Chapter 2

Unveiling the Unknown

Natalia's POV

Ivan's suggestion to open a portal and bring the pancakes with us is a good one, and it saves time. I close my eyes for a moment to focus, picturing the kitchen table with the plate of pancakes, and then visualize the living room of our friend's house. The green portal appears with a blink, and I can see the other side. I open my eyes to confirm accuracy and step through, Ivan behind me.

Our friend's cozy living room surrounds us as we materialize on the other side. It's filled with warm yellows, orange and brown colours and comfortable furniture, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee fills the air. Our friend, Daniel, stands by the window, sipping from a steaming cup. His face lights up as he spots us.

"Natalia, Ivan! What a pleasant surprise. It's been too long." Daniel puts his cup down and leisurely comes over to greet us with warm hugs.

"Hey, Daniel. It's good to see you again," I say, returning his hug.

"Long time no see, Daniel," Ivan hugs Daniel back.

Daniel steps back and looks at Ivan curiously. "You've grown since the last time I saw you. And you're dressed rather snappily today. What's the occasion?"

Ivan smiles awkwardly. "I have a job interview, actually."

"Ah, that's fantastic! I'm sure you'll do great," Daniel smiles toothily.

Ivan blushes a bit, and I can tell he appreciates the encouragement. "Thanks, Daniel. So, what's new with you?"

Daniel leads us to his kitchen. "Well, you know, same old, same old. Brewing coffee, helping people with their Powers, and trying to perfect my own."

Ivan looks intrigued. "Perfect your own Power? What's that?"

Daniel chuckles. "Well, it's nothing as impressive as your mom's portal Power or your dad's luck enhancement. I have a niche power. I can enhance and manipulate system-based powers and transform them to be system-based. It's not as flashy as some Powers, but it comes in handy."

Ivan raises an eyebrow. "Enhancing system-based powers? That sounds interesting. Can you give me an example?"

Daniel grins. "Sure. Imagine someone has a problem with their Power. Their trigger is something easy to occur like thinking or being thirsty, but their Power is to shoot lasers out their eyes that can cut through a building."

"My Power will place a system on them so the trigger is gone and replaced by intent given to the system. It's like giving someone a game menu for their Power. There's a catch, though. It severely limits how much Power can be used. "

"If the laser eyes person could cut through a building before, now they would struggle to cut through a single brick wall. Over time, the system will level it back up to the original output and even over that. I could edit it to an extent to add a charged attack that they could use every few hours or similar things."

Ivan takes a cautious sip of the coffee Daniel prepared while talking, and Ivan's eyes widen in delight. "This tastes like... chocolate cake!"

I also take a sip, and it's as if I'm drinking a cup of rich, creamy hot chocolate. "Wow, Daniel, that's amazing!"

Daniel shrugs modestly. "It's a fun party trick but doesn't pay the bills, though it could if I downgrade my standards. It was a payment for a girl that could give powers, so that's my 2nd Power."

Ivan and I chuckle, enjoying the flavorful coffee. It's a nice distraction from the seriousness of our visit.

Daniel sets the glass down and turns to Ivan. "So, Natalia told me about your awakening and told me to expect the visit. That ceiling incident sounds pretty intense."

Ivan nods, his expression growing serious. "Yeah, it was... unexpected. And it's worrying because I have no idea how it happened or what my Power is."

Daniel leans back in his chair, sipping his coffee. "Well, that's where I can help. I have a gadget that can analyze Powers and their activation conditions. It should be able to give us some insights into your Power."

Ivan's eyes light up. "That would be amazing, Daniel. I need to know what's going on and how to control it. If it can be controlled easily, if not, it seems like your system is going to be the solution. Maybe place the system on me now if it can be removed later, just in case?"

Daniel nods in agreement. "Of course, we'll get to the bottom of this. But first, finish your pancakes. We've got a busy day ahead of us." He points at the pancakes and coffee.

