Potential Stat

"Michael!!" Lisa ran towards her brother the moment she saw him, jumping into a hug. "I thought something happened to you, I was so scared!" Tears streamed down her cheeks as she clung to him.

"I'm okay, everything is okay," Michael murmured, gently stroking her hair in a comforting gesture.

"I'm glad you're okay, kid," the teacher said as he approached. "But we need to move. We don't know if that Mutant is the only one that slipped through the military defenses or if there are more."

"Okay, let's look around the building for any other students that were left behind and then head back," Michael suggested, exhaustion evident in his voice. From head to toe Michael had the Ant's dark green blood covering him. He got splashed when John first shot the Ant in the eye to save him, and then he got more on him after he killed it.

"We don't need to look around, we can use the intercom in the manager's office," John interjected, taking the lead. His gaze flickered to Michael, a hint of suspicion lingering in his eyes. 'This kid, he's hiding something,' John thought, recalling the intensity in Michael's eyes during their encounter with the Blood Ant. 'He's either a psychopath or...'

Before John could finish his thought, they reached the office. With practiced efficiency, John unlocked the door and stepped inside.

"This is John, a teacher. If there are any students in the building, please start making your way towards the main entrance. It is safe now," John's voice echoed through the hallways and classrooms, carefully modulated to avoid causing panic.

"Teacher!!" A few minutes later, two freshmen students rushed toward the group, their faces pale with fear. John couldn't help but feel relieved that they hadn't encountered these students during their chaotic escape from the Mutant.

As they ventured into other buildings on the academy grounds, the group's tension only heightened with each step. Occasional tremors shook the ground beneath them with sounds of gunshots and other unknown noises, a stark reminder of the ongoing battle with the mutant Blood Ants. Each quake sent shivers down their spines, prompting them to quicken their pace in their search for any remaining students.

The group moved swiftly, going to every building's manager's office and using the intercom to call the students hiding to them. With each discovery of a frightened student, their relief was palpable, but the fear of what they might encounter next lingered like a dark cloud overhead.

Despite the chaos and uncertainty, their efforts proved successful. They managed to locate and gather a group of eight students, a mix of freshmen and others from various grades. Some were huddled in corners, while others had sought refuge under desks or behind locked doors.

As they made their way back to the shelter in the main building's basement, John couldn't help but feel a sense of pride mixed with exhaustion. He remembered that he had put a few students in charge before venturing out after Michael.

John approached the door and knocked, his heart pounding in his chest as he waited for a response. After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing the familiar faces of the students he had entrusted with the shelter's security.

"Welcome back" one of them said with a relieved smile, ushering the group inside. "Glad you're all safe!"

***

Michael sat with his back against a wall, with Lisa by his side, surrounded by curious or disapproving stares from their fellow students. The dark green blood covering him served as a visible reminder of the perilous events they had just endured.

Lisa shifted uncomfortably, sensing the weight of the scrutiny directed at her brother. Michael couldn't help but chuckle at her discomfort, though he understood the gravity of the situation. He diverted his attention inward, focusing on his Stats.

[Strength: 4.1 | Agility: 2.8 | Vitality: 3.1 | Intelligence: 3.2 | ?????: 1.3 | Energy: 147%]

"Who would have thought I could extract Energy from Mutants... And it gives me a lot," Michael mused to himself, a smile playing on his lips. "Zero, increase the unknown stat, and monitor any changes that might occur."

[Affirmative!]

With a sense of determination, Michael made his way to the shelter's bathroom and slipped into a stall, his mind buzzing with anticipation. As he closed his eyes and concentrated, a strange sensation washed over him. Michael's eyes started glowing slightly as if he were looking directly into a light source, revealing a deep blue void.

"What is this!" His head shook before his eyes dimmed. Michael started looking around, stunned.

"What is this?" Michael exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder as he felt a surge of clarity and awareness wash over him. Colors seemed more vibrant, details sharper as if a veil had been lifted from his perception.

The world around him appeared in startling clarity, each detail sharp and vivid. Michael felt a profound sense of liberation as if a fog had been lifted from his mind, allowing him to see and understand with newfound clarity.

"Zero, report!" Michael demanded, his excitement palpable.

[Sharp increase in potential and intelligence!]

"Elaborate."

[Your overall talent potential has risen. Analytical intelligence and creative intelligence have improved.]

"Good!" The changes he experienced were satisfying, making him feel it was much more important than the other stats. "Intelligence increased by 0.8 as well," he remarked with a satisfied smile.

With a sense of accomplishment, Michael pondered the implications of his enhanced abilities.

[Strength: 4.1 | Agility: 2.8 | Vitality: 3.1 | Intelligence: 4* | Potential: 2.3* | Energy: 47%]

"I saw him go in here!" A voice echoed in the empty bathroom, jolting Michael's attention.

"Good, that fucker caused so much chaos, opening the shelter door like that!" Another voice chimed in. "What if a Mutant was lurking behind the door, waiting to ambush us? He could have endangered us all!"

"Yeah, we can't afford any more risks like that!" a third voice added, a hint of frustration evident in their tone.

'Knew it,' Michael thought grimly. 'In times of crisis, fear drives people to act irrationally, often making situations worse.'

KNOCK KNOCK!

"I see your feet, come out now!" Someone pounded on the stall door with force, causing it to rattle on its hinges. "You can't hide!"

'They sound familiar' Michael thought