Dale stood before room 108. His eyes glanced at his watch and the flashing red dot on the digital map that signified the room as his destination.

He exhaled slowly and opened the door. Much to his surprise, the room was spacious and well-furnished.

It included a bunk bed against a wall, a pair of reading tables, chairs, lamps, and wardrobes. All perfectly suited for a 2-person habitation.

’This room seems perfect... I guess the universe will have to balance it with some horrible roommate.’

Dale walked to the wardrobes and opened them. They were stocked to the brim with black military tracksuits, embroidered with, bronze threads, their insignia.

"Nice." He smiled and was about to close it when the door opened.

A large person stood at the entrance. His thick muscles strained the fabric of his shirt. This was the body type he expected people to go crazy for.

Did he want it himself? Nah. He didn’t want to be a wall of muscle... at least that’s what he told himself.

Dale’s lips curled up in disgust. Why was this poser wearing a shirt 2 sizes too small?

The person stared at him for a minute then adjusted his red hair and stepped in.

He quickly approached Dale and the latter’s mind raced. ’If he attacks, what can I use to defend myself?’

Normally, he would’ve planned a means of evading his attacks but he knew nothing of the meat head approaching him.

Before Dale could react, the person hugged him. "Hey, roomie!" He smiled and stared at him with a wide smile on his face.

Dale let out a nervous smile, "What?"

His roommate tilted his head as though he had asked a stupid question. "Oh yeah! You don’t know my name. I’m Austin, how about you?!"

Dale forced his smile to remain as he stared at Austin. He definitely seemed childish.

"Uhh, I’m Dale." His roommate smiled, nodding slowly.

He climbed atop the bunk bed — automatically taking the top one.

Austin sat and swung his legs over the bed to stare at him. "So Dale? What rank are you currently at? I’m Dormant!"

Dale shifted slightly. He wasn’t accustomed to someone being overly enthusiastic all the time, for no apparent reason. ’I think that’s what growing up with nutritional meals does to you.’ He reasoned.

He stared at his muscular roommate, "I am also Dormant as well." There was honestly no use in lying.

Austin nodded frantically. "See! Now that is reasonable—" he proceeded to roll his eyes dramatically.

"—Can you believe that there are actually people in our year, the first year, who are awakened? Crazy!! Monsters, to be honest."

Dale hummed. ’So there are those more powerful than me.’ It wasn’t too much of a shock but it was definitely unexpected.

"Well then, I need to rest. It’s not easy building these tree trunks called arms." Austin laughed at his own self-praise and kissed his biceps.

Without realizing it, Dale raised an eyebrow at the odd behavior.

Austin laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry about that. I typically value high physical training and exercise. My ability requires me to be strong."

Dale wanted to comment but held back because he felt like he was about to hear something useful and as expected, he did:

"I mean can my mind push something if my body can’t?"

Dale’s eyebrows furrowed. ’So his ability skill allows him to push things with his mind? Is that telekinesis? No, it is not. He said push, not move.’

If it wasn’t telekinesis, then what was it?

Before his roommate could resume his endless rants, he raised an arm, silencing him. "Sorry to cut you short but I have somewhere to be right now."

Austin paused for a second but smiled deeply, "No problem. I need sleep myself." Then he turned over on the bed and covered himself with the sheets.

’Did he seem a little offended?’ The idea was nothing short of bizarre to him. Much against his inner protests, he spoke: "Hey, I have to go to the clinic, okay? That’s why. Time is of the essence."

The red-haired muscle mass pulled the sheets off his face and smiled. "Really? You haven’t gone?"

’Damn it.’ Dale somewhat regretted clearing the air. Now, he was sure that Austin wouldn’t leave him alone.

"— your ability." He managed to catch the last part of Austin’s rant.

Dale blinked rapidly, "Sorry, what?"

"I said that I can’t wait to spar with you. We’ll get to know our limits and I’ll see your ability." He repeated.

Dale shifted slightly, adjusting his stance. "Yeah sure but I must tell you that my ability skill isn’t exactly battle-oriented."

Austin rolled his eyes. "Everything is battle-oriented if you give it a shot. For example, a paper perforator can become a face perforator... in the right circumstances. All that matters is? Perspective!!" He spoke the last word while waving his hands jazz-style.

Dale nodded slowly, ’So he is crazy! That definitely explains it.’

He wasn’t even going to consider whatever point there had been in his roommate’s words. All that mattered now was ensuring he went through the military with ease while securing fame, glory, and most importantly, wealth.

’Though I will probably have to hide my passive skill from them.’

[Variable] was very strange. While he wouldn’t call himself an expert on abilities and their skills, anyone with a fraction of intelligence could tell that this was unique.

The worst part of the description was the ambiguity. It could change fates so that he’d live or that he’d die from a watermelon seed. At least that’s what he thought anyway.

And if it were up to him, he would eliminate anyone whose ability came with such a skill.

’Wow, barely a few hours in and I’m already keeping secrets.’ He gritted his teeth.

Dale waved Austin goodbye and walked out of the room. It was time to go to the clinic.