The early morning sun rose over the towering stone spires of Tuntadel University, casting long shadows across the cobblestone plazas. It was the start of a brand-new week—the very first week of Lashley’s reign as the official Dean of Tuntadel.Students and scholars streamed across the central grounds toward their lecture halls, chatting eagerly about the massive changes taking place. The dark cloud of corruption that had hung over the campus for months finally seemed to be lifting.Suddenly, a loud chime reverberated through the public address crystals installed across the entire campus.DING! DONG! DONG!The chatter in the plazas died down instantly. Everyone stopped in their tracks, looking up toward the speaker.Dean Lashley’s voice boomed loud, crystal clear, and authoritative across every corner of the university."Attention, all students, scholars, and faculty of Tuntadel University! This is an official executive decree from the Office of the Dean!"A heavy pause hung in the ai

The halls of Tuntadel University were buzzing. Everywhere you turned, students were whispering, pointing, and shouting over each other. News of what Mike had done had spread like wildfire through every dormitory, cafeteria, and lecture hall.Inside the Dean’s office, the air was dead silent.Dean Lashley sat behind his massive desk, his hands folded beneath his chin. Standing across from him was Mike, who was breathing heavily, his hands trembling slightly as he recounted the event."I’m telling you, Mike, I’ve never seen anything like it," Lashley said, his voice shaking. "Datrex was pushing you, trying to get a reaction. And then... you changed. Your eyes didn't just brighten, Mike. They glowed. It looked like two burning suns in his sockets. You fought like... like a god. I was terrified just standing near you. What have you become?""I don't believe any of it," Mike muttered under his breath. "It wasn't me. It couldn't have been me. I don't have powers like that. I'm just regular

Hundreds of miles away from Tuntadel University, deep within an isolated mountainous compound, the air was filled with the heavy sound of fists striking iron and boots slamming against dust.Matt was dripping with sweat, his shirt torn as he sparred against three heavy-set fighters at once. These were elite members of the Tiewie gang—ruthless mercenaries hired to push Matt past his physical limits.Standing at the edge of the ring, watching with a cold, unforgiving expression, was Matt’s father, Mr. Windgate."Faster, Matt!" Mr. Windgate barked, his voice carrying like thunder across the courtyard. "If you cannot overpower three Tiewie thugs, how do you expect to crush Baron and his little group? How do you expect to wipe out the Neutral gene?"Matt ducked under a swinging iron pipe, drove his shoulder into the attacker's chest, and swept the legs of the second fighter, knocking them both to the dirt. He stood up, catching his breath, his knuckles bruised and bleeding."I'm ready, Fat