Chapter 6: Newbie
The whir of magi-tech engines hummed through the air as Callum adjusted the heavy gauntlet strapped to his arms. Before they began, the training specialist in the room brought two headsets and handed them over. These were what they'd be using for the session.
The headsets were capable of displaying high-quality virtual environments that closely resembled real monster territories. Once practice began, realistic monster figures would appear within the simulation.
The gauntlets weren't just for show—they were wirelessly connected to the magi-tech holograph system, which provided trainees with weapons as soon as the headsets were worn.
Callum grabbed his headset and began putting it on, but Alexa stopped him with a glance.
She shot him a direct look, and their eyes locked.
"Tell me, Callum. What Talent did you obtain?" she asked.
Callum froze for a moment, then rolled his shoulders. The tone and intent behind her question made him suspicious—it wasn't just casual curiosity. It felt like she really needed to know. Them, actually—if he was going to reveal he had three Talents.
"Why does your question sound like a command?" Callum replied, giving her a wary glare.
"It's not. I just want to know. It's not a crime to share your Talent with your new family. And if you think it could be used against you, you're wrong," Alexa replied almost casually.
Callum sensed her sincerity and considered telling her, though he doubted revealing all three Talents was a good idea.
I'll just mention one and act like it's the only one I got, he decided.