In a dark room, a cold laughter came from a dark corner where only golden iris could be seen with no other feature. Many scientists worked while all around large containers with green transparent liquid contained many warped men and women who sometimes began to spasm and looked desperate until they were sedated.
In the closest container to those pupils, Time Tempest was inside and had a face mask for air and communication.
“To think that you would be done in by a child of all things.” the voice behind the golden eyes said.
“You don’t need to tell me. I had thought those stupid heroes were joking when they suddenly shouted to run but it seems they weren’t lying. Out of all things, how the hell was I supposed to guess that a fucking child had control of a world stone that weighed several million kilos and produced some freakish energy five times denser than world power.” he cursed.
The man in the darkness laughed again hearing him complain but he looked at his body, “That said, it seems your injuries this time are only surface level but this isn’t something that can be healed in a day or two. There is also some nerve damage to account for on your skin and the areas exposed.” the man said.
Tempest scowled “Better than having crippled limbs at least, that gamer system is intense, although I might have played it off but that thing completely ground my skeleton to dust and back during the process and forced all the dead cells of my body to burn up and rebuild it. I felt like it was going to faint when that shit finally started on my brain and nerves. I hope I never have to go through a tortuous healing process like that ever again.” He said with all seriousness.
“Indeed, there are a strangely high number of talents in this seemingly normal high school. The data I extracted from files of those fools that were killed off left behind, surprisingly the idiots called to take you down are quite specific.” He said.
There was some movement in the darkness and information was projected on the glass and showing there were Robin’s primary club members.
It then showed the connection that could be made between the children and the heroes and after a moment of reading Tempest’s face turned to one of shock, “Are they trying to make an academy run and funded by heroes by using these children to attract them as next generations?” Tempest asked.
A cold laugh came from the darkness, “It would seem so. That old woman was likely the one to make those two idiots call the others. Since you were unconscious I also did some digging into the gamer space, I learned quite some interesting facts.” He said.
He casually spoke about the leaked information tortured from people he had identified as having information.
“Enhance DNA directly to add and expand powers directly! This…” Tempest said, shocked.
“Not just that, it is capable of deactivating powers and granting sick or deficient powers the capacity to fill their blanks. You’ve seen the trash living in our streets, fire users with weak fire resistance, healing factor which heals and develops cancerous bodies and much more. Can you imagine all these pawns fixed up.” He said.
“Yes, it would raise an immense army unlike any other but at the same time we have a problem. This power is clearly the centerpiece but not the whole.” Tempest said.
“Yes, it would seem all the failed gamers are but pieces of a giant puzzle and this boy sits at the center of it. The final result is expansion over the entire world and changing the rules of the world entirely.” He said.
Tempest frowned at this, “Can this thing forcefully deactivate abilities? If so then…”
“It needs to be destroyed or we can use it to our advantage. There are many things we can do, among them is infiltration, however the state of Virginia is now a place locked down completely with no major criminal.” the man in the darkness said.
“Are you going to sponsor someone?” Tempest asked.
“No… not yet. The waves caused by this incident have yet to settle and we don’t know the reaction of the American Union. If those ‘heroes’ actually build an academy then it will mean that they are also going to have to gather the greatest students from their entire continent, however this ‘greatness’ does not matter with the gamer space as long as they have time. Eventually anyone can become great.” He said coldly.
Tempest looked at it and shook his head, “They will breed even more criminals with what they think is the source of growth for good. I feel like leaving them to do as they please just to see the utter chaos. Even the Seer cannot constantly look into the future and even good can produce more evil.” Tempest said.
“Hmm… that is a good point… unless they learn to block access instantly or limit everyone unconditionally it will become a monopoly that many will not like. That is an interesting little game they will play if they do that.” the man in the darkness said and looked back at Tempest. “You had best rest, the genetic mutations we had added in an attempt to heal you have more firmly embedded themselves into your DNA and your body is now capable of expanding that capacity further since it has become your own and started to blend.” He said.
Tempest scowled but before he could respond an immensely powerful sleeping gas came into his breathing tube and he just glared at the shadows, “Don’t think my mind can be so easily possessed.” He said before falling to sleep before the scientists swarmed and began to work.
