Useless to the point that you just can't force yourself to get up and be productive.
Is what I'd like to say but unfortunately muscle pain isn't a thing for me.
It's been a week since the start of training and so far, I'm understanding my teammates powers more than my own.
To be honest I'm more interested in them than my own situation at this point.
I even wrote details about them in a notebook, is Kline rubbing off on me?
Well for starters, Our supposed Manager and Trainer, Ivan.
The first time he used his power, it reminded me of an anime character using a physical boost or a certain power up.
For scaling I drew walls and a sword to reference how strong they are to my perspective.
According to Claire he's capable of Fighting endlessly with his ability [Force amplification], i didn't understand at first because amplification refers to a sort of power up to your initial strike.
So, the term fighting endlessly didn't make sense, out of curiosity I asked Ivan directly like a child that wants candy but has to finish homework.
Surprisingly he didn't mind being asked, in fact he looks smug, like a pro wrestler finally having the chance to be seen as intelligent for once.
He smirked, "Force amplification isn't necessarily only to amplify my strikes, it allows me to manipulate the energy that I am able to build up inside me, which allows me to replenish and lessen the stamina I use when Fighting."
Listening eagerly, I asked, "Can't you just call it Force manipulation or Energy Manipulation?"
"Claire already told you but my strikes get stronger the more energy I input, you could say the name, Body reinforcement is more accurate."
He paused for a bit and smiled saying "But doesn't force amplification sound cooler? What's more, its inaccuracy allows my opponent to be confused like you are right now."
That makes sense, but they could've at least said what it really is to the team.
I tried to probe into it a bit more, but his points are so vague that I just didn't note em.
To my own understanding and looking at him with mana sensing, which is my own version of seeing mana.
His body is capable of absorbing mana from the environment turning it into energy and amplifying his body covering it with dense mana making his agility, strength and tenacity like that of a tank x10.
In terms of power Claire said he was holding back so his full power is yet to be observed but for now, in terms of power let's let it as 66 walls out of 100.
80 being on par with me, I left out the remaining 20 because I don't really know if this is all I've got.
After all, "I" the main character can become stronger! Hohohohoho!
.......
Anyway, Next is Ayumi,
Ayumi's training took place in a controlled environment. Not that she needed physical conditioning—her powers were purely psychic. Instead, her sessions revolved around mental resistance, focus drills, and controlled usage of her abilities.
Kline and Claire had both mentioned before that she was a "high-priority agent" because of the sheer potential her abilities had.
To put it bluntly: Ayumi could flip a building if she lost control. Not metaphorically. Literally.
Her psychic abilities ranged from telekinesis to telepathy, with an unsettling level of precision. However, given her history—something about an 'incident' that landed her in HeCaTe—there were several fail-safes in place.
Like the control necklace. The moment she showed signs of losing it, the device on her neck would activate, deploying stabilizers that wrapped around her head in a crown-like form to suppress her powers.
It was like putting a limiter on a nuclear bomb, which, frankly, was kind of terrifying when you put it that way.
During training, she mostly levitated objects, dodged incoming obstacles with psychic foresight, and even lifted herself off the ground for extended periods. Taro always stood by, keeping watch. It was clear that if she lost control, he was ready to intervene.
"Hey, Ayumi" I called out one day during training. "How's the telekinesis coming along?"
She smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I managed to lift three training dummies at once today! It felt amazing!"
"Three? That's impressive!" I replied, i mean like seriously, don't those things weigh like 600kg?
Scary.
"Anyway, just be careful not to hurt yourself okay." Ayumi looked at me with a smile that could turn me into an angel and Taro into a Paladin.
Speaking of Taro—
Taro's training was, in one word, terrifying. The guy didn't need fancy techniques. He was just strong. His routine was pure physical enhancement, conditioning his already ridiculous strength. He lifted things, threw things, crushed things.
A metal sphere designed to withstand intense pressure? Cracked like a peanut in his grip. The strength-dampening restraints on his wrists? Suppressed 70% of his full potential and he still tossed around obstacles like they were paperweights.
He didn't talk, but his actions spoke plenty.
I looked at him and gave him a thumbs up after he was done while saying "Great job!"
