Sebastian's heart raced as the voice echoed through the intercom, pulling his attention away from the unusual training session. He wasn't sure whether he was more curious about the new development or still trying to process the mind-boggling concept of the Bio-evolution techniques he'd just witnessed.
"What is it?" Sebastian asked, following Mr. Ringga Purnomo and Pandu toward the stairs.
Mr. Ringga's face was serious, his tone sharp. "It seems like we've detected something that might be tied to the abilities we've been studying. We'll need to investigate it."
They descended to the fourth floor, where the sound of clicking keyboards and low murmurs filled the air. A few young staff members, most of whom barely looked older than Sebastian, continued their work as if nothing unusual was happening. One of them stood by the door, nodding toward them, and gestured for them to follow.
Inside the monitoring room, multiple screens flashed with various data, and a single red dot blinked on a map, indicating some form of activity. A large screen displayed what seemed like a blurry image of an individual in motion. The blur was moving too fast for the cameras to capture clearly.
"That's the target?" Sebastian asked, squinting at the screen.
"Yes," Mr. Ringga Purnomo confirmed, his gaze fixed on the figure. "We've been tracking unusual energy readings for the past few days. We believe this person may be an advanced form of Bio-evolution. Someone we need to approach... or contain."
Pandu stepped closer to the screen, his eyes narrowing. "We can't just jump in without understanding the full scope of their abilities. We need a strategy, and we need it fast."
Sebastian looked from the image to the two men. Despite the tension in the room, a strange sense of excitement bubbled up in him. He was getting drawn deeper into something much larger than he had anticipated. This wasn't just a training session anymore—it was a mission.
"How do we proceed?" Sebastian asked, his voice calm despite the rush of adrenaline.
"We prepare," Mr. Ringga Purnomo said simply. "We need to know more about this individual. What motivates them, how they fight, and how we can counter their abilities."
The room quieted as another voice came through the intercom. "Master, it seems the target has entered the city. We'll need to act quickly before they leave."
"Alright," Mr. Ringga Purnomo said, turning to Sebastian and Pandu. "Prepare yourselves. We move out in twenty minutes. This is going to be a test, not just of your physical abilities, but of your instincts as well. Trust them."
Sebastian nodded. He had no idea what he was about to face, but he could already feel his body coming alive with the energy he had only just started to understand. Pandu had said that instincts played a crucial role in their abilities. He wondered how his instincts would fare in such a high-stakes situation.
He followed Pandu and Mr. Ringga Purnomo out of the building, his mind racing. They rode in a quiet car toward the unknown, each man lost in his thoughts.
As they approached the city's edge, the air felt thicker, as if something was charging the atmosphere with tension. Sebastian's eyes scanned the street, half-expecting to see something out of the ordinary. He had trained to deal with threats—physical threats, that is. But this was different. This was something he wasn't sure he was ready for.
The vehicle stopped in a secluded alleyway. Mr. Ringga Purnomo looked at both Sebastian and Pandu.
"This is where we separate. We need to spread out and make sure the target doesn't escape. Pandu, you and I will approach from the west. Sebastian, take the east side. You'll have backup if necessary, but keep your distance. We don't know how powerful this person is yet."
Sebastian swallowed hard. "Understood."
The three of them scattered, moving quickly but cautiously through the winding alleyways. Sebastian's senses were heightened, every noise and movement drawing his attention. He had been trained to be observant, but this felt like a test on a whole different level.
As he turned a corner, he caught sight of something-or—or someone-a figure cloaked in shadows, barely visible against the darkened street. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he instinctively reached for his shield, focusing on his breathing as he had been taught. His mind sharpened, his body tense and ready.
The figure moved again, faster than any normal person should. It was clear they knew someone was coming.
Sebastian's pulse quickened as the figure turned to face him, their eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
"You're in the way," the voice was calm but cold, almost taunting.
The figure stepped forward, and Sebastian braced himself, focusing on his shield.
Before he could react, the figure blurred, moving with a speed that Sebastian could barely track. A sharp pain struck his side as the figure passed by him in an instant, and before he could even raise his shield in defense, the figure was already several paces ahead.
"Damn it," Sebastian muttered, his hand pressing against the wound. It wasn't deep, but it was a clear reminder of how outclassed he felt in that moment.
He had underestimated his opponent's speed.
The figure turned again, watching Sebastian's every move. "You'll need to be faster than that if you want to survive this."
Sebastian gritted his teeth, pushing past the shock of the initial attack. He needed to focus. This wasn't just about physical strength—it was about mastering his instincts, his reaction speed, and his ability to adapt under pressure.
With his mind clear, he exhaled slowly and shifted into a stance, his silver shield glowing faintly. He could feel the energy building within him, the sense of anticipation hanging thick in the air.