"But no, once I place a system, it will stay with you till you die, or some more powerful superpower somehow removes it. Don't worry, though. If the activation was too simple, you would have activated it already. If you knew consciously how to activate it, you would have already done so. Trying not to think about something ultimately leads us to think about it more." He points to his head and gestures to the food and coffee that tastes like chocolate.

Ivan smiles and digs into his pancakes with a newfound appetite.

Ivan's POV

After a hearty breakfast at Daniel's place, we make our way to his workshop, a hidden gem in the basement of his house. The room is filled with various devices and contraptions, and it's clear that Daniel has dedicated his life to understanding and studying Powers. I wonder how much all this costs. Like, I know he makes his money from this, but still.

Daniel leads us to a large, metallic-looking apparatus that resembles a futuristic MRI machine. "This, my friends, is the Power Analyzer. It'll help us get a better understanding of your Power."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

I eye the machine with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "So, how does it work?"

"The Power Analyzer will scan your Power's energy signature and attempt to determine its activation conditions. It's non-invasive and safe, so you have nothing to worry about." He raises an eyebrow at me. "Worried?"

I shake my head for a no. "Alright, let's do this." Not worried but more intimidated by the size of this thing

Daniel motions for me to step inside the machine, and the metallic chamber closes around me when I do. I can see through the transparent walls around me and hear Daniel's voice through a speaker system. Transparent walls plus one to coolness.

"Okay, Ivan, I'm going to initiate the scan now. Just relax and let the machine do its thing."

I close my eyes and take slow, deep breaths to stay calm. I feel a tingling sensation as the Power Analyzer starts its scan. It's a strange feeling, like being enveloped in a warm, gentle energy.

Inside the machine, my mind begins to wander. I think about the nightmare that triggered my Power. I recall the sensation of fear and panic. Unclear images flash before my closed eyelids. I try to focus on those memories, hoping they might be vital in understanding my Power. But I don't remember much except a bright light and thunderous noise.

Minutes pass, and then the machine begins to hum softly. I can sense a change in the energy around me. It's like something is being unlocked, a door to a hidden part of myself. It's unlocked but not open. Seems like I still need to know the trigger to open it.

Daniel's voice comes through the speaker again. "Ivan, the scan is complete. You can step out now."

I open my eyes and leave the machine, feeling slightly disoriented. Daniel is waiting for me with a small device in his hand, displaying a holographic readout.

"Well, Ivan, it looks like we've made some progress," Daniel says with a hint of excitement. "According to the scan, your Power seems tied to your thoughts, particularly strong curiosity and emotions like fear and anger. Your nightmare likely triggered it, or the dream was already triggering, and it became a nightmare at the end."

I absorb this information, trying to make sense of it. "So, my Power activates when I'm scared, angry, or curious? That doesn't sound very reassuring."

Daniel nods, understanding my concern. "I know it might seem daunting, but the key to controlling your Power is learning to manage your emotions and thoughts to some extent. You can harness your Power intentionally and safely with practice and guidance."

Ivan takes a deep breath, feeling a mix of determination and uncertainty. "I want to learn, Daniel. I want to understand my Power and ensure I never accidentally hurt anyone."

Daniel smiles reassuringly. "That's the right attitude, Ivan. We'll work on it together. And remember, you have a supportive family and friends who will be here for you every step of the way."

"Now let me talk with your mom privately. Then we will have a few exercises and tests."

"Sure"

Daniel POV.

"Ivan, you can return to the kitchen and have some coffee or whatever you like. We'll be there shortly."

"Do you have more of that coffee ready?"

"Haha, yep, it's on the kitchen worktop. You can't miss it. There are also many cookies I've been making with my 2nd Power. Test them out and let me know what you think of them later."

"Sounds awesome. See ya in a bit."

"Nat, let's go to my office. We need to talk about how to approach this"

"Yeah… sounds like a plan. Sweety, leave some for me to try if you discover really good cookies!"

I walk to my office door and open it while gesturing for Nat to enter. She walks by and sits on the sofa, making herself comfortable for the long chat I plan to have.

