We walked down the corridor leading to the classrooms and training halls. Nayla guided me into one of the rooms. Inside, I saw another man sitting behind a desk.
"Welcome, Nayla," he said. "I heard you were appointed as an administrator at the Academy after serving as the head of the Transformation Research branch."
"Yes," she replied, casting a glance toward me.
"So, this is the one. No wonder you were stationed here. Have you come to run her measurements?"
"Get it ready. Iris, sit and wait," Nayla commanded as she walked toward the man.
I wasn't particularly interested in whatever they were doing with those screens and devices, but soon enough, a tall machine at the edge of the room began to hum.
"Iris, there’s a changing room over there. Put on the suit, then step into that device."
"Okay."
I did as she instructed and stepped inside the machine. It closed around me instantly, and I was enveloped by a strange sensation—it felt like water, yet I couldn't touch it.
Is this the end?
Is he abandoning me like this?
Maybe I’ll be kept here for many long years. At least there’s no strange buzzing or stinging wires.
Suddenly, I no longer felt the ‘water’ around me. The device hissed open, and I saw Nayla and the man again. What was happening? I changed back into my clothes before returning to them.
"She has potential," the man said to Nayla.
"I expected as much. She knows more than a 'newborn' should. That only comes from Clairvoyance."
I didn't understand what they were saying. They were talking about me, weren't they?
"Iris, do you know about Extension and Nature?" Nayla asked me.
"I only know their names."
Truly, what were they? I only knew they were powers and that I supposedly possessed both. In reality, I didn't even know if I actually had them.
"I suppose I should explain both to you first," Nayla said, still adjusting the devices. "Nature is your body—or more accurately, the matter and living beings on this earth. Extension, however, is the structure and the laws that govern them.”
It was a bit complicated, but I think I understood. Simply put, Nature was my body, and Extension was the laws that controlled it? But how did those laws work…
"What does this have to do with powers?"
"I'll explain. Nature and Extension, as elements of life, manifest in... and that is why we humans possess only one of the two powers."
I didn't process half of her explanation.
"But you, Iris, possess both. Now, I will tell you about their types."
"Okay."
"By the way, have you noticed anything strange? Like visions appearing in your mind without knowing where they came from? Or perhaps you... diffused something?"
"Yes, things appear in my mind. But what do you mean by 'diffusing' something?"
"Meaning you caused something physical to manifest or multiply around you out of thin air."
"You're explaining it too technically, Nayla," the man interrupted. He turned to me. "Iris, has anything ever appeared around you? Like an excessive amount of water or food, as if it spread or doubled?"
"Come to think of it... when I woke up two days ago, I was surrounded by pillows everywhere."
"Yes, that’s it. That is your ability."
I was confused. "Spreading pillows?"
The man laughed. "No, it doesn’t have to be just pillows. It’s Diffusion."
"Powers are not of a single type," Nayla continued. "In Nature, for example, there is Diffusion, Condensation, Containment, Decomposition, and Adaptation."
Her explanation reminded me of what Darian had said.
"Adaptation? Does Darian use Adaptation?"
"Yes. Adapting his body to anything so that it becomes superhuman over time. Of course, this doesn't happen overnight, and not for everyone."
"Talent?"
"You could say that," Nayla said. "That’s why few truly develop their strength."
I looked at my hands. So, I had to develop Diffusion, which was a type of Nature power.
"What about Extension?" I asked."Your Extension power is Clairvoyance. You can see possibilities of the future."
I can see the future? So the things I haven't lived yet I guess... I don't know how to feel about it.
"Developing a specific power requires you to merge with it, both mentally and physically," Nayla explained.
"How?"
"For example, Diffusion is a power that relies on emotion and expression. The more intense your feelings are in a moment, the more your power activates, which raises your overall average usage."
"I don't understand. How is power linked to my feelings?"
"Simply put, consider Diffusion a device that measures your excitement. You will grow stronger the more that excitement increases."
I swung my legs while sitting. Does this mean I’m strong?
"However, you have received 'incompatible' powers" Nayla noted."Incompatible?"
"Yes. It’s a bad combination. Diffusion requires you to embrace your emotions, while Clairvoyance requires complete neutrality. It’s as if I’m asking you to dive into water while remaining dry."
So, the two powers I had weren't that great after all…
"Don't be so negative, Nayla," the man said. "It’s okay, Iris. Just be yourself."
"Okay." But why were they talking about my powers now? I thought they would talk about the incident at the infirmary. "Why are you telling me all this?"
"Because you’re going to need them" Nayla said, pulling a uniform out of a locker and walking toward me. "This is yours. From tomorrow onward, you will attend the Academy daily."
The Academy? Me?
"Why? Aren't you going to get rid of me?"
"Well, the healers wanted to, but the Commander didn't. He requested your enrollment in the Academy."
"Darian?" He didn't give up on me?
"Yes. He was worried about you. I hope you don't disappoint him this time."
"But..." I gripped the uniform tightly. What if I fail again?
"Remember, this is your last chance to prove yourself to the people here. The Commander won't be able to protect you more than this. Even he is facing pressure from those who oppose your existence among us."
A chill ran down my spine. My last chance.
"You may go now."
"Okay." I left the room, hugging the uniform to my chest. Darian might not have abandoned me, but he was certainly disappointed. This time, I absolutely had to be useful.
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