Calculated Fractures

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All eyes turned to Avery—some curious, others quietly sympathetic. None brave enough to speak.

Soren Wolfe's golden eyes narrowed, unreadable. He'd already scanned her file. Stepmother. Estranged father. Classic setup.

He observed with interest. How would this newly awakened Esper respond?

Frank Parker lifted his chin, smirking. Too early.

Avery hung up.

Beep.

With surgical calm, she sidestepped Frank's reaching hand and handed the comm device to a nearby PSB officer.

"Evidence." One word. Clinical. Ice-sharp.

Frank's brow twitched. Before he could recover—

"Nick and Rick were cousins. My stepmother's side."

Avery's voice stayed even. Measured. "I believe they were sent to kill me. On her orders."

She stepped closer, leaned in, her words a silk-slick whisper meant for Frank alone.

"If I could kill them," she murmured, smiling faintly, "what makes you think I can't kill you?"

The smirk slid off his face. His hand twitched.

"Not convinced?" Avery tilted her head, lips still curled. "Try me."

He exploded.

Frank lunged—

Avery's body moved before her mind could follow. A mantis raising scythes.

CRACK.

The snap of bone was sharp. Sickening.

Frank screamed and crumpled, both arms useless, pain rendering him speechless.

Gasps exploded around the intake hall.

Avery stared at her own hands like they belonged to someone else. Her wide eyes filled with tears.

"I—I didn't mean to... I just..." Her voice shook, pure and panicked.

Delicate hands. Devastating consequences.

Internally?

Pure adrenaline. Pure power.

LUSTRA. online.

[✔️ Task Complete. Life Extension: +6 months]

[⚡ Upgrade Initiated. Side Effects: Please panic responsibly.]

Suddenly—cold like ice water, hot like napalm. Power surged into her body in divergent torrents: slicing wind, searing flame, crackling voltage. It tore through her channels with chaotic brilliance.

"Ugh—"

Her legs buckled.

Then—boom. A detonation at her core. Power overflowed, her veins lit like circuitry.

[Physique Upgraded: Rank D → Rank C]

[Beginner Task 3/3 Unlocked: Uncover the Blake Family's Secret]

[Reward: +6 months lifespan. System functions unlocked.]

Energy rippled off her skin in invisible waves.

Across the room, Soren Wolfe's pupils contracted.

He felt it.

A flux. A surge. Raw, alien energy converging on the girl like she was its chosen conduit.

He hadn't seen anything like it.

Her body had jumped ranks—in real time.

[LUSTRA: Alert. Incoming Psionic Probe.]

[Suggestion: Smile and wave. Or bite.]

Avery's thoughts spat venom.

"You're upgrading me now? In public?"

On the floor, Frank wheezed. "She—she assaulted me! I want—she broke my—!"

"She was defending herself."

The voice cut through the air like a gavel.

Soren Wolfe stepped forward, voice low and merciless.

"Everyone saw it."

He let the silence linger. Let his presence settle like a blade drawn halfway from the sheath.

"And I saw it," he added, slow and deadly.

Frank froze. His eyes flicked upward—caught the shimmer on Soren's collar.

Twin blades. Judicator's insignia.

The blood drained from his face.

"L-Lord Wolfe—I didn't realize—"

He dropped. Knees first. A puppet with strings snapped.

Avery turned to leave.

Then—

A hand. Strong. Warm. Caught her wrist with calibrated strength.

She turned.

And locked eyes with molten gold.

Soren's expression stayed still. But something shifted behind it—something almost... intrigued.

"Come with me," he said.

THUMP.

Her heart stuttered—

then forgot how to beat entirely.