"Just... five more minutes," Angelo mumbled into his pillow, fumbling blindly for the snooze button. His words came out thick and slurred as sleep tried to drag him back under.
A wisp of blue smoke rose from Angelo's body like steam from a cup of coffee. It swirled and took shape, becoming Blue – a gray-tinted copy of Angelo who carried himself like a professor about to give a lecture. His usually serious face twitched with what might have been either amusement or annoyance as he grabbed the bed frame with both hands. His azure aura flickering to life around him.
The world tilted sideways as Blue smoothly lifted one side of the bed. Angelo's eyes snapped open just in time to see the floor rushing up to meet him. He crashed down in a tangle of sheets and limbs, fresh pain shooting through his healing injuries.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Angelo roared, his orange energy flaring up around him like a protective fire. In the back of his mind, he could hear Red's delighted laughter echoing through their shared consciousness.
Blue straightened his posture and adjusted his stance as, his aura faded away, like he was about to deliver a presentation. "Your constant requests for 'five more minutes' clearly weren't working," he explained with infuriating calm. "This seemed more efficient. And may I remind you – we are not your personal alarm clock service."
Angelo untangled himself from the sheets with a wince. "You two don't even need to sleep!" He jabbed an accusing finger at Blue. "The least you could do is help me wake up like normal people!"
"I believe I just did," Blue replied with a hint of smugness in his usually proper voice.
Through their mental link, Red's voice bubbled with joy: "Oh man, our perfect professor is actually being a troll! This is better than those cheesy hospital shows!"
Blue's face stayed carefully blank as he checked an imaginary watch. "Your power evaluation starts in less than two hours, and it's clear across the city. Perhaps we should focus on that instead of your sleeping habits?"
Angelo hauled himself to his feet, trying to massage the ache from his shoulders. "Fine, fine, I'm up." He shot a look at the space where he could feel Red's presence lurking. "Since you're having so much fun with this, Red, you can make breakfast while I shower."
"Do I look like your personal chef?" Red's offended voice echoed in their shared mind.
"Please?" Angelo didn't bother hiding the desperation in his voice. "I really can't be late for this test."
Red's essence poured out of Angelo like red food coloring in water, taking shape in the tiny kitchen. "Whatever," he grumbled, though he was practically bouncing with poorly hidden excitement. "But I'm picking what we eat!"
"Thanks," Angelo muttered through clenched teeth. He limped toward the bathroom, leaving his two aspects to their tasks – one cooking breakfast with chaotic energy, the other standing guard like a particularly proper statue.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur of hot water, rushed breakfast, and jumping between rooftops as the city woke up around them. Before Angelo knew it, he was standing in front of a building that looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. The ACE testing facility rose up against the morning sky like a sculpture made of chrome and glass, making every building around it look old and boring in comparison. The letters "ACE" crowned the top, gleaming in the sunlight like polished silver.
"Wow..." The word slipped out of all three of them at once, though each meant something different by it – Angelo felt determination, Red sensed potential chaos, and Blue appreciated the architecture.
"This is it," Angelo whispered, his heart squeezing as he thought of his fallen friend. "Watch me, Bill. I'll show everyone exactly what you saw in me." For once, both Red and Blue stayed quiet, sharing in the weight of the moment.
The peaceful mood shattered as his phone rang with an annoying cheerful tune. Angelo's face fell as he saw who was calling. "Neiva..."
"Angelo!" Neiva's voice burst through the phone like an excited puppy. "I'm starting the investigation today! I need more details!"
Angelo pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to keep his voice even. "I already told you everything I know."
"But what about the lab?" She wouldn't let up. "Was it fancy equipment, or more... homemade stuff?"
The question hit Angelo like a punch to the gut, bringing back memories he'd rather forget. He could see it all – the lab where he'd spent so many childhood hours, now just ruins. Tables eaten away by rust, walls that still showed ghostly outlines where equipment used to hang.
He took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "If you compare it to Albert's place... yeah, it was definitely professional. Top-of-the-line setup, proper equipment."
"Albert? Who's that?" Neiva's curiosity was relentless.
"Never mind." Angelo waved it away even though she couldn't see him. "Just – yes, it was professional. That's all you need to know."
"Perfect! Thankies!" Her voice went all sing-song sweet, making Angelo's teeth grind. The call ended with a cheerful beep that somehow made it worse.
"You know," Red's teasing voice floated through their shared mind, "she's actually kind of cute when she's not all gloomy. You two could be the world's most depressing couple!"
"Not now, Red." Angelo started walking toward the testing center's entrance. "I've got bigger things to worry about than your matchmaking."
"Die alone then!" Red cackled like this was the funniest thing ever. "More fun for me to watch anyway!"
"If I may," Blue cut in, sounding like a teacher trying to restore order to a rowdy classroom, "her improved mood is worth noting. Your presence seems to have given her a sense of purpose. That alone is a positive thing."
