The Quantum Games

Chapter Nine

"Everyone possesses a unique natural gift, an innate talent that sets them apart. It’s like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Identifying this gift is just the beginning; nurturing and honing it is where true mastery lies." – Coach Williams.

Prior Tutorial

Nadia

Amidst the Tutorial, Champion candidates were suspended in stasis—in a realm beyond time, governed by the enigmatic System. Time itself warped and twisted, causing all future heroes to emerge simultaneously. Within the Tutorial, there was a time limit for the future Champion to hone their talent, but this limit didn’t account for the moments before their encounter with their future coach. During this initial phase, candidates had the chance to question the System. Most barely scratched the surface, asking about their choices. But not Nadia. She fired off 48 questions while suspended in darkness, challenging every answer and pushing the intel she received to the very breaking point of the System before eventually propelling her forward. Her diligence left her uniquely prepared for what lay ahead, making her subsequent conversation with Coach Williams remarkably direct.

“Nadia, do you have any idea what your talent might be?” Digital Williams asked from within the tutorial's pristine walls.

“I have a few ideas, but none of them really map to that of a normal talent.” Nadia countered, still questioning the reality of the situation as a projection of her Chemistry teacher stood before her.

“Good that you have ideas. Signs show up in many ways—think about your life, your tendencies, maybe your needs or wants. Think about feelings you may have encountered over the last few weeks when your world started having jolts.”

“Oh…” Nadia responded, thinking about the last few months at Junior College. Soon, memories of searching for happiness, anything that could make her feel something, surfaced. She decided to voice her thoughts as the feeling in the pit of her stomach churned for her to let it out. “I think it has to do with my body, but that’s just a guess… I sort of have a high tolerance for… things.”

Williams’ digital eyes shifted slightly as he heard Nadia’s response. “I had my suspicions, and while that’s on the mark, other signs have shown across your profile.”

“Profile?”

“Disregard that. Nadia, have you ever felt your body process things or physically felt your body heal itself?”

“Sort of… Can’t everyone?”

“No. Most people process and heal without giving it a second thought unless their body works harder, whether from a bad meal or a deeper bruise from falling out a window.” Williams winked and continued. “I have an idea, but I need you to trust me for this next part.”

“Of course…” Nadia said, quickly followed by a squeak as a knife blade pierced her skin and slid from her elbow to wrist.

“Sorry… It needed to happen,” Williams responded as Nadia quickly went from recognizing pain to complete confusion about how a digital projection could physically touch her.

“Save that question for another day as well,” Williams said as Nadia opened her mouth to catch up with her previous thought. “I want you to search within yourself and identify the unnatural incision on your arm. Find it and attempt to highlight it in your mind.”

Choosing to hold off on more questions, Nadia followed his instructions. Looking inward, she felt… different. In the past, through meditation or boredom, she could usually let her mind wander internally, creating a mental image of herself—skin, bones, muscles, and even organs—feeling her body’s natural rhythms working in harmony. Now, she could hardly describe what she was feeling. It was as if every cell within her body had its own heartbeat. Vivid details emerged from subtle shifts in her blood flow, heart palpitations, and even the air pushing through her systems. Every vein, every muscle, every nuance was identified until she found the outlier—damaged cells. Shifting her senses, she scanned her arm and felt every incision point, every blood flow stoppage, and every split cell as her body yearned to be whole again.

“Good. Stay there, Nadia, but now I want you to accelerate your body’s natural urges to heal. Feel what your body is trying to tell you and support those cravings.”

Nadia did just that. Focusing on the cut, she felt her body’s natural healing process kick in. She mentally urged the platelets to clot the wound faster, and they responded. She then sensed her immune cells cleaning the area and encouraged them to work more efficiently. Finally, she pushed her healthy cells to multiply quickly, speeding up the healing process.

As she progressed and finished her internal recovery, she paid no heed to the now unblemished arm where a cut once existed as Coach Williams’ excited eyes stared intently at hers. “Just as I suspected… the healer of the group.”

***

Level One

Full Team

“It’s all right, I’m fine,” Nadia reassured, met with a mix of stares and confusion. “Honestly, it’s probably best that it happened to me.”

< Skill Identified – Nadia – Vitalize >

A new prompt was shown on everyone's interface as Nex collectively announced the new skill. A collective silence remained within the group, awaiting Nadia’s continued reasoning from her earlier statement. She hesitated and continued, “During the tutorial, I discovered something unexpected—I have healing powers… Coach called it a ‘Cellulator’ talent and showed me that my body naturally accelerates processes like healing.”

Will and the team directed their Nexabots to the new prompt as a more detailed status appeared:

Skill: Vitalize

Enables the user to amplify the innate healing processes within themselves or others through touch. (T)

Will immediately questioned Nadia, “So that’s how you drank so much? You were cheating this whole time?”