“Oh my! His escape forced him to forcefully disconnect from the river of time! What a jackpot! We can touch him as we please without fear of the repercussions!” one of them exclaimed.
“Don’t overdo it, it would be bad if tempest became a hole from which rampant time altering forces invaded the normal reality we live in.” the man in the darkness said.
“Understood, let’s see… he was previously infused with enhanced musculature, energy efficiency, enhanced skeletal structure and minor psychic capacity to enhance his control. All of them were level 1 infusions.” He said.
“Make sure to check his current DNA and these specific enhancements. I want to see how this gamer space altered this beyond just merging.” the man said and the eyes slowly closed and the impenetrable darkness slowly vanished as light reached into that space revealing the normal lights in that area.
Probes and needles came out and began to remove samples while also starting to inject scientific healing medication.
“Which would be a better self healing capacity?” One of them asked.
“That is probably the biggest power he has desired so that he could train much longer. We’ve tested compatibility of hundreds of obtained samples but it seems he had been unable to receive it originally. We will have to do a retest but he showed the greatest compatibility with cellular regeneration but his time abilities conflict with it since he constantly alters his ‘time’. We will have to see. It is a shame we do not have that Gamer space to properly infuse it as we want.” one of them said.
***
In an enclosed office, the heroes and their top sidekicks or followers were sitting like it was a negotiation. Chasm Might and Server Admin were the ones who gave the offer.
Mephesto was standing there, cold faced and pale skinned with only his horns exposed as the only feature he could not withdraw into his body.
“We get that you wish to gather influence and power to build something for the future but what is the point of it when 7 of the union’s heroes are gathered in one spot. Are you going to make the remaining ones work like dogs to protect the rest of the continent? How would we even react to long distance problems? Esper, don’t talk about the teleportation technique, it will still take several years to properly understand the psychic principals behind that on a technical level.” Mephesto said.
Esper, who was about to talk, was among those in favor of helping out. There was a clear reason for this, Kevin’s Gamer space was acting almost like Admin’s during their childhood, although a lot of his results came from his efforts, those few moments of help from the gamer had left a massive mark on his life and he was among the heroes now.
Behind him were several high class psychics who were more specialized since they had more specialized powers compared to the pure control that he possessed. His mastery of psychic techniques that stemmed from actual psychic abilities was a great hallmark in understanding how this force worked. The fact that he could mimic with 80% effectiveness was well known, most people ranged from 20% to 80% compared to those with specific psychic powers.
“I agree, this holds little meaning to several of us. Indeed the gamer child is enough to be your anchor, Admin, because he isn’t a singular piece, he is just the centerpiece while all your followers and those you protect are other parts in a complete whole. For Chasm, I understand your desire for the Harrison child, an inheritance ability is extremely important to nurture however the other children aren’t as spectacular. Sure, many abilities are unique and it is rare to find someone that matches but not so rare that they can’t be found. There are over 10 billion people on earth, maybe even 11 already, there are many who can do similar feats and can be taught. If we include the other planets that have been terriformed and colonized it goes up. It just requires any of us saying so and we will have an academy like any other braveman that does this.” Vincent Death said.
“Yes but some powers need knowledge to develop. Yours especially sir.” Admin said to Vincent.
“That is true, as for others it needs financial and technical support.” Techno said while constantly analyzing information gained from Chasm Might after finally getting some time. It was naturally the Digital spawner apps and system.
“You and Esper seem quite invested.” Blue Phoenix said.
“I’m still in the process of figuring the bare bones but maybe the next great breakthrough of human technology might be coming. As dumb as it sounds, this power that is basically bringing to life a 20th century cartoon can cover more than just technology, the problem of transport, teleportation and much more can be studied if these technology powers are completely developed. Who knows, the worries of not being able to move around could be totally unnecessary.” he said.
“You still need time to make it.” Mephesto said.
“Yes but you need time to train the next generation of heroes as well. Ignoring the fact that many of the heroes are starting to get on in the years will just lead to the collapse of peace when your strength starts to weaken.” Techno said.
“What was that!” Mephesto said.
