Beep! Beep! Beep!
Ulim's alarm shrilled like a drill in his skull.
He groaned, slapped the snooze button, and sat up slowly. His heart was already pounding—half from the sound, half from what day it was.
Graduation day.
The day that would determine the rest of his life.
He stumbled into his routine: brush teeth, shower, uniform. Everything felt both heavier and lighter than usual. As he adjusted his school blazer, he stared at himself in the mirror. Same dark eyes, same wild hair… but possibly the last time he'd look at himself as an ordinary human.
Today, he was going to be bound to a boost.
Today, he might become… something more.
Or nothing much at all.
He swallowed the lump in his throat and headed downstairs.
"Big day, huh, champ?" his dad said, sipping coffee.
"It feels like just yesterday I put you in that uniform," his mom said from the kitchen, voice trembling. "Now you're wearing it for the last time."
Ulim offered a small smile.
"Don't let the super thing stress you out, okay?" she continued, walking over and wrapping him in a hug. "No matter what boost you get, you'll always be our sun."
"Diana," his father said with a grin, checking his watch, "he's not going to war. Let go of him before he misses the bus."
Ulim laughed awkwardly and pulled away gently, offering a quick wave before grabbing his backpack and slipping out the door.
Outside, Delis was already waiting at the bus stop.
"Someone's early for once," Ulim teased as he approached.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Delis replied, eyes glinting with excitement he couldn't hide.
"Says the guy who's been late every day since first year."
Delis grinned. "Well, maybe I'm growing up."
"Doubt it."
The familiar yellow bus pulled up, and they stepped inside. Students filled the seats, most of them buzzing with energy and nervousness.
"Okay!" Mr. Port shouted from the front. "Just a few more stops, and then we're off to Infiniverse Labs!"
The ride felt like both an eternity and a blink.
When they arrived, Mr. Oken stood outside the gates of the massive complex, waiting in his immaculate suit. The glint of chrome towers and humming machines behind him gave the place a futuristic feel—like walking into a sci-fi movie.
"Welcome again to Infiniverse Labs!" Mr. Oken beamed. "This is it! The day you become more than you've ever been. The day you receive the power to chase your dreams. The day you stand on the very edge of evolution itself!"
The class exploded in cheers.
But above them, behind thick glass in the observation wing, Dr. Mathers frowned.
"I hate when he does that—gives these kids all that hope. Then I'm the one holding the hammer when it all comes crashing down."
The class was led into the Binding Department—a sleek corridor lined with bright lights, scanners, and silver panels. At the far end, a heavy metal door stood like a gate to destiny.
The students lined up, chattering nervously, trying to look braver than they felt.
"Don't worry, the machine just tickles," Mark said with a smug grin, leaning against the wall. "Though maybe Delis should sit this one out—don't think that stick figure frame of yours can handle real power."
Laughter broke out. Even some of the teachers chuckled.
"That's the last time you mock me, Mark," Delis snapped, red-faced. "Just wait. I'll get my boost and then we'll see who's laughing."
Mark rolled his eyes. "Buddy, my boost's already ranked Tier Alpha. I've got a guaranteed spot at the Hero Training Academy. Even if you get something decent, you'll still be miles below me."
"All I hear is, 'Daddy bought me this' and 'Daddy pulled strings for that'—you're just—"
"Enough!" Dr. Mathers barked as he stepped in.
The room fell silent.
"Listen closely. Most of you will not receive a high-tier boost. The stronger the power, the rarer it is. We're talking odds of one in several million. That's why the HDF barely has a dozen core operatives. Even those accepted into hero training wash out. Powers can fail. Bodies can break."
Excitement flickered out of the students' eyes, replaced by unease.
"This is no fairytale. Think of it like a gacha pull—randomized luck. So temper your expectations."
Mr. Oken cleared his throat. "Let's not crush their spirits completely, Doctor. There's always a chance."
"Yes… a very small one," Mathers muttered.
He turned to the control room.
"Are the receivers synced?"
"Yes, sir," a scientist replied.
"Why's it taking longer this year?" Delis whispered.
"It's not just us," Siri muttered. "Whole districts—other countries—are syncing today. The Unicollider has to broadcast and coordinate globally."
Mr. Port, standing nearby, smiled to himself. At least some of them were listening during lectures.
"Let us begin," Dr. Mathers declared.
"There are thirty-three of you and eight chairs," a technician explained. "We'll proceed in five batches. When your name is called, collect a restrictor band and take a seat. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
First Batch:
Olivia, Noah, Emma, Oliver, Sophia, Mia, Lucas, Charlotte.
The eight stepped into the chamber. Chairs locked them in place. The scientist distributed safety glasses.
Dr. Mathers stepped forward. "No celebrating, no screaming. The restrictor bands will prevent surges—but don't make me deal with another Mark incident."
Mark smirked.
"Begin the binding."
The Unicollider roared to life. A blush-purple glow filled the room, then receded.
"Binding process complete."
Second Batch:
Delis, Amelia, Alexander, Harper, Michael, Evelyn, Abigail, Emily.
Delis gave Ulim a fist bump. "Wish me luck."
The same ritual repeated.
"Binding successful."
Third Batch:
Siri, Calliope, Elizabeth, Kanu, Oyinlola, Asani, Marini, Titus.
Light. Buzz. Glow.
"Successful."
"Energy levels dipping," Dr. Mathers said. "Realign the Unicollider."
The lab techs moved swiftly. Lights stabilized.
Fourth Batch:
Felix, Livia, Lucia, Tanaka, Dean, Samuel, Lenny, David.
"Success."
Now, only Ulim remained.
He stepped forward slowly, heart hammering.
Please give me a useful boost, he thought.
Not a dud. Not a weak one. Just something I can use. Please.
The scientists behind the glass murmured. Dr. Mathers frowned.
"Vitals are fine, sir," a technician said.
"But the footage showed he was hit by the energy wave… yet we detect nothing inside him."
"Maybe he didn't absorb it," another speculated.
"Unlikely," Mathers muttered. "Proceed anyway."
The machine powered on one last time. Light flooded over Ulim.
Then... gone.
"Binding successful."
He was unstrapped and escorted into the Research Hall, where the rest of his class had gathered.
A tech stepped up with a band.
"Preferred placement?"
"Left wrist," Ulim replied.
The band clicked into place. It lit up blue.
"Enter through Door 3."
Inside was a massive, shifting chamber.
Delis ran up. "Finally made it!"
Ulim looked around. "Where are we?"
"I have no id—"
SLAM.
The heavy door locked shut. A loudspeaker crackled to life.
"Welcome to the Testing Facility. You will remain here while we monitor your vitals and calibrate restrictor bands. Dr. Mathers will return shortly to announce the intercity level of your boosts. In the meantime, explore your abilities."
The room began to transform.
Pillars extended from the ground. A lava pit opened up. Floating platforms spun in the air. A mini gun turret began firing sponge rounds. Water tanks, climbing walls, and training dummies appeared in a flash.
"Please avoid the lava unless you are sure you have resistance. Flight is rare. Do not leap off high ledges unless confirmed safe. You will get hurt."
Lenny, already standing on one, stepped back slowly.
"Jump, Lenny!" Calliope teased. "Maybe your power is not feeling pain!"
Ulim stared at the surreal training zone, still unsure if any of this was even real.
"So…" Delis said with a grin, "where do we start?"