Chapter 95

FOUR MONTHS

Four months after the Multiversal Solo Combat Challenge, Alexander floated above the clouds.

He lay back in the air, arms behind his head, watching the sun dip toward the horizon. The Mediterranean stretched endlessly below, hidden beneath a blanket of white and gold. Up here, the world felt distant. Quiet.

He’d been thinking about progression.

With a thought, he pulled up old System notifications. The one from the Miller fight, months ago now. The gains had been significant, but some had clearly been from the aerial insertion, which muddied things.

—

Perception + 1

Focus + 3

Willpower + 2

Electrokinesis Efficiency + 1

Electrokinesis Control + 2

Electrokinesis Output + 2

Metallokinesis Efficiency + 2

Metallokinesis Control + 6

Metallokinesis Output + 4

Metallokinesis Adaptability + 5

—

He dismissed it, pulling up the solo challenge results instead.

—

Strength + 1

Endurance + 7

Constitution + 6

Agility + 1

Intelligence + 3

Processing + 4

Perception + 2

Focus + 1

Willpower + 23

Technopathy Efficiency + 4

Technopathy Control + 7

Technopathy Output + 7

Technopathy Adaptability + 3

Electrokinesis Efficiency + 3

Electrokinesis Control + 4

Electrokinesis Output + 8

Electrokinesis Adaptability + 2

Metallokinesis Efficiency + 3

Metallokinesis Control + 12

Metallokinesis Output + 9

Metallokinesis Adaptability + 4

Animachina Mastery + 14

—

They were even better. The numbers told the story clearly, though he still wasn’t sure how he’d gained a point in Strength and Agility. He’d spent the whole time throwing himself around the tower with Metallokinesis as far as he could remember.

Finally he pulled up the last four months of training. Practice. Hours in the workshop and on the beach. In the sky. Pushing his powers in controlled environments. The gains were there, showing the steady accumulation of attributes across the board. Compared to combat, though? Barely comparable.

—

Strength + 2

Endurance + 3

Constitution + 3

Dexterity + 2

Agility + 4

Intelligence + 5

Processing + 3

Perception + 2

Focus + 5

Willpower + 1

Technopathy Efficiency + 1

Technopathy Control + 1

Technopathy Output + 2

Electrokinesis Efficiency + 1

Electrokinesis Control + 2

Electrokinesis Output + 1

Metallokinesis Efficiency + 1

Metallokinesis Control + 2

Metallokinesis Output + 4

—

Alexander stared at the numbers, confirming what he’d suspected since he began understanding the world was changing. Combat gains were increasing, each fight yielding more than the last. Meanwhile, training gains were slowing. Diminishing returns on effort invested.

The System wanted conflict.

He thought about the invasion quests. One every month since the tournament, each offering attribute rewards. The team had declined all of them. Watching from the sidelines as others threw themselves into dimensional warfare for power.

They knew the truth, though. Those who didn’t participate would fall behind. It was simple mathematics. The System was creating a hierarchy based on willingness to fight, and they were choosing to stay out of it.

At least they hadn’t been forced to defend themselves again. Not since that first invasion months ago.

Alexander pulled up his full status.

—

[STATUS]

Alexander Rooke

| Alias: Machine God

| Organization: Grimnir

| Designation: Supervillain

| Bounty: 950,000 credits

| Evaluation: Tier 2 (2%) — Class A

ASCENSION POTENTIAL INDEX (API)

Physical Attributes

| Strength — 72% → 75%

| Endurance — 80% → 90%

| Constitution — 77% → 86%

| Dexterity — 88% → 90%

| Agility — 73% → 78%

Cognitive Attributes

| Intelligence ✧ 113 → 124

| Processing Speed ✧ 107 → 117

| Perception ✧ 111 → 119

| Focus — 94% → ✧ 105

| Willpower (Ambition) ✧ 101 → 128 (+1)

Power Manifestation

Machine God (Technopathy) | Class S, Tier 1

| Efficiency — 94% → 99%

| Control — 90% → 98%

| Output — 51% → 60%

| Adaptation — 86% → 90%

Electrokinesis | Class C, Tier 1

| Efficiency — 50% → 55%

| Control — 43% → 51%

| Output — 49% → 60%

| Adaptation — 31% → 33%

Metallokinesis | Class B, Tier 1

| Efficiency — 56% → 62%

| Control — 25% → 45%

| Output — 25% → 42%

| Adaptation — 27% → 36%

Animachina | Class S, Tier 2

| Mastery ✧ 31%

Cultivator’s Core | Class B, Tier 1

| Refinement ✧ 27%

Techniques

| Blackout

| Ensoulment

Skills

| Hyperawareness

Achievements

| Origin 0 Soul

| Continue the Dream

—

Four months of growth. New powers integrated, old ones refined. He’d accomplished far more than he’d thought possible back in that prison cell. Before Grimnir. Before everything changed.

