"My Scar? Oh yeah, that is something I need to learn about." I looked around, feeling a fog leave my head. I shook my head to try to stop myself from zoning out; I looked over and saw Gregory looking at me with a wide grin.

"Good. It looks like you may already have an idea of how to use your powers. You have two abilities available to you right now. Typically, people receive one to three when I first appraise them. Still, the number of abilities usually depends on how much strain they put on your body. Having only two will hopefully mean they are stronger.

Now, before I reveal these abilities, I want to explain ability types to you; the first is movement; movement-type abilities will allow you to traverse areas quicker and/or easier,

the next is attack; attack abilities are the largest category of abilities as they include physical, mental, mystical, and anything else that causes harm as the main part of the ability,

On the opposite side of attack are enhancement abilities; these contain abilities that conjure material for defense, cause you to become more resistant, and abilities that allow some of the damage to be reduced in other ways, like a set amount or percentage,

The last group is the smallest but includes everything else, special. This group can sometimes include strong abilities with more than one use case or one that doesn't apply to the groups listed. My appraisal ability is an excellent example of an ability that falls in that category.

One last important thing you need to know is that my appraise ability categorizes these abilities based on my experience, so you may find they fit into a different group as you grow your power. Before we go on, do you have any questions?"

While Gregory was talking, I had been thinking back to all the fights I'd seen from inside The Tower and how those people used more than just two or three abilities, so I asked. "I have seen many people inside The Tower have more abilities than the aforementioned two or three. Do you get more randomly? If so, how do you categorize them inside the tower?

Gregory nodded along with my question as if expecting it. "You mostly guessed it; although we have found some correlation between stress and necessity causing a new ability to be born, it can also appear as you gain strength. For how you categorize the abilities gained, you can place them in those categories if you prefer, as that may help you learn to fight with them. It can also be necessary when you team up with others. Still, once in the tower, it's really up to you to understand and use your abilities as you see fit."

Gregory waited until I gave him a nod of understanding before continuing, which he did with an excitement you would get from a child watching their favorite movie, a smile that can only appear from genuinely enjoying what you do.

"Your Scar is called Specter." I saw Gregory focus and unfocus his vision a few times, looking at me, then at a screen only he could see. After a few moments, he started talking. "So this is a very interesting combination." He then pulled up a tablet and clicked on it several times before showing me.

The screen was semitransparent, with only a small metal border surrounding it. Four characters were displayed on the screen.

IN??

I looked at Gregory, confused, and he explained, "This is your personality test. The question marks are because you scored in our gray area, where you could be either, but the first two are what I was looking for anyway. I was looking at this to gauge your response to the abilities I appraised."

Gregory tapped a few things on his tablet before looking at me and slowly saying. "Your first ability is called Ghouls Embrace, a movement ability."

My mind started racing when he mentioned that my Scar's name was Specter. "I have ghost-like powers, that makes me feel uncomfortable."

Gregory kept watching me as if waiting for something, but he eventually spoke again when I just kept looking back. "The other ability is called Umbral Dissolution, which falls under the Enhancement ability category."

He waited a few moments, long enough for me to shrug and ask, "So, what now?"

Gregory then got a look of someone watching an animal in a zoo. "Interesting, I thought I knew how you would react, but I'm thankful I was wrong. You see, I have worked here many years, and most of the time, when anyone with a similar personality type comes in, they are really weird about gaining similar abilities, almost to the point of delusion sometimes."

I thought back to middle school when all the kids played with their imaginary dark powers. I felt bad for Gregory for having to deal with kids like that. "I guess it can't be helped if the tower chooses middle schoolers that they would feel that way."

Gregory gave me a look I hadn't seen before. His eyes widened as if trying to pop out of his head, and he ran a hand through his hair as his brows shot up. "That's the worst part," he said almost sarcastically. "It's always the adults! I blame anime and video games. They all think they are the main characters and go on and on about their powers being a curse and and and and and."

Gregory was standing, animating his movements widely as if retelling a great tragedy, but as fast as this burst of energy had appeared, it disappeared. He slumped back into his chair, hair now Tousled and suit disarrayed. "I'm sorry." He said, sounding defeated. "I didn't realize that had been building up in me."

I gave him what I hoped was a consoling look. Still, I was thankful that he moved on quickly, now talking in a monotone voice; his voice sounded exhausted and disappointed.

"That is about all I can do. I look at your abilities, and I can give advice. Still, if you want help understanding how to grow stronger, we have people here dedicated to that. Do you have any questions about what we have talked about today?"

