NOVEL WEB Chapter 3: Step Three: Assess All New Powers Immediately
Because the first spark is only the start
Sitting cross-legged on the edge of his modest bed, Asher closed his eyes and drew in a long, steady breath, his chest rising and falling rhythmically.
His room was dimly lit as he had pulled the curtains shut a few minutes prior.
His hands rested lightly on his knees, fingers twitching slightly as he focused on the familiar, exhilarating pulse of lightning energy that surged through his veins.
Like an artist tracing the outline of a masterpiece, he envisioned the electric currents, coaxing them back to the very heart of his being — the deep inner core of his ability.
In his past life, the path to mastering the thunderous force of lightning had been a harsh journey, filled with years of grueling training, moments of unbearable frustration, and a sense of doubt during the countless times he felt he might never break through to the next level.
He had barely scraped his way to rank 7 before his tragic end.
Yet now, reborn in this new body, he carried with him the memories of all his struggles, his triumphs, and most importantly, the wisdom gained from those cruel years.
Asher had first awakened to his abilities on the very first day of the apocalypse in his previous life.
This time, however, as he felt the familiar, tempestuous swirl of lightning nested within the core of his heart, it ignited within him a flickering flame, small yet hopeful.
It dawned on him that his rebirth had somehow shifted the course of fate, even if it was just a subtle change.
Determined to harness this newfound potential, Asher was eager to push beyond his limits and achieve a breakthrough to rank 1.
The world around him began to fade away as he concentrated, the walls of his room dissolving into a blur, leaving nothing but the crackling energy that buzzed in his fingertips, alive and electric.
Minutes slipped into hours, three, four, or possibly more, until Asher took in a sudden sharp intake of breath.
Asher felt an explosive surge course through him.
Opening his eyes, a triumphant smile spread across his face, his garnet-hued irises dancing with exhilaration.
He had successfully broken through to rank 1, and he now found himself teetering on the edge of rank 2.
However, as he reached for that elusive next step, an invisible barrier held firm, resolutely resisting his advance.
Frustration simmered within him, but he remained undeterred.
With deliberate, measured movements, Asher swung his legs over the side of the bed.
The cool wooden floor met the soles of his bare feet, sending a shiver up his spine as he sat up and stretched, his long, lean limbs unfurling like a spring after a long winter.
His gaze drifted lazily across the sparsely furnished room, a simple space that felt both open and yet uninviting, before his gaze landed on the mirror hanging in the bathroom.
Curiosity nudged him forward, pulling him closer to the mirror's surface until he was face-to-face with his own reflection.
His sharp, garnet eyes stared back, burning with an intensity he had once thought lost.
His black hair was tousled from sleep, rebellious strands cascading over his forehead, enhancing the striking features of his face.
His skin radiated a soft glow, smooth and blemish-free, a stark contrast to the pallor he had known in his former life, absent of vitality.
Asher's gaze traveled downward, tracing the lean curve of his neck and the defined muscles of his chest that subtly flexed beneath the thin fabric of his shirt.
His hands, calloused and marked with the scars of his past battles, now looked powerful and capable.
The lightning scar etched across his chest pulsed faintly, a haunting reminder of the formidable powers he had once wielded and the immeasurable torment that had shaped his journey.
"This can't all be me," He murmured, a hint of disbelief lacing his voice as he tugged at the corner of his mouth, an involuntary smile breaking through.
"Is this... the rebirth? Or something entirely different?"
Surprisingly, even after five grueling years in the apocalypse, he still stood as the same lean boy, barely 5'8", yet now he stood at an unfamiliar height of 6'0, having gone through a growth spurt all within mere hours, showing off a build he did not recognize.
Turning on the faucet, he splashed cold water onto his face, droplets cascading down his skin and sending icy shivers racing along his spine.
When he looked up into the mirror again, the transformed man stared back at him.
He appeared like an unrecognizable stranger as opposed to the weary survivor from his old life.
Asher was taller, stronger, and undeniably alive.
Asher raked his fingers through his tousled hair, pushing it back, and felt a surge of energy ripple through him—not just the familiar pulse of lightning, but something foreign and deep, darker yet richer, simmering just beneath the surface.
With determination pooling back into him, Asher made his way back to the bed, and once more closed his eyes.
He expanded his consciousness, delving deeper into his veins, directing it toward the core of his heart.
There, he felt the presence of two new, unexpected powers.
It was as if something was coiling around him, a slithering energy reminiscent of a snake, paired with a profound sensation of weightlessness that tugged at the edges of his mind.
It was darkness mingled with the uncharted territory of space abilities bringing back old memories.
The memories of his previous life surged forth, connecting the dots from his old life, where he had encountered the few space users and the one powerful darkness wielder.
They all had carried themselves with an ethereal grace, wielding their immense powers like magic beyond comprehension.
How could he, a master of lightning, suddenly be intertwined with these mysterious, uncharted abilities?
Swallowing hard, he dismissed those questions for now.
Time was short, and he had only four fleeting months before the apocalypse loomed on the horizon, merciless and indifferent.
There was no time to waste.
Training must begin immediately.