My Talent's Name Is Generator Chapter 1 1: Me and My Best Friend Steve (Somehow, We're Famous?)

The breeze surged around me, tousling my hair wildly as I raced along the street. The urban sprawl was stirring to life, yet I was already darting through it on my motorcycle, slipping past vehicles like a fleeting phantom.

My sandals hardly stayed on my feet, and my partially fastened shirt billowed in the gusts, but none of it mattered. My knapsack was secured firmly across my shoulders, exactly how I preferred it.

As I accelerated further, the gusts brought tears to my eyes.

Suddenly overcome by an impulse, I released the grips.

Extending my arms broadly, I shut my eyes momentarily, simply sensing the air brushing my flesh.

The thrill, the liberation… it felt ideal.

I permitted the motorcycle to glide and spotted a school bus up ahead that I was nearing to pass. The children within peered from their panes, nudging their companions and gesturing toward me.

I was confident they were impressed by my riding prowess.

I seized the grips, faced them directly, and executed a swift wheelie. The motorcycle's front tire rose skyward, and I gunned the throttle for added flair. I could make out the youngsters yelling and applauding from within the bus.

A broad smile lit up my features, and I burst into hearty laughter.

Lowering the wheel, I maneuvered nearer to the bus and called out.

"Who doesn't want to go to school?"

At once, the bus exploded with cries of

"Me! Me!"

I grinned slyly and shot back.

"Then why don't you grow up already? School's for kids!"

I chuckled at my witty remark and accelerated beyond the bus.

I truly cherished mornings when I could rise early and take my motorcycle out. Something in those dawn journeys ignited a fierce energy within me.

I boosted my pace, hurtling toward my goal.

Before long, I veered from the primary avenue into a more serene district of the town. Skyscrapers faded in the distance, giving way to modest homes and avenues shaded by foliage. The paths there were tranquil—no blaring horns, no haste, merely the gentle purr of my ride.

A bit more along, I arrived at a residence and halted. Releasing a content breath, I brought the engine to rest, its rumble fading as I silenced it. For an instant, I remained seated, extending my limbs once more.

I peered into the motorcycle's side reflector and caught sight of my emerald gaze reflecting back. My auburn locks were utterly disheveled, windswept and chaotic.

"Eh, I like it," I muttered with a shrug, dismounting and propping the bike against the sidewalk.

I paused to limber up, inhaling the crisp dawn atmosphere and letting my vision roam the peaceful lane. I sealed my eyes briefly, savoring the calm.

Next, I lowered into a crouch.

Crouches—I favored them. I'd always favored them.

Crouches were straightforward yet potent. Crouches built strength. Those practicing crouches ruled as monarchs, while others remained mere commoners.

I turned my head side to side a few times, hearing the tension pop loose.

I inhaled deeply, drawing the fresh air into my chest.

I fluttered my eyelids several times, attempting to dispel the remaining drowsiness.

I smacked my face, firmly enough to jolt me fully alert.

And at last, I was completely roused, sharp and prepared to face the day.

This was at long last the occasion I'd anticipated.

Before me rose an ordinary dwelling, two levels high, with pristine ivory walls, a modest veranda holding a handful of chairs arranged casually. The carport was positioned leftward, the approach path guiding to it, while rightward, a well-groomed lawn extended. A gravel path sliced through the greenery, directing to the entrance.

I sauntered to the portal, humming a tune as I pressed the chime, my thoughts leaping forward to the events unfolding shortly.

"I wish I could just time travel," I whispered under my breath.

I pressed the chime once more.

This marked Awakening Day for my group. More precisely, it was Awakening Day for all graduates from academies across the city.

My attention shifted to the turf, and a notion sparked... what if I attempted a backflip here? Should it go awry, the impact wouldn't be severe, correct?

And thus, I proceeded.

I stepped to the garden's midst, drew a steadying breath, and...

"Hiyyyahhh!"

I launched from the earth, somersaulted rearward, and touched down flawlessly.

Beaming, I applauded my own feat as I returned to the entrance.

I pressed the chime yet again.

And then... I did so once more.

Eventually, the portal flew ajar, revealing precisely the person I'd sought.

My closest companion, the one I'd recognized since grasping the concept of a "best friend."

He appeared before me clad in pale shorts and a tank top. His tresses were unkempt, his gaze partially shut. Reflecting on it, I'd never witnessed him with eyes wide open.

