The chapter begin as Professor White led the group downstairs.

They were not prepared for what they found.

Behind the simple wooden door lay a massive underground laboratory—sleek, metallic, and filled with advanced equipment far beyond anything they had ever seen. Transparent screens hovered in the air, cables ran through the walls like veins, and strange devices pulsed with soft blue light.

Professor White stopped beside a thick circular chamber door and pointed at it.

Professor White: “First, we’ll run some necessary tests so that each of you has a full record of your abilities. Who wants to go first?”

Black Storm stepped forward.
Black Storm: “I will.”

Professor White: “Good. Please remove your shoes and enter the chamber.”

The door slid open, revealing a small circular room. Black Storm stepped inside, and the door closed behind him with a heavy metallic click.

Black Storm (muttering): “It’s so dark in here…”

The lights suddenly flared on.

The chamber turned pure white, and he realized he was standing barefoot on a metal circle in the center of the room. Outside, everyone watched through Professor White’s wide control screens.

Professor White: “I’ve already recorded your temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Now I’ll monitor how your body changes when you use your ability. Please stand still. I’m initiating a CT scan.”

Black Storm: “Okay…”

Beams of light swept over his body, and Professor White’s monitors filled with layered images—thermal patterns, ultraviolet maps, and skeletal scans overlapping in glowing colors.

Sun-Z: “Is that it?”

Professor White: “No. Now comes the real test.”

Without warning, mechanical arms unfolded from the walls around Black Storm, locking onto him like firearms.

Black Storm: “What is this?!”

Suddenly, searing lasers fired.

His scream echoed through the lab.

Shadow Light: “HEY! What are you doing to him?!”

Professor White: “It’s fine. This is part of the test.”

Star X: “But he’s in pain!”

Black Storm’s knees trembled as he heard Professor White’s voice through the chamber speakers.

Professor White: “Black Storm, absorb the attack. You’re not supposed to resist it.”

Black Storm: “What do you mean absorb it?! I can’t!”

Professor White: “Yes, you can. Your ability is different from the others, and you know it. Either you stop the attack yourself, or it will continue as long as you remain conscious.”

Absorb it…?

He remembered chasing Shadow Light through the flames—remembered the fire forming in his fists.

Gritting his teeth, he clenched both hands.

A deep red glow spread across his skin, matching the color of the lasers. A pulse exploded outward from his body, slamming into the machines.

Every device around him powered down at once.

The lasers vanished.

Black Storm collapsed to one knee, gasping for air.

Sun-Z: “He did it!”

Professor White stared at the thermal data in fascination.

Professor White (quietly): “So… he’s an absorber.”

The chamber door opened.

Professor White: “Excellent work, Black Storm. We’re finished.”

Black Storm staggered out as his friends rushed to him.

Star X: “Are you okay?!”

Black Storm: “Yeah…don’t worry about it hehe.”

Shadow Light: “You scared the hell out of us!”

Professor White turned calmly.

Professor White: “Star X, you’re next.”

Star X (nervously): “Yeeeeeee!”

Sun-Z: “You can do it! Fighting!”

Star X stepped into the chamber, trembling slightly as she stood on the metal circle.

Professor White: “Star X, please demonstrate your ability.”

Star X: “Okay!”

She formed a glowing energy sphere between her hands and raised it high—ready to smash it into the floor.

Professor White: “WAIT! Don’t destroy the base!”

She froze, holding the pulsing orb as Professor White studied the readings flooding his screens.

Professor White: “That’s incredible… All right, Star, your test is over.”

Everyone gasped.

Everyone: “Already?!”

Professor White: “Now disperse the energy—without causing any damage.”

Star X: “Okay!”

She squeezed the sphere with both hands. It exploded in a flash of light that vanished into her palms, leaving her shaking.

Professor white: “Wow… that’s harder than it looks!”

Professor White: “Shadow Light.”

Shadow Light’s test was brutal. Flames roared around him as he struggled to push a blazing ring outward from his body until the machines finally shut down.

Then it was Sun-Z’s turn. She created a humming magnetic field that forced the surrounding devices away from her in violent bursts.

When it was all over, everyone was exhausted—except Star X.

Shadow Light: “Why was her test so easy?”

Star X stuck out her tongue playfully.

Professor White clapped his hands.

Professor White: “These results need further analysis. Your blood tests and full data will be ready in a week.”

Then he smiled.

Professor White: “Now, it’s time for me to introduce each of you to your personal training programs.”

Everyone: “Training?!”

Professor White led them into the backyard.

The moment they stepped outside, they froze in shock.

The quiet yard had transformed into a massive training courtyard. The ground was divided into metallic panels, strange machines were arranged in combat formations, and a tall steel tower rose from the earth as if it had appeared out of thin air.

Shadow Light: “What?! When did all this even show up?!”

Professor White moved to the center of the yard and faced them.

Professor White: “Each of you will undergo special training based on your unique abilities. This is only a warm-up. Once I collect today’s results, I’ll design your full programs.”

He turned to Star X and pointed at a tall pole connected to a humming transformer.

Professor White: “Star X, see this device?”

Star X: “Yes.”

Professor White: “It’s a transducer. I want you to channel as much energy as you can into it. It will measure your daily capacity, and the energy will be stored for later use.”

Star X: “Okay.”

Professor White turned to Shadow Light and gestured toward a sleek device with a glowing virtual thermometer.

