Air Hero

Ability Appraisal

While Max and his parents are chatting merrily, the appraisal test examiner who is holding a clipboard and going through the paper finally calls out his name.

“Next child, Max Air, are you here? If no one is answering to the count of ten, we will skip to the next person.”

“Ah, I’m here!”

“Alright, follow me then. The parent can follow us inside too.”

Max and his parents then entered another room which is smaller than the hall. The wall however made from a metallic material that makes it look glossy and sturdy. It was as if even if a bomb exploded inside, the room will still be standing tall.

Aside from a crystal sphere floating in the middle of the room, there’s nothing else on it. For Max’s parent, they have gone through an assessment from the United Heroes back in the days but it hasn’t become this sophisticated. It was only a simple tool and test so they are also curious about the improvement made on the appraisal test.

“Relax, take a deep breath, and don’t be nervous.”

The examiner looked at Max and realize that he is now extremely tense.

“This first test is very simple. The sphere here is a special device called an elemental orb. If your superpower nature is to manipulate the elements such as fire, water, wind, and lightning, the inside of the orb will be showing changes in color according to the elements that you are able to wield.”

Max and his parents that are listening to the explanation at the same time understand at once since the concept is very simple.

“If you are able of body modification related superpower, such as body strengthening, extreme speed or even flying, the elemental orb will be transformed into a bigger sphere since it is enhanced by absorbing your body’s power to manipulate your physique. The test basically covers everything outside of abnormal cases of superpowers. But most people will show reactions between the two, even for people with uncommon superpowers such as telekinesis and telepathy will show the second reaction as the orb will absorb any kind of superpower activity in the body. If after the test there isn’t any reaction from the elemental orb, most likely that person doesn’t have any superpower at all.”

Although Max is still young, the simple and to-the-point explanation is clear for him to understand. Max’s parents also nodded when the examiner explained it since it is similar to what happened to their appraisal test. Although back in the days it wasn’t a clear orb, it was still a test using the same concept.

“Are you ready Max?”

Max’s father is looking at his son that is now impatient to touch the elemental orb. He knows what his son is thinking but at the same time, he is worried. What if Max doesn’t have any superpower? After all, Max’s father and mother don’t have any superpower either. It is common knowledge in the world right now that a child with a superpower has a higher probability of appearing when the child's parents have a superpower themselves.

That is also the reason why many heroes are married to other heroes in order to have a child born with superpowers. Not to mention that after a long period of research, the ability of the child may even be more powerful than the parent when the condition is matched.

For example, if one of the child's parents has a fire-based superpower and the other has a wind-based superpower, the child born will be able to have a higher level of fire-based superpower. In return, if the parent’s ability is of the fire and water, the child will have a lower level of fire or water-based superpower.

That is also the reason to why arranged and political marriage is becoming a trend again. Previously a marriage based on pure love is normal but now, considering their superpower and compatibility with the partner takes precedence.

Max who keeps his gaze on the elemental orb nodded, signaling that he is ready as the examiner gives his instruction.

“Step forward and touch the elemental orb with both of your hands. Next, close your eyes and imagine yourself in a white room and there’s a door in front of you. The door suddenly opened and what is the scenery across the door? Is it in the middle of hot volcano? A summer ocean view? Cliffs and mountain? Up high in the sky? Imagine the scenery and try to reach for it and walk through the door.”

Max followed the examiner's instruction. He first imagined himself in a white room and there’s a door appearing in front of him. The only problem is, when the door is opened, he couldn’t see anything. Just another white room across the door. He tried his best to move forward and reach out for the door but even after crossing the door, nothing changes. No blazing fire, breezy wind, or solid rock, with a sigh, the only thing he can feel is that he can breathe easier as if the air is cleaner. However, Max knows that it may be caused by the clean state of the room compared to the outside. After quite some time has passed, Max opened his eyes and with a hint of disappointment in it, he looked at his parents and shake his head. Max look at the examiner again and speak weakly: “I couldn’t see anything beyond the door. It’s just another white room.”

The examiner didn’t look surprised at all, in fact, he has been expecting it since the elemental orb doesn’t show any reaction and he has seen this countless times.

“It’s alright, it means that you don’t have any elemental-related superpower. How about we test your aptitude for body manipulation superpower?”

Unwilling to give up, Max looked at the examiner and nodded again. This time, his father is even clenching his fist, cheering for Max silently while his mother is openly supporting him.

“Come on Max. You can do this!”