The Hero Code

With his Super Intelligence now at Grade C, Zik felt his mind sharper than ever. Ideas, plans, and strategies raced through his thoughts with clarity and speed he hadn't experienced before. His ability could last longer now, sustaining complex thoughts without the familiar mental fatigue creeping in. It was like his mind had found a new gear, letting him analyze and break down problems in ways that made even his teachers' explanations seem basic.

Today, though, his mind was focused on something critical: his next ability slot. He was close to Level 5, and with that level came the chance to unlock a new ability. Zik knew he had to choose carefully. The abilities he already had stealth, Super Speed, Regeneration, and Super Intelligence each served a different purpose, but he felt he needed something to truly shift his potential.

For a long time, his dream had been Super Strength, to finally hit back as hard as the world had hit him. But now that he had a shot at shaping his path, he found himself reconsidering. Maybe I need to think beyond just strength, he thought, letting his mind explore possibilities.

Flying, he mused, wouldn't that be something? The ability to soar above everything, to break free from any situation. He pictured himself gliding over rooftops, moving freely without the constraints of gravity or the limits of the ground. Flying would be more than just convenient; it would be an escape, a liberation. But he knew it wasn't the most practical. Flying might help him travel or avoid trouble, but it didn't solve the challenges he faced head-on.

Teleportation, on the other hand, was both powerful and versatile. With teleportation, he could move quickly, vanish from a fight or danger, and reappear somewhere safe. He imagined himself in combat, blinking out of an enemy's range and reappearing behind them, ready to strike. Teleportation could also help him escape any situation instantly — he wouldn't even need to rely on Super Speed as much if he could just disappear and reappear at will. It had a tactical edge he couldn't ignore, and he'd seen how useful it was when that jerk had teleported to outmaneuver him.

But then, his thoughts drifted to Telekinesis. It was more than just a weapon; it was a utility in itself. With telekinesis, he'd be able to move objects without touching them, fend off attackers, and control his environment in ways that would make up for not having Super Strength. Telekinesis isn't just about fighting, he realized. It's about control. A strong telekinetic could defend themselves and strike from a distance, even move things around in ways others couldn't predict. It felt like a middle ground, an ability that was both offense and defense, and it would give him an entirely new dimension to work with.

But as tempting as each ability was, Zik knew he couldn't make this decision lightly. Every ability he chose affected how he could navigate through his challenges — and, more importantly, what kind of hero he'd become.

With his Super Intelligence revved up, he thought deeper, analyzing the potential strengths and weaknesses of each option. Super Strength, while a personal favorite, would lock him into close combat. It would make him powerful up close, but he'd have to get in close every time, and that wasn't always possible, especially against opponents like Brian who could strike from a distance. It was practical, simple, and powerful, but perhaps… limiting.

Flying, though freeing, might end up being just that — freedom without a direct advantage in fights or quests. He could escape, sure, but escape wasn't his ultimate goal. And Teleportation, while fantastic for mobility and surprise attacks, relied on positioning, timing, and control. If he miscalculated even slightly, he could find himself in a worse position than before, or accidentally put himself right in the path of an attack.

Which left Telekinesis, an ability that gave him control over his surroundings without forcing him to rely purely on speed, strength, or a lucky break. It was versatile, adaptable, and had a certain finesse to it. He could fight from a distance, defend himself, even influence the environment. Maybe this is what I need, he thought. Something that lets me be adaptable.

Still, the idea of gaining Super Strength tugged at him, that old desire to punch back harder than he'd ever been hit. Part of him wanted that ability just to prove to himself that he could be strong in the simplest, most direct way. But as he weighed each ability's value against his needs, he realized he had to keep his mind open.

Maybe I don't need to chase what I wanted as a kid, he thought. Maybe this is about something bigger than just strength.

The more he considered it, the more he saw the bigger picture forming in his mind. Zik didn't just want power for its own sake; he wanted a set of skills that made him adaptable, strong in any situation, someone who could take on challenges with his mind as much as his fists. A skill set that would make him unforgettable.

