Master Rank (2)

A sharp beep from Arthur's phone yanked his focus away from their rigorous training session. His curiosity got the better of him, and he reached for his device, swiftly unlocking the screen. The sight that met his eyes left him astounded.

His social media feed had exploded with a torrent of posts, articles, and videos, all revolving around the inexplicable system that had suddenly bestowed extraordinary skills upon humanity. The information deluge detailed these newfound abilities and their mind-boggling potential. It was a head-spinning paradox, defying all known logic and leaving the world both awe-inspired and bewildered.

Arthur began scrolling through the bewildering array of posts, struggling to grasp the enormity of the situation. Some hailed this system as a divine force, even deeming it "God," while others delved into theories about its origin and purpose. Conversations ranged from the scientific to the theological, as people tried to come to terms with this unprecedented phenomenon.

As he dug deeper into the news feed, a particular video seized Arthur's attention. It showcased a man cloaked in swirling flames locked in a fierce battle against another wielding control over water. Their elemental clash sent shockwaves through their surroundings, causing chaos and destruction. The video was tagged as originating in France.

Arthur's heart raced as he witnessed the intense display of powers. The raw, untamed energy harnessed by regular individuals was both mesmerizing and unnerving.

Continuing his scroll, Arthur stumbled upon a series of testimonials from those who had awakened their own latent abilities. Ordinary folks now possessed extraordinary powers, some finding newfound strength and resilience, while others unearthed talents they'd never imagined.

The world stood on the cusp of a paradigm shift, and Arthur couldn't help but feel a cocktail of excitement and trepidation. The implications of this global awakening were staggering, and he pondered how it would reshape society, relationships, and the global power structure.

Frowning, Arthur kept scrolling through the overwhelming stream of information. Amidst the chaos of posts and debates, he came across an article that sent shivers down his spine.

Reports claimed there were just a hundred confirmed individuals bearing the title of "God" as their Legend. Governments worldwide had taken note of these individuals and were attempting to establish control or cooperation with them. The motive? Their incredible powers had attracted the attention of world leaders, who saw in them the potential to replace the destructive might of nuclear weapons with a new era of controlled strength.

Disbelief and apprehension churned in Arthur's mind. The idea of harnessing these extraordinary abilities as a substitute for weapons of mass destruction was both tantalizing and deeply unsettling. The ethical quandaries and potential consequences loomed large.

As he continued reading, a specific incident gripped his attention. It revolved around the government of Congo, which had made a bold yet ill-fated attempt to forcibly recruit a man known as the Mbuti God Tore. This man's powers were supposedly linked to thunder and lightning.

In a catastrophic turn of events, Tore unleashed his thunderous might on the government base, resulting in the death of their general. The article hinted at the chaos and turmoil that had engulfed the Congolese government in the wake of this unforeseen display of power. It was a stark reminder of the volatile nature of these newfound abilities and the potential fallout of mismanagement or abuse.

Questions raced through Arthur's mind. How would governments navigate this delicate dance of power and control? Would the involvement of these godlike individuals lead to peace or further strife? And what role would he and Lily play in this complex tapestry of evolving dynamics?

Glancing over at Lily, engrossed in her training, Arthur felt a mounting sense of responsibility. They'd been thrust into a world where their abilities held immense promise but also posed grave risks. It was a double-edged sword, and they had to navigate its complexities with caution and wisdom.

With a heavy sigh, Arthur set his phone aside, his thoughts a whirlwind of uncertainty and determination. The world had undergone an irreversible transformation, and the emergence of these godlike individuals had set in motion a chain of events that would define humanity's future.

They couldn't afford to ignore the significance of their own powers and the responsibility that came with them. It was a daunting task, but Arthur was resolute in his commitment to learn, grow, and make a positive impact in this new world of gods and legends. Their mission: ensure that the incredible abilities bestowed upon them were used for the greater good.

***

". .So, what do you think?"

Arthur didn't even take a second to object. "Yeah, I'm not sparring with you."

Arthur and Lily sat together, contemplating whether they should engage in a friendly spar to further hone their skills. It had been an hour since they took a break, but it was only a break in name since all they still sat and talked out multiple ideas on how to advance to the next level. 

"Why not?!" Lily whined. "We're both talented enough to have crossed into the Adept rank in record time, if the recent information online is true, we're basically gods and we've grinded our ass off for the past 10-12 hours!"

"What else is there to do but spar?!"

It didn't take a genius to realize that Lily was frustrated, and Arthur especially knew that since she was doing her habit of biting her lips which meant she was ESPECIALLY frustrated. And, he couldn't blame her since he was actually more frustrated than her. 

It was just as Lily'd said. Even in the hour that Lily and Arthur were going through ways to advance to the next level - which there definitely was - there was nothing that actually worked, although they did figure out the main problem both of them in the Adept rank had, despite having different powers. 

They both couldn't 'focus'. That was at the very least the key term that they had both pitifully realized since whenever both of them were attempting to go further, their focus and therefore, buildup of aura or light, just. . . drops.