Black, now dressed in a black and yellow shirt, jeans, and boots, stared at his reflection in the elevator glass. At that moment, it showed nothing but the darkness of the transition from the underground to the surface.

"I won't deny it's nice to wear real clothes again..."

He held a white badge with blue stripes hanging around his neck, where the words ‘Level Two Access’ were written.

"Finally, I’m going to meet Tyx. I need to prove to him that I’m ready to act as a Convergent."

His fingers let the badge drop against his chest as he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"In the end, Emma was right: I need to get better before trying to help the woman of my dreams."

He looked again at the glass, which now faintly reflected his image.

Then, the darkness was suddenly replaced by sunlight. Ahead of him, he could see the blue sky scattered with clouds, towering skyscrapers, and streets crowded with people.

Black stepped closer to the glass, placing a hand against it, gazing at New Atlantis with determination.

"I’ll make it!"

The elevator doors opened, and Black stepped into a hallway similar to one he had seen before: the floor and walls were white, with brown details along the lower edges, exuding a lavender scent.

"Hard to believe it’s been over three months since I last walked through this place. At least this time, no one’s pointing a gun at my head."

He took a deep breath, stepped out of the elevator, and looked around. There were rooms and framed pictures lining the walls, along with an intersection leading left and right.

– Emma said it’s the last room at the end of the hall to the left... – he muttered, glancing again at the badge before moving forward.

He walked along, curiously observing the pictures as he passed. There were many, but most seemed to depict New Atlantis landmarks.

Black admired the artwork until one particular picture caught his eye: a photo of a sunrise over a harbor. It made him pause briefly, but he soon resumed his path to the left.

When he turned the corner, he immediately noticed someone standing in front of the gray door at the end of the hall, above which was inscribed "Defender Tyx."

"Is that Tyx? No, he’s too small and skinny to be him."

Black continued walking, slowly approaching the figure, who appeared to be a lanky, pale young man. His messy black hair was long, and he wore a black hoodie, ripped jeans, and black-and-white sneakers.

– Why do I have to do this? – the hoarse voice of Demian sounded frustrated as he lightly knocked his fist against his own head. – This is pointless! Why did he put me on this stupid team...?"

Black could barely make out the words and approached further, noticing that the thin young man had his eyes closed, lightly shaking his head in denial.

"Is he talking to himself?"

Black stood nearby, one eyebrow slightly raised, crossing his arms as he watched the young man freeze in place.

– Hey, excuse me! Is this Tyx’s office? – he asked, looking toward the door ahead of the lanky figure.

Demian didn’t respond immediately. He seemed to tremble slightly as he awkwardly tried to turn his head to glance behind him without fully showing his face. He quickly gave up, placing a hand over his right ear and forcing a laugh.

– Ha! So that’s it! I’ll need to hang up now... – Demian said with exaggerated gestures. – Yeah, you know how it is: I can’t keep talking on my wireless earpiece... Because... yeah. Bye!

He kept his forced laugh going for another moment, still facing the door.

"Weird..."

Black cleared his throat to get attention, placing a closed fist over his mouth.

– Ah, sorry! I didn’t... – Demian turned around, his eyes widening as he noticed Black's size, lifting his face to meet his gaze.

His surprise didn’t last long; he took a step back, frowning slightly.

– Is this Tyx’s office? – Black asked as he uncrossed his arms and nodded toward the door.

– Can’t you read? – the lanky young man replied with a crooked smile, gesturing with his head to the inscription above.

"I’m not going to kill this brat... I’m not going to kill this brat..."

– So...? – Black said again, clearing his throat and gesturing to the side with his head, implying the young man should move away from the door.

– Got a problem with your throat or neck? – Demian asked sarcastically, staring at Black.

Another vein pulsed on Black’s forehead as his brows furrowed.

– Dude! Are you going to go through the damn door or not?

– Nah, you know how it is, my hobby is staring at doors. – the young man replied with a shrug and another crooked smile.

– Then get out of the damn way! – Black exclaimed, grabbing Demian by the collar and lifting him until he was on his tiptoes.

Demian’s smirk vanished, replaced by a serious expression, but Black could tell he was trembling slightly.

– You better let me go... – Demian said in a weak tone, looking directly into Black’s eyes.

"What am I doing? He might be a pain in the ass, but he doesn’t deserve a beating for this..."

Black closed his eyes and sighed, releasing his grip. The young man quickly stepped back, placing a hand near his neck.

At that moment, the door opened, revealing Tyx, who wasn’t wearing the lower part of his mask. He observed the two, his gaze shifting between them.

– What are you two doing? – Tyx asked, crossing his arms in front of the door.

