Marcus woke from his nap around 7:00 p.m. He stretched, rubbed his eyes, and walked to the bathroom. Splashing cold water on his face, he looked at his reflection in the mirror.
The sight of his blonde hair mixed with gray roots bothered him. Without overthinking it, he grabbed a clipper and trimmed his hair very short, removing all the blonde and leaving only the gray strands. His scalp was mostly covered, but the gray hair now dominated his appearance.
Before heading out, Marcus went to the small kitchenette in the residence and grabbed a simple snack—a sandwich and a bottle of water. He ate quickly, trying to regain some energy after the exhausting day.
Recalling David's instructions that he was not allowed to leave the facility, Marcus decided to head to the indoor park within the complex. He walked through the quiet corridors until he reached the green space, its small paths and benches surrounded by plants and soft lighting.
He found an empty bench and sat down, letting the calm of the park settle over him. The quiet of the green space gave him a rare moment to think, away from the constant rush of new powers, new dangers, and the weight of the unknown.
He ran a hand over his short gray hair, feeling the unfamiliar texture against his fingers. Yesterday… I was completely defenseless, he thought, shivering at the memory. The edge of the blade at my throat, the blood running… the panic… I couldn't do anything. I was powerless, helpless, and it was terrifying.
Then he pushed the thought forward, forcing himself to focus. I can't stay like this. I need to learn to control my powers, to understand what my body can do, and to make sure I never feel that helpless again.
The choice suddenly seemed clearer. The Academy wasn't just a place of training—it was a place where he could become stronger, smarter, safer. He could learn to harness the monstrous abilities that had erupted within him, to turn what had been a threat into a tool. He could stop fearing his own body and its power.
Yet, even as he resolved to attend, a part of him hesitated. The mandatory military service… he thought. I don't like the idea of being bound to serve. It's a risk, a restriction on my freedom. But maybe it's a price worth paying for control, for safety—for knowing I won't hurt anyone, and that I won't be helpless again.
Marcus exhaled, a quiet resolve forming in his chest. Tomorrow, I'll go. I'll see what the Academy can teach me. I need this. I have to.
He leaned back on the bench and looked to the sky, letting the decision settle. For the first time that evening, there was a sense of direction, a purpose to focus on, even if the path ahead was uncertain.
The next morning, at exactly 8:00 a.m., there was a knock on the door.
—Marcus? —David's voice called from outside.
Already awake and fully dressed, Marcus opened the door. David stepped inside, his eyes immediately taking in Marcus's new appearance. The short, gray-cropped hair gave him a sharper, more imposing look.
—Wow… —David said, a faint smile forming—. Very handsome. I didn't expect that.
Marcus shrugged, a little self-conscious but already resolved.
Without another word, they began walking through the corridors of the complex. Step by step, their pace steady, their movements quiet but purposeful. They passed through the buzzing hallways, navigating around employees and staff, until finally they reached the large office designated as the Research and Assessments Office.
Marcus nodded, taking a deep breath. The moment had come to measure himself, to see exactly what he was capable of—and to begin learning control over the powers that had nearly destroyed him yesterday.
Marcus stepped through the doors and paused for a moment as he took in the room. Just in front of him stood the tall man in a gray lab coat, Dr. Elias Vann. His posture was straight, authoritative, yet calm.
—Marcus Greyson —he said, extending a hand—. I'm Dr. Elias Vann, head of this research team. We'll be overseeing your evaluations today.
Marcus shook his hand, noticing the firm but professional grip.
—And these are my colleagues —Dr. Vann continued—. Liora Kestrel will monitor your physical and reflex assessments, and Jaren Holt handles the genetic and energy analyses.
Marcus nodded, taking mental notes of each name. His attention was then drawn to another figure, standing slightly apart. It was the woman with long white hair streaked with blue, dressed in a formal black suit.
—That's Selene Vael —Dr. Vann explained—. She's one of the senior supervisors of the facility. She won't be conducting the tests directly but will be overseeing everything to ensure the evaluations are carried out properly.
Marcus acknowledged her with a nod, aware of the weight her presence carried.
Dr. Vann led Marcus through a series of corridors, arriving at a large, well-lit room filled with medical equipment, monitors, and various testing apparatuses.
—This will be your first station —Dr. Vann explained—. We'll begin with a series of medical examinations, followed by tests of strength, reflexes, speed, and overall physical capacity.
Liora Kestrel stepped forward, her expression professional.
—Even though you're not in your monstrous form, Marcus, you still possess the powers of a transformer. They're not at the full level you experienced yesterday, but your strength, speed, and some of the special characteristics of your form are still present.
—Think of it as a baseline —Jaren added—. We need to understand what you can do naturally. Your body is already above human limits, and some abilities will be detectable even now.
Marcus swallowed, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation. He had glimpsed the extent of his monstrous form before, and knowing that even in his normal state he had superhuman capabilities made the upcoming tests feel both daunting and essential.