Chapter 38: Training
Niklaus watched Robert from a few steps away, his arms crossed as he observed the young man struggle to control his abilities.
The rooftop training ground, a space they'd been using for a while now, was slick with frost, the cold biting even through the thick air.
But Robert wasn't bothered by it. He was born for this—born with the power to command ice like it was an extension of himself.
Yet, as Niklaus could see, the boy was still far from mastering it.
"Focus, Robert," Niklaus said, his tone firm but not harsh. "You're letting the energy slip through your fingers."
Robert gritted his teeth, his hands glowing with icy blue light as he tried to harness his power.
The air around him crackled with cold, and for a moment, it seemed like he might have it under control.
But then, just as quickly, he faltered, and a wave of frost shot out in all directions, uncontrolled and wild.
Niklaus stepped forward, raising a hand. The metallic looking coating of willpower, the bootleg haki powered by OFA, his crafted power, coated his palm, and he easily deflected the blast of cold energy.
It shattered harmlessly against his power, dissipating into the air.
Robert looked up at him, frustration evident in his eyes. "I'm trying, Niklaus, I really am… but it just—"
"You're trying too hard," Niklaus interrupted, his voice gentle but insistent. "You're focusing too much on controlling the ice, and not enough on controlling yourself."
Robert frowned, his breath coming out in visible puffs of mist. "But the ice is my power. How can I use it if I don't focus on it?"
Niklaus sighed, stepping closer until he was standing right in front of Robert.
He placed a hand on the young man's shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring.
"Your power isn't just the ice, Robert. It's you. The ice is just a manifestation of what's inside you. If you want to control it, you need to start by controlling yourself."
Robert looked up at him, confusion and doubt clear in his expression.
Niklaus could see the fear in his eyes—the fear of failure, of not being good enough.
It was a fear he knew all too well, though he had learned long ago since learned to push past it.
Robert was still young, still learning. But that was why Niklaus was here—to help him.
Or at least try
"You're doing better," Niklaus said, his tone encouraging. "Every day, you're getting stronger. But you need to trust yourself more. Don't let the fear of losing control hold you back. Embrace your power, let it flow naturally. Don't force it."
Robert nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. "I'll try."
Niklaus smiled, giving his shoulder a squeeze. "That's all I ask. Now, let's go again."
Robert straightened up, the determination returning to his eyes.
He raised his hands, the air around them beginning to shimmer with cold once more.
But this time, Niklaus could see that Robert was taking his advice to heart.
He wasn't trying to force the ice to obey him—he was letting it come naturally, letting it flow from within.
The rooftop began to freeze over again, but this time the ice was more controlled, more precise.
It formed intricate patterns on the ground, spiraling out from where Robert stood. It was beautiful in a way, the cold energy manifesting in delicate, crystalline shapes.
Niklaus nodded in approval. "Good. Keep it steady."
Robert concentrated, his brow furrowing in focus.
The ice continued to spread, but it remained under his control, the power flowing smoothly from him.
It was a significant improvement from earlier, and Niklaus felt a swell of pride.
The boy was learning.
But then, just as quickly, the ice faltered.
Robert's control slipped for a moment, and a jagged spike of frost shot out towards Niklaus.
Without missing a beat, Niklaus raised his hand, the metallic coating covering his palm again.
He caught the spike effortlessly, his power dissipating it into harmless mist.
Robert's eyes widened in alarm, but Niklaus simply smiled, shaking his head. "It's alright. You're getting there."
Robert let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, nodding gratefully. "Thanks, Niklaus. I… I wouldn't be able to do this without you."
Niklaus placed a hand on his shoulder again, this time more gently. "You're doing the hard work, Robert. I'm just guiding you. And you're going to get there. You've got the potential—I see it every time we train."
Robert smiled, the tension easing from his shoulders. "I won't let you down."
"I know you won't," Niklaus replied with confidence. "But remember, this isn't just about not letting me down. It's about not letting yourself down."
