The elevator hummed softly as it ascended deeper into the hidden layers of the Sector Zero base. Malric stood with Cross, the calm authority of the man making the silence feel less awkward and more anticipatory. The events of the day still swirled in Malric's mind — the Sector Zero members, their sheer power, the shocking reveal of his own assignment, and the fact that he was now part of an organization the world didn't even know existed.
When the doors finally opened, he was greeted by an unexpectedly warm sight: a sleek, ultra-modern design studio filled with mannequins, holographic interfaces, floating sewing bots, and racks of materials that shimmered like starlight. Standing at the center was a flamboyantly dressed woman, tall and elegant, with glowing eyes that sparkled with creativity. Her hair was a mix of pastel pink and violet, cascading down her shoulders like waves of silk.
"Ahh! So this is the boy I've been told about~!" she sang, twirling on her heels to face him. "Malric, welcome to my domain, darling! I'm Seraphine Dusk — the artisan behind every Sector Zero hero's identity."
Seraphine extended a gloved hand, and Malric hesitantly took it, surprised by the strength in her grip.
"You design the hero costumes?" he asked.
"I breathe life into them," she corrected dramatically. "I am the painter and the brush, the code and the cloth. Every member's costume is tailored not only to their Quirk but to their very soul. And now, it's your turn."
Malric looked around the room again, this time more carefully. Holograms of past designs floated around — Cross's trench-coat armor, Caelus's gravity-resistant exosuit, and Rika's kinetic fabric dress. Each outfit seemed more than just clothing; they were extensions of the person.
"I'll be honest with you, darling," Seraphine said, circling Malric like a hawk sizing up prey, "designing a costume for someone like you — unknown origins, hidden stats, special assignment — is thrilling. So tell me…"
She tapped a floating screen, and a 3D model of Malric appeared, shirtless and spinning slowly.
"…What kind of hero do you want to be?"
Malric hesitated, watching his own figure rotate. "Strong. Fast. Mysterious. Something that moves with me — helps me in combat, not just looks cool."
Seraphine smirked. "Darling, I would never give you something that's just 'cool'. I'll give you something that makes gods envious."
She clapped her hands, and dozens of fabrics floated toward her. Screens projected theoretical materials: nano-fiber muscle augmenters, Quirk-reactive threads, anti-thermal linings, and stealth-mode cloaking.
"You're staying in my mind for tonight's sketches," she said with a wink. "I'll send the first mock-ups to your room. Which reminds me…"