Black and Demian exchanged a glance, neither looking particularly friendly.

"Damn it! If Tyx finds out what almost happened... I need to come up with an excuse."

– Uh... Well... – Black began, but Demian sighed, looking at Tyx with tired eyes.

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– Nothing much... I was just explaining to him that this was your office since it seemed like he was looking for you. – Demian answered nonchalantly.

"Why didn’t he say anything? Doesn’t matter, he just gave me the excuse I needed."

– Yeah, that’s it, – Black added, forcing a smile. – Emma said you wanted to talk to me.

Tyx stepped aside from the door, making room for both of them.

– Indeed. Come in and take a seat.

Demian went in first, glancing subtly at Black with slightly droopy eyelids.

"So he’s here to see Tyx too? He doesn’t seem like an enhanced one."

Black followed last, taking in the room as a whole. It was spacious but empty, with a large rug that mostly covered the white tiles. In the center was a PVC desk with a computer on top, a comfortable office chair, and four armchairs in front. Behind the desk, a large window was concealed by blinds.

As they entered, a red-haired girl with green eyes and fair skin, who had been sitting in one of the armchairs, stood and turned toward them. She was dressed in an off-shoulder pink blouse with a black top underneath, blue jeans, and white-and-pink sneakers. Her hair was styled in two braids with curled tips, and a few straight strands fell over her face.

– Hello, Black and Demian, right? It’s a pleasure to meet you! – she said with a bright smile. – My name is Karoline, but you might recognize me as Scarlet Flame.

“Scarlet Flame? I’ve heard that name somewhere before...”

Black studied her for a moment before nodding in agreement. – It’s a pleasure to meet you.

– Y-yeah... pleasure... – Demian said, averting his gaze before looking at her with droopy eyelids. – Wait a second... Did you just call him Black? Isn’t that wrong?

– It’s what he prefers to be called. – Tyx said, clapping his hands behind them as he made his way to the chair behind the desk. – Well, now that introductions are out of the way, I need you all to take a seat. We have to discuss your futures.

He sat down in his chair, facing the three from across the desk. Karoline took her seat again, and Black sat next to her in the last chair on the left. She gave him a gentle smile, and he responded with a slight nod. Meanwhile, Demian chose the last chair on the right, far from the others, practically slouching in it. Karoline glanced at the chair next to her, then at Demian, before returning her attention to Tyx.

– Alright! We’re here today to formalize the creation of the Investigative and Tactical team. – Tyx announced, pulling out three folders filled with documents. – Also known as I.T.

– I.T? I thought we’d be Convergents, not fixing computers. – Demian said, chuckling to himself and glancing at Black and Karoline afterward.

Neither showed any reaction; they simply blinked at him.

– Sorry, – Demian muttered, then grumbled under his breath. – Looks like no one here has a sense of humor...

– As I was saying... Unlike other teams that receive direct orders from superiors, you’ll have more autonomy in investigations and operations. – Tyx continued, reviewing the papers in the folders. – The hero in charge will coordinate the team and make decisions, so remember to follow your leader’s orders.

– So that’s what you wanted to talk about? This so-called team? – Black asked, leaning forward in his chair.

– Yes. You’ll be part of it. The first step to becoming a Convergent is joining a helper team. – Tyx replied, signing some sections of the documents with a pen and stamping them afterward.

– And where’s our hero guide? – Demian asked, raising his hand.

Tyx pointed the pen he was using toward Karoline. Demian glanced to his left until he spotted the young woman, who smiled and nodded at him. However, he kept looking further into the room before turning his attention back to Tyx.

– Is he invisible or something? Ohh! You’ll be the one in charge of us! – Demian said, snapping his fingers and pointing at Tyx. – Got it! Makes sense! Your pen was pointing at you. Wow, we’re getting a Guardian...

– No. Miss Crawford will be the hero responsible for the team. – Tyx replied as he finished signing the papers and turned his attention back to the group.

Black quickly glanced at Karoline, surprised.

– You’re already a hero?

– Yes! I became one about a year ago. It was a tough journey, but I learned a lot along the way. – Karoline answered with a friendly smile.

"So this girl is already at the same rank as Emma. I can only imagine what she’s capable of."

– Impressive. – Black replied succinctly.

– Thank you! But it’s nothing special; I mean, eventually, all Sidekicks become Heroes.

Demian watched them from the corner of his eye, wrinkling his nose and curling his lips slightly before smirking.

– Certainly, nepotism helps some more than others...

He rested his head on his left hand, avoiding looking at them and cutting off their conversation.

– You think I haven’t heard that before? – Karoline asked, staring at Demian, who continued to avert his gaze.

