It's been a year since graduation.
Honestly, things haven't been going well. I still haven't found my boost, and I'm struggling to stay afloat. I moved out of my parents' house to see what I could do for myself — found a small job and a place to stay in the inner city. Life is hard without a boost. Fewer job opportunities, and people look at you differently. It feels like the world spit you out, and now you're on your own.
Ulim thought to himself as he pulled on his work vest and got ready for another long day. He opened the door of his apartment and stepped back into Eclipse City. The hum of neon lights and the echo of morning chatter filled the air. He hopped onto one of the city's free scooters and headed to work.
---
It's been a year since graduation, and things have changed.
The students had moved on — each exploring their new lives. Delis, Mark, David, and the others were working hard at the Training Academy, making names for themselves. Mark had even been on missions with his father a few times and was already being hyped up as the next big hero. Delis, with his speed boost, had been catching the eyes of even seasoned trainees. The rest of Class 22651 were doing well in their respective fields. Even Noah had finally discovered his boost, apparently.
---
"**This bread wasn't baked today! You're lying to me!**" a voice shouted from the baked goods aisle.
"Mrs. Perma again?" one of the workers asked.
"You guessed it," Ulim replied as he stacked loaves on the shelf.
"When will she learn that her *ice-body metamorphosis* boost affects her ability to feel warmth?" Ulim sighed. "She's going to make all the loaves cold again."
"So you're going to be the sacrificial lamb today?" the worker said.
"Someone has to be the hero, Leon," Ulim replied, walking toward the commotion.
"Mrs. Perma, all the bread was baked an hour ago — it's fresh. But if you keep touching every loaf, they'll all go cold for the other customers," he said calmly.
She frowned. "If it was baked today, I should at least see some condensation on my hand when I touch it — but I see nothing."
"Maybe try putting your glasses on," Ulim said before realizing his mistake.
Her frosty glare sharpened. "Are you calling me old?"
"No, I was just sugges—"
"Look here, you—" she stopped mid-sentence when she noticed his wrist.
"No superpowers," she hissed. "I'm not going to be lectured by a *powerless boy*. You're just normal — you can only feel normal things. Move away from me!"
Ulim tried his hardest to stay calm, but before he could answer, a firm voice echoed behind her.
"Mrs. Perma, all the bread is fresh. Pick one and leave."
The store manager stood there, his boost active. Behind him loomed a seven-foot, six-armed creature with glowing blue skin and yellow eyes. Mrs. Perma quickly grabbed a loaf and left without another word.
"I've been getting countless complaints about her attitude," the manager said, deactivating his boost. "Finally decided to check it out myself — and they were right on the mark." He turned to Ulim. "Don't let her words get to you, kid. She's just a bitter old lady."
"Manager!" Leon called out.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite employees," the manager said with a grin.
"How are we your favorites when the East Side Byte Barrel got *Store of the Month*?" Leon scoffed.
"Well…" the manager rubbed the back of his head, "don't tell anyone I told you this, but I only gave them that title to make them work harder."
"That's a lie!" Leon said, laughing.
"Trust me," the manager replied with a wink as he went to speak to the bakery staff.
Later that night, Ulim lay in bed, exhausted. He held an offline restrictor band in his hand.
A memory came back — the day they took it off. It had been two months since graduation, and he still hadn't shown any significant changes in his molecular or physical structure. So, the scientists decided to remove it.
RING.
RING.
RING.
Ulim snapped back to reality. "Who's calling me this late? Doesn't my mom ever get tired of calling every night?" he muttered, accepting the video call without looking.
"Hi, mo—"
He froze.
It wasn't his mom.
It was Delis. They hadn't spoken in five months.
"Well, that's not what I expected to be the first thing you say after all this time," Delis said with a cheeky smile. He looked different — stronger, sharper, confidence radiating off him.
"So, are you just going to stand there with your mouth open," he said, "or are you going to greet your old pal?"