Pyrokinesis II and The Embers of Vengence

While Tia rested in her bed, her eyes darted around, reflecting the inner turmoil brought on by the difficult choice before her. She immediately crossed out all the techniques, knowing they were useless at such a low level.

'I should keep moving in the path of synergies and mutual empowerment between my various powers.'

Tia's attention settled on the body adaptations, recognizing them for their versatile potential.

'That particular skin enhancement isn't valuable enough for its price.' Given her combat style, it had no applicability. She never intended to be embroiled in close-quarters combat or allow any threat to breach her protective barriers. She would block what she could and dodge the rest.

'Cells? Yes, I should take the cells at any cost.' It was the greatest option out of all, not only boosting her upper limit of both telekinesis and pyrokinesis but also increasing her capacity when controlling mana when casting spells or enchanting.

Although the concept of solidified fire intrigued her, she recognized that with a little ingenuity, she could replicate its effects and conserve her vital points. 'Nah, I can accomplish the same thing with two magic runes. Not worth my precious points.'

Only the last option remained in that category, making her thoroughly contemplate it.

'It could remove one of the largest limitations of basic pyrokinesis.' Fire, in the same way as her kinetic energy, had to originate from her body. The predictability of her fire attacks was a liability in life-and-death battles, with enemies discerning her fire attacks long before they could even reach them.

'This would make it much more flexible. I could stretch thin tendrils of kinetic power and then ignite things remotely.' She closed her eyes in focus, 'This brings up the question of whether I would need that.'

In the end, she opened her eyes and nodded, 'Yes, the flexibility and opportunities to surprise and strike enemies from unexpected directions should be worth it.'

With only two points left, her eyes skimmed the final category, instantly ruling out range and control.

'Telekinesis, acting as a medium for manipulation, renders those two useless.' She paused briefly before concluding, 'I will take the increased temperature and save the last remaining point for the future.'

Beep!

<<<<<>>>>>

Your ability <Basic Pyrokinesis II> was modified:

<Increased Temperature>

<Kinetic Combustion>

Your body was modified:

<Energy Resonating Cells II>

<<<<<>>>>>

Overwhelmed by a surge of sleepiness, her awareness began to waver, and her vision gently dissolved into the shadows.

Later the same day:

"Congratulations on becoming the most wanted person on the entire planet." The chilling declaration jolted Tia awake, her eyes snapping open to the cool, unflinching gaze of the handler. Towering beside her bed, the woman's stony visage bore down on her, betraying no emotion.

'The most wanted person?!' The words were like burning knives stabbing through her body. The revelation upended her immediate plans. Being a mere fugitive was manageable. However, as the most wanted person, she knew there would be no place to hide.

Her senses heightened to razor-sharp focus as she readied to confront the handler and make an escape. 'Are they planning to eliminate me now?'

As if sensing her plight, the woman continued, "It doesn't matter. Everything is moving forward smoothly. Your cousin has become eighteen years old today and claimed her spot at the head of your family company."

A flare of anger, carefully veiled but unmistakable, ignited in Tia's eyes. 'My cousin? Is she using her as leverage against me?'

"Do not approach her." Tia hissed through her teeth, her eyes slightly glowing.

"No, you are going to approach her. Due to your affiliation, she is no longer on our kill list. I just need to make sure you will ensure she will do what is necessary when the time comes."

Everything connected in her mind—the words from the handler, the information she'd heard from her cousin, and her own deductions. A chilling realization dawned: 'They were likely the ones who tried to kill me that night!'

"Hahaha." Her laughter rang out in a cacophony of irony. It was almost comedic; the very people who once sought her life were now directing her actions.

With this new information, she could also cross out one of her previous conjectures, 'The timeline doesn't add up. They couldn't be behind my parents' deaths. Perhaps it really was just a freaky accident and not a conspiracy.'

Still, fury raged inside her like a tempest, but the knowledge that her cousin remained unharmed restrained her. Her hands curled into tight fists, her outward demeanor a picture of cool composure. Despite the simmering resentment, Tia wasn't ready to do something reckless.

'They locked me away and didn't contact me for years, acting as if I was just a thrown-away and broken thing.'

The thought of her cousin, the singular kin who ever showed genuine concern, could perhaps unhinge her. But for the others? There was no cause for hasty decisions.

'Still, they won't walk away unscathed for their attempt on my life. Retribution will come, but patience is key. Strength and strategy take precedence now.' The irony wasn't lost on her; hunted as she was, her only haven was among the people who tried to kill her.

"Why are you so accommodating? Why are you even telling me this?" Their willingness to divulge such information baffled her, and the incongruity of it all made her head spin.