"Whatever." Angelo checked his phone again. "It's almost eight. Let's just get this over with."
As he walked through the building's sliding glass doors, Red's smoky form was already sneaking off to explore, probably looking for trouble. Angelo headed for the reception desk, focusing on the flyer he just received , trying his best to ignore Red's running commentary about "boring security systems" and "hilariously obvious blind spots" echoing in his head. Some things, he decided, were better left alone.
Auron Capability Evaluation (ACE) Test
The ACE Test is a standardized evaluation designed to measure an Auron's core capabilities and determine their ranking within the Auron Power System (APS). Through precise measurement of key metrics, we can accurately assess your current power level.
The base unit of energy measurement in the Auron system. One EU is defined as the amount of energy required to lift a 1 kg object 1 meter off the ground using aura abilities.
The standard unit for Power Level calculations:
1 Aur (A) = 1,000 Energy Units (1K EU)
- Energy Control Capacity (ECC) Test
- Measures maximum energy you can control at a given moment
- Utilizes Energy Quantification Device (EQD) for precise measurement
- Results reported in EU (Energy Units)
- Energy Draw Rate (EDR) Test
- Measures energy draw rate per second
- Conducted over 60-second intervals
- Results reported in EU/s (Energy Units per second)
- All tests conducted in specially reinforced facilities
- Multiple EQDs available for high-power measurements
- Medical staff on standby during evaluation
- Testing can be halted immediately if needed
- Complete testing takes approximately 20 minutes
- Wear comfortable clothing suitable for energy manipulation
- Bring water and light snacks for recovery periods
- Plan rest time afterward as testing can be physically demanding
Your Power Level will be calculated using the formula:
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
PL = min(EDR × 2s, ECC)
Based on your Power Level,
you will be assigned one of the following ranks:
- Novice Auron: PL < 10 A
- Adept Auron: 10 A - 100 A
- Elite Auron: 100A - 1000 A
- Veteran Auron: 1000 A - 10k A
- Arch Auron: 10k A - 100k A
- Master Auron: 100k A - 1m A
- Enlightened Auron: 1m A - 100m A
- Legendary Auron: > 100m A
- Retesting available upon request
- Mandatory retesting after significant power increases
- All results strictly confidential
- Special accommodations available if needed
To schedule your ACE Test or for additional questions, please contact the Auron Evaluation Department.
Now available on the app!
"Measuring potential, empowering progress"
Angelo stared at the flyer in his hands, his eyes crossing as he tried to make sense of all the complicated words and math equations swimming on the page. The crisp paper crumpled in his tightening grip – it might as well have been written in another language.
"Nope," he muttered, folding the flyer with enough force to practically origami it in half. "Not dealing with this."
"Wait!" Blue's voice rang through their shared mind like a teacher catching a student trying to skip class. "That information is essential for understanding the test!"
"Then here," Angelo stretched his arm out like he was dangling a treat for a cat, the crumpled flyer hanging from his fingers. "All yours, professor."
Blue's essence drifted out of Angelo like morning mist, taking shape in the chair next to him. He snatched the flyer with the excitement of a kid grabbing candy, immediately diving into reading with his usual scholarly intensity. "Your hatred of the theoretics never ceases to amaze me," he commented, already lost in the technical details.
Angelo pulled out his phone, hoping to distract himself. But Blue kept making little excited noises – "Fascinating!" and "The implications!" – making it impossible to focus on anything else.
"Angelo, this is incredible!" Blue's normally serious face lit up like a kid at the New Light Festival. "They've built machines that can actually measure power levels! The Energy Quantification Device can track both how much energy you can control and how fast you can gather it, creating a complete picture of—"
"NERD!" Red's playful shout echoed through their mental link.
"Fascinating," Angelo muttered, suddenly very interested in counting ceiling tiles.
"Indeed it is fascinating!" A new voice jumped into their conversation. A young man in a spotless white lab coat walked up, his perfectly styled blonde hair and fancy glasses practically screaming 'I have too many degrees.' His smile had that special kind of confidence that only comes from acing every test you've ever taken.
The scientist looked between Angelo and Blue with growing excitement. "Ah, twins! Let me guess – One blessed with brawn, the other with brains?"
"Nailed it." Angelo said flatly, finding sudden interest in the weird modern art on the walls.
The scientist's smile grew as he adjusted his glasses with practiced smoothness. "Steven Eagleprince, rising star in the study of Auron powers. I do research right here at this amazing facility." He paused like he was waiting for applause.
"Angelo," was all he got in response.
Steven's eyes narrowed for a second before going wide with recognition. "Wait... that interview from yesterday... You're him, aren't you? The Angel of Death?"
Angelo and Blue shared a look that said more than words ever could.
"What if I am?" Angelo's voice carried a hint of warning.
"This is incredible!" Steven's excitement doubled. "The Angel of Death has a genius twin! Think of what this means for studying how people develop differently!"