I shook my head quickly, saying thanks as I heard the door open behind me. Ella walked in, giving me a nod, then looked at Gregory with a sad smile before saying, "Greg, I have emptied your schedule today. Please try to rest if you can. Davis, follow me if you're ready."

I looked again at Gregory, who was holding a cup and trying to use a trembling hand to bring it to his mouth; standing up, I said, "I'm ready," following her out of the room.

As we walked, Ella guided me across an impressive indoor bridge that spanned the distance between two buildings. The bridge was a marvel, composed of individual glass squares held together by metal fixtures. Rubber joints served as spacers at each end between the buildings and the bridge. The support system was particularly striking: large metal ropes extended from higher up on each building, connecting to the bridge at regular intervals, ensuring its stability and strength.

In the middle of the bridge stood a woman with red hair coming down to her mid back; she had a white shirt that seemed light and flowy, not impeding any movements, and looked comfortable. The shorts she wore came to mid-thigh and, in contrast to the shirt, seemed tight, almost to the point of discomfort. The white clothes in the sun made her nearly shine; she looked over toward us, causing the sun to reflect off her bright green eyes. She gave us a smile as we reached her.

"Hey, Ella." She said in a light-smooth voice.

Ella nodded to her but turned to me, saying, "This is Davis." Then Ella gestured to the other women, saying, "This is Angie, my sister. She will be your instructor until you enter the tower."

Taking the hint, I turned toward Ella, thanked her, and walked beside Angie as she led me into this second building.

"Nice to meet you, Davis. Like Ella mentioned, I'll be your instructor. This means I will help you learn how to use your abilities and possibly a weapon that fits your power type. We've started training people and seen a much lower mortality rate in The Tower, and we would like to lower it even more.

Also, if you were curious, I'm also a Scarred, and I have fire abilities." I looked over at her red hair. She saw me and chuckled. "Yes, my hair fits me quite well, although before I got my abilities, my hair and eyes were also brown like my family's."

I faltered a step, taken by surprise, before asking. "Will my abilities change me?"

Angie looked thoughtful, and we kept walking for a while, her leading me down large hallways accompanied only by a few people. We were nearing another set of large windows when she eventually spoke up again.

"I don't like to think of it like that, although I will admit I used to; when my hair and eyes started to change, I felt like I would change as well and felt like who I was would also be lost, but, someone close to me talked me through my changes telling me how we all change over time and how the changes happening to us every day only set the stage for a better you tomorrow."

As she spoke, I saw that this person must have meant a lot to her. However, I also noticed she was guarded about this person, so I chose not to pry. Instead, I asked a follow-up question: "Do you recognize who you are today vs who you were at the beginning?"

Angie nodded as I asked my question, stopping at the edge of a large glass window. "Yes and no, I'm still Angie, Ella's little sister, and my parent's daughter, but like any normal person, we change over time, and it did take me five years before I got the option to leave The Tower, so there is no denying that I would be surprised if not scared if I was my past self looking at who I was today but I also believe that I am a stronger, better person than who I was back then, does that answer your question?"

Thinking over my abilities and who I believed I was, I released a breath I didn't know I had been holding. "Yes, thank you."

Angie smiled at me, then turned toward the large window before us, gesturing toward it. "This is our training room."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I looked in the indicated direction and felt my jaw physically drop. The room I was looking at was as large as a warehouse. Its shape was that of a rectangle surrounded by the walls of the building on each side. I was surprised by what looked like the sun shining on the inside. Looking up, I saw that the inside had no ceiling but large mirrors, angling the sun onto the large courtyard.

Being what looked like a few floors up, I could see training equipment of all kinds covering the gray surface; one side seemed to be dedicated to large rectangles the size of basketball courts with painted-on borders; some of these rectangles had trees, rocks, water, and a black liquid that was letting off steam beyond that were what looked like a large variety of weapons, I could barely make it out but from what I could see was a wall covered with them, around the whole outside was a painted on track in a massive oval.

I looked back at Angie, who was looking at me with an amused smile. I quickly closed my mouth before asking, "Is this a training room?"

"Bingo," she said. This is where we can train your stamina, strength, and ability to fight. This is the facility's largest room and where you will spend most of your time before entering The Tower."

I nodded, still trying to fill my eyes with everything the massive room offered.

After a few minutes, Angie said, "Well, I want to show you to your room on the way down there, that is, unless you're satisfied with just looking." I don't know what gave that away. Maybe it was my eyebrows shooting up or the smile crossing my face, but she just turned, started walking, and gestured to follow.

We followed the glass to the edge of the room, and that is when we came to an elevator. We stepped inside and went to the first floor. Once there, we walked down a hallway on one side with rooms lining it, each with numbers above them. On the other side of the hall was a wall that went to about waist height before transitioning to a window that looked out onto the training room.