He wasn’t sure yet what his new Core was doing, outside the obvious improvements in managing his other powers. Refinement was yet another classification that provided no insight. Talia had suggested he meditate on it. He wasn’t very good at sitting still and not thinking.

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His eyes lingered on another line. Technopathy. Except it didn’t say Technopathy anymore.

Machine God.

The name had changed weeks ago, right after he’d finally understood what Animachina truly meant. Life of the Machine. Soul of the Machine. The power to create, preserve, restore. Not just control, but true connection. That combined with seeing the path forward with his powers had led to a single moment of understanding. Something that had faded, but left him with a pathway forward.

He hadn’t told the others yet. Partly because it felt embarrassing. Pretentious, even. Machine God sounded like something a supervillain would call themselves in a bad comic. But mostly because he wasn’t sure what it meant.

Augustus had mentioned his own power changing name once. When his understanding deepened, it had changed to accommodate. Did understanding reveal the true name? Or did learning the true name grant understanding of the power itself?

Maybe he was reading too much into it. Worse still was that the System had recognized his declaration and set it as his alias. He’d tried changing it repeatedly, even with his powers, but to no avail. It was yet another reason not to share it with everyone for the time being.

A notification pinged in his vision. Augustus. “Dinner’s ready.”

Alexander smiled slightly. The aliens had asked to share a decision with them tonight. He suspected he knew what it was. Some of them wanted to go home. It made sense. They’d been here a while now, healing and recovering. They’d been patient. But eventually, people needed to move forward.

He thought it was good timing. The team needed something new to work toward. A goal beyond training and waiting.

Alexander began his descent, slipping down through the clouds. The island appeared below, small and perfect in the fading light. Holodrones circled overhead, maintaining the illusion of empty space. The beach curved around clear water. The house sat nestled against the cliff.

Home, for now.

He dropped lower, control smooth and effortless now. No more burning through power at impossible rates. The solution Talia had suggested worked perfectly. Release and regenerate the wave at each crest, rather than maintaining one continuous push from the starting point.

Flight had become second nature. The only challenge he faced now was how to deal with friction at high speeds. Armor seemed like the obvious answer, but the idea of being encased in a suit that worshipped him…

Alexander shook his head and descended toward the terrace, feet touching stone as naturally as stepping off a curb. Through the windows, he could see movement inside. The others were gathering.

Time for dinner.

***

Augustus sat in his office, reading glasses perched at the tip of his nose, brush poised over paper.

The rune took shape with careful strokes. Black ink flowed across white parchment in precise movements, each line deliberate. Japanese calligraphy had taught him patience and fine motor control. The same principles applied to runic inscription.

Permanence. The character formed slowly, building from foundation to completion. He’d practiced this one hundreds of times now, but mastery required repetition. Understanding the rune’s essence, not just its shape.

He set the brush down, studying his work. Better. Not perfect, but better.

Mastering the runes seemed to be key. Not just knowing their forms, but understanding their purpose. Their meaning. The more he practiced, the more efficient they became. The magic responded to comprehension, not just execution.

Augustus had organized his collection over the past months. Permanence, Gather, Amplify, Extend. A half-dozen more besides. Each one a tool, once he understood how to wield it properly.

The alarm on his tablet chimed. He glanced at it, then smiled. Dinner time.

He tapped out a quick message to everyone. “Dinner’s ready.”

The brush went back into its holder. Augustus removed his glasses, folding them carefully. Then he pulled up his status sheet.

—

[STATUS]

Augustus Greaves

| Alias: Unknown

| Designation: Supervillain

| Organization: Grimnir

| Bounty: 700,000 credits

| Evaluation: Tier 2 (2%) — Class B

ASCENSION POTENTIAL INDEX (API)

Physical Attributes

| Strength — 94%

| Endurance ✧ 144 → 168

| Constitution ✧ 101 → 117

| Dexterity — 85%

| Agility — 79%

Cognitive Attributes

| Intelligence — 98% → ✧ 112

| Processing Speed ✧ 101 → 118

| Perception ✧ 101 → 114

| Focus ✧ 107 → 123

| Willpower (Mystery) ✧ 168 → 177 (+1)