In the end, he knew that his final decision would need to balance all these factors. He'd think on it more, observe others who had these powers, and make the choice only when he was ready. And when he finally reached Level 5 and unlocked that new slot, he'd make sure it was filled with something that would help him forge his own path.

Until then, Zik focused on each skill, each fight, and each step forward, knowing that his choices would define not just his powers, but the very hero he wanted to become.

As Zik walked through the school hallway, lost in thought about his future abilities, he noticed a small commotion near the lockers. A group of older students had cornered a younger kid, clearly enjoying the boy's discomfort as they shoved him and taunted him. The kid, probably a year or two younger than Zik, looked terrified, his eyes darting around as he shrank against the wall.

Zik felt a familiar surge of frustration. He knew all too well what it was like to be on the receiving end of those taunts, to feel alone and trapped. For a moment, he hesitated, wondering if stepping in was a smart idea, especially when his cursed yellow shirt practically guaranteed that things would get rough. But the thought of walking away, of leaving the kid to face it alone, was even worse.

Taking a deep breath, Zik approached the group, clearing his throat loudly. "Hey, leave him alone," he said, doing his best to keep his voice steady.

The bullies turned, sizing him up with sneers. "And who are you supposed to be, hero?" one of them scoffed, looking Zik up and down. "The kid's just having some fun with us, right?" he added, shoving the boy forward slightly, making him stumble.

Zik steadied his stance. "Fun or not, I think he's had enough. Just let him go." He kept his gaze steady, doing his best to project confidence, even if his heart was pounding. The younger boy glanced at him with a mix of gratitude and fear before slipping away as soon as he saw his chance, bolting down the hall without looking back.

The bullies turned their attention fully to Zik, and he felt a strange mixture of relief and dread. Well, at least I got him out of there, he thought. Almost instantly, he saw a notification in his field of vision:

> Quest Complete: Save the Kid

Reward: +25 EXP

Level Up: Now Level 5

Zik felt a thrill as the words appeared, even as the bullies began circling him. He had finally reached Level 5, and now he had an open slot for a new ability. But the reality of the situation brought him back fast — three against one, with no easy way out.

"Let's see how tough you are," the leader sneered, stepping forward with a smug look. Zik activated Super Speed, dodging his first punch, then countering with a quick Speed Strike. His fist connected, and the bully staggered back, looking momentarily shocked.

But the others were relentless. They closed in, throwing punches and shoves that Zik barely dodged, his body tiring quickly as he used Regeneration to keep himself from taking serious damage. The fight dragged on, Zik's moves becoming less effective as exhaustion crept in.

Still, he managed to keep his ground, trading hits and dodges with everything he had. Super Intelligence kicked in as he analyzed their patterns, predicting their movements as best he could. But despite his best efforts, it was clear he was outmatched. The odds, the constant attacks — he couldn't keep this up forever.

In the midst of the chaos, Zik's mind suddenly flashed back to his goal: Telekinesis. If he could just unlock that ability, if he could push his mind into a state where he could summon the force to move things around him, he'd have the advantage he desperately needed. But how?

Zik searched his mind for any hint of how he might unlock Telekinesis, focusing on the possibility with every bit of mental clarity he could muster. He pictured himself pushing his attackers back without touching them, imagined the weight of his will extending beyond his own body. He visualized it as clearly as he could, imagining the force that might flow through him.

But nothing happened.

A punch landed, snapping him back to reality. The frustration and desperation built, his pulse pounding as he struggled against the relentless attacks. Think, think, he told himself, dodging another hit. If I want Telekinesis, I have to think outside the box. I have to—

And then it hit him. Telekinesis was about control, about commanding the space around him with will alone. It wasn't about simply reacting or fighting; it was about believing he could control the situation.

With that thought blazing in his mind, Zik closed his eyes, inhaling sharply as he reached out with his mind, willing his willpower to extend beyond his body. He imagined the air around him shifting, responding to his thoughts. The intensity of his concentration sharpened, and for a brief, powerful second, he felt something stir.

