The war room hummed with the soft glow of holographic schematics, casting shifting blue patterns across Arthur's face as he sat across from Vanessa.
A steaming cup of tea sat untouched between them.
Vanessa traced a finger through the air, pulling up two distinct diagrams.
"Triggers aren't just powers," she began, "They're relationships. And like any relationship, they require understanding and will."
The first diagram exploded into a sprawling spiderweb, branching endlessly, "Let me start off with Simple trigger."
"Simple trigger are given that name for three reasons: Their trigger posses only one ability but gives them creative freedom on how to develop their abilities, their abilities can be understood in both logical and simple terms, and finally they are common amongst the population with ninety-one percent of the people being simple users. But you should know, some simple user don't have both the requirements but still are considered that if they have just one." She explained
Vanessa open her right palm where a fireball appeared, "Me, Bruce and Duke are simple user since we fell underneath those conditions. During my earlier days I use to create simple fireball." Vanessa changed the shape of her fireball into a star, "Soon when I wanted a change my ability into a way that represents myself. I was able to change the shape into something else and add new usage to it. Like tracking body temperature."
After extinguishing the flame, she changed the diagram to the second one which formed a straight, unwavering line.
"Now this is a Complex Triggers," she continued, "They are what we call abilities that are have no concept of understand. They don't give you the freedom to creative new way of using it but rather it comes predetermined following a linear pathing. Evolving is difficult but when it does happen, they are usually become stronger than a any simply users. For example, Annie fit the requirements to be called a Complex user."
Arthur frowned, his eyes reflecting the holographic light, "I'm guessing, that I'm a Complex trigger user?"
Vanessa leaned forward, "Tell me about your abilities, do you understand them?"
Arthur hesitated before averting his eyes, "I don't know honestly. Absolute authority was a name a came up on the spot base on two skills I posses. For a long time, I wondered what else I can do with these power."
Arthur recall his fight with Biscuit and Don, "Galahad is changing," Arthur admitted, "The sword. The reflexes. The durability. None of that was possible before."
Vanessa's manicured nail tapped the table, "Because you're already started walking down this straight line. You allow your will to get stronger and started understanding what your trigger was capable of. Pretty soon you will undergo your next evolution."
Vanessa took a sip of her tea, "But you should be warn, Complex user become high on their powers when they mind truly understand their powers. So to properly control yourself, I ask Hans to train you by that day starting tomorrow."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, "And at night?"
The elevator door slides open as Becky entered, her arms laden with thick manuals. She dropped them onto the table with a thud that shook the teacup.
"At night," Vanessa grinned, "you will be studying laws, maths, different languages and hero association code of conduct."
The top manual's title gleamed in gold foil:
"ETHICS PROTOCOL & THE ART OF NOT EXPLODING THINGS: A HERO'S GUIDE."
Arthur stared blankly.
Becky patted his shoulder, "I expect full marks for my services."
---
For today's training day, Vanessa had to rent out a gym to avoid property damage.
The training gym was a cavernous space of reinforced steel and impact-absorbent mats.
Hans stood at the center, his usual chauffeur's uniform replaced with a sleeveless training shirt that revealed arms corded with muscle.
Hans performs a quick bow, "Morning, young master Arthur. Shall we begin?"
"Sure-" just before Arthur could finish his sentence Hans suddenly appeared in front of him with his fist almost connecting with his face.
Galahad's was able to catch it, reacting before Arthur could think.
Arthur only now noticed that not only Hans was releasing statics of electric but there were two of him.
"I see, you can also create summon who acts independently," Hans smirked, "Tell him, has it ever cross your mind that you are as weak as a normal person."
Another Hans clone came and tried to punch him from behind but Galahad stopped that attack. Only for another appear out from Arthur shadow and deliver an uppercut that sent him to air.
Followed up with a diving kick that sent Arthur through a table.
Arthur groan, "What the hell was that?" Surprised by how fast everything went and that Galahad couldn't prevent it like he usually.
Hans shook his head, "You are nothing more than deadweight if you are relying on your current skills to keep you alive." He slowly steps forward as his body start discharging electric.
"But I will soon fix that!"
---
By sunset, when Becky arrived with her towering stack of textbooks, Arthur's arms trembled with exhaustion.
She set a mug of black coffee beside him, open to the first chapter:
"WHEN TO USE FORCE: THE MORAL CALCULUS OF HEROISM."
Arthur groaned, dropping his forehead to the table.
Vanessa's laughter echoed from the doorway, "Welcome to your new life, darling."