And, er, a partial erection protruded from his shorts.

"Yo, Good Morning."

I smiled, pressed the chime anew, and observed his scowl.

He regarded me with what I'd term a 25% scowl. I awaited his response, but instead he exhaled and uttered.

"I hate you man."

Why did I even entertain higher hopes?

"Oh, come on. Today's our graduation. Today's Awakening Day. I hope your half-asleep brain remembers that, at least. Show some energy brother. Come on, let's get ready to roll."

I nudged him aside and entered the home. I flung my pack onto his sofa, spun about, seized him by the arms, and fixed him with a stern gaze, conveying utmost gravity.

"Steve, I need your help. I need you to calm me down. I can feel my heart about to explode. My blood's running at the speed of light, and soon, it'll vanish from my body. As my best friend, it's your duty to save me from exploding."

And Steve responded in his typical fashion, issuing a warning.

"Billion, if I hear another word out of your mouth or even see you twitch, I swear I'm ending our friendship right here, right now."

He fixed me with an expression implying he might follow through if I disobeyed.

Thus, I complied.

That's the essence of close companionship.

He evaded my hold, my palms lingering extended. I remained rooted, immobile like a sculpture, gazing into the void of camaraderie.

I caught the sound of him ascending to the upper level. I presumed he headed for a shower. Though he concealed it, I knew he shared the thrill for commencement.

Indeed, who wouldn't feel the surge? Today offered the opportunity to reveal our route to advancement and acquire abilities.

Abilities!!!!

The mere notion pumped adrenaline into my veins, causing my fingers to quiver, my pulse to thunder, and my circulation to blaze with zeal.

I stole a peek at the staircase sidelong, ensuring Steve had departed. Convinced he had, I sprang into motion—my vigor overflowing, compelling me to act, to expend it somehow.

I sank into my initial crouch, aiming to dissipate some of this pent-up vigor.

"One," I whispered, concentrating on the form.

Steve embodied my complete contrast. Or so others claimed. I brimmed with vitality beyond tolerance, while Steve… excessively... what's the term? Devoid of vitality? No, inaccurate. He was merely subdued and lethargic, I suppose.

"Two," I huffed, delving lower.

Folks likened me to ambulatory explosive, and Steve to... a dormant peak.

Yet I understood deeper; he harbored explosive potential like mine, confined inwardly. I exploded outwardly, but his detonations occurred mentally. Perhaps that's why his eyes stayed semi-shut—half his existence transpired in thought.

I pondered if a mystery lay in his partially lidded gaze.

"Three."

Suppose he acquired the ability to emit beams?

"Four."

Imagine he widened his eyes and beams erupted?

"Five."

Could his cranium burst from the semi-open stare? Might he perish by his own beam?

My thoughts drifted to various manners in which Steve's half-shut eyes could prove fatal to him.

I sensed my crouches quickening, the vigor coursing like an intensifying storm. I wasn't settling... far from it.

Therefore, I opted for the subsequent optimal method to compose myself.

Press-ups.

I stripped off my top and discarded it, then commenced.

Press-ups, I enjoyed them. They proved beneficial. They bestowed strength. Press-ups forge the individual.

****

A quarter hour elapsed before his steps echoed. I swiftly rose and resumed the stance he'd abandoned me in, arms outstretched.

He descended and paused before me, eyeing the discarded garment then me. Yet I withstood his moderately piercing look.

He donned his dark tactical attire. Approaching six feet in height, with golden locks, azure orbs, a rounded visage, and that indolent demeanor.

At length, he addressed me.

"You're already 17 years old. Can't you mature just a little?"

I couldn't resist an eye roll at the remark. Mature? Unfamiliar concept.

However, I held firm. I kept mute. Such was my pledge to our bond.

He massaged his brow, exhaling.

Eventually, a grin emerged on his lips.

"Fine. Fine. Go get ready. It's Awakening Day."

I returned the smile and dashed upward, set to dominate the institution.

Ere long, I regarded my reflection in the glass. Last measure, I stood at 6'3", surpassing Steve in stature.

I had to; I led as the dominant in our duo. I possessed an appealing countenance—attractive, defined mandible, keen nostrils.

But who required attractiveness when superhuman gifts loomed?

I ironed the folds in my attire and secured it neatly. At last, I stood prepared. No further postponements. The impending arrived inevitably.

"Let's see what the future has in store for me."