The journey was smooth. After an hour, Ethan could feel that the helicopter was ready to land. It stopped on one of the flat spots at the top of a mountain. Ethan stepped out slowly and took a moment to enjoy the cool, fresh air. "This is refreshing," he said.

The scene around him was striking; lush green cliffs with steep drops, mist weaving through the peaks, and a facility that seemed almost camouflaged against the rocky terrain.

Nemesis’s headquarters stood as a marvel of engineering—a blend of steel and natural stone, its angular architecture carved seamlessly into the mountain itself. The air hummed faintly with energy, subtle but undeniable.

Ethan adjusted his jacket and looked around, taking in the fortified entrance and the Ascendants patrolling the perimeter. The atmosphere radiated a sense of discipline and purpose, a far cry from the chaos he’d faced in Novan City.

Maya stepped out of the helicopter behind him, her dark outfit perfectly suited to her commanding presence. She studied Ethan for a moment before speaking, her tone neutral but with a slight edge of curiosity.

“Well?” she asked. “Feeling nervous yet?”

Ethan turned to her, a faint smile on his lips. “Not really.”

Maya raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she leaned slightly toward him. “Not even a little bit? This is Nemesis, Ethan. You’re about to walk into one of the most powerful organizations on the continent,” she teased.

Ethan shook his head, his confidence steady. “After everything that’s happened in the last week, this doesn’t feel that intimidating.”

Maya smirked, clearly amused. “I guess that makes sense. You have changed a lot in a short time.”

They then walked toward the facility, hearing their boots crunch on the stone path. The guards at the entrance nodded and stepped aside to let them in. Ethan could feel their sharp gazes assessing him, but he kept his expression calm and unreadable.

Maya glanced at him as they walked. “You’re not the same Ethan who walked into that first training session, you know. Back then, you had no idea what you were getting into.”

Ethan let out a soft chuckle. “I still don’t, if we’re being honest.”

She smiled faintly, but there was a warmth to her tone. “You’ve adapted fast. Faster than most. When I think about it, we barely know each other, but it feels like we’ve been through years of trials together.”

Ethan nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. Everything happened so fast.”

Maya’s expression turned more reflective as she spoke. “You know, I trained you back then. Before you even formed your core. Mark and I both did. I saw you push yourself to the limit, day after day.”

Ethan glanced at her, a small smile forming. “I remember. You didn’t hold back.”

“Had to keep you alive somehow,” Maya replied with a smirk. Then, her expression softened. “Mark always said you had potential. He wasn’t one to throw around compliments lightly.”

She paused before adding, "Well, it turned out he was right. You're really something, Ethan."

Ethan tried to smile. But the mention of Mark brought a serious look to Ethan’s face. “He’s still out there, Maya. We’ll bring him back.”

Maya’s gaze hardened, her determination matching his. “We will.”

They reached the main entrance, an enormous steel door embedded into the rock face. It slid open with a mechanical hiss, revealing a sleek, high-tech interior. The walls gleamed with polished metal and glass, the floors immaculately clean. Every detail spoke of precision and efficiency.

Maya gestured for Ethan to follow her as she walked into the facility. “Welcome to Nemesis’s heart. Let’s see how you handle what’s next.”

Ethan nodded as he and Maya moved deeper into the building. He was ready to face whatever was ahead. This was Ethan's first step into a world that demanded strength, strategy, and determination. He was ready to face the challenge ahead.

When they entered the large lobby, their footsteps echoed on the metal floor. The room was simple and modern, with walls lined by soft, dim lights that changed gently, making the space feel alive. Two figures stood waiting for them.

The first was Luciano, and his imposing presence was immediately noticeable. Dressed in a tailored black combat uniform, his High Three-Star Bronze Ascendant aura radiated an air of authority. His sharp features carried the faintest smirk, but his intense gaze betrayed his unyielding vigilance.

Beside him stood a woman wearing a crisp white lab coat over a practical black outfit. Her short, neatly cut auburn hair framed an angular face, and her sharp green eyes assessed Ethan with an unnerving precision. She carried a tablet in one hand, the other tucked casually in her coat pocket.

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What surprised Ethan was that she was an Ascendant, too. A Middle Three-Star Ascendant.

Luciano was the first to speak, his deep voice carrying an edge of both humor and respect. “Ethan Cole. Welcome to Nemesis. I trust the journey wasn’t too rough?”

Ethan inclined his head slightly, matching Luciano’s energy. “Not rough at all. The view was good.”

Luciano chuckled, though his eyes remained calculating. “Good to hear. You’ll get used to the heights."

He took a moment before adding, "Seems like Mark and Maya have trained you well—the Five Ghosts rarely bring anyone here, especially not this quickly.”

Maya raised an eyebrow, but her expression remained neutral. “He earned it.”

The woman in the lab coat stepped forward, her tablet held securely in one hand. “Ethan Cole,” she said, her tone professional but not unfriendly. “I’m Dr. Helena Ward. Head of Research and Development here at Nemesis.”

Ethan shook her extended hand, her grip firm and deliberate. “A pleasure, Dr. Ward.”

