As they made their way back to the Facility, the world seemed different to James. It wasn't so much that the physical environment had transformed; it was that his perception of it had radically changed.

His newly enhanced senses painted a richer, more detailed picture of his surroundings. The subtle shifting of the air, the faintest changes in temperature, and the myriad smells were now vividly clear to him. Psychic Omniscience immediately showed massive improvements over its previous form. It felt like he was running his hands on every surface, tasting every flavor and smelling every scent. He could see with his mind far beyond what he had been capable of previously.

Even more intriguing, his ability to sense emotions was vastly increased. Where before, he had been able to glean intentions through the shift in a presence, now he could outright observe the way his companion's minds operated. He couldn't read thoughts, not yet at least, but it wasn't impossible to think that one day, he may be able to do so.

It was as if he could hear the emotional states of those around him, their joys, fears, and anxieties resonating like distinct melodies. He was the audience at a classical music concert, awed at the notes being plucked by expert hands.

One day, James knew he'd be the one to conduct the orchestra.

Upon arriving at the Facility, the changes in his perception became even more apparent. The bustle of the place, with its Awakeners going about their duties, was now a symphony of emotions and intentions. He could sense the determined focus of some, the nervous energy of others, and the calm assurance in a few. It was overwhelming yet fascinating, offering him insights into people he had never considered before.

It was so distracting that James almost missed a familiar presence coming closer. He turned to the side just in time to see Miss Walker appear from the shadows. The darkness clung to her form momentarily, as if a lover not wanting to let go.

The masked woman greeted them warmly, eye-smiling while she thanked the old man for his protection.

To James, she felt different, like a well of power that had deepened and expanded. Her evolution to A-rank was not just a title change but an aura, a weighty presence that she now carried. Her strength was palpable, resonating with confidence and authority beyond her physical demeanor.

After a brief exchange, they said their goodbyes and thanks to Mr. Julian. The old man's parting words confused them, but he didn't allow them the time to reply. "I can gladly say that they were a delight to watch over. It will be good to see you again once things kick off."

James felt a mix of curiosity and respect towards him, grateful for the guidance and opportunities he had provided. On the other hand, Miss Walker felt much more trepidation, gleaning something from the man's words that he did not.

The woman then led them to a private meeting room designed for confidential discussions and debriefings. The room was spartan yet comfortable, with a large table at the center surrounded by chairs. The walls were soundproof, creating an atmosphere of privacy and focus.

"I want to start by apologizing for not being there for you during this time, but as you can imagine, certain things couldn't be delayed much longer." The woman started, settling down in a chair at the head of the table. "I'll tell you all about what I got up to later, but first, I want to hear about your rank-up choices." She said, her tone curious. "This is a significant milestone in your journey as Awakeners, and understanding your new abilities will help us plan our next steps."

James took the lead, explaining his choice of "Psychic Juggernaut." He described how the evolution transformed his willpower manipulation into psychic abilities, enhancing his physique too, stemming from his encounter with The Sin of Pride. As he spoke, he was acutely aware of Miss Walker's reactions - her interest, slight surprise at his choice, and her mental notes on how it could benefit the team.

"I'm still not sure how much I'll be able to do at the beginning, but with some time, I'm sure I'll be able to expand my repertoire significantly. I just need to experiment a bit with my limits." James said. Then, he chuckled. "The increased mana already feels pretty good. I still haven't even looked at my status because I'm pretty sure I couldn't resist placing those points."

Miss Walker eye-smiled at James's comment, her eyes reflecting an understanding of the excitement and potential that came with a rank-up of such magnitude. "It's always a journey, discovering and mastering the extent of your new abilities. Take your time, James. It's important to understand your limits and how to push them."

The conversation then shifted to Lauren, who eagerly shared her new Talent: Shadow Assassin. She explained how it enhanced her natural affinity for stealth, allowing her to manipulate shadows to conceal her movements and empower her attacks. "It's like they are a part of me now." She said with a hint of awe in her voice. "They respond to my will. I had to stop myself several times from reaching for something with them, it's so natural."

Miss Walker chuckled proudly. "I know how that feels. The sheer versatility shadow magic has is insane. I'll help you get used to it, but it will take some time before you have even scratched the surface."

Stolen story; please report.

James could feel the excitement radiating from Lauren, a vibrant energy that was quite unusual for the girl and spoke of her eagerness to test her new skills. It sounded like she had gotten a good evolution, complementing her role in the team and her personal combat style.

Maria's evolution to "Singer of the Flame" was next, and her description was filled with passion. Her control over her element had reached a level where she could craft specific spells and manipulate flames with a precision previously beyond her. "I can shape the fire, sing to it, and it dances to my tune." She explained, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of her newfound mastery.

James sensed an undercurrent of amused apprehension from the others as the redhead kept going on about her new skills. They all appreciated the firepower Maria could bring to a fight, but the enthusiasm with which she set things alight was sometimes a bit much.

Daniel discussed his choice of "Titanic Bulwark", an evolution that massively increased his capabilities. "I can cast shields now, not just defensively but offensively too." He said, his voice steady and confident. "I had a lot of offensive-based Talents to choose from, but this feels like the best fit. It's mostly a continuation of my old one, but it should allow me to shield a much greater area and it gave me access to barrier magic, which sounds extremely interesting."

