For all it's worth

Kairo woke up with a jolt, still feeling the strange energy surging beneath his skin. The experiment yesterday had left him with a lingering sensation—a mix of foreign power and raw potential that made his body feel both electrified and alien. His aura pulsed within him, stronger than ever, but its true nature still remained a mystery. He felt like something had awakened inside him, but he couldn't yet make sense of it.

The door to his room slid open, and Dr. Kallor entered, followed by a man Kairo had never seen before. The man was tall, his expression cold and aloof, his eyes sharp with an intensity that made Kairo uneasy. His aura was controlled, calm, and he gave off a sense of authority without speaking a word.

"This is your instructor," Dr. Kallor said, his voice lacking its usual enthusiasm. "He'll teach you the basics of Nen. Pay attention. He's the best at what he does."

The man didn't speak for a moment, instead giving Kairo a brief, assessing look. Finally, he spoke, his voice cold and emotionless. "I'm Roderick," he said. "Let's not waste time. You've got potential. But potential means nothing if you don't understand how to wield it. Nen is a tool, and you need to learn how to use it."

Kairo swallowed, his heart racing. Nen. The very word felt like a key to something he couldn't yet grasp. He had a sense of it, but not its full power. He hoped this man—Roderick—could guide him through the maze of his newfound abilities.

Roderick gave him a sharp nod, as if signaling the beginning of the lesson. "Sit down."

Kairo obeyed, sitting on the only chair in the sterile, clinical room. It was eerily silent, save for the hum of machinery in the background. He could feel the weight of the moment—the first lesson of many to come.

Roderick began pacing in front of him, his expression unchanged. "Nen is the energy that flows through all living things. It's your life force, your will, your potential made manifest. Without it, you're nothing but a body—a vessel for your mind to control. With it, you can transcend your limits. But, if you don't learn to control it, you'll be consumed by it."

Kairo listened intently, trying to absorb every word. His aura was like a fire that could burn him alive if he didn't learn how to handle it.

"Now," Roderick continued, his voice sharp and detached, "Nen is divided into six categories. I'm going to explain each of them to you. Don't expect to understand all of this at once, but try to pay attention. You'll need to know these before you can begin learning anything else."

Kairo nodded, silently focusing. He had to keep his mind clear. This was important.

Roderick's gaze sharpened as he began the first explanation. "The first category is Enhancement. Those who fall into this category use their Nen to enhance their physical abilities. Strength, speed, endurance—all amplified. If you're a fighter, this will likely be your category. It's all about increasing what you already have, pushing your body beyond its natural limits."

Kairo thought back to the experiments he'd been put through in the facility. Enhancement sounds like what I've been trained for, he thought. He had always been pushed to the limits of his physical potential—could Nen make him stronger?

Roderick moved on without pause. "Next is Emission. This category is for those who can project their aura away from their bodies. You could use it to attack at a distance, to create energy-based weapons, or even long-range techniques. If you're someone who prefers to fight from afar, this is where you belong."

Kairo felt his mind racing. Emission—long-distance attacks. Could this be another form of power he could wield? It seemed like an exciting, but dangerous, concept.

"Then there's Manipulation," Roderick said. "Manipulators control objects, people, or even the environment using their Nen. You could control someone's movements, move objects at will, or even influence the course of events around you. Precision is key in this category. It's not for the faint of heart."

Kairo considered the idea. Manipulation. It sounded powerful, but his instincts told him it might not be his path. He had always preferred action over control.

Roderick moved effortlessly between categories. "The fourth is Conjuration," he continued. "This is the ability to create things from your aura. Objects, creatures, weapons—anything you can imagine. If you're creative and precise, you could create tools and constructs that didn't exist before. But be warned, it requires mastery over your Nen to make this work."

The idea of conjuring something from nothing intrigued Kairo. Creating something out of my aura... that could be powerful.

"Next," Roderick said, his voice still as impassive as ever, "is Transmutation. This category allows you to change the nature of your aura. You could transmute your aura into a substance, like turning it into electricity, or even change its properties into something entirely different. It's complex and difficult, but if you can master it, you'll wield a power few can understand."

Kairo's pulse quickened. Transmutation—the ability to shape his very essence. It sounded like something that could grant unimaginable freedom, but he couldn't quite wrap his mind around it yet.

Finally, Roderick stopped pacing, his gaze fixed on Kairo as if studying him. "And last, Specialization. This category is... rare. It's for those whose Nen abilities don't fit into any of the other categories. If you're a specialist, your ability will be unique to you—unpredictable and often powerful in ways that others can't even fathom. But this is a difficult path, because no one can teach you what you don't already understand. Specialization is an enigma. And that's why it's the hardest to master."

Kairo stared at Roderick, his mind spinning. Specialization. Could that be where his Nen fit? He had no idea, but the way Roderick spoke about it—it sounded like something that could change everything.

Roderick's cold eyes met his. "You won't know which category you belong to until you start experimenting with your Nen. But it doesn't matter. Once you've chosen your path, you need to master it. Your survival depends on it."

Kairo's mind raced with the possibilities. Could he even figure out what his Nen truly was? He was still unsure, but he could feel the energy within him—ready to be shaped. He had to learn. For himself, for the future that still lay ahead of him.

Roderick's voice cut through his thoughts. "Feel your aura, Kairo. Don't just sit there. Reach out for it. Try to understand it. If you can't feel it, then you're wasting my time."

Kairo closed his eyes and reached deep inside, feeling the pulsing energy that had become a part of him. His aura—still strange, still chaotic—was there, waiting for him to take control.

I can do this, Kairo thought. I have to.