Xander And The Blaze

3...Superstrength...

Heidi is a hot blonde with sophisticated features. It is obvious she is from a wealthy family. Alec frowned when her face clicked into his head. He remembered he'd seen her down the hallway a couple of times in the past. 

"Does everyone who attends Kristine Highschool works here?" He asked no one in particular. 

Jeremy grinned at his question. 

"Isn't this the guy that slept for good forty nine hours?" Heidi asked, pointing at Alec. 

Alex felt embarrassed. 

Jeremy smiled shortly "Well, he's awake now"

"So, is he the new member of this team?" Heidi questioned, scrutinizing Alec from his head to toe. 

"Very soon. Very soon, he'll become one" Jeremy replied, smiling.  

Alec narrowed his eyes at Jeremy wondering what he meant by the information he just spilled out. He dragged Jeremy by the arm "Come here for a sec, please" 

They both walked away from Heidi. 

"What's this new member stuff all about?" 

Jeremy grinned. "I have been watching you in school, you are a guy with potentials, Alec, you just don't see it"

Alec titled his head and sighed languidly "Jeremy"

"Listen, Alec, everyone here has nothing else in mind than to help stop the misuse of power. We both know it's not comfortable living in a world where bad people rules" Jeremy explained. 

Alec had tried to fight the bullies in the past but he always fail. "I can't do this, I can't fight for myself it for anyone"

"What if you can? Remember how you were treated? Do you want that to continue?"

The memories of the way he was bullied came to his head, he clenched his fist. "What do I need to do to become a member?" 

Jeremy smiled. "You need to fight me" 

"Fight you?" Alec asked looking confused. "Is that like a thing here?"

"It's just a test" 

Alec recalled the system telling him about the super strength he newly possessed. This is the time to test the super strength. 

"Okay, I'm ready"

Jeremy chuckled "Of course not now, you just woke up from your long sleep like an hour ago"

"Well you can check me medically if I'm fit enough to fight you" Alec said confidently. 

Jeremy stared at him "Alright. Come on, let's go test your strength"

***

Alec and Jeremy already took off their shirts, ready to test each other's strength. Alec looked down at his body and noticed few changes in him. He had it at the back of his mind to inspect his body properly when he is done with the fight. 

Jeremy stared fiercly at Alec, his hand closed in a tight fist, and his stance in a good fighting position. 

"Your expression is so scary" Alec said, but Jeremy's face didn't soften up "It's not really a real fight, is it?" 

Jeremy's fist shoot out to attack Alec who wasn't quick enough to duck. 

"Jeremy!" he whined holding his cheeks in pain. "Are you planning to kill me?"

Jeremy inspected Alec's face. "I thought you would fight back immediately"

"Fight back? Are you serious?" Alec screeched, now doubting the system's words. If he has super strength, then why was Jeremy able to strike him easily. 

"Just think about how bad you were treated by those guys, and that will help you fight back" Jeremy advised. 

They both got into a fighting stance again. Jeremy swiftly attacked a slow Alec. He striked him, advising him to fight back, but he didn't. 

Alec failed. 

Jeremy looked into the camera that has been set in the room and whispered "I don't think he is ready"

The others watching them on the projector shook their heads sadly, heaving meaningful sighs. 

"Alexander Todd, now is the time to fight back. The system has successfully studied your opponent's strength and weaknesses" 

The system spoke in Alec's head, but Alec doesn't want to believe it. What if he fails the second time? He caught the disappointment on Jeremy's face, and he thought 'What if I really succeed this time?'

"One more time, Jeremy" Alec looked determined. He wants to fall into a category of power also. 

Jeremy sighed softly "I don't wanna hurt you Alec"

"You won't" Alex said confidently. 

Jeremy studied him, he saw his determination and confidence. He  said an okay and they started all over again. 

Jeremy took his fight stance, while Alec's confidence began to dwindle until the system spoke. 

"Watch your opponent's moves carefully" The system advised Alec.

Alec obeyed. He studied Jeremy and was able to predict his next move. Jeremy stretched out his arm with his large hand in a tight fist, ready to punch Alec's nose. 

Alec saw it coming in a slow motion and quickly doged the punch by moving aside, amazing Jeremy who didn't hesistate to throw another attack which Alec was able to easily avoid. Jeremy lifted his leg for a kick. Alec was able to see the kick coming his way, he got the slow motion of the action and gripped the back of Jeremy's foot with his palm to hold him back before the kick could connect with his face. 

Alec felt the power within him, raw and real.

Jeremy was impressed, same with the other members watching them. 

"Congratulations. You are now a member" Jeremy said to Alec, tapping his back gently. 

Alec smiled at him, it feels good to be able to defeat someone for the first time. 

 

The system spoke in his head, simultaneously displaying the words uttered on the screen that appeared afront him. 

"Task one successfully completed"

Alec narrowed his eyes at the screen. 

"New power unlocked: Super strength"

The padlock sign right beside the 'super strength' word, wasn't there anymore. 

Alec's smile widened, especially as he really understood how the system works. The more he trains, the more new powers get unlocked, then he remembered his dad, he will be so worried he is not home yet. 

"I gotta go" he said to Jeremy, trying to search for his shirt. 

"You haven't really discussed with the other members"

Alec rose his brows "Discuss with other members?" He repeated. 

Jeremy smiled "Yeah. You know, the payment? Rules and regulations and other things"

"I'll be paid?" Alec asked. 

"Why not? You are not getting anything less than thousands in dollars to start with"

"Wow. Thousands? For real?" Alec asked widening his eyes. 

Jeremy chuckled and patted his back "Let's talk about that tomorrow"

"Yeah. Of course. Of course" This feels like a dream to Alec. He couldn't help the grin that broke through his lips.