Techno turned off the screen and looked at them, “This is not an insult, Chasm, Mephesto and Blue Phoenix, you’re all in your 50s. Although chasm might reach his 80s with a powerful body, that doesn’t mean you won’t die of old age or weaken. I’m sure that strange artifacts in your body contain knowledge that can make you live to a ripe old age but not everyone is like that. Sir Vincent, you are already over 150, you’ve lived a long life but you already feel old age on your body.” He said.
The eldest member sighed, “Indeed, I’ve avoided a lot of unneeded fighting over the years. In truth, it was only because the villains were only new to the strength level of a hero that I could fight without straining myself. I would have thrown my back if I had to fight Tempest.” he said.
“So you did come because you wanted to see the boy?!” Server Admin said.
He was silent and sighed, “Yes, I’ve been looking for disciples to reform the old order and research undead in a safe method compared to the old era. The boy’s connection to the netherworld honestly gave me great hopes but his body lacks greatly in the vital factors to reach hero rank safely. Honestly, I would hope to have been able to bring the few disciples I have raised over the years to obtain the traits of his power. Most of my disciples are powerless to unlock mana to achieve the capacity for necromancy. However, they cannot diverge from old practices. The boy has a means to obtain limitless undead but I fear my ways will pollute a pure path.” He said.
“Or open the path wider.” Chasm Might said.
“Doesn’t he just need the traits for affinity and control? Those are things already present in the gamer space except very expensive.” Admin Server said.
“I’ve examined them, he showed me in the short time we had before the villains arrived, they are improper and weak.” He said.
“Then just let the system scan your body? I did the same for the demon girl and it unlocked the capacity to change the connection of the lower dantian to the heart where life force can flow freely.” Chasm might said.
“Wha!” instantly Mephesto and his daughter reacted, “You did what?! Is that possible!” He said.
“Heatwave and Moonlight both have that kind of body structure, the girl already changed and showed a great deal of growth. Now she just needs time to grow the amount she possesses.” he said.
Mephesto frowned after that.
“You can check it now, the space is open.” Admin said.
He moved his hand and everyone in the room obtained the information.
“How come it is so expensive?” Mephesto’s daughter asked.
“You are changing the central energy supply location. You basically deactivate a person's capacity for internal force in return for life force or other energies tied to the heart.” Chasm Might said.
“So it reacts?” Vincent asked.
“Yes.” Admin said.
“Scan all my traits in depth.” He said.
The system responded and he instantly frowned as he felt the energy instantly start moving about peering into his deepest points.
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Notice
Necro Acolyte, Necromage, Necromancer and Death Mage Classes have been created. All death energy and necromancer related and based traits have been greatly enhanced.
Prices of these perfected traits are extremely high due to low energy efficiency and conversion. For improved conversion and efficiency rates, please upgrade the system to higher clearance and build proper power systems.
Traits can be built in a slower method by forming primary traits in weaker states and slowly building upon it.
“It really did grow.” Vincent said.
“The system is constantly growing, it's limited to surface level scan within moments but the more time spent in this space, the better it gets to scan you passively. If the system was better, it would be able to scan everyone fully and make it possible to acquire more vital abilities that are still lacking for many people who are sick and don’t have complimenting traits to stabilize their powers.” Server said.
The others looked and each had their powers scanned in depth and they were surprised when the System was much slower taking much longer on the heroes than the bravemen behind them but each time it finished came with loads of improvements from the many small traits that created their power being identified and added to the system as well as enhancing many existing one.
The one Mephesto brought was surprising, his power was identified as Demon sealing. To achieve this, it didn’t even start with genetics, the system had to summon the actual body of a demon and seal it in the target and from there came the other traits to build off of it.
Surprisingly he actually didn’t have the life force cycle system and was why he had been so surprised.
For the others, they found out the many pieces that built their trait and were very interested. Vincent’s followers were extremely excited to build up a necromancer body but he told them to stop their foolishness before it began since they needed exp crystals.
“This… can this change other similar powers into our own?” he asked.
“Not entirely.” Server admin, “The system has not reached that level of omnipotence… yet.” he said.
Everyone focused on him as soon as he said ‘yet’.
The two heroes sighed and began to talk about Kevin’s meeting with the other groups that built up the higher clearance levels and even the bomb that came from what they said.
“They are fragments of the world’s soul itself? You mean earth is a living being?” Mephesto said and instantly turned to his daughter knowing exactly what he wanted and summoned her primary deity.