– Sorry, just thinking out loud... – he said, looking at the floor with a fake smile.

“So, she’s the daughter of someone important? That doesn’t justify being a jerk to her.”

Black glanced at the two, and just as he was about to step into the conversation, Karoline raised a hand to him with a smile and turned her attention back to Demian: – I sincerely hope I can prove to you that I got where I am on my own merit, not because of my father.

Tyx watched the scene unfold with interest, paying close attention to how Karoline handled the situation. Demian remained silent after hearing her, simply nodding slightly while continuing to stare at the floor.

– Alright! I need you all to read and sign these documents. They outline your areas of operation as well as various other details about your duties and responsibilities. – Tyx handed each of them a folder as he explained, offering a pen as well. Each person took their respective folder.

“Terms of responsibility...”

Black began reading through the documents in his folder, which included a small photo of him attached, flipping the pages slowly. Demian was the first to hand his folder back, signing it quickly and crossing his arms after placing it on the desk.

“No way he read all of that! I can’t understand most of these terms either, but I think I got the gist: do as they say, or you could face legal trouble.”

Black prepared to sign at the bottom of the document where the signature field was marked, but he hesitated for a moment, looking at Tyx, who was still waiting for everyone’s signatures.

– How should I sign this?

– Just write ‘Black’. – Tyx replied.

Black then signed slowly and placed the folder on the desk. Karoline signed next, also leaving her folder there.

– Well! Now that you’ve signed the agreement, I’ll inform you of your assignments. Remember, from now on, you’re a team and must act like one. – Tyx said as he stood, clapping his hands and looking at the three. – From now on, nothing is training. Being a Convergent is a great responsibility, so I expect nothing less than your best.

“Is it really that simple? Just sign a paper, and we’re Convergents?”

Black stared at Tyx with a confused expression, raising an eyebrow and pressing his lips together.

– Demian, you’ll be the team specialist. Your role is to secure advantages for the group, whether in combat or other situations. – Tyx said, looking at the young man, who simply blinked back at him.

– Black, you’re the first versatile member of the team. Your resilience and strength make you the team’s fighter and tank. Your job is to protect your team and any innocent bystanders. – Tyx continued, now turning to Black.

“Versatile, fighter, and tank? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Black nodded hesitantly. – Alright...

– Karoline, you’ll be the team leader. Like a versatile member, you’ll act as a caster and fighter. Your job is to plan strategies, engage in combat, and provide support.

The young woman nodded after Tyx finished speaking, showing a determined expression.

– Understood!

– Very well! Now I need you all to head to the training area in the Acropolis and discuss a strategy for the test. – Tyx said with a slight smile as he sat down again.

– Test? – Demian asked with a worried smile. – Like, a written test?

– If I told you what it was, it wouldn’t be a surprise. – Tyx replied, leaning back in his chair.

“A test? Well, the faster this goes, the better...”

Black stood up, nodding.

– Whatever it is, I’ll overcome it – he said, looking at Tyx.

– That’s the spirit. – Tyx replied while checking his jacket pocket, but he suddenly stopped and clicked his tongue.

– Let’s head to the testing area then. – Karoline said, glancing at Black, who nodded back with a smile.

The young woman stood up and headed toward the door. Black followed shortly after, while Demian just watched the two leave the room. Then, he turned to Tyx with a look of discontent.

– Seriously? You put me on a team with those two? – he said, pointing toward the door with slightly furrowed brows.

– What’s wrong with them? – Tyx asked, rummaging through the drawers, barely paying attention to the young man. – Now, where did I leave...?

– Nothing! And that’s the problem! – Demian said, curling his lips and glaring at Tyx. – You know I don’t get along with people like Mr. Chad and Miss Perfection.

– Pretty prejudiced of you, don’t you think? – Tyx replied, finally giving up on searching the drawers with a sigh. – For someone who complains about being judged by appearances, you sure act like quite the judge yourself.

– We’re all prejudiced; the difference is, mine are well-founded. – Demian said, looking away.

– When you get to know them better, you might realize you’re not so different from them after all. – Tyx remarked, interlocking his fingers on the desk.

Demian let out a faint, dismissive laugh, staring at Tyx with a clear expression of anger. At that moment, the door opened slightly, and Karoline poked her head in, saying: – Demian, aren’t you coming?

The young man closed his eyes, stood up, and then glanced at Tyx with indifference.

– Who would’ve thought you’re a comedian too... – he muttered as he headed for the door.

Karoline stepped aside, and he walked past her without making eye contact. She gave Tyx a small wave goodbye before closing the door behind her.

Now alone, Tyx let out a long sigh as he leaned back in his chair.

– Young people...