Mastery

The lab was empty at night, but soldiers still patrolled the area. The cloud's explosion had created a ruckus, forcing them to intervene and contact more personnel.

The soldiers' response was immediate. Less than a minute after the explosion, they barged into the lab, granting them an unfiltered view of the mess. Dark-grey smoke tried to hide the scene, but everything remained visible enough for them to study the area.

Sizzling wires and tubes flashed inside the fumes flowing out of the many charred holes in the lab's equipment. Those black spots weren't limited to the machines. The walls, floor, and ceiling also had some, indicating extensive damage.

The smoke accumulated on the ceiling but seemed to avoid a specific spot. The soldiers noticed a bright-eyed figure floating in that clear location, and his overwhelming presence almost made them miss the young man hanging from his hand.