He said everything that was explained and the deity smiled, “It is natural that the earth possesses its own life and consciousness. These are always the first gods to be born in a world. The mother of gods, very likely, the reason powers appeared at all in your world is likely our fault… just like there are sealed demon god bone fragments in your body, specifically the only existing bone fragments that were impossible to destroy, there also exists the sealed soul and power.” he explained.
Everyone’s face instantly turned into a scowl because there was only a single face that came to mind.
“So… is that ‘his’ power? The power of a demon god?” Chasm Might asked.
“You mean the greatest evil, yes. However, the seal isn’t possible to break without an outside source of Divine power fighting the seal made by 99% of my divinity and essence that almost killed me. I had been reduced to a roaming spirit until I was able to return with the help of gaia who planted me in this child. I’ve thankfully regained about 20% of my strength already but I am far from my peak which had been a supreme divinity of which only 14 existed representing the seven elements and seven virtues.” He said.
“What is a demon god, it doesn’t feel like a normal thing.” Vincent asked.
“This kind of demon god had been a demon that somehow got into the divine realm or a celestial being that found itself in the demon realm. The reaction of demon life force with the holy power of the divine realm causes an extremely violent reaction and could have even surpassed us 14 supremes if it was left alone. It required a sacrifice to seal it in this realm but its soul likely forced gaia to react at the same time. This system I feel is likely a long hidden system that didn’t need to be implemented but it needs to now to enhance her own defense against invasive divinities and other things. It is also possible how she will gain greater control to grant abilities with less defects on birth.” he said.
The heroes frowned and this time they felt strange.
“Aren’t gods born in your dimension, how would humans or any mortal creature become a god?” Vincent asked.
“Energy… there are ways to channel the potential of the mortal vessel. It is just extremely hard. Sadly i cannot say how it is done for mortals i really don’t know. Maybe the male with the internal force is pretty close but he is lacking steps despite his body being so powerful. I cannot say, I was born celestial and developed directly from the energy of my realm, your world possesses only natural energies like elemental energy and such while internal force is biological power produced by your vessels. How to break this bondage is up to you humans.” he explained.
Everyone was frowning but it was silent as the small angel remained there and they waited.
The first to speak is Blue Phoenix, “The boy in that club with the feather body, it is honestly the first time seeing someone who can show signs of elementalizing their bodies like me. Those who possess fire control and bird transformation are mostly sham animal transformations, two separate powers existing in a human body. I am honestly interested because to be able to allow a new phoenix to be born is quite a big deal.” he said.
Techno smiled, “The twins are mine, I am going to take this system of theirs beyond their wildest dreams. The one with the data form, even more so, I want to see what it can do now and what the gamer system can do with it. The possibility of transport through data is too big of an opportunity to pass. The unexplored territory, the digital realm, yes, that sounds like the perfect name.” Techno said laughing.
Esper looked at Admin, “The emotion sensor, he is pretty good but i do not think there is much more to it, that said, this is probably the perfect time to settle down to teach and learn together with students. Creativity breeds creativity and that is the core of my strength.” Esper said.
That left Vincent and Mephesto.
They both looked at one another before looking at their servants.
Vincent was the first to sigh, “This system has become more vital for humanity than just my goals but I also require it to not allow the generations of knowledge that have been passed down from vanishing. I will not take the boy as a personal disciple, I will support this project but will teach only my followers. The children among them wish that they would be accepted as students, only under that condition I will teach the boy, nothing more.” he said.
Server Admin was smiling more with each confirmation and then looked at Mephesto in deep thought and shook his head, “I personally see no requirement of being here, however… This system is vital, my daughter and closest followers who have developed powers around life force will join. I cannot, in good conscience, leave so much land abandoned for so few heroes to defend. The future may be different but this is the level of support I can provide for the present.” he said.
The two sighed and smiled as they fully achieved what they needed. In fact, Mephesto’s daughter was a better match for Lola, their power was the same unlike Mephesto. What was important was the umbrella of power that came with each of them.
“This is good, with this amount of support we can easily produce something that should have been done since the nations regained control from ‘him’. The creation of a true Hero academy.” Chasm Might said.