When he opened his eyes, the bullies froze, looking momentarily disoriented as a subtle force pushed against them, like a ripple spreading through the air. Zik felt a notification flash in his vision:

> New Ability Unlocked: Telekinesis

Level 1: Can move objects within a small radius with mental focus.

He grinned, feeling a surge of exhilaration. The bullies looked confused, stumbling slightly as if hit by an invisible wave. He focused on the leader, pushing his mind forward, feeling the weight of his concentration draw the boy back a step.

"Enough," Zik said, his voice steady as he wielded his new ability.

The bullies, now wary and visibly unsettled, backed off. They muttered a few insults, but Zik could see they were shaken, their confidence broken. They slunk away, casting wary glances over their shoulders as they left.

As they disappeared down the hall, Zik released a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. He felt exhausted, the strain of his new ability settling heavily in his mind, but the victory filled him with pride. He'd unlocked Telekinesis — not because of brute force or luck, but because he'd trusted himself, because he'd found the strength within to take control.

For the first time, he felt like he was truly shaping his own powers, creating his own path. And as he walked down the hall, bruised but unbroken, he knew he was a step closer to that light he'd been searching for.

After his encounter with the bullies, Zik couldn't wait to test the limits of his new ability, Telekinesis. It was only Level 1 and Grade F, but he was surprised by how versatile it felt, even in its most basic form. He spent every free moment in the following days experimenting, pushing his mental strength to understand exactly what it could — and couldn't — do.

In an empty corner of the school grounds, he extended his hand toward a nearby rock, focusing all his attention on lifting it. With a faint hum of concentration, the rock wobbled and rose a few inches off the ground, hovering there before he carefully lowered it back down. He felt the weight of the rock in his mind, like an invisible pressure pressing back against him. At this level, he could barely lift what an average human might carry, but the fact that he was lifting anything at all with just his mind was exhilarating.

Despite its limits, Zik realized this ability held an edge over Super Strength. Unlike a close-range punch, he could attack from a distance, influence his surroundings without putting himself directly in harm's way. Telekinesis opened up countless possibilities, and as his Super Intelligence processed this new skill, ideas began to flood his mind.

One idea, in particular, fascinated him: a ranged attack skill, something he could use to strike with precision and power at a distance. He decided to call it Slash Attack. If he could learn to channel his telekinetic force into a focused line or burst, he might be able to create a cutting force — like an invisible blade he could send forward.

The next afternoon, Zik found a quiet, empty field to practice his idea. He focused on a fallen tree branch lying in front of him, visualizing an invisible line slicing through the air, a concentrated force like the edge of a blade. He stretched his hand forward, mentally directing the telekinetic energy into a single, swift line toward the branch.

At first, nothing happened. The force felt too diffuse, like trying to push air through water. He tried again, squinting in concentration, but the telekinetic energy felt like it was slipping out of focus, scattering too widely to form the edge he envisioned. It was clear that channeling telekinesis into something as precise as a blade would require serious control — more than he currently had.

Still, he wasn't discouraged. Each attempt taught him a bit more about the nature of telekinesis, how it felt like a muscle that needed training. He shifted his focus, practicing small pushes and pulls on the branch instead, learning how to direct his mind to create a steady pressure. With each practice session, he could feel himself growing slightly stronger, his control sharpening.

Finally, he took a breath and tried again, visualizing the same invisible line of force. This time, he managed to send a small, focused burst forward. The branch trembled, a faint line appearing along its bark where his telekinetic energy had brushed against it. He hadn't created a full Slash Attack yet, but he'd made progress. And that was enough to fuel his determination to keep going.

Zik knew that mastering Telekinesis would take time, that each level would bring new possibilities. He might still be at the bottom, but every small advancement was a step closer to being the hero he wanted to be. And as he continued to practice, he held onto the image of that invisible blade, of the day he'd be able to strike out with the same precision and power he'd once envied in others.

It would take time, patience, and persistence, but he was ready for it all.