My Life Changed with the Unlimited System

When they entered the spacious lobby, their footsteps echoed softly against the polished metal floor.

The space was clean and modern, its walls lined with smooth panels lit by soft, shifting lights that moved in subtle patterns. The illumination wasn't bright or harsh, it felt alive, as if the building itself was breathing.

Ethan took it all in as they walked deeper into the facility. Everything here felt purposeful, refined. He followed Maya toward the corridor she had pointed out earlier, the one that led to the evaluation chamber.

Two figures stood waiting at the end.

The first was a man. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wearing a tailored black combat uniform that fit like armor. His aura, unmistakably Bronze, hummed with quiet strength. A High Four-Star Ascendant.

Ethan narrowed his eyes. 'A Bronze Ascendant... again.'

He was meeting more of them lately, and each one seemed more refined and deadly than the last.

The man's presence was commanding without needing to say a word. His sharp features carried the faintest hint of a smirk, but his eyes were alert, cold, and somehow was assessing him.

Beside him stood a woman in a white lab coat layered over a form-fitting black outfit. Her auburn hair was cut short and clean, framing a face that looked like it was used to not being questioned. She held a sleek tablet in one hand, the other casually resting in her coat pocket.

What caught Ethan off guard was her strength. She was Middle Four-Star Ascendant.

'She's a researcher... and that strong?' he thought. 'She could've easily replaced Protector Vareth back in Anterra.'

It made him wonder. Was Earth more advanced than he thought? Or had he been underestimating this world all along?

The man stepped forward, his voice deep and clear, laced with a relaxed confidence. "Ethan Cole. Welcome to Nemesis. I trust the flight wasn't too unpleasant?"

Ethan met his gaze and offered a small nod. "Not at all. Great view."

The man chuckled. It was friendly enough, but Ethan could feel the calculation behind it. "You'll get used to everything. Nemesis likes to stay above the noise."

He paused, giving Ethan a subtle once-over. "Seems like Mark and Maya have trained you well. The Five Ghosts don't bring just anyone here, let alone this quickly."

Maya raised an eyebrow at that but kept her voice even. "He earned it."

The woman in the lab coat stepped forward, her voice cool and professional.

"Ethan Cole," she said, tapping her tablet. "I'm Dr. Helena Ward, Head of Research and Development."

Ethan shook her offered hand. Her grip was firm and measured, not aggressive.

"Pleasure to meet you, Dr. Ward."

"Helena is fine," she replied, giving him a brief smile. "I've been looking forward to meeting you. After reading Steve's report, well… let's just say you've become quite the anomaly."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Anomaly?"

Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Someone who doesn't fit the chart. Your progression… it's unusual. That's why we'll be running a few evaluations. Just to establish your baseline. Nothing too invasive."

"Is that okay with you?" she asked.

Ethan nodded without hesitation. "Of course."

He didn't mind. If anything, he wanted to see more of this place and the people in it. Nemesis was sharp, disciplined, and deeply rooted in knowledge. This was the kind of place he could learn from.

'And if this evaluation is how I get a foot in the door,' Ethan thought, 'I'm willing to walk through it.'

Luciano crossed his arms and leaned casually against the wall, sensing Ethan's silence. "Don't worry. Helena's bite isn't as bad as her brain," he said with a smirk. "She's the reason we're still ahead in tech and tactics."

Helena gave him a look but didn't respond. Her focus had already shifted back to Ethan.

"For now, I'll let Luciano explain a few things," she said briskly, stepping aside.

Luciano straightened, his tone growing more serious. "Maya said you wanted to understand what Nemesis is. So here's the short version."

Ethan listened closely.

"We're not like the Great, Grand, or Supreme Families," Luciano said. "We don't hoard power or chase titles. We're here because the world's off-balance. And people like the LaRue family? They're pushing it further into chaos."

Ethan frowned. "Wait. There's more than just the Great Families?"

Luciano nodded. "The LaRues are considered Great. But above them, you've got the Grand Families… and above those, the Supreme. And then, far beyond even them are the Ancients. But that's a story for another day."

Ethan processed the information quietly. He'd always thought the LaRues were the top. But it seemed the real power structures were layered deeper than he imagined.

"And what does that have to do with me?" he asked.

Luciano met his gaze. "That depends on you. Power alone won't decide your future. It's how you use it. Strategy. Awareness. Timing. That's what separates the wild from the worthy."

Maya nodded. "This isn't a place for lone wolves or reckless heroes. Nemesis works as a whole. You don't fight for us. You fight with us."

Ethan folded his arms, his eyes steady. "That sounds good."

Luciano smiled. "You'll get your chance. But first... Helena."

Helena stepped forward again. "Before anything else, we need to see if you qualify. If you do, we'll help you grow. We'll help you reach what you want but... on one condition."

She held his gaze. "When the time comes, you lend us your strength."

Ethan didn't blink. "Understood."

"Any questions?"

Ethan shook his head.

Helena gestured toward the hallway on their right. "Then follow me. It won't take long."

Ethan glanced at Maya, who gave him a small nod.

They followed Helena through a wide corridor. The walls gleamed with white light, and faint machine hums echoed around them. Clean. Cold. Efficient.

As they walked, Ethan asked, "So how long have you been with Nemesis?"

Helena didn't look back. "Too long, I suppose. I've seen this place evolve. I've seen the threats evolve with it."

"You think Nemesis can handle what's coming?"

She smiled faintly. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

That answer held weight. Not arrogance. Certainty.

Ethan looked around, his mind still racing. Everything here felt like the future. It was polished, dangerous, alive with purpose.

Then he asked the question that had been sitting in the back of his mind. "What is Nemesis really about to you?"

Helena glanced at him from the side. "We'll talk after the tests. For now, focus on the present."

He didn't push. But he didn't drop the curiosity either.

"You've seen the reports, right? So… are the tests really necessary?"

"They are," Helena replied simply. "Reports tell us what you've done. But tests tell us what you are."

She paused, then looked at him. "Aren't you curious?"

"Curious about what?"

"How you compare," she said. "You've seen your own numbers. But numbers mean nothing without context. Don't you want to know where you stand?"

Ethan didn't reply right away.

She was right.

He'd seen his stats. His strength. But he didn't know how it stacked up against other Ascendants. He didn't know how rare, or how common, his abilities really were.

Helena saw the shift in his expression and smiled.

"These tests aren't just for us. They're for you too. Let's find out who you are, Ethan Cole."

Ethan breathed out slowly. A grin tugged at his lips. "All right. Let's get this over with."

They stepped into a large chamber. IT was bright, sterile, and lined with machinery.

To the side was a wall-length console, already blinking with activity. In the center was a wide, empty area filled with strange equipment. A punching machine. A sleek treadmill with built-in sensors. A bench press that looked like it belonged in a military spaceship rather than a gym.

"This is the evaluation room," Helena said. "We'll begin with physical testing. The strength, speed, endurance. Then, we'll move on to your Force. Control, projection, impact."

Ethan walked to the middle of the room and took it all in.

"And the data?"

"It goes into our secure vault," she replied. "Everything here is private. No one outside Nemesis gets access. Not without clearance."

He gave a small nod, satisfied for now.

"Where do we start?"

Helena tapped the console, and the punching machine lit up.

"With this." She turned to him, one eyebrow raised. "Let's see what that strength of yours can really do."

Ethan cracked his knuckles.

"Gladly."

Helena chuckled before saying, "Almost forgot. You need to change first."