Ayna found that many questions remained to be asked of Stormflash.

  His words, meant to provide clarity on her situation, had only further sent her mind into disarray.

  If the Luxonary Federation is Stormflash's backer, it would explain how he retrieved such advanced technologies, yet even then, she felt something was not quite right.

  What am I missing?

  It was then that it became clear. If Dr Xavier held the power to manipulate a being like Thaumavore, then the improbability of her escape rose drastically.

  How did we get away?

  Stormflash knew that Thaumavore was flawed; they were in constant deliberative pain as their body strained from the varied stolen powers they had absorbed, sending their DNA into disarray and forcing them to constantly devour the energies of lifeforms.

  It was the reason why Dr Xavier continued the experiment with her. Thaumavore proved the power's potential, yet had lost their humanity utterly in doing so, making it a failure.

  Even then, Thaumavore was not mentally weak, nor was it particularly vulnerable to mental influences; therefore, for a Psionic like Dr Xavier to manipulate it meant that the probability of Stormflash escaping his influence was very low.

  Ayna let none of this show in her train of thought as she continued her questioning, “May I ask who I was cloned from? What was their family's position in the Luxonary Federation?”

  Ayna almost regretted her questioning as she saw the vivid pain on Stormflash's face as if he recalled a painful memory.

  “It is fine if you don’t want to…” Ayna felt herself saying in consolation until Stormflash interrupted by shaking his head.

  “Her name was Amelia Ardentine. The Ardentine was an influential family in the Federation; they were famed for their powers to manipulate and adapt their physiology to various metals. Amelia was unique; her power had mutated, an extremely rare phenomenon, as partners chosen by the Ardentine are those to ensure the offspring inherits their family's power perfectly. Yet Amelia underwent drastic changes, as she not only could adapt her physiology to metals but also adjust their properties to her bodily needs; her body could withstand extreme duress; in fact, the harder she pushed, the more she grew. Normally, it would be a cause for celebration. Yet, she attracted the attention of Dr Xavier, even her A-grade grandfather could not stop Thaumavore from slaughtering the majority of the Ardentine line to get to her.” Stormflash said ruefully.

  Ayna could tell Stormflash was genuinely sorrowful when he described the events.

  “That must have been horrifying,” Ayna said consolingly.

  Thaumavore was intimidating enough through the lens of her game avatar, never mind reality.

  I guess I was right to estimate that my features resembled a noble bloodline.

  To be considered among the families in the Luxonary Federation, a powerful representative democratic republic, the Ardentine would have to hold valuable talents to be granted such status. In that case, they were a family of Metahumans, and in every S-grade power, such families were valued and granted status to ensure they remained in the Luxonary Federation.

  Stormflash seemed to agree with her assessment as he recalled Thaumavore, yet he then continued, “I have informed you most of my reasoning. Though I have another thing to tell you, we will be staying here for a while. I have rented this place for a while, but putting things in motion requires me to act alone, and in that time, you will be free to do as you wish. I know the key to your swift advancement is to have opportunities, and though I could tell you to hide away in fear, that would cause you to stagnate. I believe you will need to be as powerful as you can for what is to come. Fortunately for us, E grades are not uncommon here at all, as long as you don’t use your Esper abilities blatantly, you will have many chances to grow.”

  Stormflash is allowing me to act on my own?

  I had my own plans and ideas for my strategies as I advance, yet to suddenly be told by the only somewhat trustworthy person I have met in this world that he is leaving me for an undetermined amount of time is a bit sudden.

  Staring into Stormflash's eyes, she saw his vivid eyes staring back. He revealed nothing, becoming stoic after his brief show of emotion as he discussed Amelia Ardentine.

  “I’m not sure what to think of this, yet you have not let me astray so far. Though I did have the thought to become a Contractor, I find my powers grow faster in combat, and it seemed to be the easiest way to do that here is to become a Contractor. Additionally, it would be useful if I could further refine the combat skills I learnt in the Research Facility with an advanced teacher. Do you have any thoughts on this?” Ayna listed her ideas to Stormflash as she replied.

  Stormflash seemed measured as he thought of what she said before he said, “A good idea overall. Many Contractors fill the City, becoming one wouldn’t draw heavy suspicion if you don’t overplay your abilities, and it would be perfect for improving your abilities, as the contracts are rather specific, you can research and choose appropriate targets. As for finding a combat skills trainer, again, the City has plenty of them, though I recommend searching for a less conspicuous trainer who has no links to Corporations. I can help with this.”

  Ayna nodded in agreement as she said, “I would appreciate that.”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Afterwards, the two continued their discussion until they decided it was time to rest for the night.

  Ayna found herself falling asleep very quickly, drawn to the comfortable bedding after her stressful journey here.

  Abruptly awakening, Ayna found herself drawn to the restroom, which she recognised as similar to the one she utilised at the facility. Quickly showering and freshening up, she found that everything seemed to be stocked and ready for her as she searched the room in a tightly clinging towel.

  “I really have to question Stormflash's preparedness again.” She mumbled out loud, finding all the clothes she could want in her size neatly folded and hung up in the drawers.

  Wearing a practical dress that allowed her to move freely, she left the room and found the plush apartment vacant.

  After some time, she found a message left for her by Stormflash pinging in her Neural Interface.

