Chapter: 6

Dr. Shield continued analyzing the fluctuating energy signature on the holographic screen, his frown deepening. He tapped a few commands on his tablet, overlaying past readings with the new data. Then, as if something clicked, his eyes widened in realization.

"I think I understand now," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

Ben, still shaken from his earlier experience, sat up. "Understand what?"

Dr. Shield turned to him, his expression serious. "Your Quirk… it's changing on a fundamental level. Before, you had to touch objects to replicate them, correct?"

Ben nodded hesitantly. That much he remembered or at least, it felt right.

Dr. Shield gestured to the holographic display. "That's no longer the case. Your Quirk is shifting to an advanced form one where physical contact is no longer required. Instead, all you need is a mental image."

Ben stiffened. "What?"

Melissa leaned forward, eyes widening. "You mean… he can create things just by picturing them?"

Dr. Shield nodded. "Exactly. And that's why your Quirk is so unstable right now. Your body is adjusting to this massive change, and your brain is trying to process an entirely new way of using your ability." He glanced at Ben, his tone more cautious now. "This kind of rapid evolution is rare. Most Quirk advancements happen gradually over time, but yours seems to be rewriting itself entirely."

Ben's fingers curled into the sheets. He already knew why. It wasn't just some natural evolution his mind was being influenced by memories that didn't belong to this world. But he couldn't tell them that.

Dr. Shield rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "There's more to this. The scans show heightened neurological activity, far beyond what should be normal for Quirk adaptation. It's as if your brain is accessing stored information at an unprecedented rate."

Ben swallowed hard. That was exactly what was happening. Every blueprint, every weapon schematic, every technological marvel he had ever seen whether in his past life or in the virtual battlefields of his games was now readily available in his mind. He didn't just remember them; he understood them. The weight distribution of an assault rifle, the intricate wiring of a high-tech gadget, the structural integrity of a combat drone it was all there, waiting to be recreated.

But was that a blessing… or a curse?

Melissa placed a hand on his shoulder, concern clear in her eyes. "Are you feeling okay? You look like you're about to pass out."

Ben forced a weak chuckle. "Just… a lot to take in."

Dr. Shield offered a small nod. "That's understandable. Your body is going through something unprecedented. We need to test your limits, see how well you can control this new form of your Quirk."

Ben tensed. "You want me to create something?"

"Yes, but in a controlled environment," Dr. Shield reassured him. "If your abilities have expanded this drastically, we need to understand their full scope before we can determine how to stabilize them."

Melissa grinned. "Think you can handle it?"

Ben smirked, but there was an edge of uncertainty in his expression. "Guess we'll find out."

An hour later, they stood in a spacious testing lab filled with reinforced barriers and monitoring equipment. Holographic drones hovered in the air, ready to record every detail of the experiment. Ben stood in the center, taking a deep breath as Dr. Shield and Melissa watched from a safe distance.

"Start with something simple," Dr. Shield instructed. "A basic object you're familiar with."

Ben closed his eyes, picturing a handgun. Not just any handgun, but the M1911 a classic, reliable weapon he had seen in countless games and war documentaries. He envisioned the weight, the metallic sheen, the cool grip in his hand. He reached out mentally, grasping the image in his mind and willing it into reality.

A faint glow surrounded his hands. Then, in a flash of crimson light, the gun materialized in his grip.

Melissa let out a gasp. Dr. Shield's eyes widened. "Incredible."

Ben turned the weapon over in his hands. It was perfect down to the last detail. He ejected the magazine, checked the chamber, flicked the safety on and off. It wasn't just a replica. It was real.

Dr. Shield typed furiously on his tablet. "This is beyond anything I expected. You didn't just create a shape you created functionality. That means your Quirk is reconstructing objects on a molecular level."

Ben clenched his jaw. "And that's just the beginning."

He turned his gaze toward a reinforced target across the room. Raising the pistol, he exhaled slowly and pulled the trigger.

A loud gunshot echoed through the lab. The bullet struck the target dead center, embedding itself in the material.

Melissa's mouth fell open. "That's… that's insane."

Dr. Shield looked both awed and deeply concerned. "Your abilities don't just replicate appearance… they replicate function to perfection. If you can do this with a firearm, then what else could you create?"

Ben exhaled, lowering the gun. He already knew the answer. Vehicles, explosives, cutting-edge technology anything he had ever seen, anything he could remember. The thought sent a shiver down his spine.

Melissa approached him carefully. "Hey… are you okay?"

Ben forced a smile. "Yeah. Just… processing."

Dr. Shield folded his arms. "We need to conduct more tests, but one thing is clear you're on a completely different level now."

Ben nodded, but inside, unease gnawed at him.

He wasn't sure if this power was a gift or a ticking time bomb. And if he wasn't careful, he might find out the hard way.