Test

"You're a metahuman too, you can discharge electricity, and you were dragged here from another world by the Particle Accelerator explosion?"

Joe stared wide-eyed and asked loudly. This was simply too insane. He could accept metahumans after seeing Barry, but another world—something as science-fictional as a parallel universe—was impossible for him to accept.

"Looks like Barry told you everything. I'm sorry I lied to you earlier, but it was all so I could stay here and find a way home."

Lin Li shook his head with a bitter smile, electric arcs crackling between his hands again.

Joe was left staring in shock, feeling as though his eyes were about to pop out.

"My God, this is insane."

Joe said in disbelief.

"Actually, it's all true. I named Lin Li Lightning. Barry, don't worry, you'll get one too once I think of a cooler name."

Cisco said happily, ignoring the helpless look on Barry's face.

"Right now, the most important thing is checking whether their bodies are safe, not deporting anyone or coming up with codenames."

Dr. Wells said.

"Barry, we need to give you a thorough physical examination, for your health."

Dr. Wells looked at Barry, leaving him unable to refuse.

Joe nodded in agreement. "That's right, Barry. You need a thorough checkup. I need time to process strange people, strange abilities, and strange worlds."

"Lin Li, until everything is clear, you'll stay at STAR Labs. No wandering around, okay?"

Lin Li nodded. For now, he was allowed to remain at STAR Labs.

That afternoon, Joe and the others at STAR Labs kept busy examining Barry, while Lin Li quietly sat off to the side with a tablet, studying everything related to black holes and parallel universes. But he did not learn much, since most of it was theory or speculation and felt rather impractical. In the end, Lin Li could only set it aside for the time being and study the human body instead. He might be staying in this world for years, after all. At the very least, he needed to understand his own body and abilities. There would be no shortage of extremely powerful enemies in the future.

At six that evening, Barry's physical examination was finally complete.

Everyone turned to Caitlin. She held two files containing Lin Li and Barry's test results.

"Lin Li, it's unimaginable. Lightning turned you into a superhuman. Your cells have undergone unprecedented mutations. Each cell nucleus contains one primary nucleus and two additional nuclei resembling electrons. Those two nuclei are like positive and negative electrons, moving around the cell and strengthening it. When the positive and negative electron nuclei orbit the primary nucleus at high speed, we have reason to believe they generate an electrical current. That current further enhances your body, making every aspect of your physical functions at least seven times stronger than the human limit."

Cisco grinned and joked, "Hey, man, you shouldn't be called Lightning. You should be called the Superhuman Generator."

Lin Li frowned, clenched his fists, and said, "But I feel like I'm only a little stronger than the limit of an ordinary person right now. I'm nowhere near as powerful as you described. As for generating electricity, I can indeed feel that I'm capable of it."

"That's because you weren't full yesterday, Lin Li." Dr. Wells raised an eyebrow, referring to Lin Li's absorption of electricity.

Lin Li nodded, finding that quite plausible. He had felt somewhat hungry all along, but had not paid it much attention.

"I don't need to absorb electricity. I just need a large amount of food and calories for energy. Once my body is full, my cells convert it into electrical energy, allowing me to produce lightning."

Caitlin set down Lin Li's file, opened Barry's test results, and continued, "Barry Allen... your physical strength is at the limit of an ordinary human's. You possess extremely rapid cell division and metabolism, as well as an exceptionally powerful immune system. Whenever you move at extreme speed, an unknown energy protects you, allowing you to reach speeds a thousand, ten thousand, or perhaps even a hundred million times beyond human capability."

"For now, both of you are in very healthy condition. One other thing worth mentioning is that using your abilities consumes a tremendous amount of energy. Conservatively speaking, you will each need to replenish roughly ten thousand calories a day on average. Especially Lin Li—once you use up the electrical energy stored in your body, you'll need even more calories to recover."

Hearing that they were at least physically healthy, Joe relaxed somewhat. Superpowers aside, health was what mattered most. That was a father's hope.

"You're going to turn into an eating monster from now on."

Joe smiled and lightly punched Barry. As long as there was nothing wrong with his body, everything was fine.

Dr. Wells clapped his hands and concluded, "There are no problems with your physical condition for now, but we'll need to keep monitoring it. Tomorrow, we'll test your abilities. That's all for today."

Everyone nodded and began packing up.

Barry called out to the others, "How about we go get some coffee? I know a great place."

Barry looked at Cisco, who immediately said, "Great idea, but maybe next time. I need to work on a little something tonight."

Barry turned to Caitlin, who said coldly, "I'm not interested."

Before Barry could look at him, Dr. Wells said, "I still need to prepare for tomorrow's tests."

Finally, Barry looked at Lin Li.

Lin Li was a little taken aback. Barry was inviting him? It was an opportunity to experience a foreign country's culture, so of course Lin Li was willing.

He smiled and said, "Of course I'd like to. I also want to experience the local culture. But what do you think, Joe?"

Joe pondered for a moment. "I saw these superpowered people today, but I still can't accept that you really came from another world. Still, I can believe you for now. Barry, don't come home too late." His final words were directed at Barry, effectively giving the two of them permission to go get coffee.

Barry and Lin Li exchanged smiles. Because of that cluster of Speed Force inside Lin Li's head, Barry felt an unusual sense of closeness toward him.

Once outside STAR Labs, Joe left first because he had matters to handle at the police station.

Barry and Lin Li strolled beneath the setting sun.

The sun hung low in the sky, coloring the clouds crimson. The streets were clean, and the shadows of the trees stretched far into the distance.

The surroundings were comfortable, quiet, and spacious, lifting the spirit.

Faced with a newly made friend, Barry felt a little uneasy.

Lin Li, who had been admiring the scenery, noticed and apologized. "I've been too focused on the view. It's beautiful here, and I've been neglecting you. Barry, relax. We'll become friends who can talk about anything."

Barry loosened his shoulders. "Yes... yes, I think so too."

Lin Li laughed heartily. "Barry, just so we're clear, you're paying for the coffee. I'll need to order something to fill my stomach too. I didn't bring any money from another world."

By then, Barry had lost all his restraint and said happily, "Of course, Lin Li. Jitters is more than ten kilometers from here. Let's get there quickly."

With that, Barry wrapped an arm around Lin Li's waist and transformed into a yellow streak, vanishing from sight with Lin Li.