  Tapping the screen to bring it up, she found his voice filled her mind as a small hologram of him appeared in her vision.

  “Hello, Ayna, I wanted to stay until morning to go through things with you, yet it turned out I needed to leave earlier than I thought. Sorry for the abruptness, yet I have to act in haste, knowing these preparations are necessary to ensure we remain free on Tanus. Though I have quickly made some preparations based on our talk yesterday, I utilised my contacts and found that Malcolm, the Contractor we met outside the gates, would be a good start on that interest; his background is clean, and he has a good, ordinary reputation as an E-grade Contractor. He commonly reaches out to those like us, having a good eye for talent, so nothing is unusual about him if you are interested in starting your Contracting work with an experienced vet. The second option: my contacts recommended a Weapon Trainer with no Corporation affiliation; her skills are legitimate, and she is an expert in hand-to-hand combat and one-handed blades. She holds one-to-one sessions at an hourly rate of 500 credits. She is expensive yet very good. I have taken the initiative to book you a slot at this time, if you are interested. Her name is Akari Aoki, and she comes from a family that runs a reputable Dojo in the lower districts. I wish you luck. Now, be careful, and hopefully, I will get in contact soon.” Stormflash's voice and image fizzled out at ending of the message.

  Immediate alerts filled her vision afterwards as she received a notification of incoming credits.

  Stormflash has sent a 5000-credit transfer to your account.

  Ayna accepted and found the icon for her credit count in the corner, which went up accordingly.

  “Stormflash really followed through here for me. He went above and beyond what I expected,” She said out loud before looking over the information.

  I guess I will do the trainer slot first, since it is only a few hours from now. Akari Aoki, is it? Let us hope you live up to that recommendation.

  Ayna did not dwell on things much further; she hurriedly got ready and left the apartment the same way she entered.

  The creepy android receptionist barely acknowledged her as she left, her monotone voice saying, “Have a good day.” Before she exited the building.

  The Lower Districts in Genecies were practically the designated areas for the ‘workers’ of the City: contractors, menial workers, and largely non-corporate citizens. Though the area was still mostly orderly, the district's quality was a step below that of other parts of the City.

  Akari Aoki, the trainer Stormflash has found for her, was based in a Dojo run by her family for a few generations.

  Ayna utilised public transport, as she had with Stormflash earlier, finding herself swiftly near the Dojo with time to spare.

  This Lower District of the Mega City was more crowded and chaotic compared to the other areas she had been to thus far.

  Yet not in a rush, she took her time in her walk to the remainder of the way to the Dojo, revelling in the normalcy of it all.

  Eventually, she found it, a flickering, cracked holo sign that occasionally buzzed and displayed the wrong kanji sat outside the entrance. Half the hologram is missing, showing only a flickering blue aura, yet she can still make out the automated translation of Aoki Dojo.

  Is this seriously the place Stormflash recommended?

  The outside door was a heavy, rusted hydraulic door that seemed well past its prime, and as Ayna approached to open it, she found it felt stiff and required a good amount of force to crack it open.

  “Hello, I am here for my booked training session,” Ayna said loudly as she pushed her way inside.

  The inside of the Dojo was a contrast to the outside. Though partially dated, it was clean and well-maintained, with traditional dark matte tatami mats reinforced to withstand the stress of superhuman capabilities.

  Ayna found the Dojo's aesthetics sleek and minimalist, with walls and ceilings made of a mix of dark, polished hinoki wood and durable steel.

  Closing the door behind her, she was taken aback by the sudden bell-like voice that interrupted her, “A rather eager one you are, aren’t you? Isn’t this a bit early?”

  Turning abruptly, she found herself face-to-face with a youthful woman of Northeast Asian features, with porcelain-like pale skin and an elegant, delicate beauty.

  The young woman had large, expressive eyes that stared at her with amusement and lightheartedness, her long, straight, bright pink hair tied up neatly in a kimono bun, as her lips curved into a bright smile.

  “Are you Akari Aoki?” Ayna asked reflectively, yet, judging by the young woman's cheery laugh, she got her answer.

  “The one and only. I already received payment. Usually, I would wait for the time slot, yet, lucky you, I am in a good mood.” Akari Aoki said as she stood straight, tall for a woman, not much shorter than Ayna.

  Akari Aoki wore a traditional silk kimono that her slender yet athletic figure wore well, yet it bore high-tech glowing patterns that revealed enhancements.

  It was the first time since her arrival that she had seen the magics of her new reality; after all, being an Esper and Metahuman was not the only path to becoming powered.

  “We can start now?” Ayna asked questionably as the rather ferocious young woman seemed to eye her like a predator.

  “Of course, yet first I need to assess where you are. You look rather tall and strong for a woman! I haven’t had a good sparring partner in a while, and you look perfect, well, physically speaking.” Akari Aoki said with a flirtatious-looking wink that was both playful and earnest.

  “Of course, that seems reasonable,” Ayna said, though for some reason she felt the look Akari Aoki gave her was similar.

  Didn’t Stormflash have this look when we first met?

  I can’t be that unlucky to have two masochistic trainers in a row, can I?

  Ayna geared herself as she went to meet her new trainer on the mats, following her direction. It was time she began advancing her general skills, then for some contracting work to bring her levels up and acquire new powers.

  It was finally time for her to make real progress.