Adam : From a man to a God

Tilda drove a blue Mini Cooper into the bustling city. Adam sat in the passenger seat, his eyes wide with awe at the towering buildings.

"So... You're taking me to the academy?" Adam asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

"Yes," Tilda replied, glancing at him. "You're going to be a first-year student. You'll attend for three years."

"And then what?" Adam probed.

Tilda looked at him with a gentle smile. "The dean will explain everything. I'm really glad you saved me, you know?"

"Oh, um, you're welcome," Adam mumbled, scratching his head. (I can't even remember what happened. Last thing I recall is talking to Killer Adam. What a weird name to call himself.)

They stopped at a red light.

"Are we really still in another world?" Adam asked, his voice filled with wonder.

"Yes. It's big, isn't it?" Tilda sighed.

"Are we close?" Adam fidgeted in his seat. (This ride is taking forever. I wish we could just run there.)

"We are. You'll see it soon."

"If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?" Adam inquired, trying to make conversation.

Tilda chuckled. "I'm 19, turning 20 this year. How old are you?" (I know how old he is. Just trying to keep the conversation going.)

"I'm 17, turning 18 this year."

"Okay," Tilda said as she pulled into a parking lot under a massive building. She turned off the engine. "Welcome to PH Academy."

"Whoa. This building is huge. And there are so many cars here," Adam said, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

"There's an elevator over there. Let's go," Tilda instructed.

They entered the elevator, and Adam watched the numbers climb.

"We're going to the 22nd floor? Um, hey, how did you get captured?" Adam asked, his voice low.

"It's a long story. I'll tell you in time," Tilda replied softly.

"Oh, okay," Adam said as the elevator doors opened to a wide hallway lined with doors labeled Class 1A, 1B, 1C, and so on.

"You'll be attending 1A. I'll get back in the elevator; I'm late for class. I'm in 3E if you need to find me. It's on the 26th floor. Don't worry, you'll be okay. The dean will talk to you in the afternoon. Bye," Tilda said hurriedly.

"Umm, bye," Adam replied, watching her leave. He took a deep breath. (Okay, I can do this. I'm about to enter a class with lots of people like me.) He imagined opening the door to find soldiers with guns and rocket launchers. He opened the door with a trembling hand and found a large room filled with boys and girls seated in tiers, all eyes on him. Near the board stood Instructor Kim.

"Come in," Instructor Kim said, his voice firm.

(Oh shit, I forgot to knock,) Adam thought, hearing some students mumbling.

"Okay, Class 1A. This is a new student. I want you to get along with him. Introduce yourself, young man," Kim instructed.

"Good morning, everyone. It’s nice to meet you all. I am Adam Simins. I hope I won’t be a nuisance to you all," Adam said, trying to sound confident.

Kim nodded. "Sit near Alex."

"Wha! Why does he have to sit near me?" Alex protested.

"Okay, sit near Akira," Kim directed.

Akira raised her hand silently. Adam saw her and walked over to sit beside her.

"Thank you," he said.

"Don't talk to me, low life," Akira snapped.

"Huh?" Adam responded, taken aback.

"Adam, this class teaches you how to use your powers. Your type of powers. Which is fire, correct?" Kim asked.

"Yes. So everyone here can use fire?" Adam asked, intrigued.

"Yes. This whole floor teaches people like you about your power, where it originates, how it's used, and the history behind it. You are a week behind schedule. I'll give you some notes to read when the lesson is done. Oh, and it’s an hour long. Remind me to give you a pamphlet containing the rules and regulations of the academy," Kim informed him.

"Yes, sir," Adam replied.

"Okay, class, let's continue," Kim said.

*45 minutes later*

Mr. Kim left the classroom. A boy stood up and walked over to Adam. The class went silent.

"What's an outsider like you doing here? You think you're one of us?" Jaiden sneered, a familiar feeling of hostility emanating from him.

No. But we both have..." Adam started, but Jaiden cut him off.