Angie led me to room 12 and stopped before it, "Room 12 will be where you stay while you are here." She then took her tablet and clicked on it, and the door slid apart, both pieces sliding into the walls; I walked inside, followed by Angie, and saw that my family was already inspecting the place.

"Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?" The door led directly into the lounge, which had a plush cream couch against one wall, a table following the length of the sofa, and a TV on the other wall. There was an island that broke up the lounge and the kitchen, allowing the rooms to feel more extensive, and that is where both my parents were talking.

Once noticing me, my dad gave me a broad smile, "This place is nice."

My mom nodded with him. She didn't look to have any reservations anymore, or at least they didn't show. Then my sister came in. She was looking behind the TV, under furniture, and even pulling off cushions to look behind them. "What are you doing?" I asked, amused but also confused.

She finished pillaging my couch before responding, "I was looking for cameras or microphones; you just never know."

I shook my head, thankful for her but also slightly embarrassed that she would say that in front of everyone. I looked back at Angie, and she was smiling. "We have noticed it helps people to talk to their families during the tour so that your family also has an idea of what is going on and why you will be mostly training and how."

I nodded, taking the time to talk to my family; we decided they would visit every few days while I trained until I had to enter The Tower. Afterward, my family left, and Angie led me out of the room again, the doors sliding shut behind me.

Angie led me to room 15, where there was a door to the training room: "Every 15 rooms, we have a door to the training room."

She then led me into the giant courtyard. I couldn't tell from before, but around the large room were different plants and trees. These trees made the room feel a lot more like you were training in a large field inside a forest. Something I noticed was that the gray floor was rubbery, a lot like some playgrounds I had played on as a kid.

Seeing me test the ground, Angie explained, "The floor is poured rubber, which allows everyone here to train as hard as they want without worrying about falling and hurting themselves, especially near the obstacle course."

I nodded while looking around. "Wow," I thought," the room seems even bigger down here."

Angie looked down at her tablet before speaking up. "Well, that will have to do for now; our neurosurgeon is ready."

I gave Angie a concerned look, which she, in turn, explained further.

"The SUI we need to install is installed into your brain; this operation in a normal human would only have a success rate of 70% percent without causing permanent damage to the human, but you're not human anymore, are you? You are scarred; this difference extends to how your brain heals and makes this operation have a 0% chance of causing permanent damage; in fact, we can heal any damage the same day now that we have a scarred who can heal the damage caused."

This brought me some relief, and so I followed her until she led me past all the rooms, of which there were only 50, until we reached the hall, which opened up into a lobby of what looked like a hospital wing, including a reception desk and the receptionist behind it.

The man looked up from his computer, nodding at Angie before immediately returning to what he was doing. Angie led me only a few rooms down into a large room with an operating table in the middle, lights hanging from the ceiling, all kinds of devices for measuring vitals and brain activity, tools for cutting and prodding in the skull, and finally, the neurosurgeons themselves, a dark-skinned man already gloved and smocked up for surgery.

Upon walking in, the man greeted me. "Good afternoon, Davis. My name is Vellard, but you can call me Vell. If you have any misgivings left, please let me assure you that I have done this surgery countless times and have succeeded every time. I have already reviewed your medical and physical history, and after a quick examination, we can begin."

Another man walked in quickly, walking through the physical and reviewing that nothing had changed medically since my last checkup. After clearing me, I lay down on the table.

Vell walked me through how they were implanting the chip in the cerebral cortex and how it would take up to a day for me to fully use the interface, but upon one last check, they started. During the process of implanting the chip, I was somewhat worried, but this was not the first time I had been operated on. In fact, this wasn't even the first time my head had been operated on.

When I was younger, I had been walking inside after building a magnificent igloo out of snow, one so sturdy that I could slide down the outside. Our front door back then had led straight into a stairway where one set of stairs led upwards and one down.

I hadn't taken off my snow boots when I got to the stairs, and so with the slick snow on my boots, I tried to take a step down the stairs but slipped; this slip caused me to hit my forehead on the metal stair nosing a few steps down which covered the edge of the stairs and cause my head to start bleeding,

I remember the car ride there, not crying but being more dazed than anything. Then, once arriving at the hospital, they stitched together my forehead with seven stitches; this memory allowed me to get through the process without too much worry.

Eventually, I heard Vell's voice again: "All done. There were more complications than I would have liked, but we are done." He then placed something over the area he had operated on and wrapped gauze around my head.

I was then led out of the room to a new room. On one side of the room, there were two chairs facing each other and a desk with a chair behind it on the other side. I was led to sit down, and a little while later, Vell came in and sat down.

