The rise of the unorthodox

Two days had passed since Mr. Sayo's challenge, and I was still stuck. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't figure out a sub-ability. Frustrated, I decided to take a break and check on my squad's progress. We had agreed to meet up in our assigned squad room.

The squad room was a moderately large space equipped with training tools, a conference area for meetings, and a cozy break room where we could unwind. As I entered, I spotted Daniel and Delight sitting together in the break room, engrossed in conversation. They were so focused they didn't notice my entrance, so I crept closer, curious about what had them so absorbed.

"You have the prettiest glow in your eyes when you smile," Daniel said, his tone softer than usual.

Delight's cheeks flushed pink. She wasn't used to receiving compliments about her appearance—most people only teased her about her height. The moment felt… awkward. Deciding I didn't want to eavesdrop anymore, I deliberately called out from a distance.

"Hey, guys! What's up?"

They jumped apart like magnets repelling. Delight avoided eye contact, clearly embarrassed, while Daniel rubbed the back of his neck, feigning nonchalance.

Trying to ease the tension, I asked, "How's the assignment going for you two?"

It turned out none of us had fully figured out our sub-abilities yet.

Daniel had made the most progress, managing to channel energy into his whip to amplify its damage. However, the energy drain was enormous, and he still needed to find a way to sustain the technique.

Delight, on the other hand, was completely stumped. Her ability depended on combining traits with animals, and she hadn't yet imagined how to expand on that.

"How are we supposed to figure this out?" she sighed, slumping against the couch.

I nudged Daniel playfully. "Since you've made the most progress, why not share some tips, genius?"

The three of us brainstormed, exchanging ideas and techniques. While we couldn't solve everything that day, the conversation sparked a fresh wave of motivation. Eventually, we split up to continue our training individually.

Daniel headed to the combat hall, gripping his whip. He summoned it, focusing on channeling energy into its length. The glowing whip snapped through the air with explosive force, leaving scorch marks on the training dummy. But after just a few strikes, Daniel was winded.

"Damage isn't enough," he muttered. "I need control."

Determined, he continued experimenting, trying to strike a balance between power and energy consumption.

Meanwhile, Delight sat cross-legged on her dorm room floor, staring at "Lovely," her pigeon companion. Frustration gnawed at her. "What can I do? This sub-ability stuff is weird and hard," she muttered.

Suddenly, an idea struck her. What if she could merge with animals instead of just borrowing traits?

She placed her hand on Lovely's forehead, then touched her own. A radiant glow filled the room, and when the light faded, Delight gasped. Feathery wings now sprouted from her back.

The transformation left her panting and dizzy. She quickly deactivated the ability, collapsing onto her bed. "I need to work on this," she whispered, her heart racing. While the process drained her energy entirely, it was a step forward.

Devin, predictably, was excelling. Always a quick learner, he had nearly perfected his sub-ability. Standing alone in a training hall, his arm glowed with a brilliant light. With a flick of his wrist, an energy orb shot forward, striking a target dummy with precision.

The impact was powerful, but Devin staggered, feeling the energy drain. "Too much power," he muttered. "I need efficiency."

Despite the setback, his progress was undeniable. But Devin wasn't just talented—he was driven. His family expected nothing less.

I lay on the grass at one of the base's sports fields, letting my thoughts wander. My hair, as if responding to my frustration, began to extend and cocoon me.

"Think," I whispered to myself. "What else can I do with this ability?"

My mind wandered until a vision flashed before me: myself controlling someone else's hair. Could it work? Could I manipulate another person's hair like I did my own?

The idea ignited a spark of excitement. I quickly got to my feet and began experimenting, determined to bring this vision to life.

A Weekend Hike

By the weekend, most of us had made significant progress on our sub-abilities. Feeling accomplished, I decided to take a hike along one of the base's trails to unwind. The fresh air and solitude were exactly what I needed—until Devin showed up.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone annoyingly smug.

I rolled my eyes. "Am I not allowed to enjoy a hike?"

"Watch your tone," he shot back, frowning.

I sighed and continued walking, but Devin wasn't done. He kept pestering me, his comments growing more irritating by the second.

"So, what's your ability called?" he asked, falling into step beside me. "It's not nearly as magnificent as mine, but I'll admit—it's intriguing."

"Do you ever stop talking?" I grumbled.

He smirked, clearly enjoying my irritation. "You know, for someone with such a peculiar ability, you've got quite an attitude."

"That's rich, coming from a spoiled brat," I snapped.

Finally fed up, I extended my hair into long, towering legs, using them to stride far ahead of him.

Devin stood there, watching me from a distance. "She probably doesn't even know who my father is," he muttered, shaking his head.