"That doesn't make you one of us. We were born here. You think you can just..." Jaiden's voice was rising when another figure entered the room.

"Jaiden, sit down," commanded a short man wearing glasses, his bald head gleaming under the lights.

Jaiden hesitated, his eyes glowing faint red as he glared at Adam before finally sitting down.

"I'm Mr. Haward, your history teacher. And you must be the new kid from the other world, the outsider. Already starting trouble on your first day, I see," Mr. Haward said, his tone stern.

"No, sir, I wasn't..." Adam began.

"It's Mr. Haward. Save it," the teacher interrupted. "Let's not waste time. I'll give you some notes to catch up with your classmates after this lesson."

*An hour later*

Mr. Haward handed Adam a pamphlet. "Well, come and take it. What are you waiting for?"

The class laughed as Adam walked up to take the pamphlet, his face red with embarrassment. Mr. Haward left the room, and Adam returned to his seat, feeling the weight of the stares from his classmates.

(I didn't really understand the last two lessons. I wonder how the next lecture will be. I thought I'd fit in, but everyone keeps calling me an outsider. At least I'm not running from people trying to kill me,) Adam thought, a mix of frustration and relief coursing through him.

A woman entered the class, her presence commanding attention. "Good morning, class. I heard we have a transfer student. Please stand up so I can see you."

Adam stood, trying to steady his nerves. (Wow, she's pretty. She's smiling too. Does that mean she likes me? I hope she won't treat me like the others.)

Her smile faded instantly. "Oh, it's you. So you're the other worlder."

(Oh, come on. Her too?) "Yes, ma'am," Adam replied, deflated.

"I am Anna Lock, but you may address me as Mrs. Anna," she said, her tone professional.

(Anna? She has the same name as my sister. I wonder how they are doing. They probably moved, but where? I hope Mom is doing okay. She was harsh, but she did raise me.) Adam drifted into his thoughts.

"Adam, are you still there?" Mrs. Anna's voice snapped him back to reality.

"Huh? Yeah, sorry," he replied, shaking off his thoughts.

"I'll give you the notes by the end of the lesson. Today's topic, the heart. Of a power holder, of course," Mrs. Anna said, launching into her lecture.

*An hour later*

Adam was handed the notes.

"Yesss... It's time for lunch," a student exclaimed, stretching as they noticed Adam looking at them.

"The fuck you looking at? Misfit," the student sneered.

Adam ignored the comment and followed the students to the elevators. Some took the stairs, and he decided to join them.

He descended to the twenty-first floor, where the large cafeteria buzzed with activity. The aroma of food was tantalizing. Adam got some food, found an empty table, and started eating. To his surprise, the food was as delicious as it smelled.

While he ate, he noticed flame-like tattoos on some of the students' necks. He wondered if he should ask about them, but the constant stares made him reconsider.

(Well, this is uncomfortable,) he thought, startled as a hand touched his shoulder.

"You... you startled me," Adam said, looking up to see Mr. Kim.

"Time to go meet the dean, Adam," Kim said, leading him to the 30th floor. They entered a grand office, and Adam's eyes widened again.

(Every room in this building is overdone,) he thought, trying to take it all in.

He greeted the dean, a man who looked to be in his thirties, and began to recount his story about gaining his powers.

"I already know that story. Please go to that room over there," the dean said, pointing to a door on the left. Mr. Kim and Adam stood and walked over. Adam's eyes widened again as they entered.

(I really shouldn't be surprised, but this room is bigger than all the ones I've been in before,) he thought, spotting a short young woman in a lab coat.

"Good morning, ma'am. Huh?" Adam said, confused as the woman suddenly shape-shifted into his own likeness. He took a step back.

"Whoa, what the hell is this? Mr. Kim, what's going on?" Adam asked, alarmed.

"Knock it off, Mary," Kim said, a hint of exasperation in his voice.

Mary shifted back into her own form, a beautiful blonde woman."Hi, Adam. I'm a shape-shifter. The name's Mary. Aaaand... I'm gonna run some tests on you," she said with a mischievous grin.