" You've got a gift, Robert, and one day, you're going to be able to use it to help a lot of people. But first, you need to master it. And that means mastering yourself."
Robert nodded again, more resolute this time. "I'll keep working on it. I won't give up."
Niklaus smiled, stepping back to give him space. "Good. Now, let's see if you can do that again, but this time, with a bit more control."
---
After the training session, the rooftop was quiet, save for the faint crackling of melting ice.
Robert was exhausted, beads of sweat mingling with the frost clinging to his skin, but there was a sense of accomplishment in his eyes.
He had made progress today, and that was enough for now.
"Good work today, Robert," Niklaus said, his tone warm and encouraging. "You're really getting the hang of it."
"Thanks, Niklaus," Robert replied, still catching his breath.
He rubbed the back of his neck, the cold energy slowly dissipating from his hands. "I feel like I'm getting closer."
"You are," Niklaus affirmed, giving him a nod. Then, as if it were an afterthought, he added, "Before you go, though, I'd like to do a quick blood test. Just to check some things—make sure your body's handling the energy fluctuations properly."
Robert looked at him curiously but didn't question it.
He trusted Niklaus, and after all the training they'd done together, he had no reason not to. "Sure, no problem."
Niklaus led Robert to the general lab of the tower It was nothing elaborate, just the essentials for quick tests and diagnostics.
As Robert sat down and rolled up his sleeve, Niklaus prepared the equipment, his movements calm and practiced.
"This won't take long," Niklaus assured him as he swabbed Robert's arm and carefully inserted the needle to draw blood.
Robert winced slightly at the prick but said nothing, watching as his blood filled the vial. "What are you checking for?"
"Just some basic health markers," Niklaus said smoothly, though his mind was already several steps ahead. "Energy absorption rates, cellular adaptation—things like that. We want to make sure your body's keeping up with your powers."
In reality, the blood test was a ruse. Niklaus didn't need to check Robert's health—he already knew the boy was perfectly fine.
What he was really after was something far more valuable: a sample of Robert's genetic material.
The potential for creating a version of Compound V specifically tailored to ice-based powers was too tempting to pass up.
As he labeled the vial and set it aside, Niklaus's thoughts wandered to the possibilities.
Mass-producing ice-type Omega-level Supes would be a game-changer. Unlike the regular Compound V, which created Supes with random abilities, this tailored version could ensure a specific, devastating power—ice manipulation at a level that could be weaponized on a massive scale.
And this wasn't his first foray into such experimentation.
He already had samples for fire types, psychic abilities, and a host of other powers.
Jean's blood, laced with the Phoenix Force trait, had been particularly challenging.
It was an untamable force, nearly impossible to replicate, but Niklaus was nothing if not persistent.
Ashley had been his first real attempt to harness that power, though her resulting abilities had been… a bit disappointing.
She became a lava human, her fire now mixed with molten rock, giving her elemental regeneration and making her nearly one with the element itself.
It wasn't the psychic, reality-altering powerhouse he had hoped for, but it was still formidable.
However, it was nothing compared to what he envisioned with these new samples.
"Alright, all done," Niklaus said, snapping out of his thoughts and offering Robert a reassuring smile.
He pressed a small bandage onto the puncture site. "You're good to go."
Robert smiled back, standing up and rolling down his sleeve. "Thanks, Niklaus. I appreciate you looking out for me."
"Always, Robert. You're doing great, and I want to make sure you keep doing great," Niklaus replied, clapping him on the back as they walked out of the lab together.
As Robert left, Niklaus lingered for a moment, staring at the vial of blood in his hand.
He could already see the future, a future where his custom-tailored Compound V of different specific sets of power would turn the tide of power in unimaginable ways.
A legion of specific powered Supes, unstoppable and perfectly controlled.
Noone would know what hit them.
For now, though, he tucked the vial away, keeping his thoughts to himself. He had more work to do, more plans to set in motion.
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