Records of Cosmic War

The next day came with a heavy stillness in the air, broken only by the crisp clacking of boots approaching from the hallway. Inside the training hall, everyone was gathered, seated or standing, each wearing an expression that mixed curiosity with the weight of expectation.

"So, what is it?" Claire asked, arms crossed, her voice cautious.

"Just wait a minute," Sai replied calmly. "Powell will be here."

Right on cue, Powell entered the hall with a large, heavy suitcase. The case looked ordinary at first, but the moment he placed it on the ground, it expanded, unfolding and elongating, transforming into a full-fledged equipment rack unlike anything they'd ever seen.

"Now tell us," Isabella said, her eyes narrowed, "why are we here?"

Sai met her gaze. "Powell. Open the case."

With a smirk and pride gleaming in his eyes, Powell popped open the lid. Inside, various prototypes lay cradled in a structured casing. Metallic glints and complex designs hinted at weapons more advanced than anything they'd previously handled.

"Now," Powell began, his tone bubbling with enthusiasm, "I present to you the prototypes of the weapons you'll receive once we get the equipment Isabella requested. Look forward to my brand-new inventions."

He turned toward Claire first. "Claire, these are for you."

He handed her two sleek, curved scythes. Their edges gleamed with a faint vibrational shimmer.

"These scythes vibrate at a high frequency when activated. They can also combine at the handles to form a double-sided scythe."

Claire was visibly thrilled as she took them in her hands. "Why a scythe, Powell?"

"Because you're well-balanced," Powell said. "Your attacks aren't brute force, but they're refined and precise. So I gave you a weapon that suits someone with poise and sharpness and a boost for brute force. And as for its other functions... well, you'll find out during training."

"What about me?" Austin asked, clearly excited.

Powell tossed something metallic his way. Austin caught it with ease.

"For someone with great vision and quick reflexes, especially with best piloting skills, I designed a special gun. Try it out later."

He then turned to Griffith. "This one's for you—a wide sword with immense density. It doubles as a shield. You're strong and resilient, so this will be a perfect fit."

Powell looked around. "Sai and Judas already have their weapons."

Then Powell's eyes met Isabella's. She stared back, waiting. "So... what is it for me?"

A beat of silence passed.

"Nothing," Powell said plainly. "Since you can make them yourself, you don't need weapons from me."

The words hit like a slap.

"What are you talking about?" Isabella asked, stunned. "How can I make weapons?"

Sai stepped forward. His voice was steady, his gaze unwavering. "Isabella. Do you truly trust us?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes."

"Then it's time you knew the truth," Sai said. "Your ability... it's not healing."

A shock passed through the room like a current. Isabella blinked. "What?"

Austin, Griffith, and Claire all exchanged startled glances.

"Yes," Powell added, nodding. "Your power is not healing."

He stepped forward. "Isabella, what is the structural composition of the CD200 receptor?"

Isabella answered without hesitation. "It's a cell surface glycoprotein found on myeloid cells. Its structure includes two Ig-like domains, glycosylation sites, a transmembrane α-helix, and an intracellular domain with an NPxY motif. It regulates immune responses through inhibitory signaling."

Powell smirked. "You've studied well. But now tell me—can you explain its atomic structure? How each carbon and hydrogen is bonded?"

She hesitated. "I... I don't know."

"Exactly," Powell said. "And yet, you heal with perfection. That's not just knowledge—it's replication."

The room fell quiet.

"You're copying, Isabella. I believe you could create matter from nothing. But after close observation, I realized something different. When you heal, you're not just encouraging regeneration. You are producing new, identical cells. Exact copies."

He stepped closer.

"Your exhaustion—it's not a weakness. It's the toll of copying without fully understanding. You don't need to know the atomic structure, because your power does. You recreate what you observe. You replicate. That's why your healing is unique. You're duplicating tissue—no, matter itself—without conscious effort."

Sai added, "With enough training, you could create your own weapon. Or become one."

Isabella's breath caught in her throat. Her world—the understanding of who she was—tipped sideways.

Judas stepped forward. "Then from today... let's begin our training."

Everyone looked at one another. Then they all nodded. Together. With conviction in their eyes and the fire of determination burning inside.

This was only the beginning.