He stayed silent and returned the gesture.
He carried Ayumi after training. No questions, no hesitation—just picked her up like a parent would a sleeping child and left. It was oddly endearing in a way I didn't expect.
I'd give Ayumi 70 walls and Taro 68.
Now onto Thomas the convenient battery.
Thomas had the most dynamic training out of all of us. His power revolved around electricity—more specifically, controlling electrical frequency and currents.
The first half of his training focused on refining control. He would generate electricity, adjusting the voltage output between delicate levels (like powering a tiny light bulb) and absurd destruction (like frying a reinforced target drone to a crisp). He also practiced infusing his swords with electricity, making them cut through tougher materials with precision.
I called out one day as he was practicing. "How do you keep from frying yourself when you're generating that much electricity?"
He looked up, his usual blank face turned into a thinking face. "Practice! And a lot of trial and error. Just don't touch the wrong wires, or you'll end up with a shocking surprise!"
And yes, I still can't believe he said that with a straight face.
The second half? Speed.
Thomas had the ability to boost himself using electrical bursts, enhancing his reaction time and movement. Short bursts of speed sent him zigzagging across the training area, making him hard to track.
However, prolonged use tired him out, and if he overused his power, he'd end up completely drained—literally needing food to replenish himself.
Which explained the sheer amount of snacks and food rations he kept in the break room.
(And no, I did not steal one of his emergency snack bars when he wasn't looking. You can't prove anything.)
As for rating his speed is amazing if anything, but I could still track him with my eyes and if I tried hard enough I could see his exact movements as if in slow motion.
But since his firepower can increase with how much energy he uses he gets 65 walls.
And then there's our one-eyed white flash Lucine.
Lucine's training wasn't flashy. It didn't need to be. Her strength came from something much more grounded—ki.
Lucine's power is ki manipulation, which, according to Claire, is an ancient art that only a handful of people can truly master. It enhances strength, speed, perception—you name it.
While the others focused on explosive power, Lucine focused on refining her energy control. Ki manipulation wasn't about overwhelming force; it was about precision, control, and efficiency. She reinforced her strikes, deflected incoming attacks, and moved with a level of calmness that made her seem untouchable.
During one session, a high-speed projectile was fired at her as a test. She didn't dodge. Didn't flinch. Just caught it mid-air with her bare hand, as if it was a simple toss instead of something that could shatter bone.
I may have almost choked on my drink watching that.
But Lucine wasn't just physically strong. Her real challenge came in maintaining balance—because her power had another side to it. The one called Amaya.
For context, since I wanted to know more about Lucine I talked to Kline about it while in the middle of experiments.
Amaya wasn't a separate entity, but rather an aspect of Lucine's power that emerged under certain conditions. While Lucine maintained control through discipline, Amaya's influence seemed... different.
Claire and Kline had both mentioned that it was dangerous if left unchecked, which was why Lucine had a specialized bracelet—one that acted as both a suppressor and an emergency failsafe.
In our conversation she said this, "Information about Amaya is usually a secret you know so be grateful you're even hearing this from me." like the usual prideful brat she is, she's just short her age is older than me.
"Lucine's situation can be compared to a PC, she is able to store such a monster and run that monster with her default systems and specs, however she can't handle all of it and in turn crashes her system and loses control." She is saying this while inspecting some of my blood samples and tinkering with her tablet while chewing candy.
Out of curiosity, I asked Kline about Amaya's situation while she was busy inspecting my blood samples and tinkering with her tablet.
"Information about Amaya is usually a secret, you know, so be grateful you're even hearing this from me," she said smugly, acting like a prideful brat despite her tiny frame.
She's short—like 4'11—but she's older than me. Not that it stops her from acting like she's two steps away from world domination.
Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
"Lucine's situation can be compared to a PC," Kline continued. "She's able to store such a 'monster' and run it with her default system specs, but if she pushes too hard, her system crashes and she loses control."
"So... it's basically the same as Ayumi?" I asked.
She paused, then drew two diagrams on her tablet—one of a rechargeable battery and the other of an old-school disposable battery.