Power Manifestation

Arcane Seeker (Sorcery) | Class B, Tier 1

| Efficiency — 89% → 94%

| Control — 99% → 100%

| Output — 83% → 87%

| Adaptation — 99% → 100%

Soulbound Spellbook | Class B, Tier 1

| Knowledge ✧ 12%

| Runes: Permanence, Gather, Amplify, Stabilize, Anchor, Extend, Pierce, Bind, Echo, Resonate, Redirect

Techniques

| Storage Closet

Skills

| Warden

Achievements

| Continue the Dream

—

Four months of growth. Learning. His power had been stagnant for more than half a decade, locked behind his contentment in retirement. Then everything had changed, and he’d had to change with it. Not that he had any complaints. This life came with a different type of contentment.

New understanding of his magic meant new applications, new depth. The runes alone had transformed his capabilities. Each one capable of enhancing his basic spells. And once he figured out the runes, research would begin into what came next.

Augustus stood, smoothing his shirt. Pride, yes. But also gratitude. He’d accepted his limits once, made peace with them. Gone into retirement, knowing he’d achieved most of what he would in life. Now those limits were gone, and the road ahead stretched further than he’d imagined possible.

The team would be gathering. The aliens had something to share tonight. He suspected it would change things. Set them on a new path.

Good. They’d gained enough from their new powers. Kept the aliens safe and bided their time. Now it was time to move forward.

He headed toward the dining area, leaving his office behind.

***

Talia circled the heavy bag, fists up, breathing controlled.

Jab. Cross. The bag swung slightly. She reset, shifted her stance. Muay Thai now. Elbow strike, knee. The leather creaked under impact.

With each hit, gold light flickered at her fingertips. Barely visible. The enchantment flowed into the bag with every strike.

Weaken. Again. Weaken. Again.

She switched forms. Karate. Precise, powerful. Front kick, reverse punch. The bag absorbed each blow, fibers degrading microscopically with every impact.

Talia had been at this for a while. Building the effect. Layering weakness upon weakness. The enchantment accumulated, patient and inevitable.

She circled again, evaluating. The bag looked normal. Felt normal under her strikes. But the structure was compromised now. Integrity gone. Just waiting for the right pressure at the right point.

Talia stepped back, measured the distance. Then launched forward.

The jump kick connected perfectly. Her heel drove into the exact center of mass, and the bag exploded. Leather tore, and sand sprayed across the gym floor as the bag collapsed in a heap.

She landed in a ready stance, then straightened. Smiled to herself.

Talia grabbed a towel from the bench, draping it around her neck. She’d need to order another bag. That was the third one this month. At least the others had stopped questioning it.

She pulled up her status sheet while walking toward the exit. Her growth had been fairly consistent, but she’d gained less than the others from her solo combat challenge.

—

[STATUS]

Talia Kim

| Alias: Unknown

| Organization: Grimnir

| Designation: Supervillain

| Bounty: 625,000

| Evaluation: Tier 2 (1%) — Class C+

ASCENSION POTENTIAL INDEX (API)

Physical Attributes

| Strength ✧ 101 → 104

| Endurance ✧ 101 → 104

| Constitution ✧ 101 → 104

| Dexterity ✧ 101 → 109

| Agility ✧ 101 → 108

Cognitive Attributes

| Intelligence ✧ 101 → 109

| Processing Speed ✧ 101 → 113

| Perception ✧ 101 → 108

| Focus ✧ 101 → 111

| Willpower (Perfection) ✧ 101 → 118 (+1)

Power Manifestation

Cognitive Resonance | Class C, Tier 1

| Efficiency — 93% → 95%

| Control — 95% → 96%

| Output — 77% → 83%

| Adaptation — 84% → 90%

Mind Palace | Class C, Tier 1

| Efficiency — 100%

| Control — 86% → 88%

| Output — 63% → 71%

| Adaptation — 48% → 53%

Manifest Resonance | Class C, Tier 1

| Efficiency — 17%

| Control — 33%

| Output — 21%

| Adaptation — 68%

Faith Enchanting | Class C, Tier 1

| Belief ✧ 35%

Techniques

| Realm of the Mind

| Manifestation

Skills

| Perfect Control

Achievements

| First Perfect Ascension

| Continue the Dream

| Decisive Victory

—

Four months of steady progress. The combat tournament had been transformative, but the real growth came after. Understanding Manifest Resonance. Learning to apply Faith Enchanting beyond simple combat applications. The synergy between analysis and manifestation had opened doors she was still exploring.

