011 ACQUIRING SUPERPOWERS?
"Is that superpower, what the hell?" Dan exclaid with shock and surprise.
This was the first ti he experienced ta powers in real life. Usually, ta humans were prohibited from using their powers in the city.
"Oh, that's one of our training chambers. ta-humans go in to refine their powers," Dorin explained like using super powers was common in the gym.
Dan spun around to respond…he hadn't even noticed Dorin was behind him.
"You an you can actually train superpowers here?" he asked, wide-eyed.
"Yes. What did you think our facilities here offered? Treadmills and weight benches?" Dorin smirked.
The pieces fell into place.
No wonder the daily pass was so expensive. This wasn't a regular gym at all…it was a training ground for ta-humans.
"Is there a way I can learn these super powers?" Dan asked.
"Well, maybe… if your ta score is above 1.0," she replied.
Dan stiffened.
He'd stolen plenty of ta from Professor Gawdry, but he had never tested his own score. "Can I check if I qualify?"
"Of course. Our ta-testing machines are free to use—they're included in the daily package."
Dorin led him to a vast room lined with sleek booths.
They reminded Dan of the machines his school used to asure students' Strength and ta levels, but these looked far more advanced.
He stepped inside one.
The chamber whirred to life. Scanners swept across his body, prying into him like invisible hands, peeling away secrets he hadn't even known he carried. Then the machine powered down.
A glowing panel above the booth displayed his results:
Strength: 6.1
ta: 1.1
Command: 0.3
Dan stared. He had no idea how to read them. "Uh… are these stats good?"
"Not bad at all, for a kid," Dorin said with a low whistle. "You must be one of those natural-born tas."
"Natural-born?" Dan asked.
"Most people—ordinary people—score under 0.5. They need years of training and plenty of resources just to push that number higher. But you're already at 1.1. That's not sothing training alone can give, especially not at your age. You're a natural-born ta."
"Really?" Dan said, though inside he already knew the truth…. Its due to the DemCoin app.
Stealing ta from Professor Gawdry had given him that edge—at least a full point. Enough to pass as sothing special.
"So… can I start acquiring superpowers now?" he asked.
Dorin's smile faltered. "We do have machines that can imbue and train ta abilities. But your Command score is too low. To grasp even the basics, you'd need at least a 1.0 in Command."
"I didn't realize Command score was useful. Even our school doesn't test it…isn't it sothing that tests leadership qualities?", Dan replied.
Dorin smiled again. "Command stat is not to be interpreted literally. It's true use is in the ability of ta humans to command their own ta abilities."
Dan knew now the Command attribute wasn't to command brutes or underlings. It was used to command ta powers so they could be turned into superpowers.
Dan's shoulders sank. "I see. Thanks for telling ."
"Don't be discouraged, natural born ta's do not need to train hard, they awaken their abilities in ti…so people enjoyed a big jump in their scores after only a night's sleep… Your Command ability may be awakened sooner than you think," Dorin said warmly.
"Thanks"
"Explore the facility a bit more. You might find more surprises waiting for you," she added.
----
[Control Center of Heroes' Gym]
"Dorin, why did you give that boy an unlimited day pass? He doesn't even have an ID yet. How is he supposed to use our services?" asked a middle aged man, watching as Dorin stepped into the room lined with CCTV screens.
"Director Ambrone, I didn't expect to see you here today," she replied evenly.
"I was at the City Council on other business. I had so ti, so I ca to check in—only to see you hand a pass to the boy. That is highly against the regulations. I'd expect better from you…"
Dorin raised a brow. "You're here because the heir of the martyred twin Superheroes showed up at the city's desk, aren't you?"
Ambrone blinked. "Yes. That's exactly the matter. How did you know?"
"I happened to pass by the admin counters. I saw him flash two Heroes' dals. Later, I made a few inquiries. Those dals belong to the twin Superheroes of lrose City."
"And what does that have to do with you granting this boy unlimited access? Heroes' Gym is a classified training facility for the city's ta-humans, not a public club. What if he's a spy for the Alliance of Evolution?"
"He wouldn't be a spy…not if he's the son of Violet and Black," Dorin said calmly.
Ambrone's eyes narrowed. "What do you an? Is that boy their son?" He paused, then added, "Even if that's true, he's still just an ordinary civilian. This facility is top secret."
Dorin's lips curved into a faint smile. "The child of two of the strongest Superheroes in the land is unlikely to be ordinary. Genetically speaking, diocrity is… improbable."
Ambrone stroked his beard, thinking. "Very well. Keep an eye on him. We can't risk him falling into the Alliance's hands."
"Yes, Director," Dorin replied.
-----
Dan continued exploring the facilities of Heroes' Gym. It was nothing like a normal gym…this was a cutting-edge training ground built for ta-humans.
Every so often, he caught glimpses of recognizable heroes, the sa ones who patrolled the city streets, so of them with their faces pasted on billboards and posters.
"If only I could train here… I wouldn't even need to bother with high school anymore", he thought.
When the tour ended, Dan returned to the front desk and handed the daily pass back to Dorin.
"Done already?" Dorin asked, tilting her head.
"The facilities are amazing," Dan admitted, "but I'm not ready for them yet."
"Don't worry," Dorin said reassuringly. "For a natural-born ta, awakening is only a matter of ti." She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "When that mont cos, co see . We can talk about a permanent mbership."
Dan smiled faintly. "I will." With that, he turned and walked out, Dorin's gaze lingering on him until he was gone.
From behind a partition, a figure stepped into view.
"What are you really planning with that boy?" Director Ambrone asked, his tone sharp.
Dorin's expression didn't waver. "I'm simply keeping an eye out for the next hero… perhaps Superhero of our city. That is part of my job, isn't it, Director?"
Ambrone studied her for a long mont before giving a displeased nod. Without another word, he left.
Dorin gave him the middle finger after the director had left. "Botherso Admin… eager to point fingers but useless in the field."
-----
There was a reason Dan left Heroes' Gym so quickly, even though his daily pass still had ti left. He kept his pace brisk, almost hurried.
Then—tap. A hand landed on his shoulder.
"What?" Dan spun around, startled. "Am I caught?" the thought raced through his mind.
"Boy, are you following ?" the man behind him asked.
Dan recognized him instantly…he was one of the gym's patrons. Apparently, the man had noticed Dan trailing behind after leaving the gym.
"Following you? Why would I do that?" Dan asked, his face the picture of innocence.
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