Talent Reborn
Episode 42: The Evolution of His Ability
Seeing the Flaws in Perfection
Haruto stood in front of the hospital window, watching the sunrise paint the sky in golden hues. The surgery yesterday had changed everything.
He had created a new procedure. Not copied. Not borrowed. His own.
Yet, something else had changed too.
Ever since that surgery, his ability felt… different.
Before, whenever he copied a talent, he felt the precision, the mastery, the technique. But now, there was something more.
He saw flaws.
As he passed by the hallway, he observed a surgeon stitching up a wound. He instinctively copied the technique—but this time, his mind reacted differently.
A 0.3mm deviation in pressure.
A misalignment in the stitch pattern—inefficient for long-term healing.
It wasn't just copying anymore.
It was analyzing.
A Test in the ER
Haruto didn't have time to process this change before a loud commotion erupted in the ER.
"Multiple trauma victims incoming!" a nurse shouted.
He rushed in. Paramedics wheeled in patients covered in blood. Among them—a man with a deep abdominal wound, his pulse dangerously weak.
"He's going into shock!" Ayaka shouted.
Haruto scanned the room. Several surgeons were already at work, each using high-level techniques he had seen before.
But now, his ability revealed something else.
Flaws.
Dr. Hoshino's suturing method—too slow for this case.
Dr. Renji's incision technique—causing unnecessary tissue damage.
For the first time, he wasn't just copying their skills.
He was correcting them.
Surpassing His Mentors
"Scalpel," Haruto ordered, stepping forward.
Dr. Renji frowned. "This is my patient."
Haruto met his gaze, unwavering. "Your method will cause excessive bleeding. Let me handle it."
Renji hesitated. Haruto had never challenged his skills before.
But something about him was different today.
"…Fine."
Haruto's hands moved with precision, adjusting techniques on the fly. Every movement was refined, flawless—not just copied, but perfected.
Within minutes, the patient stabilized.
Renji's eyes narrowed. "That wasn't just my method."
Haruto exhaled, realizing the truth. "No. I improved it."
Renji smirked, stepping closer. "Interesting… Looks like you've finally evolved."
The Future of His Ability
Later that night, Haruto sat alone in the break room, his fingers tracing the edge of his coffee cup.
His ability had changed.
Before, he had been a mirror, reflecting the talents of others.
Now—
He was a refiner.
A force that could take any skill, any talent, and make it better.
But if that was true…
Then what was the true origin of his power?
And why was it evolving now?
As the clock ticked past midnight, Haruto realized something chilling—
His ability wasn't just growing.
It was leading him toward something.
Something he wasn't sure he was ready to face.
End of Episode 42.