mark than a promise. Unclassified potential, he thought bitterly. What does that even mean?
His worries deepened as his thoughts turned to Lady Spectra. Her power, her intensity, and the way she seemed to regard him as something more than a mere project all unsettled him. He had felt her gaze on him during their brief interactions, a mix of curiosity and something he couldn't quite place. What did she want from him? And why was she so certain he was special?
Before he could dwell on it further, sleep crept up on him, pulling him into its embrace. His eyes grew heavy, and his body, too tired to resist, finally surrendered. As the room fell silent, Lucian's breathing steadied, and the day's questions faded into the background, leaving him to rest in the quiet uncertainty of the Citadel.