"What?!" Adam exclaimed, his eyes widening.

"Don't worry, no needles," Mary reassured, holding up her hands.

"Don't worry, as long as I'm here, she won't do anything crazy," Kim added, trying to soothe Adam's nerves.

"What? You're saying it as if I'm gonna carve him up," Mary retorted, rolling her eyes.

"Okay, let's move on. Adam, I want you to punch that thing," Mary instructed, pointing to a black box that emerged from the wall.

Adam looked at it skeptically. "That thing? Why?"

"Just do it," Mary insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Adam glanced at Kim, who nodded encouragingly. He gave the box a light punch.

Mary conjured a tablet from thin air and examined it. "That was nothing. I need you to punch it with all your strength."

"Really? I don't want to break this thing," Adam said, hesitant.

"Trust me, you won't break it," Kim assured him.

"Okay," Adam said, taking a deep breath. He clenched his fist and punched the box with all his might. A gust of wind blew from the impact.

"Oh, it's not broken," Adam said, surprised.

"Don't beat yourself up for it. Even Mr. Kim can't break it," Mary said, smirking.

"Wha? Cough Nevermind," Kim muttered, looking away.

"Your strength is 660. Just 60 above upper-grade mortal. You're a superior," Mary stated, jotting down notes. "Time to test your fire power."

Mary clicked a button on her remote, and a small hole opened in the wall.

"Put your hands in," she instructed.

"It's okay now, right? You fixed it. I don't want a repeat of what happened last time," Kim warned.

"What happened last time?" Adam asked, growing more nervous.

"A girl lost her h—" Kim started, but Mary cut him off.

"No! Nothing happened," she said quickly.

"Mhm mhm. I'm not gonna do it. I'm not, not doing it," Adam said, shaking his head.

"I'm sure she fixed it," Kim interjected.

"Sigh... (Am I gonna die here?)" Adam thought as he cautiously placed his hands in the hole, which glowed red.

"His fire power is still mortal. Almost like he never used it. (Looks like he relied too much on his strength. He's only gotten stronger physically.) He is superior, that's for sure. But I need some DNA to be sure of the kind of relic you had. A blood sample would be okay," Mary explained.

*10 minutes later*

"I'll tell you the results of the artifact check tomorrow. Bye for now," Mary said, dismissing them.

"Okay, Adam, lunch was over 20 minutes ago. You should go to your next lesson. This one is gonna be tough," Kim said, leading him out.

Adam nodded, feeling a mix of apprehension and determination. He walked back through the hallways, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

They stepped into the elevator and descended. When the doors opened, they walked to a small, inconspicuous door. Adam was shocked when he stepped through and found himself outside, but it was unlike any place he'd seen before. Trees surrounded a wide-open area filled with students.

"This is actually a room. Think of it as a dimension within a dimension," Kim explained with a hint of pride.

"Is this the kid who’s late to my class?" a voice boomed. Instructor Gabriel appeared, his eyes sharp and assessing.

Adam barely had time to react as Gabriel charged at him, moving at an incredible 780 km/h. The instructor's fist was aimed straight at Adam, but it was stopped mid-air by Kim. The impact released a strong wind, knocking Adam off his feet.

"What do you think you're doing?" Kim demanded, his voice cold and stern.

Some students chuckled at Adam's predicament.

Gabriel smirked. "Don't worry. I knew you would stop it."

"And if I didn't?" Kim shot back, his eyes narrowing.

"Then you would be the one to blame," Gabriel replied with a grin.

Kim released Gabriel's hand and turned back towards the hallway. He glanced at Adam, who was still on the ground, staring up in terror.

"A little advice. Don't die," Kim said before closing the door behind him.

He looked at Gabriel, who still wore that infuriating grin.

"(Seriously?)" Adam thought, clenching his fists.

Gabriel crossed his arms, his grin widening. "Welcome to real training, kid. Let's see what you're made of."