"So, you know his trigger and Power. What are they, and why the secrecy? Is it awful?" She tilts her head sideways.

"Well, It's not bad until he knows what triggers it. His mind would wander and activate it a lot more if he did. He has Potential manipulation. As in, he can make ANYTHING happen."

"His trigger is mostly curiosity. The strongest triggering thought is 'What are the chances/possibility of ….'…." I pause and let her work through it before I continue.

"Also, his starting output is…. well, he can make the sun go out. No supernovas or anything. If he thinks about the chances of the sun going out, it will just go out without any cause or with a cause that will snuff it out without any consequences."

"That sounds insane; I'm guessing you want permission to use your system on him. Removing the trigger and making it work on him wanting something to happen instead of being curious." I sit behind my desk, put my elbows on it and rest my head on steepled fingers.

"Yes, but there is an opportunity. We can give him extra powers before I place the system on him." She raises both eyebrows, and I lean back on the chair, arms on the rest and open.

"It will be relatively safe, allowing him to grow faster even with my Power's massive restrictions on him. The restrictions will apply to the new and his original and any other powers afterwards, but he will be able to get some very potent ones now instead of in 80 years or something…. He has the potential to live forever…" I express the potential for making him grow way faster than what he would typically be able to do. The more avenues for Power, the quicker the growth.

"…..Which ones will you try and get him to acquire? Seems like you have something in mind. Also, why even risk it? What are you scheming?" She observes me intently, looking for any lies and misdirection. But I have no reason to lie or hide anything, so I lay everything on the table.

"Well, I'm thinking of Automatic-Adaptation to all powers."I wait for her to react, and she nods twice in approval

"Infinite Prime energy or Origin energy". She tilts her head, eyes widening a few seconds later, realizing why I suggested that.

"The next one is something he should have, but it may not be active or work only when he activates his Power. Absolute Potential."She raises a hand to stop me from continuing.

"Yeah, his Power technically gives him unlimited potential, but it's not his superpower. It's the potential of his superpower." She correctly assumes what I explained, and I nod at her assessment. So I will continue with the last one.

"Lastly, self-resurrection. For obvious reasons. It will likely get restricted to 1-2 times a month, but I don't know." She grins a predatory smile.

"Shouldn't that be the first or at least the second Power, not the last?" A kitchen knife point first materializes above my desk, embedding itself in the hardwood when it falls. It's not unexpected and a clear threat as any.

I carefully state my reasons. "The reason it's last is activation and aquirement. If he can't adapt the Power, therefore, activate it. It's useless. The energy required for activation is unknown if it is needed. So it is futile even if he has it but doesn't have the energy type. It is useless if he doesn't have the potential to activate it, even if he has it and has the energy type."

"Okay, that does sound reasonable." She crosses her legs and arms and leans back on the sofa.

"Now, I understand the situation. We'll leave your motivations for later, but what are our concerns except for the catastrophic consequences if this goes very, very wrong getting him those powers?"

I lean back and confess my doubts on how my Power will manifest once I place it on her son.

"I don't know how my Power will adapt to this combination."

"Sigh"

"It might just give him an entire game menu for everything. It's like a fully customizable character with everything in one place, or it might split 5 ways, his original and once for each additional Power. That would not be ideal."I drag my hand through my hair, put my elbow on the armrest and lean the side of my face on the palm of my hand.

"So essentially, you're hoping your Power links everything together in one package instead of 5 different ones. At the same time, you're hoping his powers will influence and synergize with your own, creating a whole." She shrugs nonchalantly, unknowing of the coming disaster. Seems like I will have to tell her…

"I don't see the problem except for slower growth and adaptation. I can see how this could become a problem if Ivan starts getting a lot of new powers, and each new one gets a separate system. But that's a long way into the future. Even then, he could use his Power in the future to link everything together.

Now comes the motives of why you want him to grow as fast as possible?" She simultaneously states calmly and questions me with the last statement's intonation and tilted head.