[Limitless Lv.1 (1/100): Manipulates matter at the atomic level to dominate space. As objects approach the user, they slow down indefinitely, ensuring they never truly make contact.]
[Energy Absorption Lv.2 (1/300): Capable of absorbing most forms of energy. Absorption speed and storage capacity are now moderate.]
As his integration reached 5%, Aurelius Viremont's original mutant ability leveled up alongside his new powers. He immediately felt the shift within his body. Not only could he hold more energy, but a new technique was now etched into the very fabric of his soul: Limitless.
Aurelius Viremont instinctively understood how to use it, though his low integration meant he could only maintain the barrier for about five minutes. It was a far cry from Satoru Gojo's passive, always-on defense, but for a prison break? It was more than enough.
Still, with a few hours left until dawn, he decided to play it safe. He stayed glued to the wall lamp, greedily drinking in electricity to push his integration even higher.
"Hey, kid. You're a mutant, aren't you?"
A low, raspy voice drifted from the neighboring cell. Aurelius Viremont turned to see a middle-aged man staring at him. Because of the Energy Absorption, a faint, visible current was arcing from the lamp into Aurelius Viremont's fingertips. In the dim light, the glow was unmistakable.
When Aurelius Viremont didn't answer, the man's tone turned aggressive. "You disgusting mutant freak. You've got a way out of here, don't you? I know you freaks have all sorts of weird powers. Listen up: when you leave, you're taking me with you. If you don't, I'll scream and tell the guards. I'm sure they'd love to play with a mutant."
Aurelius Viremont remained silent, but a faint, cold smile played at the corners of his mouth.
Thanks to government propaganda, ordinary people viewed mutants as "filthy sub-humans." This man was no different. He held Aurelius Viremont in utter contempt, yet he had forgotten one simple thing: mutants possessed the power to tear people like him apart.
Aurelius Viremont looked up, brushing his white hair back to reveal eyes like polished sapphires. He gave the man a brilliant, mockingly friendly smile.
"Don't worry, sir. I'll get you out of here right now."
The man smirked, satisfied. "Smart kid."
Aurelius Viremont stopped absorbing the lamp's power and walked to the bars. He reached his hand through the iron gate toward the man. "Give me your hand. My power is space-jumping. I'll pull you through."
The man's eyes lit up with greed. Just a kid, he thought. A little threat and he folds like a chair. He already had a plan: once they were out, he'd call the police and turn the boy in. The reward money for reporting a mutant would be enough to live like a king for a month. He wouldn't dare report the gang—they were killers—but a "mutant freak"? That was easy money.
He wasn't worried about Aurelius Viremont attacking him. If the kid had offensive powers, he wouldn't have been caught by common thugs in the first place. He assumed it was a utility power that required a long cooldown.
If this were the original Aurelius Viremont, the man might have been right. But the soul inhabiting this body now was someone else entirely.
The moment their palms touched, Aurelius Viremont released a focused surge of electricity. It wasn't enough to kill, but it was enough to seize the man's muscles, rendering him paralyzed and mute. At Level 2, Aurelius Viremont's control was surgical.
He knew that electrocuting someone to death left a telltale smell of ozone and burnt flesh. So, instead, Aurelius Viremont reached out with his other hand, reinforced his muscles with stored energy, and gripped the man's neck.
Snap.
With a dull crack, the man's head slumped. It was late, and the minor sound of breaking bone was easily mistaken for someone shifting in their sleep.
Aurelius Viremont carefully propped the body up to make it look like he was merely dozing off, then sat back down by his lamp. He returned to his work as if nothing had happened.
[Energy Points +1]
[Energy Points +1]
[Energy Absorption XP +1]
Hours passed. Through a high, narrow window, Aurelius Viremont saw the first grey light of dawn creeping into the room. At that exact moment, the system chimed in his head.
[Template Integration: 10%]
[New Skill Unlocked: Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue]
[Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue (Lv.1): Creates a powerful center of gravity using the power of attraction. At maximum output, it can achieve negative infinity, effectively acting as a localized black hole.]
Aurelius Viremont's eyes snapped open. Information on how to manifest "Blue" flooded his mind.
His status had evolved significantly:
Energy Absorption (Lv.2): Storage and speed significantly improved.Limitless: Now maintainable for at least 10 minutes.New Trump Card: Multiple casts of "Blue" now possible.
He was no longer in a hurry to leave. He wanted to give these gangsters a proper "thank you." Specifically, he had a debt to settle with a man named Jim.
Just then, the heavy prison door creaked open. The familiar group of thugs walked in, their faces twisted into their usual masks of cruelty.
Aurelius Viremont stood up, his sapphire eyes glowing in the shadows. The hunt was about to begin.