Becoming a Speedster Didn't Change Much

No one knew where Barry had gone, but the next day, he walked into S.T.A.R. Labs as if nothing had happened, as though yesterday had never occurred.

"Dr. Zhang, I've thought it over. What you said makes sense, but I hope you can help me catch Reverse-Flash." Barry came to Zhang Tianran's side and spoke slowly, word by word.

Seeing Barry approach, Zhang Tianran hurriedly freed himself from the overly curious Cisco. That guy was far too hard to handle. Zhang Tianran would rather research another artificial intelligence than face Cisco when his curiosity was in overdrive.

"No problem, if that's what you want. I can help you, but unfortunately, I don't know much, and Reverse-Flash isn't easy to catch." Zhang Tianran agreed without hesitation.

Receiving that confirmation, Barry secretly let out a breath of relief. He had truly been afraid—afraid that Zhang Tianran might have some connection to the person who had killed his mother.

Last night, Barry had carefully recalled every word Zhang Tianran had ever said to him and suddenly realized that Zhang Tianran really understood him extremely well.

That training plan, from another perspective, had practically listed every one of his weaknesses, in every aspect.

"Dr. Zhang, thank you!" Barry thanked him sincerely. Yesterday's events had dealt him a heavy blow, but they had also made him understand many things.

"You don't need to thank me. If anything, I was worried you might blame me for replicating your abilities." Zhang Tianran smiled calmly.

Hearing that, Barry seemed to remember something and spoke with some unease.

"Dr. Zhang, if possible, I hope you can keep your research confidential for a while."

"It's not that I don't want other Speedsters like me to appear. It's just that this kind of power is too easily..."

At that point, Barry grew a little embarrassed, feeling as though he was being petty.

Zhang Tianran looked at Barry somewhat speechlessly. He had originally thought that even if Barry did not mind him researching his powers, he would at least get angry.

But he had not expected Barry to lower himself so much...

Come to think of it, that was perfectly normal. Barry and S.T.A.R. Labs were partners now, and the leader of this team was not Barry, but Wells.

Besides, Barry had originally just been providing S.T.A.R. Labs with physical data. Only later had it gradually evolved into some kind of superhero team.

"Barry, you're overthinking it. My situation is a little special. Although all the information is still in my head, the materials have been used up. There isn't a second set anywhere on Earth."

Zhang Tianran explained casually. He had no desire to casually create a whole bunch of Speedsters, and besides, he did not have that ability.

Zhang Tianran becoming a Speedster did not cause much of a stir within S.T.A.R. Labs. Although he was still forced to go out and test his speed, Zhang Tianran stopped after running for less than three minutes, saying his body could not take it.

His excuse was that this was simply the effect of the experiment, and there was no way for him to become a Speedster like The Flash.

As for the method of becoming a Speedster, aside from Cisco showing some interest, no one else asked much about it.

Even Cisco, who was the most interested, did not want to become a Speedster.

Inside S.T.A.R. Labs, Zhang Tianran was training Barry Allen. Though he could "only" maintain it for less than three minutes, three minutes was already a very long time for a Speedster.

"Barry, didn't you want to become stronger? Why are you being so lazy?" Zhang Tianran wore a stern expression, looking every bit like a drill instructor.

"Dr. Zhang, I really don't understand how you do it. Your speed is clearly slower than mine, so why can't I beat you every time?" Barry rubbed his swollen body, already close to his limit.

"What I taught you was only the most basic application of speed. It hasn't even involved using the Speed Force yet. Use your brain in combat. You need to grasp the timing for accelerating your thoughts and accelerating your body. In a fight, whether your mind can't keep up with your body or your body can't keep up with your mind, both are extremely deadly." Zhang Tianran sighed helplessly.

Sure enough, Barry was still better suited to breaking through in desperate situations.

Learning was simply too difficult for him. He had been an outstanding student even before becoming a Speedster, so why was learning combat so hard for him?

"I really have to admire you. You only just gained this power, yet you're already doing so much better than I am." Barry was somewhat discouraged.

Seeing that, Zhang Tianran could only give up on continuing Barry's training and said instead, "Perhaps it's because I've done more research on the Speed Force, so I feel rather compatible with this power. But unfortunately, the duration is too short. Otherwise, I should be able to help you in many situations."

Hearing that, Barry asked with concern, "Is it because you only just gained your abilities? I couldn't control my speed properly at first either."

Zhang Tianran shook his head. "No. The way I gained my power was different from yours. This is already the limit. Unless something unexpected happens, I probably won't be able to grow any further."

Hearing this, Barry did not know whether he felt joy or regret. Realizing how conflicted he was, Barry lowered his head in shame, almost afraid to look Zhang Tianran in the eye.

"All right, that's enough training for today! Central City has been safe lately, with no metahuman criminals appearing. It's time to solve Professor Stein and Ronnie's problem." Zhang Tianran stood up, then used the Speed Force the next second to return directly to his private laboratory.

Since he had revealed that he possessed the Speed Force, he no longer needed to pretend in daily life. It saved him quite a bit of travel time and made things much more convenient.

Zhang Tianran's private laboratory was completely empty now. All kinds of expensive equipment had vanished in the explosion, while traces left by electrical arcs still remained on the walls.

But when Zhang Tianran opened the box in the corner, a "model" nearly identical to the original laboratory appeared inside it.

Taking out an earpiece from the box, Zhang Tianran put it on and asked, "Is the miniature laboratory stable for now? How are its functions?"

"Everything is normal. Energy consumption has increased slightly, but it can be ignored." The artificial intelligence's voice sounded, bringing a satisfied smile to Zhang Tianran's lips.

"For now, get used to this place. Search the internet for information on your own. Decide for yourself what your hard drive needs." After giving the artificial intelligence an order, Zhang Tianran removed the earpiece and closed the cardboard box.

For the first time in a long while, Zhang Tianran left S.T.A.R. Labs and returned home.