"As you can see here," Kline said, holding up her tablet with a grin, "Figure 1 is Ayumi—a rechargeable battery. She can recharge her psychic energy with proper rest and control. Figure 2? That's Lucine. Once her ki reaches a certain limit, it's like an old-school battery that drains too fast. It needs a full reset."
I nodded, pretending I fully understood what she meant.
Then, as if remembering something important, Kline leaned in conspiratorially. "Oh, you don't know how we actually found Lucine, do you?"
I shook my head. "You're about to tell me, aren't you?"
Kline's grin widened. "We found her at a mountain in China, where her sect had been completely destroyed. Amaya was at the center of it."
My eyes widened. "Wait—what?"
"Yep," Kline said, twirling her stylus. "Claire personally handled things there. Though... no one really knows what happened during that encounter."
A shiver ran down my spine. If Claire herself had to step in, then things must have been serious.
"Lucine was the only survivor," Kline continued, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. "She was barely holding it together when we found her. Amaya had already taken over by then, and it wasn't pretty. Claire had to suppress her power manually and bring her back."
I leaned back in my chair, processing the story. So that's why Lucine is the way she is. Calm, disciplined, always in control—but always holding something back.
"Makes you wonder what Claire really did to bring her back," I muttered.
Kline shrugged, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "But that's a story for another day."
Knowing the fact, she is carrying such a heavy burden made me look at her with both pity and admiration. She lost her sect and probably lost her friends back then too, who knows maybe her right eye was also lost at that event?
Even so, she never wavered. Never hesitated. Watching her train was like watching a master at work.
And yet, despite all of that, she was still a hardcore Claire fangirl.
I don't think I'll ever understand that one But knowing a bit of history maybe a little.
All in all, I can see her at 77 walls over 100, she deserves it and considering her potential it might be more.
Watching them train was... oddly fascinating. Each of them had something that set them apart, yet they all had their own weaknesses, their own struggles. They weren't perfect, but they were strong in ways I hadn't considered before.
And then there was me.
My own training felt different. Not because I lacked power—no, that wasn't the issue. It was because I was still keeping secrets. I hadn't shown them my magic. Hadn't told them what I really was. They knew I was strong, fast, and apparently able to make scanning equipment malfunction just by existing, but beyond that? Nothing.
Was I a coward? Maybe. But for now, keeping my cards close felt like the safest option.
My training so far have been divided on two schedules, The morning is the training with Unit 5,
Basically, training my stamina, reaction speed, strength and so on, while at night when in my room i apply a force field that detects movement on all sides and outside my room while i train magic.
So far, I have made it an outer ring in my heart circling it and pumping mana throughout my body.
To put it simply, I have made an anchor for mana to continue flowing within my body without my influence and attention. I haven't just been doing basic training for the whole week, I have also been digging for information.
Kline might be the number one source of info I have if I just stay still and not move but knowing her, she might just keep certain info from me like Claire, so I had to take care of things.
I asked Claire if they had a Library or a data bank where they keep information in here, and I know asking her directly wasn't really a good idea since I'm just letting her know that i want information, it's like announcing i'm gonna rob a bank in front of the cops.
To my surprise, apparently, there is a room on the Lower 30th floor. By the way, we are currently at the Lower 15th floor, where the floors decrease in number as we go down. Claire's office is located at the Lower 50th Floor, which is the end of the lower floors. Beyond that lies the upper floors, where the real magic happens—or so I've heard.
As I pondered this, I recalled Claire's words from earlier. "The data bank on the 30th floor is only available for members of the organization. Of course, certain information is not available to just anyone; you need the proper credentials to access them. You are free to access some of those files. After all, you are now an official member of HeCaTe's Unit 5. But of course, your permissions can only go so far. Do forgive me on this one."
Her tone had been light, but I could sense the underlying seriousness. It was a reminder that while I was part of the team, there were still boundaries I couldn't cross. The thought of delving into the data bank excited me, but it also made me acutely aware of my limitations.
As I made my way to the Lower 30th floor, the atmosphere shifted. The sterile, clinical environment of the facility was punctuated by the soft hum of machinery and the distant sounds of footsteps echoing in the hallways. The air felt charged with anticipation, as if the very walls were whispering secrets of the past.
