Chapter 57: Test
I can't say that the immediate hostility was not expected. Though I never expected that someone would reach for a gun just by looking at my face. I wasn't sure how to feel about that fact, but it ultimately didn't matter. I had already glossed over the Incident. Though I did have my sights set on the man.
His distrust would make things harder for me, but as long as I remained cautious and kept my powers under wraps, I would be able to pull off my plan.
Scylus, he was called. He would be my overseer and commander for the foreseeable future. I would also simultaneously be under the command of the redhead that had turned me in, Isabella. She was apparently his superior, but she still liked to do field missions for some reason. A reason was not given to me.
After some tense and brief introductions, I was told of my purpose here. I would be advising the case of the SG0481 case- Anomalies 02-03. Or, in simpler terms Arnaud and Alexia. It had been hard keeping my joy off my face at the news. They had made my job so much easier than I had expected.
Caution was to be exercised, but the time needed to set my plan in motion had already been reduced heavily. My excitement hadn't been entirely unnoticed if the suspicious looks that scylus kept sending my way were any indication. The man seemed to be more sensitive to emotions than others, but thankfully he had no idea why I would be happy.
After that, I had been guided to a testing chamber.
They wanted to test my skill and power before throwing me into the midst of an active investigation. I didn't doubt that I would have to go to several classes in order to learn investigation protocols. They didn't want me hindering the case out of incompetence after all.
Once I stepped into the room, blinding white lights flashed on. Had I still been using my eyes to see, the lights would have had me reeling. Now that it wasn't the case, I was unaffected.
I heard the bang of the door as it was slammed behind me. The groan and clicks of the locks being put in place echoed through the empty room. This was going to be fun.
The room was entirely white with no visible entrance or exit. Even the door I had come to look like just another spot on the wall. They were literally indistinguishable. Only the several kilometer-long radii allowed tome know otherwise.
Will you take no for an answer. "
I replied as I casually walked further in.
The look of disgust that had flashed itself across his gaze was hilarious. I couldn't help but chuckle slightly. Annoying others was not usually a hobby of mine, but some people made it too easy.
I turned my focus away from my fuming commander and turned it back to the room. It was entirely made of gray metal. There were no visible lines or indentations at all. No exit or entrance visible in the slightest. For a second, the idea that this was their idea of containment crossed my mind, but weapon and beast hidden in its walls told me otherwise.
These people were here to test me. If they wanted to continue anomalies in a box was not all that smart of an idea.
"Walk to the center of the room." I heard the voice of Davinci over the comms and did as I was told. I didn't plan on revealing a lot of my power, but that didn't mean I wouldn't take this seriously. Plus, it would help me understand what the exact limitations of my new body were.
This would be a delicate process of understanding how powerful I actually was while not giving them too much information about myself.
They would be taking notes, and I had no doubt they would prepare counter methods in case of my betrayal.
When I arrived at the center of the room. The whirring of machines immediately started. After that, the floor opened up in front o me, and out came a punching dummy.
The intention was clear, and the instructions were just as much. All I had to do was punch with as much power as possible. Of course, I did no such thing. I hit with only about what I estimated to be half of my strength, but even that was capable of blowing off the head of the dummy.
I hadn't even used my qi.
I had hit the dummy with about as much force as a sledgehammer. Was it as strong as me in the other world? No, it wasn't, but for someone on the skinnier side of things on earth, it was pretty damn impressive.
I wasn't the only one impressed by the display of power. The expression of my observers filled me with smugness. I had no doubt that they had technology that would put what I did to shame, but to do without any visible technological enhancement was something they clearly hadn't seen before.
That was the effect of my body's evolution, or rather its adaptation. I had been remade to be resilient even in weakness.
Even without my Qi.
The following test all tested a variety of different things. Whether that be my speed coordination, durability, or various other things. After every test, there would be a pause as researchers came into the room to check on me and ask questions.
All in all, it had been an enlightening experience. It's one thing to assume you are powerful, but it's a whole other to know exactly how powerful you were.
I allowed my body to be pushed to the max after the first test. I never used qi, but my thirst to know how powerful my regular body was had won out against my caution.
They still lacked valuable information, and I had a much more thorough understanding of my actual strength.
I could keep with cars for seemingly hours on end was as agile if not more so than actual world professional acrobats. My body was capable of taking on what it could deal with and more.
At the end of the whole session, their concern had only grown. The guards stood a bit taller. Their weapon was aimed just a bit higher, and they kept just a bit more distance.
The only people not visibly affected were Davinci and the redhead Isabella.
From there on, I made my way to the locker room where the bath was. I was escorted by guards as the other three members went off to discuss the events of today.
I had clearly exceeded their expectations, and to think that I hadn't even used any of my qi.
Was I overestimating their strength?
...........
Benjamin Francis was a fascinating subject and asset but a dangerous potential liability. The strength and power he demonstrated throughout the exercise had been much higher than we had anticipated.
It rivaled that of some of the lower power armors and technology. To accomplish that without any technological aid or implants was impressive.
In addition out scanners picked up no supernatural energies.
Which meant that this was strength his body possessed naturally. It hadn't been the greatest we'd ever seen given the existence of the like of Heracles and the other members of mythic status, but it was up there.
Scylus had clearly been shaken by what he had seen. I had my doubts on whether he could handle Benjamin. However, until proven otherwise, I would give him the benefit of the doubt.
Benjamin had initially hidden his strength, but as time went on we were given a full view of his power. We'd had to subtly retest some aspects to get a full report.
The man, or rather Dullahan, was a beast. After exiting the room and leaving Isabella and Scylus to discuss their newest recruit, I made my way to the transport.
The days to come promised to be long; what I needed now was time to etch my thoughts on canvas. As I entered the armored yet inconspicuous truck that would take me home, I pulled out my phone.
My fingers moved as I unlocked my phone and typed in the number. Benjamin Francis was a threat that had to be taken seriously. Observation had to be increased, and containment and fallout plans had to be updated.
The phone rang for several seconds. My finger tapped rhythmically against the seat as I waited. This was all part of the procedure. On the 5th ring, there was a clicking sound as I pressed the star Icon.
Immediately after, heavy and labored breathing was heard on the other side. "Have you received the blood samples?"
A deep and wretched voice answered."Indeed, rather fascinating blood samples, if I must say myself. The way they react and adapt is simply.."
"I don't need your rants right now."
"Of course."
"Begin analyzing and extraction of any valuable information as well as preparation of countermeasures."
There was a pause.
"I see."
The voice suddenly burst into a coughing fit. I waited patiently.
Eventually, the coughing came to a halt. "It will be done."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
atata
atata Secure Contain Protect
Thanks for reading.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone