From behind the observation glass, Elias's calm voice came through the microphone again.
After a brief pause, Elias continued:
"Marcus, can you activate the plates across your whole body?"
Marcus hesitated, then shook his head slightly.
"Well… I can, but only in part. Just one area at a time, for now."
"Good," Elias replied, noting the detail. "That limitation is normal at this stage. With training, you may learn to spread it further—or concentrate it for greater effect."
Finally, Elias's voice returned, calm but precise:
"One more thing. I need to know—can you detach the plates if you try? Not in combat, just… voluntarily."
Marcus frowned slightly, flexing his fingers and focusing on the gray plates. After a moment, he nodded slowly.
"I… I think so. They're part of me, but I can make them come off, I guess.
Marcus stared at his right hand, the gray plates gleaming faintly under the sterile lights of the chamber. He inhaled deeply, steadying his thoughts. Slowly, he brought up his left hand, his fingers brushing across the surface of a plate resting on the back of his right hand. The texture surprised him—it wasn't smooth like metal but rough, uneven, like the hardened bark of a tree. Solid, resilient, yet organic in a way that made it feel undeniably alive.
He focused inward, guiding the ether through his forearm. A subtle vibration pulsed beneath the plate, like threads of energy binding it to his flesh. Marcus concentrated on loosening those threads. The connection resisted at first, as if the plate itself didn't want to leave, but under his will, the bond weakened.
With a careful tug, the plate began to shift. He tightened his grip with his left hand, and, slowly but surely, the gray segment slid free from his skin. It detached cleanly, leaving behind smooth flesh with faint traces of red filaments that quickly faded as the ether retreated.
Marcus held the plate in his left hand, turning it over curiously. It was lighter than he expected, yet unyielding, like a fragment of stone or armor carved from nature itself. Despite being separated, he could still feel a faint echo of the ether within it, like a distant heartbeat.
From behind the glass, Elias observed intently, his voice steady through the microphone.
"Excellent, Marcus. That's exactly what we needed. Place it on the table in front of you—we'll analyze its structure. This will tell us how your ether shapes matter and how these plates might function in combat."
Marcus laid the plate on the small metal surface prepared in the room, exhaling slowly. His forearm still tingled faintly where the plate had once been, a reminder that this strange, living armor was not foreign anymore—it was a part of him.
Elias with a thoughtful expression. "Most subjects, when first exposed to the ether, struggled even to manifest their abilities in a controlled way. Detaching a manifested structure—especially something as tightly bound as these plates—was usually a matter of weeks of practice."
And yet, Elias thought, adjusting his glasses, Marcus managed it almost instinctively. Not because it's impossible, but because it demands a sharp awareness of how the ether flows and binds itself. That kind of insight so early… it speaks of unusual talent, and a natural perspicacity that most don't develop until much later.
He leaned slightly toward the microphone, his tone calm but weighted with recognition
"Marcus, do you sense any other abilities besides the plates in your forearm? Anything unusual, even subtle sensations?"
Marcus closed his eyes for a moment, focusing inward. He could still feel the warm, vibrating energy of the ether flowing through him. His right forearm remained activated, the gray plates shifting slightly with each movement.
"Not… not really," he admitted cautiously. "I feel the ether, but I don't notice anything else yet. Just… this." He lifted his forearm slightly, letting the plates flex naturally.
Elias nodded thoughtfully.
"That's expected," he said. "In your human form, most transformers can access only a limited subset of their abilities at a time. Often it's one, sometimes two. You're feeling the first, and as we continue, you'll learn to sense and manipulate the others. The ether will guide you—trust your instincts, and the abilities will become more tangible over time."
Good, Marcus. With this, we've already confirmed quite a lot about the plates. This piece will be sent to the lab to analyze its hardness, density, and composition, but with you, we must take the next step."
He paused briefly, as if weighing the gravity of his words.
"Now we'll move to another chamber. Larger, reinforced, with much thicker walls. It's the proper place for what comes next."
Marcus looked at him through the glass, anticipation in his eyes.
"There," Elias continued firmly, "I want you to attempt a transformation. It won't be an easy test, but we need to record how your monstrous form manifests in a secure and controlled environment."
He gestured to the technician by the door, which slid open with a metallic hum.
"Follow me, Marcus," Elias said. "It's time to put your monstrous form to the test."
Marcus and Elias walked to the larger room, very similar to the previous one, with a reinforced glass panel separating the observation area. Upon entering, Marcus saw David, Selene, Elias, and several scientists watching intently from behind the glass.
Elias positioned himself in front of Marcus and, in a calm but firm voice, said:
—All right, Marcus. When you're ready, we'll begin recording your monstrous form. Focus and maintain control.
Marcus nodded, taking a deep breath. He felt the latent ether in his body respond, energy gathering within him as his mind centered entirely on the transformation. Every muscle, every nerve seemed to prepare for the change, while a vibrating heat coursed through him and his senses sharpened.
—Countdown —Elias instructed—. Three… two… one…
With a sudden surge of intent, Marcus triggered his transformation. A burst of white smoke erupted from his body, spreading in all directions and enveloping him completely. As the smoke swirled, his silhouette began to shift: muscular contours redefined themselves, and a more powerful, imposing presence became evident through the vapor. The energy of the transformation felt intense, almost electric, filling the room with a subtle humming that vibrated in the air.
The figure emerged from the smoke, towering at 3.5 meters. Red, tense musculature was defined beneath gray plates textured like tree bark. Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a robust torso displayed a perfect balance of power, strength, and agility.