Chapter 58: Katie’s Test
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[PDD News]
The morning news broadcast carried a much heavier tone than usual
Behind the reporter were the images of two heroes.
Tongue Man.
Frezia.
"We regret to confirm the deaths of two more heroes following last night’s incident. This brings the number of confirmed hero casualties this week to seven."
The screen shifted, showing rough sketches of a pale boy, a young girl in a black dress, and a masked sniper.
"The Hero Association has officially identified these individuals as persons of interest connected to the recent attacks. Citizens are advised not to approach them under any circumstances and to reach out to authorities immediately if they are sighted anywhere."
The reporter’s expression grew grim.
"What began as isolated incidents has now become a direct threat against the Hero community. For the first time in years, heroes are being hunted."
A moment of silence followed.
"With fear spreading across the city and a new enemy emerging from the shadows, many are left asking the same question..."
How will the Hero Association deal with this new threat?
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Nicholas calmly watched the news playing on the screen. The previous night had been nothing short of tense, and even with all their planning, they had still been caught off guard by the villains while having barely any information about them.
’But I wonder who their master is, and what he could possibly want with me?’ Nicholas thought, his mind drifting through countless possibilities.
"It’s probably not the right thing to say, but I’m glad we didn’t have any more casualties than that," Selena said as she stood beside Nicholas. She turned her gaze toward him. "Even if you couldn’t save those two, thank you for the help. Honestly, if you weren’t there, those kids would’ve killed all of us."
"For real, I was so scared..." Julie shuddered dramatically. "Thought that would’ve been my last stream. It would’ve been cool though. At least I would’ve died recording the most tragic scene in the history of the Hero Association."
Selena felt her brows twitch.
"Big brother, don’t feel sad! After little sister’s test today, I’ll join you and we’ll stop the bad guys together!" Katie declared, her eyes shining as she pumped her tiny fist into the air.
Nicholas glanced at her, a small smile forming on his face.
Selena chuckled at the little girl’s words. "No, Katie. After your test, you’ll be going to the academy for a while to learn how to use your powers properly. That way, you won’t make any mistakes while using your abilities."
"Katie will go to the academy, and Katie will become the best hero!"
"That’s if you didn’t manifest a crappy ability," Julie muttered under her breath.
Selena smacked her lightly on the head.
"Don’t be a negativity bomb."
"Let’s get on with the test already," Nicholas said, glancing at the two.
"Yeah. Dana should be back soon. She’s setting up the room."
"I hear my name."
Dana’s voice rang out as she walked back toward the group, rubbing her hands together.
"Took a while to set everything up, but it’s all ready now."
"What scenario did you set for her?" Selena asked, raising a brow.
"You said her desire was to be a hero, right?" Dana replied. "It wasn’t anything specific, so I couldn’t tell exactly what scenario would fit best. But I believe the one I chose should work."
She turned her gaze toward Katie.
"So, little miss hero, you want to be a hero, right? This is just a small test so we can figure out what ability you manifested. If it doesn’t work, we can always try a different one. Just pay close attention and focus on any changes you feel during the test. It’ll help us a lot."
Katie clenched her fists, her eyes sparkling with confidence.
"Katie will do her best!"
Dana chuckled.
"Alright, hon. Follow me, will you?"
She glanced at Nicholas, silently asking him to let go of Katie’s hand.
Nicholas released her, and Katie quickly walked over to Dana, who led her into the testing room.
"We should head to the observation room," Selena said, leading Nicholas and Julie toward the adjoining chamber where they would watch the test.
Upon entering, they could see through the reinforced glass.
Katie and Dana stood inside a large, pure white room.
It was similar to the one Nicholas had been tested in before, but there was a noticeable difference this time.
On the testing floor sat two small cages.
Inside one was a rat.
Inside the other was a cat.
Dana let out a breath as she looked toward the setup.
"Katie, this is a simple mission. All you have to do is save the rat from the cat. Try anything you can think of, but saving the rat is your top priority."
Katie immediately felt a cold sweat trickle down her forehead.
The confidence she had displayed moments ago instantly began to deflate under the weight of what she perceived to be a difficult task.
"You’re not scared of rats or cats, are you?" Dana asked. "If you are, just let me know and we’ll set up a different task."
Katie quickly shook her head.
"No. Katie isn’t scared."
"Are you sure?"
Katie nodded confidently.
"If you say so. But don’t worry too much. Just do your best to save the rat. It’s okay if you can’t."
Dana offered her a reassuring smile.
Katie slowly nodded, though uncertainty still lingered in her eyes as she turned back toward the cages.
"Alright, let’s do this."
Dana pressed a button.
Immediately, both cages opened.
The rat shot out first.
The cat followed right behind it.
Katie didn’t move.
She simply stood there watching as the rat sprinted across the room.
The cat quickly gave chase.
Her eyes followed the two animals, but she had no idea what she was supposed to do.
’Should Katie run and catch the rat? Or should Katie stop the cat?’ she wondered, sweat gathering on her forehead.
The rat ran desperately for its life.
The cat closed the distance several times, nearly catching its tail.
Yet somehow, the little creature managed to narrowly escape each time.
The cat dove at it, but the rat slipped right beneath its paws, dodging the sharp claws by a hair’s breadth.
Minutes passed, and Katie still hadn’t done anything. She simply stood there watching the scene unfold while Dana and the others quietly observed her.
"What ability do you think she’ll have? I was thinking maybe telekinesis," Selena asked from the observation room.
"I hope she gets a unique skill like mine. She can be my apprentice, and we’ll both reach the top of the streaming world together!" Julie’s eyes sparkled as her imagination ran wild, picturing a future filled with hit streams alongside her adorable apprentice.
"I can’t tell. Katie has a rather unique personality. She might even manifest more than one ability," Nicholas replied calmly.
Selena paused for a moment.
’Manifesting multiple abilities? That should be impossible...’
But then again, it wouldn’t be strange considering her brother had apparently done the same.
’Speaking of which, does he actually have two abilities, or is one of them some sort of copy?’ she wondered, stealing a glance at Nicholas. His gaze remained completely fixed on Katie.
Katie still hadn’t acted since the test began, but the rat had been doing surprisingly well, somehow surviving the cat’s relentless pursuit.
Eventually, however, the rat was cornered.
Its tiny body pressed into the edge of the room as exhaustion finally caught up to it.
Small squeals echoed through the chamber as it cried desperately for help.
Katie’s eyes widened as she watched the cat slowly inch closer.
’Katie, do something! Katie, save the rat!’ she thought, gritting her teeth.
The distance between them shrank.
Soon, the cat was only a few meters away from the trembling rat, whose back was now pressed firmly against the wall.
’Looks like this test might not work after all,’ Dana thought, letting out a quiet sigh of resignation.
Katie couldn’t look away.
The rat’s terrified squeals filled the room.
For a brief moment, as she stared at the frightened little creature, Nicholas’s face overlapped with it in her mind.
Her eyes suddenly lit up.
Confidence flooded her expression.
Almost as though driven entirely by instinct, Katie raised both hands.
Dana’s eyes widened with anticipation.
Something was finally happening.
Yet...
Nothing happened.
The cat leaped.
"Well, that’s disappointing," Dana muttered, closing her eyes with a sigh.
"Katie did it!" Katie shouted excitedly from beside her.
Dana’s eyes snapped open.
She looked toward the scene before her.
Then her eyes widened in shock.
"What the heck is this?"