Nadia’s head shook slowly, not quite expecting that as a first question. “It’s not something I was even aware of. I honestly felt like I was cursed. But now I’m discovering it’s a gift, a surprise…”

Emy’s eyes widened, hearing the talent that may eventually save them. “That’s… that’s amazing, Nadia,” she stammered. “But that said, we all have some things to share from our tutorial experiences.” She quickly looked at her team status, noticing the new talents listed after each name.

Talent

Level

Health

Shield

Emy

Generalist

Level 3

100%

20%

Tuck

Accelerator

Level 4

100%

30%

Nadia

Cellulator

Level 2

100%

0%

Will

Condenser

Level 2

100%

10%

James

Catalyst

Level 2

100%

0%

“Wait, where are Trish, Frank, and Trent?” James was the first to notice their absence after checking the team’s status. “Aren’t they supposed to be with us?”

“Maybe they started in a different place?” Emy proposed, as she quickly recognized that they should probably better understand each other's abilities if they soon faced more Grimbletooth.

“What do we all think about sharing our…” Emy’s sentence was abruptly cut off as footsteps echoed from the hallway. “Quick, shut the door!”

Tuck, once again first to react, sprang toward the door, looking out as he slammed it shut behind him. “I see five of them coming—all level 2s—and it looks like their hands are on fire!”

“Sheesh, Tuck, did you have to slam the door?” Will’s voice called out as the others hastily rearranged desks to form an impromptu barrier.

BOOM! Before Tuck could respond, the door reverberated and splintered, with flickers of firelight seeping through the crevices between the frame and the door as everyone looked at each other.

The lack of movement in the team spurred James into action. “I don’t think we have long. Tuck, I have a talent that can make you more powerful. Our best option here is to disrupt—I think we could use a fullback right about now. Blast play?”

Tuck nodded in understanding. James extended his hand, and an energy flow passed over to Tuck.

***

Prior Tutorial

James

Like Emy, James had limited questions directed toward the System, letting his gut guide him down the right path. Becoming a Champion and joining a team were absolute no-brainers for the athlete in him. James wondered why anyone would choose differently. When faced with Professor Williams's digital version, James quickly adjusted and adapted to the environment around him.

“You know, James, if I didn’t know you well before the games, I would be worried about your lack of reaction and questions regarding the environment you’re now in. But it seems adapting may be in your blood.”

The Professor was right. James had always enjoyed change; change led to growth and new learning. Yes, this was the strangest thing to ever happen to him, but he was excited to learn.

“Yes, I have questions… lots of them, but my gut is telling me to take advantage of our time and learn as much as possible. I hope the answers will come soon enough.”

“I think your gut is leading you in the right direction. Let’s begin. James, I think it’s safe to say that others perform well around you. Do you happen to know why?”

James attempted to continue adapting and responded as honestly as possible. “Supporting others has always come naturally to me. Everyone has talent, and everyone has strengths. I just feel like I can get the most out of people.”

“How?”

“I’m not sure. I feel like everyone has something that’s holding them back, something preventing them from being the best versions of themselves… I guess I have a knack for finding that and helping them through it.”

“Ah yes, well done. In this new world, this talent is called a Catalyst. Are you familiar with the term from my class?”

“Sort of. I always thought about it as process efficiency, but just within reactants. A Catalyst can speed up the rate at which reactions happen.”

“Exactly. My best description would be playing cards by first shuffling the deck. Yes, you could play cards with the deck spread out across the table, but it would create dysfunction and chaos. However, you would still be able to play. Think of your talent as shuffling; you set others up for success by having the talent to accelerate the potential in others. This was done without thinking in your former life, but now, it’s a bit more dynamic. Want to give it a try?”

The professor guided James to the dual pillars in the center of the room. “Now, for this first scenario, I will use raw chemicals. Think of this as a testing ground for future potential. You may remember this example from class where I used a potato. I want you to be the potato,” Williams said with a sly smile. “This is hydrogen peroxide or H₂O₂. This solution naturally wants to break down into its core elements of water and oxygen, but the process takes time. You can find and speed up these natural reactions through a catalyst.”

“How?”

“Focus on the mixture before you and push your energy towards it. Feel it and let your natural willpower learn the makeup of the chemical solution.”

James did as told and, through a bit of trial and error, felt his body push a force into the substance on the pillar. Once the energy covered the solution, James felt it slowly integrate with his energy. As his energy learned the solution, he, in turn, learned. He was his energy, and the energy was him. Pushing further, he felt the natural breakdown Coach had spoken of—the minute decomposition of the solution into simpler elements. Using his energy to intermingle with the chemicals, he pushed to break down those same elements, holding his energy as a process driver. As his energy spread across more of the solution, bubbles and foam started to form.

“Excellent!” Coach Williams clapped his hands together quickly, pulling James out of his concentration. “Now, that was the first trial! Let’s see if we can get you to more living examples.”

