The System Gave Everyone Superpowers

My duffel bag was right next to me. I grabbed it and hoisted it over my shoulder.

I needed a bed immediately.

I walked out of the park and headed down the block toward the towering sign of a high-end hotel. My body was aching.

Inside the lobby, I headed straight for the front desk.

"Shay!" a voice called out.

I turned my head. Leo was standing by the counter, holding two oversized suitcases. He wore a brand-new suit, and his face lit up the second he saw me.

"Hey, Leo," I muttered.

"Long time," Leo laughed, clapping my shoulder. "Well, Gadol got us set up in this hotel until our housing clears. Are you staying here too?"

"Yeah. Just checking in."

"Awesome. We’ll have to grab food later!"

"Sure," I said.

I went through the motions, signed the digital pad at the desk, and took my keycard. I rode the elevator all the way to the top floor, unlocked my luxury suite, and didn't even bother taking off my shoes. I dropped my bag on the floor, threw myself onto the bed, and passed out instantly.

My phone alarm woke me up the next morning.

I sat up, rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and opened my email. Right at the top was a message from Brand with an attached map file.

Directions to Brand Janesten Facility

I grabbed a quick shower, threw on a hoodie and jeans, and headed down to the subway station. The train ride took twenty minutes.

When I stepped out of the station and looked up, my eyes nearly bulged out of my head.

The Brand Facility was fucking massive.

It looked like a city inside a city. Dozens of luxury flying cars zipped in and out of sky-docks near the upper glass floors. Down in the front yard, giant steel worker robots were lifting massive beams and loading armored transport trucks. Sleek drones buzzed through the air.

"Unbelievable," I muttered.

I walked through the automatic doors into the main lobby. Kevin was leaning against the front desk, sipping an iced coffee and laughing with a receptionist.

He glanced up, saw me, and gave a wave.

"Morning, Seasons," Kevin said. He pointed his thumb over his left shoulder. "Class Four is down the hall, first door on the left."

"Thanks," I said.

I walked down the hallway and pushed open the doors to Class Four's room.

It didn't look like a classroom at all. It looked like a high-tech office filled with glass desks, holographic displays, and leather chairs.

It was also in complete pandemonium.

"I'm going to rip your fucking head off!" Brock roared, his arms transformed into giant blocks of Titan Muscle.

"Die, you manipulative freak!" Mai screamed, trying to open a portal directly beneath Koda's feet.

The entire class was throwing attacks, trying to murder Koda. Koda was standing in the far corner, dodging by inches and smiling like a lunatic.

The moment Koda saw me walk in, his eyes lit up.

"Seasons!" Koda yelled, sprinting across the room toward me. "Save me! Our classmates have turned into savages!"

He tried to hide behind my back.

I reached out, grabbed Koda by the collar of his suit, and slammed him against the nearest desk.

"You left me on that beach, you bastard," I growled, raising my fist. "I had to fight a Rank Nine Hero by myself."

"It was for the narrative, Seasons!" Koda wheezed, still grinning. "A good director always—"

Before I could punch his smug face, the classroom doors slid open with a loud hiss.

"Alright, that's enough bullshit for one morning," a voice called out.

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Everyone froze. I let go of Koda's collar, and he slid onto the floor.

A man walked into the room. He wore an unbuttoned black shirt, dark jeans, and had his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

Floating right next to his head was his System ID badge.

[Yani Lobe]

[Rank: 150]

[Level: 255]

"My name is Yani Lobe," the man said. "I'm Class Four's overseer. And despite what Brand calls this room, this is not a classroom. You are not students. And I am definitely not your teacher."

"Think of this place like a precinct," Yani explained. "A police station for superheroes. You won't have lectures, and you won't have homework. You'll have a job board. You pick your assignments, you clear them, and you bring back results."

He tapped a button on the podium, and a holographic screen lit up behind him.

"Your monthly benefits and budget are tied directly to your overall Class Score," Yani continued. "And eventually, this entire facility will be pitted against other defense contractors in joint operations, so try not to act like embarrassing amateurs when that happens. For now, work will be light to ease you into the system."

He pointed a finger at the holographic screen.

"Because you took second place on Santa Rosa Island, Class Four starts the month with 300 points," Yani said. "Class One has 400. Class Two has 200. Class Three has 100. Since you're in second place, your Class bonus for this month is three hundred thousand dollars."

