The bet

The drive to the senior training facility was smooth, the hum of the Clexus blending with the distant chatter of the city below. Noah sat back, glancing at Sophie every so often as she maneuvered the vehicle effortlessly. The idea of training with her was… well, not exactly what he had in mind for today. But he supposed there were worse ways to spend the afternoon.

When they arrived, the facility looked like any other high-end gym—except for the fact that some of the weights were insane.

Stacks of reinforced metal plates, punching bags lined with shock-absorbent materials, and machines designed to handle strength far beyond what a normal human could produce. Everything in this place was built for people with abilities.

Sophie led the way inside, her presence alone enough to turn a few heads. Not that she paid them any mind.

"There should be extra training uniforms in the lockers," she said over her shoulder before heading off to change.