This time, Vell didn't have any surgical gear on. Instead, he wore a blue T-shirt with khaki shorts. Without anything covering his face or hair, I could now see more of his chocolate-brown skin. His skin contrasted nicely with what looked like natural white hair and gray eyes. Vell only looked to be in his forties but didn't look worse to wear, having immaculate and soft-looking skin.

Vell smiled, showing off his clean white teeth before he started explaining. "I bring everyone in here after surgery to walk over how well it went and to answer any questions you may have."

I felt around my head, "I still feel some of the pain meds in my system, a similar feeling of a cloudy brain impeding my thought process, but I don't feel any pressure I would usually think would turn to pain later; why is that?"

Vell looked at his watch and held out his hand before saying, "Purify." It felt like a cloud quickly left my brain, like a strong wind blew through my head, clearing my thoughts immediately. Vell then watched me for a few moments before saying.

"I just cleansed any analgesics left in your system, and you shouldn't feel any pain from the surgery as I have already healed the incision site as well as the bone flap."

I looked at Vell with surprise and gratitude, happy not to have to deal with the typical timeline for healing. Thinking clearly now, I decided to ask about the chip. "When can I start to use the SUI?"

Vell smiled a very heartwarming smile. "That's the beauty of it, kid. You should be able to use it immediately. Try to think Stats; that should allow you to see your, well, stats. I will warn you, it can be disorienting the first few times you use it. Additionally, you can modify what you want to see with a thought."

I tried to think "Stats" and almost flew out of my chair despite Vell's warning. The semitransparent blue screen floating in front of me encompassed my whole vision, with enormous letters blocking large portions of it. "WHY IS IT SO CLOSE?!" I yelled out of surprise, but the thought of "Get it out of my face!" quickly shrunk the screen to the size of a dime.

This annoyed me; it was so small now that I couldn't make out anything. I looked to Vell, who only looked amused, and breathed deeply. I then focused my attention on slowly making the screen bigger.

Eventually, I could feel what felt like a dormant muscle flex. It felt like when you realized you could flare your nose or move your ears. Flexing that muscle allowed me to change the size of the screen. I flexed that muscle until the screen was slightly bigger than a tablet and looked over the only now legible words.

Name: Davis

Scar: Specter

Abilities:

Ghouls Embrace: ???

Umbral Dissolution: ???

The list of abilities and Scar were just as everyone had said, although I thought the question marks were odd. "What do these mean?" I asked, pointing to my screen. Then, quickly remembering that this screen might as well be invisible to Vell, I rephrased my question. "What do the question marks after the abilities mean?"

Vell looked pleased and noted something down before responding. "The SUI has some knowledge in it, the knowledge of how to interact with your brain, the knowledge of what the Scar is and its name, but it only knows what you do about the ability. Mentally click on the ability for me."

Refocusing on the screen before me, I thought of Ghouls Embrace, and a description popped up.

Name: Davis

Scar: Specter

Abilities:

Ghouls Embrace: An edgy ability that will probably make you hug people creepily.

Umbral Dissolution: ???

I stared at that description for a long time, long enough for Vell to get worried. "Are you alright?"

I finally snapped out of it and asked. "What does An edgy ability that will probably make you hug people creepily even mean?"

It was Vell's turn to freeze, and he did for a few moments before laughing. It even took him almost a minute to stop. "As I mentioned, the SUI only knows what you do, and it seems as if you think the ability sounds edgy, and so that is what the ability is to you."

I looked at him in horror, "Did I influence my ability to be useless?"

Vell almost laughed again but saw how worried I was. He explained, "No, that description is only what you think the ability is; once you use that ability, your understanding of it will change to what you think it does. As you grow stronger, your understanding will become more complete, and so will your description."

This relieved me enough to chuckle at my subconscious and what it thinks of these abilities. Winding down, Vell looked back at his watch before standing up. "Well, that is about all the time I have today. I'm always available for any more questions, and I'm also the healer for any injuries that may occur during sparring on training, so don't hesitate to visit."

Vell then led me to where Angie was waiting. As we started walking back toward my room, she explained more about what the chip did. "Your chip is your key to get into your room. From now on, nobody will be allowed in without your permission. It is getting late today. How about we pick up with your first day of training tomorrow?"

"Sounds good to me, I said, reaching my room."

Angie stopped at the door as it opened and, before I walked in, said, "One more thing. The fridge contains ingredients, but if you follow this hall, you will also reach a cafeteria where you can order food made by our resident chef."

"Thanks," I said, smiling. After walking into my room, I grabbed some food and fell asleep, exhausted from the long day.