***

Level One

Full Team

As James placed his hand on Tuck’s, their energies intertwined. James sensed a chaotic stream of energy coursing through Tuck’s body, struggling to break free. Embracing the turbulent flows, James channeled the chaotic energy into focused streams, enabling Tuck to harness his talent more effectively.

< Skill Identified – James – Empower >

< Tuck is now boosted by 20% >

Body boosted, Tuck glanced at the others on the team to confirm there were no other ideas before he ran full blast into the door, bursting it off the hinges and sending the five beasts flying.

< Skill Identified – Tuck – Electron Surge >

Tuck stumbled to his feet, now outside the door. The closest Grimbletooth had already risen and was charging towards Tuck. Just feet away, a chemistry book rushed past and slammed into the creature's face.

NERDED!!! 5 Points!

< Four combatants remaining >

“Tuck, get back in here!” James yelled after launching the book.

Tuck scrambled to his feet and threw a kick to the chest of the next closest Grimbletooth, sending it flying over the railing and down to the foyer below.

Rushing back inside, Tuck stood beside the others. As the remaining creatures bolted towards the door, Tuck prepared to charge again. But James interrupted, “Wait! They’re holding something!”

As if on signal, three bottles ablaze with fire were launched through the air towards the team. “Bombs! Quick, move!” urged James.

The team leaped to the sides of the room and behind their makeshift desk barriers—everyone except Will, who stood calm. He held his arms wide and swiftly brought them back together. A wave of pressure persisted, and a mist enveloped the room, extinguishing the fire and dousing the bottles before they could hit the ground.

***

Prior Tutorial

Will

“What do you mean I am a Condenser? Like condensed soup?” Will asked skeptically, looking at digital Coach Williams after the Professor had guided him on his new talent in the tutorial room.

Williams shook his head, but then his demeanor shifted. “You know what, let’s go with it.”

Williams gathered his thoughts, attempting to shift his originally planned explanation of what a Condenser was to Will. “Condensed soup is what? It’s just soup without its full water source. The idea with this soup is to add water to make it whole again, expanding the components and mixing into an edible version.”

“Professor, it was a joke. We don’t have to use this as an example,” Will quickly commented, but the professor waved him off.

“Think of the final version of the soup as the room around you. Oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor, and other minute chemicals encircle the room, symbolizing the components of the soup. However, when a force like dehydration is applied to the contents, it changes into something else.”

Williams continued, “Now, back to the room you are in. Will, your energy differs from others in the fact that it is spread out. You may not notice at this point in your development, but your energy is in every corner of this room surrounding us. As you develop in talent, this capacity will only expand. Yes, most of your energy is still within your core.” Williams pointed to his chest. “But, you are connected with the room around you, continuously passing information back and forth. Why do you think you were so good with people in your former life?”

Will contemplated this new information as his eyes widened, attempting to consume these latest revelations. “Because I can read the room?”

“Yes, exactly! That phrase now means more than ever before. You are connected to everything and everyone in the room, continuously passing signals to your brain. Reactions, body language, heart rates, eye contact—your energy gave you insights all along.”

“While this connection was one-way in the past, you should now be able to interact with the area around you. Please do me a favor and attempt to visualize your energy. Reach out to every corner of it and have it condense in on itself, bringing the chemicals within the room with it.”

Will attempted first with his mind but found that using his hands helped. As he slowly widened his hands, he felt a sensation within the room. The more he opened them, the more the sensation expanded until his hands were fully extended, and the sensation no longer seemed to grow. Now feeling the entirety of the room, he began to bring his hands back together, representing condensation in his mind. As he did, his body instinctively applied a force between his hands as if the space between them represented the area around him. The closer together they became, the greater the pressure until Will worked up a layer of water across his body.

“Ah, looks like we may have an affinity with water types. Well done, Will. Let’s see if we can mix things up more now.”

***

Level One

Full Team

The team watched as Will stood in the middle of the room, now covered in beads of water, while glass shattered around them. Thanks to Will’s new skill, the flames that had triggered the bombs were extinguished, leaving only the remnants of broken glass behind.

< Skill Identified – Will – Condense >

Confused and now angry, the Grimbletooth creatures looked ready to charge once more. “James, quick, boost on me!” Emy’s voice commanded from behind Will.

< Emy is now boosted by 20% >

< Tuck is no longer boosted >

Emy’s concentration deepened as she recalled her final training session with Williams, which revealed a new, destructive combination. She intertwined her innate warmth with the surrounding air, accelerating oxygen atoms to a frantic pace. The doorway became her canvas—a focal point for devastation. With precision, she urged oxygen molecules to collide, their bonds quivering under the strain. Then, like a conductor of chaos, she infused her body heat into the mix.

The oxygen atoms, now supercharged, danced with newfound energy. Bonds snapped, releasing a torrent of heat and light. A chain reaction surged through the Grimbletooth huddle, their forms disintegrating in an infernal blaze. The doorframe ignited, its wood curling and blackening.

GRIM-ALIZED! 15 Points!

< Skill Identified – Emy – Targeted Fusion >