Kellan used the hour Lyra was gone to refine the Psycho-Kinetic Sludge. It was a shimmering, viscous material, radiating the chaotic energy of raw fear. It needed precise calibration; if the conversion rate during Level 4 optimization was even slightly off, Lyra wouldn't just be powered up—she would be disintegrated by pure psychic dread.
[Target: Psycho-Kinetic Sludge. Optimal Calibration: Introduce Trace Element of Apex Shard Dust (0.003% volume) to act as a stabilizing catalyst for emotional conversion.]
As Kellan worked, Seraphina Vane appeared in the lab, silent and efficient as ever. She held a tablet displaying live financial and surveillance feeds.
"Lyra is moving with alarming speed, Kellan," Seraphina reported, her voice low. "The Iron Syndicate's entire command structure—their offshore accounts, their political contacts, their safe houses—has been exposed simultaneously. It's a surgical takedown. We'll seize $700$ million in assets within the hour."
Kellan glanced at the feed, his mind already calculating the gains. "That's Lyra's Optimal Action. She is demonstrating that her ambition can be channeled for massive, collective benefit. This is her trial."
"And what is her reward?" Seraphina asked, her gaze drifting toward the containment unit holding the Proto-Crystal Being. "A forced mutation? I advise against it. She is a valuable Level 3 asset as she is."
Kellan turned, fixing Seraphina with a gaze that held the cold certainty of the Apex Core. "Optimization isn't about incremental gains, Seraphina. It's about achieving Apex Potential. Lyra's ambition, her flaw, is also her Apex Key. To fight what's coming, we need a champion who can control raw power, not just manage data."
[Optimal Insight (Level 3) Activated! Target: Seraphina Vane. Sub-Optimal Point: Excessive reliance on conventional risk assessment. Optimal Action: Grant a calculated Glimpse of the Inter-Dimensional Threat to ensure full compliance and reduce hesitation.]
Kellan moved the holographic map of Nova Prime towards her. "Look closer, Seraphina." He overlayed the map with the energy readings he had taken from the park anomaly. The purple energy wasn't gone; it was subtly seeping into the city's foundational data network.
"That's not just a closing rift, Seraphina," Kellan said, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "That is dimensional corruption. Your data is being slowly poisoned. If we don't move to Level 4, your entire system of control—finance, law, order—will become sub-optimal and collapse."
Seraphina stared at the data, the color draining from her face. Her worst fear—the loss of control—was being mathematically confirmed. "Proceed, Kellan. But if she fails, I will use every resource to stabilize this operation."
Just then, Lyra returned. She was pristine, but her eyes held a chilling intensity. "The Syndicate is finished. Their leaders are arrested, their money is ours. I did it, Kellan. I proved my ambition can serve the Apex."
Kellan picked up the calibrated Psycho-Kinetic Sludge. "You passed the trial, Lyra. Now comes the test. This sludge contains pure fear. Your ambition will have to burn hotter than that fear to convert it into stable power. If you hesitate for even a microsecond, the process will fail, and you will be erased."
Lyra stepped forward, completely resolute. "I never hesitate, Kellan. Show me the Optimal Path."
[System Alert: Initiating Level 4 Biological Optimization Sequence!]
[Target: Lyra Volkov. Catalyst: Psycho-Kinetic Sludge. Stabilization Point: Proto-Crystal Being (to absorb residual sub-optimal energy).]
[Optimal Insight (Level 3) Action: Must guide target through the emotional singularity. Host must maintain perfect focus on Lyra's Apex Goal (Ultimate Power).]
Kellan gently placed his hand on the back of Lyra's neck, the other holding the glowing sludge. This was not a power transfer; it was a fusion of will and algorithm. "Focus on what you will gain, Lyra. Absolute control."
He forced the sludge to dissolve into her system. Lyra gasped, her body convulsing as the raw, unfiltered terror of the dimensional creatures flooded her consciousness. Her eyes rolled back, and a silent, agonizing psychic scream tore through the room.
Kellan held her steady, channeling the System's power through his touch. The Proto-Crystal Being in the containment field began to pulse violently, absorbing the turbulent overflow. This wasn't merely pain; this was Lyra's ambition being tested by the ultimate force of fear.
[Optimal Insight Required: Inject direct feedback of target's past failures to accelerate emotional singularity!]
Kellan hesitated. This was intensely invasive. But the Apex commanded it. He plunged a mental spike into the raw data of Lyra's past, forcing her to relive the moments she felt weakest, most vulnerable.
Lyra's scream finally erupted, echoing off the penthouse glass.
[Level 4 Optimization Sequence: Critical Stage. Host must maintain emotional anchor!]
Kellan stared into the storm of Lyra's pain, knowing he was either saving the world's most powerful ally, or creating its most dangerous threat.