The Nexus.

The soft glow of Rem's office lighting greeted me as I stepped through the door. The room was as meticulously organized as she always kept it, with her desk neatly arranged and her ever-present tablet resting in the center. She looked up as I entered, her expression a blend of professionalism and warmth. I didn't waste time getting to the point.

"I'm sorry for what happened yesterday," I said, my voice earnest. "I didn't know what was happening, and I—"

She raised a hand to stop me, her smile soft but reassuring. "Kaleb, it's alright. No need to dwell on it. These things happen, especially when you're learning to push your limits."

Her calm demeanor was a relief, but I couldn't shake the embarrassment lingering from my earlier loss of control. Still, I nodded and took the seat she gestured toward. She picked up the tablet and tapped a few buttons, pulling up a detailed report.

"Now, let's talk about what we've learned so far," she said, switching to a more formal tone. "Your progress has been remarkable, Kaleb. During the simulations, you performed exceptionally well. Most trainees would have struggled far longer with those exercises."

Hearing that felt like a small victory, but I knew the real weight of her findings was yet to come. She swiped the screen, and a series of holograms projected into the air between us, each one representing a facet of my abilities.

"We've broken your abilities into three main categories, with an additional subcategory that's still developing. Let's start with the first."

"This category is the foundation of your powers," Rem began. "You can absorb energy in almost any form: light, heat, kinetic force, electricity, and even atomic-level energy. That energy is stored within your body, and you can redirect it in various ways."

She tapped the screen, and a holographic figure appeared, demonstrating the abilities she described. "You've already shown proficiency in energy blasts, which can be used as devastating ranged attacks. Beyond that, you're capable of channeling energy to enhance yourself physically. For example, you can use it to levitate, offering mobility and a tactical advantage."

The figure in the hologram rose into the air, surrounded by a faint glow of energy, and then created a shimmering shield. "You can also generate barriers to protect yourself or others from physical or energy-based attacks. Additionally, you have a passive ability to absorb incoming energy attacks, minimizing their impact."

Her words left me both impressed and overwhelmed. "Passive absorption? I had no idea," I said, trying to wrap my head around it.

Rem nodded. "It's subtle but incredibly useful. It's something we'll explore more in phase two."

"The second category is Environmental Control," she continued. "This ability allows you to manipulate your immediate surroundings within a radius of fifty meters. With mastery, that range could increase."

Another hologram appeared, this time showing a figure standing on a barren plain. The figure touched the ground, and the sand beneath it transformed into solid glass. Then the ground split apart, and a bridge formed from the debris.

"You can reshape terrain, summon structures, and even create tools or weapons," Rem explained. "This is one of your most versatile abilities. It's not just for combat; it's a tool for problem-solving and survival."

The hologram shifted to show more advanced techniques. "Eventually, you'll be able to create dynamic effects, such as altering gravity or generating environmental hazards to give you an edge in battle."

I leaned forward, captivated by the possibilities. "How close am I to doing that?"

Rem smiled knowingly. "With time and practice, much closer than you think."

"Your third category is Telepathy," she said, swiping to reveal a new set of visuals. "You have full-spectrum telepathic abilities, including reading minds, projecting thoughts, and influencing emotions. These skills make you a powerful communicator and strategist."

The hologram displayed a figure projecting thoughts to another, followed by an image of someone creating an illusion.

"You're capable of advanced techniques such as Mind Control, though the difficulty depends on the target's mental strength. Illusion creation allows you to craft hyper-realistic scenarios to confuse or incapacitate opponents. And then there's Mental Communication—you can share thoughts and strategies with allies across vast distances. We don't yet know the range, but the potential is extraordinary."

Hearing this, I felt a surge of both excitement and apprehension. "That's… a lot of responsibility," I admitted.

Rem's gaze softened. "It is, but you're capable of handling it. We'll work on building your confidence and control."

She hesitated for a moment before moving to the final subcategory. "This one is still developing, but it's significant. When you absorb a massive amount of energy, such as solar-level intensity, you can manipulate reality within a certain area."

The hologram displayed a figure altering the environment on a fundamental level—reshaping structures, bending light, and even manipulating time.

"This includes altering physics, reshaping matter, and even time manipulation," she continued. "It's an extraordinary ability, but it comes with immense risks and challenges. We'll approach this cautiously."

With the analysis complete, Rem shifted to discussing the limitations identified during my training.

"No power is without its drawbacks," she said. "Here are the key areas we need to address."

Energy Dependency, "Your abilities require a constant energy source, especially for larger-scale tasks. Without access to energy, your effectiveness diminishes."

Concentration Vulnerability, "Transformations and telepathic manipulations require intense focus, leaving you susceptible to interruptions."

Range Limitations, "Your environmental control and telepathic abilities have finite ranges. Expanding these will require targeted practice."

Psychic Strain, "Overusing telepathy can lead to disorientation or temporary cognitive impairment. This is something you'll need to manage carefully."

Rem powered down the holograms and leaned back in her chair. "This should give you a clearer picture of your potential and where you stand right now. You've accomplished a lot in a short time, Kaleb, but this is just the beginning."

I sat quietly for a moment, processing everything. The weight of it all was undeniable, but so was the excitement. "So, what happens next?" I finally asked.

Her smile returned, warm and encouraging. "You're ready for phase two."

The words filled me with a renewed sense of purpose. "Let's do this," I said, a confident grin spreading across my face. "I'm ready for whatever comes next."

Rem chuckled lightly but nodded. "Good. Because phase two is where things get serious."

As we left her office, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and anticipation. The journey ahead would be challenging, but with everything I'd learned, I knew I was prepared to face it head-on. Phase two awaited, and I was ready to rise to the challenge.