"You're too kind," Blue jumped in smoothly. "I'm Blue, and I have to say, I'm amazed by how your facility measures Auron powers."
Steven lit up like someone had just offered him unlimited research funding. "Oh, but giving out rankings is just a tiny part of what we do! The real excitement is learning how Auron powers actually work!"
"Enlighten me," Blue leaned forward, genuinely interested.
"Think about how Aurons connect to energy," Steven started gesturing like he was conducting an invisible orchestra. "While it looks similar to tunnels through space—"
"In theory," Blue corrected automatically.
"Exactly!" Steven beamed. "These connections let pure energy flow between different points. Some people think they're just simple pathways, but I believe they're more like bridges between different parts of space and time, creating direct links—"
Angelo let out a groan of pure suffering that perfectly matched Red's mental cry of despair.
"Fascinating!" Blue's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Would different ways of thinking about this change how we understand how Aurons use their powers?"
"Oh would you look at the time!" Angelo jumped up so fast he nearly knocked his chair over, making both science nerds jump. "Got a test to take! Please, keep talking about... whatever this is. Without me. Far away from me." He backed away like he was escaping a burning building.
As Angelo rounded the corner, he could still hear Blue and Steven's excited science babble through their mental connection. They just kept going on and on about quantum this and energy theory that, like a physics lecture he couldn't turn off.
"I swear," Red's mental voice dripped with agony, "if I have to hear one more word about quantum anything, I'm going to show up just to bash my head against the wall."
"You'd still hear it in our shared mind," Angelo thought back miserably as Steven launched into what promised to be a very long explanation about how energy fields work. They both tried to think about literally anything else, knowing they were stuck listening to Blue's science chat until he was done nerding out.
The elevator seemed to take forever to reach the top floor, each soft ding making Angelo's stomach do another flip. When the doors finally opened, a lady in a white coat led him into a room so big his footsteps echoed like he was in a cave. The space was completely empty except for one thing – a shiny metal machine covered in tubes and sensors that looked like something from a mad scientist's lab. The bright lights overhead made its polished surface gleam almost menacingly.
Angelo eyed the contraption like it might bite him. "You're sure this thing is safe?" Bad memories of other labs flickered through his mind.
"Don't be such a baby!" Red's excited voice bounced around their shared head, a complete contrast to Blue's distant science chat with Steven downstairs. "This is gonna be amazing!"
The technician stepped forward, her calm professional manner somehow making the scary-looking machine seem less threatening. "Completely safe," she assured him, sounding like someone who dealt with nervous people all day. "Let me show you how the power measurement test works."
She pointed to two round openings in the device. "Put your hands here. Gather your energy like you're about to do your strongest attack, but aim it away from the machine." She traced the tubes with her fingers. "The sensors will measure how much power you can control – like finding out how much weight you can lift. Just get close to your limit without going over."
Angelo nodded, trying to focus on her instructions over Red's running commentary about 'fancy science toys.'
"Since you can evolve," she continued, "stay in your evolved form, but don't use your evolved element. Just base form." She studied his face. "Questions?"
"Just one – can we start?"
The technician smiled understandingly and showed him where to stand. Despite looking scary, the machine let him move pretty naturally. Angelo looked up, spotting a huge round hole in the ceiling – obviously meant to let energy blasts shoot safely into the sky.
"Free fireworks show for everyone!" Red's mental voice bubbled with excitement.
"Ready!" Angelo called. The technician gave him a thumbs-up from her safety booth, starting the test.
Orange light blazed around Angelo as he evolved, immediately feeling the familiar pull on his energy. He brought his hands together, focusing his power into a ball that grew bigger and bigger. The orb of energy swelling until it was bigger than his whole body.
"More..." he growled through clenched teeth, feeling that familiar edge approaching – that dangerous line between control and chaos. "Maximum!" The word burst out as his arms shook with effort.
"Hold it steady!" The technician's voice crackled through speakers. "Three... two... one... release!"
The energy bomb shot straight up, briefly lighting up the ceiling like a second sun before vanishing into the sky.
"Perfect," the technician called as the machine whirred and moved, gently adjusting Angelo's position. "Now for the power generation test – sixty seconds of continuous energy beam."
"What's it doing?" Angelo fought down a spike of panic as the machine shifted around him.
"Just keep a steady stream of energy going up," she explained. "We'll measure how much power you can put out per second."
"Fine," Angelo muttered, tired from maintaining his evolved state. "Let's get this done."
Another signal, and Angelo shot a constant beam of energy toward the ceiling. The minute felt like it lasted forever, but he managed to keep his power steady.
"And... done!" The technician came out of her booth, looking at her tablet with widening eyes. "Your total energy control capacity is around 100,000 Energy Units – that's 100 Aur. And your energy draw rate..." She double-checked the numbers. "12 Aur per second."
She did some quick math, her smile growing. "That puts your Power Level at 24 Aur. This is really something... Congratulations!" Her professional mask cracked into real excitement. "You've made it to Adept rank!"