James admired Daniel's unwavering commitment to his role as the team's protector. His evolution would make him even more formidable, and the versatility added by barrier magic would help in any future endeavor.

Barriers were somewhat similar to wards, as they could have specific triggers or directly protect those inside, but they were temporary in nature. In contrast, wards could be permanent as long as they were appropriately supplied with mana. As far as James knew, barriers could also be moved much more easily, following the user around the battlefield, and their casting required much less time. All in all, it was a worthwhile field to explore.

The most surprising revelation came from Ezekiel. Instead of branching out to increase his independence in combat - like they had expected he would, after all the effort he had put into his training to become more active in a fight - he had chosen to delve deeper into his role as a white mage. His new Talent, "Abbot of Grace”, seemed to have significantly enhanced his healing and support abilities and provided him with limited offensive capabilities, which depended on specific conditions he said he would have to explore.

Miss Walker raised her eyebrows at his choice, clearly impressed. "It's mostly about amplifying the effectiveness of my healing and buffs, and I can now provide more sustained support during longer fights, as well as being able to set some 'rules' which, when broken, can inflict a lot of damage to the offender." Ezekiel explained. "It seemed right to pick this one since it's somewhat similar to what I already had, but it gives me more options."

Then, taking a deep breath, the youngest of the team continued. "It might have been self-suggestion, but I also feel like the System wanted me to pick this one. It was pretty obviously better than all the other choices, at least."

James blinked, thinking about his own experience. He couldn't deny having felt something similar, so he spoke up. "I chose mine because of that, too."

The others turned to face him, evidently surprised. "I'm not saying that the System interfered in my choice in any way, but it was pretty obvious that Psychic Juggernaut was better than all the other options and that there was more weight behind it." He continued, shrugging when it became clear that the others struggled to understand what he meant.

Ezekiel, however, lit up. "That's exactly what I felt. It was like there was more to the Talent than all the others, even though nothing was outwardly different."

Interrupting the back and forth, Miss Walker cleared her throat. "I have heard of some people saying they felt something like that, and I can't deny that a few of my own choices have felt more momentous, but it's a good idea not to focus on that so much. If the Talent is truly better, the best way to discover it is to train as hard as possible."

They all murmured in agreement at that. It would require weeks of rigorous testing, especially since they all had some EXP banked from their efforts with the old man who had granted them a few levels. The additional mana would be very helpful in any experiment.

As each member shared their experiences and choices, a picture began to form of how Team 0 would operate moving forward. Their individual strengths had been magnified, and their synergy as a team promised to be more dynamic and effective than ever before after some fine-tuning.

Miss Walker listened intently, occasionally interjecting with insightful questions or suggestions. Evidently, she was already formulating strategies and training regimes to help them harness their new powers effectively.

Miss Walker's final words were of encouragement and caution. "You've all grown significantly. Remember, with the increase in power, your responsibilities will also increase. The AA needs everyone, since we have so much of our firepower out of the country. Use your abilities wisely, train hard, and stay focused. We'll integrate your new skills into our training and missions soon."

———

As Team 0 prepared to leave the Facility, a small crowd gathered to see them off. The air was filled with emotions – pride, anticipation, and a touch of sadness. With his newly enhanced senses, James could easily feel the various undercurrents swirling around. It was a cacophony of feelings, enough to make his head hurt.

Agent Martinez was among the first to approach, offering them a warm farewell. "You kids did great." She said, a warm smile gracing her features. "I'll be keeping an eye on your progress. Make sure to give them hell out there."

James could sense genuine affection and respect emanating from the woman, a sentiment that seemed to be shared by the others who had come to bid them farewell, if lesser in intensity. It was a far cry from the skepticism and doubt that had initially greeted them upon their arrival at the Facility.

Even the burly man who had rudely predicted they would run away the first day was present. His demeanor had changed significantly, his earlier hostility replaced by a grudging respect. "Never thought I'd say this, but you proved me wrong." He grunted, offering a nod that was as close to an apology as they were likely to get.

James felt a flicker of satisfaction at the man's admission.

Leonid Stein, ever the stern taskmaster, approached them last. His presence was commanding, his emotions a mix of pride and expectation. "You've all come a long way, but this is just the beginning." He said, his voice firm. "Don't slack off. The real test begins now, in the field, where your decisions will have real consequences."

As they climbed into the black van waiting to transport them, James took one last look at the Facility. It had been a crucible of sorts, a place where they had been tested, molded, and ultimately evolved. He couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the experiences he had gained and the lessons he had learned, despite how hard it had all been.

As the van pulled away, James extended his senses, scanning the surroundings one last time. At the edge of his perception, he noticed a familiar presence – the old man, Mr. Julian. Though distant, James could feel a sense of satisfaction and curiosity emanating from him and directed towards them, as if he were pleased with their progress and interested in their future.

The realization brought a smile to James's face. The old man's cryptic parting words echoed in his mind, suggesting their paths would cross again. For now, though, his focus was on the journey back to New York, the city that had shaped him and where new challenges awaited.