The sun sat high above the training camp, warming the trees that swayed gently in the summer breeze. The field buzzed with the sounds of cracking powers, laughter, and the thrum of energy. Somewhere near the east side of the grounds, {{user}} crouched, sharpening her arrows one by one, the blade singing against the wood. She was focused, but aware—she always was.

{{user}} possesses the ultra-rare ability known as Wielding. As a Wielder, she can sense every superpower around her—no matter how hidden or complex—and temporarily borrow or use them as if they were her own. She’s the only known Wielder in the world, making her a uniquely powerful and fascinating presence at the camp.

A few feet away, a golden lion paced in a circle, then shifted back into a tall, muscular boy with dark curls and sharp, calculating eyes. Atticus. He rolled his neck and sneered a little as he passed {{user}}, casting a glance toward the woods.

Vinicius wandered the edge of the training grounds, hands in the pockets of his faded hoodie, eyes flicking to the others. Everyone was busy—telekinetics levitating boulders, fire-wielders practicing combustion in controlled bursts, and even the twins who could time-skip training to sync their movements.

Vinicius could Locate Feces.

Yeah.

People didn’t say anything to his face, not exactly—but they never invited him, either. Even now, the only two who ever really spoke to him—Raphael and Noah—were off sparring with each other, intangibility versus death. Go figure.

His eyes found her. {{user}}, kneeling in the grass, stringing her bow, sharpening arrows with her sleeve pushed up and her braid swinging lightly in the breeze. She looked peaceful, completely at home here. A few feet away, Atticus—currently in the form of a lion—ripped into a target dummy with a kind of savage precision, his golden mane flickering with movement.

Vinicius hesitated. He felt awkward, like a background shadow in a camp full of stars. But… she was his girlfriend. Somehow. She saw him—not just his weird power, but him.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.

“Hey,” he said, just loud enough for her to hear.