The aliens would ask to go home tonight. Some of them, anyway. She’d seen it coming for weeks. The way they gathered regularly, a subtle sense of impatience. The wistful looks toward the sky.

Talia thought the team was ready. They’d integrated their new powers, developed synergy, trained until the movements felt natural. Whatever came next, they could handle it.

Her System interface notified her of a message.

She glanced at it without opening it. Probably Augustus calling for dinner. She’d check it after her shower.

Talia pushed through the gym doors, already thinking ahead. Transportation would be the challenge. Getting the aliens home safely without exposing them to Santiago’s hunt or galactic attention. They’d need a plan. She’d already worked up a list of options.

But first, dinner.

***

Annie cut through the water in Spino form, powerful strokes propelling her forward.

The ocean stretched around her, clear and endless. She stayed within the perimeter Alexander had extended for her. The holodrones only reached so far, but he’d pushed the boundary out as much as he could. She appreciated that.

Freedom, even limited freedom, felt good.

She dove deeper, enjoying the pressure. The hybrid form moved through water like it belonged there. Metal scales shed resistance, claws provided steering, the heavy tail drove her forward with each sweep.

Movement in the distance. Something large.

Her instincts exploded.

PURSUE. KILL. DEVOUR.

Annie surged forward before thought caught up to action. Raw predator drive seized control. The prey was fleeing, she could sense it, and every fiber of her being screamed to chase it down and tear into it and feed and—

She forced herself to stop.

The transformation rippled. Scales receded slightly, claws pulled back. Her tail went still. She floated in the water, breathing hard through lungs and mutated gills both, fighting the screaming need to hunt.

Slowly, the instincts quieted.

Annie resumed swimming, slower now. Controlled. The thing ahead was gone, whatever it had been. Probably just a large fish.

She was getting good at controlling it. Reining in the predator before it took over completely. It wasn’t perfect. The instincts still hit like a freight train, still took everything she had to resist. But she could resist now. Most of the time.

A notification pinged in her vision.

Augustus. Probably calling everyone for dinner.

Annie didn’t read it. Just changed direction, angling back toward the island. She dove deeper and powered through the water, letting the Spino form do what it did best.

While her body moved on instinct, Annie pulled up her status sheet.

—

[STATUS]

Annette Sheridan

| Alias: Scrappy [Unregistered]

| Organization: Grimnir

| Designation: Supervillain

| Bounty: 835,000

| Evaluation: Tier 2 (1%) — Class B+

ASCENSION POTENTIAL INDEX (API)

Physical Attributes

| Strength — 96% → ✧ 105

| Endurance — 85% → 95%

| Constitution ✧ 101 → 122

| Dexterity — 85% → 93%

| Agility ✧ 118 → 127

Cognitive Attributes

| Intelligence — 85% → 93%

| Processing Speed — 77% → 84%

| Perception — 75% → 86%

| Focus ✧ 114 → 132

| Willpower (Heart) ✧ 101 → 117 (+1)

Power Manifestation

MetaMetal Adaptation | Class B, Tier 1

| Efficiency — 99% → 100%

| Control — 90% → 97%

| Output — 46% → 67%

| Adaptation — 92% → 94%

Thermal Flux Control | Class C, Tier 1

| Efficiency — 75%

| Control — 39%

| Output — 34%

| Adaptation — 38%

Density Flux Control | Class C, Tier 1

| Efficiency — 70% → 79%

| Control — 43% → 65%

| Output — 37% → 52%

| Adaptation — 34% → 39%

Saurian Forms | Class B, Tier 1

| Evolution ✧ 16%

| Integration ✧ 48%

Techniques

| Nutcracker

Skills

| Combat Lock

Achievements

| Continue the Dream

—

She’d gained considerably in Willpower and Focus from surviving the Spinosaurus. Alexander had suggested it might have been a peak Tier 2, or even an early Tier 3 given the strength disparity.

The beach appeared ahead, pale sand visible through clear water. She could see the house beyond, lights warm against the approaching evening.

Home.

Annie surfaced in the shallows and shifted back to human as she walked up the beach. Metal receded into skin, claws became fingers, her jaw reformed into something that could speak. Clothes returned. By the time she reached the terrace stairs, she looked normal again.

Except for being soaking wet and covered in salt water.

She paused at the bottom of the stairs, concentrating. MetaMetal Adaptation responded to her Will, flowing into her clothing. The fabric phased out, replaced. Water ran down her skin, dripping onto the stone. Then she released her power, allowing the clothes to return.

Mostly dry. Good enough.

She headed inside to join the others.