A collective gasp ran through the room. Nelvin's jaw dropped. Grace's eyes widened.

Three hundred thousand dollars just for second place.

Yani pushed himself off the podium and walked toward the door. He stopped at the entrance, turning his head back to look at us one last time.

"One last thing," Yani said, his tone dropping. "If your Class Score ever drops below 100 points, your contracts will be immediately terminated, and you'll be thrown out on the street. Have a nice day."

The door slid shut behind him.

I walked over to an empty chair, sat down, and leaned back, looking at the scoreboard floating in the air.

300 points. $300,000.

I took a deep breath.

It was time to get to work.

The holographic mission board at the front of the classroom flashed, instantly populating with dozens of active contracts.

I stood up from my chair and walked over to take a look. Most of the postings were completely mundane and boring.

Apprehend bank robbers in the Commercial District.

Track down stolen supercars in West Janesten.

Assist California lifeguards with the hostile shark gang.

I shook my head.

Pass.

Then, my eyes landed on a contract near the top of the list.

[Contract: High-Priority Bodyguard Escort]

Target: Master Engineer Francis (Hilon Corp)

Destination: Hilon Main Building (Silicon Valley)

Requirements: 3 Heroes (Level 100+)

Details: Francis is a master engineer holding classified technological schematics. His engineering knowledge must not fall into villain hands under any circumstances.

I reached out my hand to tap 'Accept'. But right as my finger touched the screen, two other fingers tapped the icon at the same second.

I looked to my left. Mai.

I looked to my right. Koda.

[Contract Accepted]

Mai let out a sigh. "You have got to be kidding me."

"A road trip to Silicon Valley," Koda said, a smile spreading across his face. "How wonderful."

"Whatever," I muttered, turning toward the door. "Let's just get the payout."

We walked out and headed toward the downtown plaza where the pickup was scheduled. As we walked down the sidewalk, I slowed my pace and pulled Mai a few steps behind Koda.

"Hey, Portal," I whispered.

"What?" Mai asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

"You're on Koda guard duty for this entire mission," I said quietly. "Keep your eyes on his hands. If he starts drawing anything, warp his hands into the ocean."

Mai looked at Koda’s back, then looked at me and nodded. "Gladly. If he tries anything, I'll warp his arms off."

"Appreciated."

Five minutes later, we arrived at the downtown plaza. The area was packed with tourists, palm trees, and shopfronts.

Sitting on a bench near a large fountain was our target.

I stopped and stared.

Francis was wearing a floppy yellow sun hat, a stained white tank top, baggy cargo shorts, and ratty leather flip-flops. He had a messy beard, and was holding a half-empty can of beer.

"Is that the master engineer?" Mai whispered, looking horrified. "He looks like a homeless guy who won a raffle."

I stepped forward, putting on my "Seasons" smile.

"Mr. Francis?" I called out.

Francis took a loud sip of his beer, wiped his mouth, and squinted up at us through the sunlight.

"Who the fuck are you three supposed to be?" Francis grunted. "The circus?"

"I'm Seasons," I said. "This is Portal, and that's Koda. We're your escort here to take you to Hilon."

Francis let out a laugh. "Brand sent me three silly-looking kids in Halloween costumes? Look at you, gold-suit. What are you, a walking trophy? You look ridiculous."

Mai’s hands twitched. "Listen here, old man—"

"And you," Francis interrupted, pointing a fingernail at Mai's suit. "That suit looks tight as hell. How do you even breathe? Let’s not forget the smiling weirdo over there who looks like he just escaped from a psych ward."

I gestured toward the SUV idling at the curb.

"The car is waiting, sir," I said. "Let's get you to Silicon Valley."

Francis finished the rest of his beer in one long gulp, tossed the empty can into a nearby bush, and stood up, his flip-flops slapping.

"Fine," Francis muttered, stumbling slightly as he walked past us. "There better be a cooler full of cold ones in the trunk, or I'm turning this car around."

He climbed into the back seat and slammed the door shut.

Mai rolled her eyes, Koda smiled serenely, and I let out a sigh.

We climbed into the vehicle, the driver hit the gas, and we rolled onto the highway.

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