What are Abilities?

"So you have all signed up for recruitment from DAM. From now on, you will be trained and taught about how to finesse your abilities and how to augment your powers with practical skills in combat, investigation, weapons and so on as well as what it means to enhance our abilities." A person in military uniform spoke in clear terms to the assembled students. Erica and her friends were among this group as well.

The military person hit a punch into the air, his body was taut and rigid and the punch extremely powerful. It created a sonic boom in the air that startled everyone in the audience.

"I am a strength type metahuman. You must be wondering how could I exert such a phenomenal force as to create a sonic boom. Let me explain." The man paced around the podium shifting his gaze over his audience.

"There are several categories to distinguish between types of abilities. Strength, Fortification, Augmentation - these three typically are common and they are abilities which improve or change your own body in some manner to increase your capabilities. Elementalists, Espers, Mentalists are more rare and they involve either manipulating or controlling people, objects or the elements outside their bodies. Many abilities can be either within these six types of a mixture of these six types. There are other abilities which do not fall in these categories, but they are extremely rare and bizarre, like curse abilities and categorized as miscellaneous for the sake of our current discussion.

Each type of ability has its advantages and disadvantages. However, within the same type of ability are different grades. Every ability can be fine tuned and strengthened by training, resources, talent and treasures. Let us take the example of strength types. Most of you have a particular advantage be it in your strength, agility, health, endurance or power. However, it can be improved, like I just showed you.

Abilities are graded in the degree of accomplishment. Grades are numbered 1, 2,... and so on. Most of you have simply awakened your abilities and trained a little bit so are around grade 2. However by training, you can increase it. I have trained and with the guidance of the DAM have reached grade 7 which has given me capabilities that would usually be considered impossible for ordinary strength users.

Some of you are born with tremendous latent talent and thus naturally able to grow into higher grades easily. However, being lazy will only let you be surpassed. As far as training goes, we have training manuals for each ability type which essentially involves absorbing the power of heaven and earth through a complex cycle into your body and augmenting your abilities. The more you train the better you will get. Some of you have your own inheritances, you can choose to follow the training of your family line with regards to this cultivation, in the end the choice is yours.

Magic Stones like this one here in my hand contain immense concentrations of heaven and earth energy which can directly be used to augment your abilities. Those who perform well will be provided with these magic stones. You may also procure it on your own from trading, after all, wealth and luck are also a part of one's abilities.

The more improvement you display, the more DAM will support you with better training manuals, combat techniques and resources. You will also get the opportunity to enter Relics which open up within our country.

You will now be tested officially for your current grade in your ability. Proceed in an orderly manner. Do your best for your country and for yourself!"

As the students lined up to get their grades checked, Erica wondered how it worked. As the line slowly kept crawling ahead they could hear the announcements. Most students were grade 1 or 2.

"Grade 3" As the announcement sounded out, everyone turned to look. it was a quiet girl with a bob cut. She nodded and proceeded as if unfazed by the result.

"She is from a noble family. I believe her ability is to control flames, an elementalist like you." Rika whispered from behind Erica who nodded.

There were a few other similar grade 2 and grade 3 announcements and students kept observing who they were.

The a rather free looking guy stepped forward. He seemed like a total delinquent with the dyed hair and unbuttoned uniform.

"Grade 4... Strength Type" Everyone looked at him and he whistled and waved at the line looking at him, winking before walking out with a swagger.

"Who is that?" Asked Erica. She was shocked by his grade 4, as well as everyone else.

"He is a famous delinquent in our school who fights against other students from other schools. We should stay away from him. He too is from a famous noble family who are experts in swords. He has a lot of influence, which is why the school ignores his delinquent behavior." Rika snorted. "But to be grade 4, he is probably the only one in the entire school."

"I heard he is pretty friendly with other students in our school though, just that he beats up students from other schools and takes part in a lot of gang fights." An energetic kid spoke.

Soon the line went on and it was Erica's turn.

"Grade 3" The announcement said. Due to the grade 4 before, people weren't as surprised and were in a hurry to get their own grades tested. Erica breathed a sigh of relief at not having some absurd score and went ahead.

Rika and other friends of Erica were all either grade 1 or 2. They went ahead to collect their training manuals and for their training classes.

---

The military teacher was reporting the results to his superior who was supervising. "We've got a good crop here. A grade 4 and several grade 3 students. We can put them on the advanced track for training. They might be the mainstay from our school youth to enter relics."

The supervisor nodded. "Do that. Get them in the same group, competition will breed rivalry as well as camaraderie. I do not know if they can manage in the relics, but it will breed a ruthlessness in them that we certainly need in the future. Blood will be spilled. Times are changing again." The supervisor sighed.