The figure charged once more. This time, Sebastian was ready.
"Come on," he whispered to himself, a surge of confidence flowing through him as he raised his shield to block the next strike.
—
Sebastian still felt the sting of the attack, his chest tightening with each breath. He shook off the shock, quickly scanning their surroundings as the sound of the figure's retreating footsteps echoed into the night. It wasn't over. He could still feel the tension in the air.
Pandu stood silently next to him, eyes darting around, his body poised for any sudden movement. The bow, now slung across his back, was a reminder of the power he wielded.
Ringga Purnomo, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke, his tone even and direct. "That wasn't just a random attack. Someone's watching you, Sebastian. This isn't the kind of fight you stumble into."
Sebastian looked at Ringga, his mind racing. "Who are they? And why would they target me?"
Ringga's gaze hardened. "They're part of something much larger, something we've been dealing with for years. But that's not important right now. What matters is you. You're not just a bystander in this anymore. You're a part of it."
Pandu, still on high alert, nodded. "They saw something in you, Sebastian. Whatever you're becoming, it's attracting attention. And it won't stop here."
Sebastian felt a chill crawl down his spine. They were right. The intensity of the fight, the strange sensation in his body when he used his abilities… everything was leading him into a world he wasn't sure he was ready for.
"Okay," Sebastian said, his voice steady. "Then what do I do now?"
Ringga turned, gesturing for them to move quickly down the alley. "We need to get to a safer place. I'll explain everything once we're clear."
As they moved swiftly through the city, Sebastian's thoughts remained on the mysterious attacker. Who were they? And why had they singled him out? He had no answers, only more questions.
They eventually arrived at a secluded building—a place that Sebastian recognized from the information Professor Rhinno had given him earlier. "This is where we'll train," Ringga said, as they entered the building.
Inside, the atmosphere was quiet, almost eerie. Rows of computers hummed in the background, and the air felt thick with anticipation. Sebastian looked around, noting how everyone here seemed focused, as if they were preparing for something monumental.
"You'll need to be faster, sharper, and more in control of your abilities than you've ever been before," Ringga continued, his gaze piercing through the quiet. "This is only the beginning. You're about to enter a world that's far more dangerous than you can imagine."
Pandu stepped forward, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Don't worry. You'll get used to it. We'll start with something simple today. You ready?"
Sebastian nodded, determination flashing in his eyes. "Let's do this."
—
The cold glow of multiple monitors lit up Professor Rhinno's underground workspace. Beyond the reinforced windows, Jakarta's skyline shimmered under the haze of early morning. The city was waking, but Rhinno had been up for hours, waiting.
A soft chime echoed in the chamber.
Incoming transmission: Encrypted channel – Source: Ringga Purnomo.
Rhinno leaned forward, eyes narrowing behind his glasses. With a quick series of keystrokes, the firewall gave way, and the files began to download—hundreds of gigabytes compressed into a tight stream of secured code. As the data unpacked, faces flickered across the screen: Sebastian. Pandu. Training footage. Combat diagnostics. Psychological assessments.
He murmured to himself. "Finally."
The final file decrypted slowly, labeled
"Project Firewheel: Subject SE-01 – Development Summary."
Entry: Ringga Purnomo – Field Report
Subject: Sebastian
Status: Active, progressing rapidly.
Physiology indicates temporal resilience and energy adaptation consistent with theoretical
expectations.
Mental adaptability is high. Emotional resilience is moderate.
Current potential: Untapped but accelerating.
Recommendation: Continue mentorship, but restrict knowledge of full program scope for now.
Not yet ready for Phase II.
Rhinno scrolled further. Embedded footage played: Sebastian running through obstacle courses, manipulating time briefly during combat, collapsing from exhaustion, getting up again. In another clip, Pandu guided him through breathing techniques—centering, grounding, controlling the flow of power through muscle and mind.
It was more than Rhinno had hoped for.
Then came Ringga's voice in a short audio file:
"He's not just adapting. He's starting to lead. But there's something else, Rhinno… Something I can't explain. He's dreaming things that haven't happened yet. And sometimes... he remembers things no one ever told him. Watch him closely."
Rhinno sat back, deep in thought. "Precognition? Echoes from other timelines?"
The implications were staggering.
He opened a separate console, keyed in a heavily restricted channel. The interface read:
CLASSIFIED: COUNCIL OF THE FORGOTTEN STARS – ACCESS LEVEL 0.
With a steady breath, Rhinno uploaded the first portion of the report.
"Initiate Observation Protocols," he instructed. "Subject SE-01 is no longer dormant."
Then he leaned back in his chair, hands steepled.
"Sebastian… you may be the one we've been waiting for."
Outside, the sun rose higher. But beneath the city, plans buried deep for decades had begun to stir once again.