**Chapter 12: New Revelations**
The sun was setting over the horizon of New York, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, as Lucas, Robin, and Maya walked away from the curious group of students. The atmosphere was charged with expectation; they were about to enter a world that went beyond classes and basketball games.
"So, you said you could help us," Lucas began, looking at Maya with curiosity. "What exactly do you know about these strange events?"
Maya crossed her arms and glanced around, as if to ensure no one was listening. "I have a source who told me about an ancient prophecy that speaks of young people with special abilities. It says they are the key to facing a great threat that is about to arise."
Robin raised an eyebrow. "And you think we are part of this?"
"I feel that we are," Maya replied, her intense gaze reflecting determination. "Besides, I noticed something when I watched you play basketball. You have a connection with your powers. That's not common."
Lucas felt a chill in his stomach. "What do you mean by connection?"
Maya hesitated for a moment and then said, "Your powers aren't just skills; they are part of who you are. And that might be the key to unlocking something even greater."
Before they could continue the conversation, a strange noise came from a distant corner of the school courtyard. A bright blue glow illuminated the spot where the three were talking. Curious, they approached the source of the light.
As they got closer, they found an ancient pedestal covered in moss and sparkling gemstones. At the center of the pedestal was a resplendent artifact—a pulsating blue sphere that emanated powerful energy.
"What is this?" Lucas asked, enchanted and scared at the same time.
Maya slowly approached the sphere. "This… could be one of the artifacts mentioned in the prophecy. They say that whoever touches it will gain access to even deeper powers."
Lucas hesitated for a moment before reaching out toward the artifact. As soon as his fingers touched the surface of the sphere, a wave of energy coursed through his body, sharpening his senses.
Visions began to invade his mind: epic battles between heroes and villains, mystical creatures emerging from the shadows, and a city in imminent danger. He also saw flashes of his friends fighting alongside him and felt a profound connection to his abilities.
When Lucas withdrew his hand from the sphere, he was breathless, but something inside him had changed. The sphere began to glow more intensely before dematerializing into particles of light that floated around him.
"You did it!" Robin exclaimed, amazed.
"What happened?" Maya asked anxiously.
Lucas looked at them with eyes shining brightly. "I feel… I feel like I've unlocked something new within me."
Maya smiled broadly. "That means we're on the right path! We need to discover more about this prophecy and how we can use our powers together."
With this new determination, the three decided to make Midtown College not just a place to learn about history or math but also a training center to prepare for what was to come.
**Lucas's Status**
- **Name:** Lucas
- **Level:** 10
- **Experience:** 80% to next level
- **Magic Power (MP):** 1500 (increased after touching the artifact)
**Abilities:**
- **Elemental Mastery:** 85
- Fire: 70
- Water: 75
- Earth: 65
- Air: 80 (increased after touching the artifact)
- Ether: 85 (increased after touching the artifact)
- Light: 20 (increased after touching the artifact)
- Shadows: 20 (increased after touching the artifact)
- **Hand-to-Hand Combat:** 75
- **Use of Firearms:** 70
- **Combat Strategy:** 65
**Additional Status:**
- **Strength:** 85
- **Resistance:** 80
- **Agility:** 80
- **Magical Intelligence:** 90 (increased after touching the artifact)
**Inventory:**
- Green Potion (recovers 30% HP)
- Sacred Artifact (first artifact found)
- Blue Artifact (newly found artifact).