Chapter 12
Aetheric & Vital Force Regulatory Commission (AVRC)
Aethelburg, the capital city of the planet Aethelgard, was a monument to martial order and stark beauty. As Kaelen walked through the cavernous transit-tube, the morning light filtered through the polarized dome, casting long, sharp shadows. He was headed to the Aethelgard Central District, specifically to the Federal Tower that housed the Aetheric & Vital Force Regulatory Commission (AVRC) - Aethelburg Metropolitan Branch.
His mind was a calm, focused engine, analyzing his situation. His original plan had been to achieve the raw physical benchmarks of a 1st Order Physical Enhancer—the density of muscle, the peak human reflexes. But his awakening on Valeria had provided a more elegant, and potentially more valuable, deviation. His main body, while significantly enhanced, likely hovered just at the boundary of the 1st Order's physical requirements due to not complete Origin recall as Renly is still alive. He was fit, incredibly so for a former data-archivist, but he wasn't a mountain of sculpted muscle. However, the Electric Surge was undeniable. It was a neurological, psionic-adjacent ability. In the Federation's classification, that made him a potential Esper, a category often viewed as having more long-term potential and strategic value than a pure Physical Enhancer. It was a better card to play.
His train of thought was interrupted as the transit-tube shot through the commercial sector. Massive holographic ads flickered to life in the open spaces between skyscrapers. One showed two Enhancers clad in sleek, color-coded combat suits, circling each other in a dazzling, multi-level arena.
"AEGIS LEAGUE: SOLAR CUP QUALIFIERS!" a booming voice announced. "Witness the Aethelgard Vanguard take on the Kulthean Forge-Lords! Who will claim the Sector Championship and a chance at the Galactic Finals on Nova Terra? Power has a new arena!"
The ad cut to rapid-fire shots: a Vitalist shattering a reinforced wall with a punch, a Cyborg deflecting energy blasts with an arm-mounted shield, an Aether-Weaver creating a localized gravity well to trap an opponent. The crowd's roar was a palpable, digital wave of sound.
"The Aegis League: Where the Federations's Finest Forge Glory. Tune in this Starday! Sponsored by the Veridian Syndicate."
Kaelen watched, his new senses taking in the spectacle with clinical detachment. This was the sanitized, glamorous version of the power he had stolen through pain and death. The League was the pressure valve, the distraction, and the recruitment tool all in one. It made Enhancement seem like a sport, not a life-altering, state-controlled privilege. It was genius, and he understood its function perfectly.
He exited the transit-tube and approached the Federal Tower, a spire of gunmetal grey that speared the sky, bristling with comms arrays and defensive emplacements. The lobby was a vast, echoing space of polished black stone. Directories glowed with department names. He found his destination: AVRC - ENHANCER REGISTRATION & ASSESSMENT - LEVEL 42.
The ride up the elevator was silent and swift. The doors opened onto a reception area that was the epitome of sterile efficiency. Soft, ambient lighting illuminated rows of seating. A receptionist—likely a low-level government Psion for the effortless data-processing—greeted him with a blank smile.
"Purpose of visit?"
"Natural Awakening registration," Kaelen said, his voice even. "I believe I've manifested an ability."
The Psion's eyes glazed over for a microsecond, accessing his file. "Kaelen. Orphanage 7-Delta. Drafted for Elysian." Her eyes refocused, a flicker of mild interest there. "Wait in room to right. Proceed through the door to your left when your name is displayed. You will be guided through the assessment protocol."
It didn't took long enough after about half an hour his name was displayed. He was guided to the room to left.
The first room was a medical bay. A med-tech had him stand on a circular platform.
"Standard biometric scan. Please remain still."
A ring of light passed over him from head to toe. He felt a faint tingle, a sensation like static electricity—a basic Aetheric resonance check. He consciously suppressed the instinct to flare his Electric Surge in response, keeping the energy dormant deep within his nerves.
"Physical parameters: Elevated. Peak human-adjacent. No cybernetic or unauthorized genetic markers detected. Aetheric resonance: Baseline, minor fluctuations consistent with recent physiological stress. Proceed to Chamber B."
Chamber B was a stark white room with a single chair in the center. "Neural mapping and psionic potential assessment," a disembodied voice instructed. He sat, and a helmet descended, covering his cranium. It was cool against his skin. He felt a gentle pressure as it began to scan his neural pathways.
"This will measure your brainwave activity. We will present a series of stimuli. Respond naturally."
Patterns of light flashed on the wall. Simple math problems were whispered through the helmet. Then, a small, weighted ball was placed on a table before him.
"Attempt to move the object using any means at your disposal. Focus."
This was the moment. Kaelen took a slow breath, not the Breath of the Wild, but a simple, calming one. He focused on the memory of the Shadow-Stalker's claws, the life-or-death urgency. He didn't try to move the ball. He focused on the sensation of the Surge—the lightning in his nerves. He let a fraction of that feeling stir, channeling it not into motion, but into pure neural output.
The helmet emitted a soft chime. The ball didn't move an inch.
"Significant psionic-type neural activity detected," the voice stated, devoid of emotion. "No telekinetic manifestation. Pattern indicates a latent, neurologically-based reflexive ability. Proceed to Chamber C for functional demonstration."
Chamber C was a gymnasium-like space. A technician stood by a console. "The scan indicates a combat-reflex ability. We need a functional demonstration. This drone," he pointed to a small, hovering sphere that zipped into the center of the room, "will fire low-intensity stun projectiles at you. Defend yourself."
Kaelen nodded. He stood, feeling the familiar coiled-spring tension in his legs. The drone buzzed, and a soft blue pellet shot toward his shoulder.
He didn't think. He let the instinct take over.
The world sharpened. His perception of time stretched. The drone's movement seemed to stutter. With a minimal, almost imperceptible shift of his body, the pellet whizzed past him. Another was fired at his leg. Another subtle, precise twitch, and it missed.
"Demonstrated reflexive capacity is 280% above registered baseline," the technician noted, his fingers flying over the console. "Neural spikes during activation correlate with the earlier scan. Ability classified: Electric Surge variant. A low-tier Esper-type ability, primarily defensive and reflex-enhancing. Congratulations, citizen. You are now recognized as a Federal Enhancer."
He was led to a final station where a new, modified Federal ID was printed. It was sleek, with a subtle holographic sheen. His status now read: KAELEN MARCUS | ENHANCER | POTENTIAL: ESPER (TIER-1 LATENT) | DRAFT STATUS: EXEMPT.
The receptionist directed him to a different waiting room. "Please wait here. Your Enhanced status voids your previous draft assignment. A representative from the Colonial Administration Bureau will be with you shortly to discuss your new options and the mandatory Federal Enhancement Integration Program."
Kaelen sat in the comfortable chair, the new ID chip cool in his palm. He had done it. He had cheated the greatest human civilization ever known. He looked around the waiting room. It was nicer than the one for the drafted. The air smelled cleaner.
He was no longer a piece of cargo. He was a resource. And as he waited to learn what new cage the Federation had designed for its prized resources, the ghost of lightning danced silently along his nerves.