“Helena is fine,” she replied, her eyes flicking briefly to Maya before settling back on Ethan. “I’ve been eager to meet you after receiving Steve’s reports. It’s not every day someone like you walks through these doors.”

Ethan caught the faint curiosity in her tone. “Someone like me?”

Helena smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “An anomaly. The Five Ghosts has already informed us of your rapid progression, but data is one thing—seeing is believing. I’ll be conducting a few preliminary evaluations to establish your baseline capabilities.”

Luciano crossed his arms, leaning slightly against the wall. “Don’t let Helena scare you. She’s more curious than critical. She’s also the one responsible for a lot of the tech and advancements we use.”

Helena shot him a look but said nothing, her attention already shifting back to Ethan. “We’ll get to that shortly,” she said briskly. “For now, I’ll leave the introductions to Luciano.”

Luciano straightened, his tone taking on a more serious note. “Nemesis isn’t like the Great Families, Ethan. We don’t play power games for sport. We’re here because the world needs balance—because unchecked power, like what the LaRues are building, threatens everyone.”

Ethan listened carefully, his gaze steady. “And what’s my role in all this?”

“That depends on you,” Luciano said, his piercing eyes locking onto Ethan’s. “You’ve proven you’re not just strong—you’re resourceful, adaptable. But being an Ascendant is more than power. It’s about understanding the game, the stakes, and knowing when to act.”

Maya nodded in agreement. “This isn’t about throwing punches, Ethan. It’s about strategy.”

Ethan crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. “Then show me what I need to know.”

Luciano grinned. “You’ll get your chance. But first, Helena has a few tests to run.”

Helena gestured toward a hallway to their right. “This way, Ethan. It won’t take long.”

Ethan looked at Maya, and she nodded to him. They followed Helena down the hallway. The walls were shiny and cold, and the lights were very bright. They could hear machines buzzing.

As they walked, Ethan asked, “How long have you worked with Nemesis, Helena?”

She glanced at him briefly before answering. “It's been too long, I think? Long enough to see the organization evolve—and to see the threats it faces grow more dangerous.”

Ethan nodded, absorbing her words. “And you’re confident Nemesis can handle what’s coming?”

Helena smiled. "I won't be here if I'm not confident."

Ethan appreciated her confidence but remained cautious. He was entering a world full of layers he still needed to explore.

As they walked further into the facility, Ethan looked around at the clean, modern environment. The constant hum of machines reminded him of the advanced technology that Nemesis clearly depended on. But his curiosity was focused elsewhere.

“Helena,” Ethan began, his tone measured. “What exactly is Nemesis all about?”

Helena looked at him from the side, her face calm and hard to read. “That can wait until after the tests, Ethan,” she replied evenly. “For now, focus on what’s ahead.”

Ethan frowned slightly but didn’t push the issue. Instead, he tried a different angle. “Are the tests really necessary? You’ve seen the reports. You know what I’ve done.”

Helena smiled a little, but her eyes didn’t show it. “Reports are useful, but they only show part of the story. Data from direct observation is invaluable.”

She looked at him again. “Aren't you curious?”

Ethan raised his eyebrow as he was confused with her remarks. “Curious about what?”

“About how you compare,” Helena said simply. “You’re new to this world, Ethan. You’ve seen your own capabilities, but how do they measure up to others? To Ascendants of different ranks?”

Ethan didn’t respond immediately. Her words hit a nerve. It was true—he was curious. He had all these numbers and attributes displayed on his status panel, but he had no frame of reference.

Did other Ascendants measure their strength and abilities in the same way? Or were they like normal humans, using physical tests like punching machines and weightlifting?

Helena noticed his hesitation and smiled knowingly. “You see? It’s a good measure for you, too. These tests will show you exactly how you are doing and what you still need to achieve.

Ethan breathed out through his nose, and a small smile appeared on his lips. “Fair enough. Let’s get it over with.”

Helena’s expression softened slightly, and she motioned for him to follow her into a large room. The space was a combination of sleek technology and minimalistic design.

Machines lined the walls, and in the center was a large, open area with different equipment. There was a strong punching machine, a treadmill that had advanced sensors, and what looked like a bench press, although it was more high-tech than any Ethan had seen in a gym.

"This is where we'll conduct the tests," Helena said. She walked to a console and entered some commands on the touchscreen. The machines hummed to life, their displays lighting up with streams of data.

Ethan looked around, his curiosity growing. “What do you want me to do?”

Helena turned to Ethan. “It’s simple. We’ll measure your physical capabilities first—strength, speed, endurance. After that, we’ll test your Ascendant abilities—the force and control.”

Ethan crossed his arms. “And what happens to the data?”

“It gets analyzed and stored in our system,” Helena replied. “Don’t worry, it’s secure. Nemesis values privacy, even among its own.”

Ethan nodded slightly, becoming a bit less skeptical. He stepped into the middle of the room and felt a soft vibration in the air. “All right. Where do we start?”

Helena’s smile returned, this time with a hint of challenge. “Let’s see what that strength of yours can really do.” She gestured to the punching machine. “Go ahead. Give it everything you’ve got.”