Upon reaching the 30th floor, I was greeted by a heavy door marked with a sleek, metallic plaque that read "Data Bank." The door was imposing, a stark contrast to the more casual atmosphere of the training rooms. I took a moment to gather my thoughts, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
I pressed the button beside the door, and it slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a dimly lit room filled with rows of towering shelves lined with data files, holographic displays, and various technological devices. The air was cool, almost refreshing, and the faint scent of polished metal and old paper wafted through the space.
As I stepped inside, the door closed behind me with a soft thud, sealing me in this treasure trove of information. My eyes widened as I took in the sight. It was like stepping into a library of secrets, each file holding the potential to unlock new knowledge about the organization, its missions, and perhaps even my own abilities.
Anyway, that place is where I discovered ancient magic theories, some of which have yet to be confirmed as useful or viable. One example is my anchor.
Apparently, creating a ring around one's heart requires immense concentration and a certain level of pain during the engraving process. It stung when I tried it, but it wasn't unbearable. According to the book, once the ring has formed, I will be able to increase my mana output, power, and control to a certain extent.
There are nine stages to this process, each more challenging than the last. To create the ring into a crown, I would need to form nine shards of pure mana circling the ring. The thought of it was daunting—insanely hard and taxing on the body!
I've felt pain and pressure before, but not to this extent! It seems that to expand into the crown, I have to train my body to become more accustomed to mana, filling it with pathways for mana throughout, even within my blood vessels.
So, creating a crown piece is extremely taxing on concentration, control, pain, and mana.
So far, my current limit is two stars—I say stars because they look like one. Each star represents a shard of mana I've managed to stabilize, and while it's a small victory, it feels like a mountain to climb.
And yes, I do feel the difference in having the ring and stars. I feel more accustomed to the presence of mana and my already strong body feels more sensitive and powerful, as if my money is awake at all times.
I exhaled, closing my notebook. Another day of training was over. Another day closer to whatever Claire had planned next.
I glanced toward the others, still wrapped up in their respective cooldowns.
Maybe... maybe this team thing wouldn't be so bad after all.
Maybe.
After a while the last exercise for our training Ivan took the stage, he had an interesting expression, smirking all around, gives me the creeps.
"Now then, the usual exercise for today will be different. As you all know this training is supposed to allow Unit 5 to get to know each other, so as a team all of you should also be able to trust your backs to one another."
Well, he isn't exactly wrong, we haven't really been doing the supposed team bonding here and it's a bit awkward.
"That's why for this exercise I want Unit 5 to go against me."
!? and here I thought he was going to say something dumb like, let's eat together and have some fun! Or something like that, but fighting him?
"The rules of this exercise are simple, I as the target will not fight back whatsoever, and your team wins when you have managed to hit me Five times. Be it a projectile, your fist or your weapon it doesn't matter, and you have 10 minutes to do so."
... I don't know if he's an idiot or he's just that confident but knowing this line up, there's no way we wouldn't be able to hit him.
Just as I was about to start my rant in my brain Lucine spoke up, slightly irritated, "Sir Ivan, i appreciate your concern about our team's synergy and cooperativeness, however underestimating us is not."
I felt the pressure in the air as she said that.
"Forget about five hits, I'm pretty confident we could hit you more than ten times in that timeframe sir." The usual calm and cool Thomas also stepped in.
It does make sense why we would answer like this.
Imagine this: Lucine, a seasoned fighter with razor-sharp instincts. Thomas, a lightning powerhouse whose twin swords crackled with energy. Then there was me—agile, strong, able to manipulate energy in ways others couldn't. And alongside us, Ayumi, a gifted psychic, and Taro, a juggernaut of raw, unrelenting power. Together, we were a force to be reckoned with.
Now imagine a single person saying he could handle all of us. Either he was reckless, or he was just that strong.
Ivan chuckled, clearly entertained. "I appreciate the confidence, but I'm not just some punching bag. I'll be dodging, and I won't make it easy for you."
"Bring it on," Lucine said, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her blade. I could see the fire in her eyes, and it mirrored the resolve in the rest of my team.
Ivan stepped back, rolling his shoulders before giving us a nod. "Alright. On my mark. Three... two... one... go!"