“One question.” Vincent asked. “How do you plan to ‘pick’ students? Their powers don’t matter with the system, for sure, but that doesn’t mean we can pick the most elite students because that would just feed elitism but we can’t pick those completely deficient in hopes that their power is strong.” he said.
“That much is true, that said it depends on resources and technology we have in hand. After all, testing a person's strength is one thing but their character is far more important. Mind reading can only go so far, we can’t tell how someone is going to grow up.” Server admin said.
“Are we going to start immediately?” Vincent asked.
“We need to determine how much land we will take, should we work the boarding school method as well to protect students better? Should we move it outside of the middle of the city?” Server said.
When he said that, everyone knew it was going to be a long meeting and went deep into the night before they each split ways. They started to move with the government and eventually pushed for the academy inside the city where it already is but they expanded the grounds making it a massive cleared area surrounded by housing complexes of the many people recruited by the heroes and the constantly growing number of gamers.
School returned a week after the rescues ended but already large amounts of families had to be moved into new houses that were being built in a totally new residential district with the powers of many men and women to make this happen while the houses were being cleared and the land transformed, spreading a massive forested area with the academy at the center while completely camouflage animal drones populated the forest to keep enemies away.
The school did not change much yet but already large constructions had begun.
Naturally the students were told about the change and were utterly shocked but only in the later half of the year will this be announced because they had too many things to build.
That said, the school was no longer the same level of public. It was the most elite school in, possibly, the world but still a public school.
The requirements to join however were much higher and there were hidden tests but these would be for the many people coming in while everyone there already were students 100%. From 9th to 12th, the teachers would work their hardest for the students.
Furthermore, sidekicks of all the heroes came to act as teachers for specific types of courses while there were heroes for specific students alone.
The most apparent were Techno and Blue Phoenix.
And with the morning PE, he was out there with Rudy, who was in the civilian course, but under his command, he was there.
He was focusing hard as his fire energy channeled through his body. His two red tails radiated a faint red light as it’s power was exerted until he huffed and couldn’t hold that anymore.
Despite producing heat waves around his body while the feathers and even his body seemed to start becoming energy it didn’t work.
It was the same for ice and lightning, besides releasing some sparks or icy mist, nothing happened except the tails faintly glowing.
After seeing the flame, the last energy, in action he thought for a moment and raised his eyes, “Can you activate all three at the same time?” he asked.
“Eh?!” he complained, “I did do that once and it was really painful.” he said.
“What was the exact feeling, was it burning, cold, numbing?” he asked.
“It felt like my body was going to explode.” he said.
“Don’t you channel the same amount of energy?” Blue Phoenix asked.
Rudy nodded. With that he smiled,
“Then let your body ‘explode’.” He said.
“Huh?!” Rudy exclaimed but Blue Phoenix continued.
“I was the exact same as you. Your power is trying to convert your body into energy, it is an obstacle to achieve your full capacity. I was the same, our bodies are obstacles, only when you can fully free yourself of that limit you can achieve full capacity and rebuild it freely like me.” he said.
“Won’t I die?” He asked.
“In a sense, yes. Your body doesn’t actually blow up, it is energized, everything down to your thinnest hairs is turned into elemental energy and gathered up, infused with elemental energy and reborn as the element. I was born with Blue Phoenix fire and when I broke out I was finally able to transform into my phoenix form. Until then it wasn’t even called that, I called it blue healing flame because that is all it could do. Your power condensed into your feathers instead but is effectively the power of three kinds of phoenix in one body and it requires breaking the limit of all three at the same time.” He said.
Rudy looked worried but understood and got serious. If it meant advancing his ability to be like a hero then it was worth it.
He got back into his position and focused hard and this time all six feathers lit up and instantly his face turned to one of pain and slowly his body was filled with chaos.
Electricity formed first as it was the fastest and all the feathers turned purple. Next came fire and it tried to force out the electricity but at the same time the feathers surprisingly began to gather energy and grow much longer than the well known limit but Rudy was in pain. Under his feathers, veins were bulging while his feathers gained split colors and finally blue began to spread starting at the tip.
“Stop!” Blue Phoenix said and Rudy released his breath and all the energy returned to his body and was rapidly gathered up before he collapsed and instantly began to sweat.
