I shifted my ass subconsciously more times than i should have, the seats felt like solid granite and resting your head in the seat meant grinding against sand paper. Incidentally fortessa didn't sit in the car, she hovered over the seat in a meditative position while shiter did not seem to have any quams about the seat. Although elise looked the most miserable out of us four as she seemed to be on the verge of tears. Extropod 3 as they call it, although not comfortable, this vehicle could receive attacks from superheros and survive, fully armour with a mysterious glassy coat in the outside, the thing was basically a tank.
My gripe here was that i couldnt look out, as i am missing out on one of the most advanced cities in the world, wind veil city, named after the famous superhero who contributed greatly to defeat the organization "Anarchy" 50 years ago in the last super war. The city was like something out of a scifi movie indeed, with a giant statue of starveil in the middle of the city, it was covered in buildings of glass but the best fact was it had the same ratio of trees as buildings, almost making a true concreate jungle. And the main attraction of starveil city, to the outskirts you see a huge dome, the exact place were headed, Unite academy.
"So, it says here you're a mid-tier psychic?" Fortessa flipped through a stack of papers that looked suspiciously like a file on me.
-Mid-tier?-
-Brat, you aren't even low-tier by my standards.-
Psycore's laughter echoed inside my head, sharp and mocking.
In this world, powers were divided into three tiers — low, mid, and high. Each ability could evolve depending on the person or the nature of their power. A low-tier might reach near mid-tier with effort, but a mid-tier reaching high-tier was still only a theory. High-tiers were said to have limitless potential.
About fifteen percent of the world's population had powers: most low-tier, some mid-tier, and less than one percent high-tier. Those rare few usually ended up working for the government or the Hero Organization — they were too valuable not to.
Psycore's voice cut back in. -Ten years of training and you're still a low-tier boy. You haven't even tapped one percent of my prime power.-
His boasting would sound like delusion coming from anyone else, but there was truth in his words. Psycore had been the world's No.2 hero — a man strong enough to injure Blue Patriot himself, a being people called a god.
It was a miracle you survived, Psycore said, but you did. And somehow, I got stuck in your soul, and you inherited my abilities. What a crazy turn of events, huh, boy?
On TV, Psycore had always seemed like an edgy loner. Who would've guessed he was actually this loud?
Still, I could feel my powers sharpening — the tendrils growing more precise, my control steadier. High-tier was far away, but maybe not impossible. Either I'd reach it... or my body would break first.
Telekinesis, Psycore's strongest ability, was still beyond me. I could barely lift five kilos, while records claimed he'd once lifted an entire city — a story he always dodged when I asked.
Fortessa's eyes flickered blue as some gadget scanned us. She nodded. "We're here," she said, as the jeep door opened.
I almost gasped.
Before me stood a fortress of shimmering blue metal. Twin arches stretched over the entrance, connecting to towering buildings behind them. In the center of a vast courtyard stood a monument — six heroes frozen in motion, the same ones who had defeated Anarchy fifty years ago. Crystal fountains sprayed around their feet, scattering light like gems. It felt less like a school and more like a temple.
-This place hasn't changed much since I last saw it- Psycore muttered. His tone held no awe, only disdain.
Elise, meanwhile, was too distracted to watch her step and walked straight into someone — a tall, muscular girl with black dreadlocks and sharp brown eyes.
"I—I'm so sorry!" Elise squeaked.
"No worries." The girl smiled — surprisingly kind for her fierce look. "I'm Tara Sabnica. From what I hear, we'll be classmates."
"Classmates? I thought you were a professor," Elise said, shaking her hand.
Before Tara could reply, a boy stepped in front of me — short blond hair, electric-blue eyes, and a cocky grin. His presence buzzed, literally.
"Classmates, huh? I'm fine with the girl, but that pale ass?" He jabbed a thumb at me. "He won't last a day here. How'd you even pass the test?"
-Pale ass- Psycore muttered.- He's not wrong, boy. You look sick. Overused your powers now face the consequences-
He wasn't wrong. My body trembled from earlier overexertion, but irritation burned stronger.
I focused — tendrils forming near my hands. Just a little show of strength—
Then he vanished.
A blur hit my legs, and I crashed to the ground.
-A speedster- Psycore noted dryly. - Don't bother. Drop it and move on-
Before I could get up, wind swirled around me, lifting me back to my feet. Tara floated beside me, hand raised — aerokinesis.
"Serves you right, Shifter," she said to her facless partner, swatting the blonde aside with a her sheild.
"You okay, Tenor?" she asked, her tone suddenly gentle.
I nodded faintly. Fortessa watched from the side, unfazed. She could've stepped in any time — but didn't.
So this was the academy.
A place where even classmates played rough.
A place where only the strong survived.
"Ready to meet the founder of unite? You guys have special invitations as you passed the test the fastest" said fortessa pointing towards a detached office in the huge premise.