The room exploded into motion.
Ayumi was the first to act. She thrust out her hands, her eyes glowing violet as she wrapped her psychic energy around a training dummy. With a flick of her wrist, she hurled it at Ivan with frightening speed. He pivoted, effortlessly side-stepping as the dummy smashed into the wall behind him, the impact shaking the floor.
"Nice try!" he called, smirking.
Taro took advantage of the distraction, charging forward like an unstoppable force. His footsteps were heavy, the ground trembling beneath him. He swung a massive training bar, the sheer weight of it enough to crack bone. Ivan ducked just in time, the bar whistling over his head before slamming into the ground with an ear-splitting crash.
"Keep him busy!" Lucine barked from the back, already strategizing.
I centered myself, inhaling deeply as I gathered energy into my palms. Mana coursed through my veins, warm and familiar. I could feel it thrumming in the air, reacting to every movement, every breath. Thomas darted to the side, his twin swords glowing as arcs of lightning crackled around them. He slashed at Ivan's flank, but Ivan moved with an almost supernatural grace, twisting out of the way as if he could read our moves before we made them.
"Not bad," Ivan taunted, dodging again. "But you'll need to be quicker!"
I narrowed my eyes. Fine. Let's see how he handled this.
A small orb of dark energy coalesced in my palm, pulsing as it grew in intensity. With a flick of my wrist, I sent it flying toward Ivan. He turned just in time to see it, but I had already anticipated his movement. The orb struck him dead-on, detonating in a wave of force that sent a shockwave rippling through the room.
"Gotcha," I said, my voice calm, but my pulse racing with adrenaline.
"Nice shot!" Kline cheered from the sidelines, eyes wide with excitement.
But Ivan wasn't down yet. He regained his footing instantly, rolling his shoulders as his expression hardened. "Alright, that's one hit. Let's see if you can land more."
Something shifted in the air. I felt it before I saw it—a sudden, undeniable surge of energy. Ivan was finally using his power.
Lucine wasted no time. She charged at him, blade flashing as she unleashed a flurry of attacks. Her movements were seamless, her sword an extension of herself. Each strike came faster than the last, flowing like water, but Ivan kept up, blocking and dodging with unreal precision. Sparks flew as steel met resistance, but Lucine pressed on, refusing to give him room to breathe.
"Two hits!" Ayumi called out, grinning.
Ivan exhaled sharply, his eyes glinting with something close to excitement. "Not bad at all."
But we weren't done yet.
As the clock ticked down, we pushed ourselves harder. I could see the determination in my teammates' eyes, the way they worked together seamlessly. It was exhilarating, and for the first time, I felt like I truly belonged.
With only a minute left, I gathered my energy for one final push. "Let's finish this!" I called out, rallying my teammates.
Ayumi lifted a training dummy again, this time using her telekinesis to launch it at Ivan while Taro charged in from the other side. Thomas followed suit, unleashing a burst of electricity that crackled through the air.
I focused all my energy into one last orb, feeling it swell in my palm. "Now!" I shouted, launching it at Ivan just as the others made their moves.
The combined force of our attacks hit him all at once. Ivan stumbled back, the impact sending him crashing into the wall.
"Five hits!" I yelled, my heart racing with exhilaration.
The room erupted into cheers, the tension breaking as we celebrated our victory. Ivan stood up, brushing himself off with a grin. "Well done, everyone! You've proven that teamwork can overcome even the most formidable opponent."
"Not bad for a bunch of misfits," Kline said, her eyes sparkling with pride.
As we caught our breath, I felt a sense of camaraderie that I hadn't expected. We were more than just a team; we were a family, each of us bringing our unique strengths to the table.
"Alright, let's wrap up for the day," Ivan said, his tone shifting back to business. "But remember, this is just the beginning. We have a long way to go."
After the team fight I went to my room and immediately laid down in exhaustion, i mean i may be a demon but I get tired too.
Also, for the first time before leaving everyone greeted me one of those "see you later" even the usually strict and serious Lucine. I guess you could say the exercise was a success.
Anyway, I'm too tired, I have to see somethings in the databank and train more on my mana.
But for now, I'll sleep for a bit.
Do you think the images are necessary?