His feathers came off and started to fan him.
“I… felt like… I almost had it.” He said.
“Somewhat, next time, move Ice first, then lightning and finally fire in that order. That way you will only grow into the pressure instead of feeling it at once.” He said.
Rudy nodded while huffing and after resting a bit he got up and pulled any remaining energy from the feathers and they coated him again.
This time it was easy at the start as all the feathers turned icy blue over his body. He took deep breaths and released the lightning energy.
The second pair of tails moved and he felt more pressure as the energy forced itself into the feather but the purple spread from the bottom where the energy was coming in until it was split in half and there was no feather left.
Blue Phoenix said to release the fire and this time it built the biggest pressure again and started to spread the red but with it caused chaotic energy to flow as it spread from the back and as it reached full ⅓ for each energy that flowed in his body the feathers began to glow starting from the tail feathers until it finally reached his head as the last feather filled.
“Huh!” Rudy said before the three forces exploded out of his body and instantly gathered around him releasing a shockwave that tried to push everything away and even Blue Phoenix took a good 100 meters distance.
In this space, shocking most of the students in their exercise, they ‘saw’ three elemental energies forming visibly and gathered towards an orb of fire, fluid ice and lightning and it kept growing as they blended into a single force.
“Damn… this kid is someone major.” He muttered as he saw three strands of energy form around the orb and slowly circle closer until they touch and when they did it released a shockwave and they were split but they kept coming and the space grew smaller until they were perpetually spinning and grinding until it was pushed into a single flow and slowly the burning fire and the frigid cold began to fuse with lightning as the source of energy to the merger and when it reached the climax, a small ember was born and suddenly all the energy in the circle gathered into that ember forming very silent flame.
“Cold Fire… it contains the energy of lightning, the form of fire and the cold of ice.” he said.
He saw that ember enter the growing orb of natural forces and started to grow as it went to the very center and with the condensed force, the slowly elementalizing body, it was completely swept away except for his soul which was pulled into the core of the flame and began to absorb all this immense force growing larger and larger until it was the size of Rudy until he finally gained control.
He only wanted his body back and it reacted to his will as it gathered in the middle of his body and the flames morphed slowly as it shaped itself and from its body, hundreds of blue flame feathers floated around just like before and more than half the orb was removed and a bird like body was revealed and slowly solidified as deep blue before the feathers gathered on his body setting it ablaze like Blue Phoenix.
The man grinned as he saw the small bird and felt the rapid convergence of elemental energy in the body and slowly it began to change as the elemental body shifted and took a human shape and slowly the feathers solidified and all that power gathered into six icy blue tails and slowly the energy solidified into a physical body and finally returned to Rudy but as his feathers came off, very easily apparent physical changes had happened.
His skin was snow white, his hair was icy blue and his body clearly released waves like heat but even from far he could tell it was extremely cold.
The feathers were all icy blue and fully grown constantly.
Blue Phoenix walked forward with a grin and patted the boy’s shoulder, “Well i didn’t expect your tri element to be primarily ice. Your power is quite something.” He said.
“Why do I feel all three elements burning like fire.” he said.
Blue Phoenix explained how ice had used lightning to fuse fire into it, forming ice flame, a contradictory element.
“So did I lose their separate capacity.” He said as he tried to feel and suddenly his left arm was covered in red flames, his right arm with ice and his body radiated electricity.
He felt for the feathers and when he was covered, the feathers changed to each color and his body elementalized into separate energy in each part before he returned to normal.
“You are a blended phoenix but your greatest strength is the unique capacity to use any three elements with properties of the others. That is the ultimate dream of those who try to combine them.” He said.
“I… don’t feel like I can do it.” he said.
“That comes with training, you’ve got a lot to learn including flying. Maybe with the system, I can now find the true phoenix and build something like a clan. That would be awesome.” he said and laughed. “Alright, we should get a complete examination with the system and then start training to see the scope of your power.” he said.
Rudy looked around at the damage he caused and was embarrassed while all the others were shocked that the boy called a chicken had actually transformed into an elemental phoenix.
He was happy to leave the line of sight of so many for a short while but Chasm Might grinned towards Blue Phoenix who had indeed obtained a true disciple.