Professor White: “Shadow Light, this one is yours. Your task is to make the meter turn red.”

Shadow Light: “So you want me to burn it all the way through?”

Professor White: “Exactly.”

Shadow Light slammed his fists together, flames flickering between his knuckles.

Shadow Light: “You got it.”

Professor White motioned for Sun-Z to follow him.

Professor White: “Sun-Z, come with me.”

He led her to a wide circular platform made of layered rings, with heavy metallic weights clinging to it.

Professor White: “This is a magnetic field generator. The weights are held in place by magnetic force. Your job is to push them out of range using your ability.”

Sun-Z: “That sounds hard… but I’ll try my best.”

Professor White finally turned to Black Storm.

Professor White: “As for you, Black Storm, you’ll train inside the laser chamber with the force fields.”

Black Storm: “Not again!”

Professor White: “This time will be different. I’ll be watching all of you from inside. Begin.”

Meanwhile, inside the Leader’s headquarters, Commander Gazley was being punished.

He and his soldiers were tied and suspended in the air while executioners lashed them with whips. Screams echoed through the hall—everyone cried out in agony except Gazley.

He said nothing.

Pain twisted his face, but he endured it in silence as the Leader spoke to Gunner.

Leader: “This is the fate of anyone who fails. A disgraceful commander and his soldiers defeated by little children… They will rot in prison and never see daylight again!”

Gunner stared at the scene, hiding a twisted smile.

What a fool… thinking they’re just kids. How does someone like him earn such blind loyalty? It would be far more interesting to take his seat someday.

He bowed slightly.

Gunner: “Master, may I offer a suggestion?”

Leader: “What is it?”

Gunner: “The information Commander Gazley brought back contains valuable facts. I propose creating soldiers with abilities that surpass even our greatest weapons.”

Leader: “Gazley brought back nothing but fantasies. Spare me your nonsense, Inventor. I’m growing tired of you. Show me something useful—something real.”

Gunner: “Please remember, sir, our advanced technology has already proven its worth. I demonstrated its power when we first equipped Gazley’s battalion. And I can make it far more deadly than before.”

The Leader’s eyes narrowed.

Leader: “You have one last chance before you die.”

Gunner bowed deeply, his grin hidden.

Gunner: “Thank you for your generosity, sir.”

The sun was already sinking beyond the trees, painting the sky in shades of orange and blood-red, yet the four of them were still training, their movements slow and exhausted as if every last drop of energy had been drained from their bodies.

Star X: “I can’t take this anymore! When is this training ever going to end?”

Sun-Z: “I’m starving!”

Shadow Light: “This is torture… I really hope he hasn’t forgotten about us.”

Professor White’s voice echoed through the courtyard speakers.

Professor White: “Don’t worry, Shadow Light. I haven’t forgotten you. You can stop now. Training is over.”

They collapsed to the ground all at once, groaning in relief.

Professor White: “Well done, everyone. Dinner is ready.”

They sprang back to their feet as if the word itself had revived them.

“Food!”

The table was filled with dishes of every kind. Black Storm and Professor White soon joined them, and they began eating like they had not seen food in years.

Sun-Z said happily, “Professor White’s food is always amazing.”

Star X: “It really is!”

Professor White chuckled. “That’s only because you’re absolutely starving.”

Meanwhile, Black Storm and Shadow Light were chatting between bites.

Shadow Light: “So, when are you going to join us for full training?”

Black Storm: “I’ve got two more days of individual practice. Then I’m in.”

Shadow Light: “Good. That settles it.”

Professor White watched them quietly, a faint smile on his lips — yet his thoughts were far darker.

They’ve only been here for ten days, and yet they’re already this synchronized… this cooperative… even without their memories. Maybe that’s why the last experiment failed.

Images flashed through his mind: grown test subjects, adult professors, blood-soaked halls.

Age and personality are everything. They define the fate of the experiment — and the limits of our control. The previous group was older, too aware, too defiant. In the end, we couldn’t contain them. They went berserk, lost contact with the organization… and slaughtered one another in the same facility. Their entire existence had to be erased from the files.

His fingers tightened around his fork.

But these kids… why were they chosen? They weren’t raised by the organization. They weren’t trained. They weren’t even equipped. The chairman said he selected them carefully — but what does that even mean? What’s so special about them? Their families? No… that doesn’t add up. And Gunner… why did he insist on following them? Why did he sever their communication with headquarters? It’s as if he’s deliberately isolating them… keeping them blind. Is he planning something? Something dangerous?

Star X: “Professor White?”

His thoughts shattered. He looked up to find everyone staring at him — their plates empty, his untouched.

Star X: “Are you okay? You haven’t eaten anything.”

Professor White blinked. “Ah… I’m sorry. I was distracted.”

He finally picked up his fork.

Professor White: “You’ve already finished? You really were hungry.”

At the Leader’s headquarters, Gunner stood at a distance, watching as the Leader spoke seriously with his advisor. Moments later, the Leader called several soldiers and prepared to leave the hall.

Gunner stopped one of the guards.

Gunner: “What’s going on? Is something wrong?”

Guard: “No. The Leader is preparing for a private trip. He has business elsewhere.”

Gunner: “A trip? Where to?”

Guard: “Not far. He’ll be gone for a couple of days.”

Gunner’s lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile.

“Interesting… that’s exactly what I need.”

He walked away with burning determination in his eyes — a look of malice and absolute confidence.

Gunner (to himself):
“It’s time for the coup.”