As the luminosity of the room increased, a voice in my head spoke, waking me up from my slumber.
S-R-001, wake cycle has initiated. Heart rate stable. Neural integration functional. Stand by for operational briefing. Mission deployment in T-minus 1 hour.
I slowly began to be aware of my surroundings, realizing that what happened the day prior was not a dream at all. It was my new reality. I stare as the bedroom wall infront of me as I sat up and gazed at the clock. 5:30 am.
A bluish holographic screen appeared infront of me with a progress bar stated as "biometric data loading..." once it reached 100%, VIREN spoke once again.
You have no recorded mission failures. Maintain this status. We are now going to initiate your routine.
You have a routine prepared?
Yes. You have to recover you abilities and health before initiating missions. For that, I have prepared a routine. In 30 minutes, your first task will begin.
I lifted myself out of the bed while listening to VIREN's explanation, heading to the bathroom attached in the bedroom to brush my teeth and hair. Once I was finished, I stared at the reflection of myself in the mirror and thought to myself.
If this is my new reality now... I need to adapt to it. I should focus on getting more information first, since it's highly valuable and crucial for my survival. Let's go along with this for now.
I made my way back to the bedroom, approached the wardrobe and began to inspect the clothing options. Then, I came across an unique outfit seperated from the rest of the clothing. It bore the exact same designation VIREN and the scientists called me, "S-R-001", in the back of it, the size of it big enough to read from far away.
I decided to test my scanning abilities on it, as I focused my eyesight on it, a scanning animation appeared on the uniform, and seconds later, a hologram just like before appeared infront of me.
---
[ Item scanned: ARM-SR-001 | Codename: Enchanted Uniform
Classification: S-Rank Enchanted Combat Uniform — Adaptive Bio-Sync Armor
This uniform is a singular prototype issued exclusively to S-class Regenerative subjects with unmatched survival and elimination potential. Design architecture integratesbio-synthetic fibers, kinetic impact redistribution layers, andadaptive camouflage overlays, enabling seamless function in varied hostile environments. Tailoring parameters have been locked to S-R-001 biometric profile; non-authorized wearers will trigger a structural collapse and termination in under 0.83 seconds.
Core features:
+23% Reflex Speed (Neuro-Weave Interface)
+18% Targeting Precision Adaptive Bio-Plating (ballistic, thermal, kinetic resistance)
+42% Regeneration Speed (Microvascular mesh)
Partial Invisibility (Spectral Phase, 2.3s activation)
-71% Heat Signature (Thermal Dissipation)
Performance rating: 99.82% Efficiency. Margin of improvement limited by organic operator's physiological and physical constraints. ]
---
So in other words... if I want to use the uniform's abilities to it's max potential, I have to physically and mentally work for it.
After my thoughts, I began to dress the uniform. And shortly after, the silence was broken by the sound of the door sliding. Four figures stood on the other side of the door with scientist lab coats, different from Dr. Alan or Dr. Elara. They were what one would consider tall, but I managed to be a few centimeters taller.
Out of those four personnel, two were security officers, who occasionally observed my room. The other two were most likely scientists, given by the attire and clipboard in their hands. Their expressions were unreadable.
"Subject S-R-001," the scientist holding a clipboard spoke in a flat and cold tone, the name tag on his lab coat read Oliver, "it is time to begin your scheduled diagnostics and tests."
In response, I nodded, even if I could speak due to the medicine taking effect, I was not a person to waste time with speaking.
The security officers moved first, gesturing towards the hallway outside. I followed the direction and walked in the middle of the group. The scientists were infront, while the officers behind.
The corridor beyond was the same as I remembered in the previous day, it had harsh, blinding LED lights, the walls were white with seperated colored lines, perhaps to guide others to different locations. Some other subjects passed by in reinforced glass, others being secured with chains. None of them seemed to meet my eyes, for their own reasons.
"We will begin with vitals and neural response tests first," the other scientist, Emma, spoke as she slided the door open, "Complying will expedite the process."
I nodded in confirmation and followed them in.
The test room was a stark chamber of sterile white and steel, as most of the facility I've seen. The walls lined with panels of blinking lights and digital readouts stretched ceiling-high, that casted a cold, bluish glow that seemed to drain the color from everything it touched.
At the center of it stood a sleek examination chair, molded precisely to the human body with adjustement restraints folded neatly on each side.
Above it, mechanical arms and sensor arrays hovered silently and thin cables and fiber-optic threads dangled from the ceiling, poised to snake around limbs and head with surgical precision.
A translucent display flickered to life near the scientist's station as both scientists approached it, the officers standing on both sides of the door, inside of the test room.
The display projeced layered holograms of neural pathways, cardiovascular graphs, and bioelectric rhythms. The room looked like it was purposely built for control and data extraction, rather the slight comfort of hospital test rooms.
I slid down onto the smooth surface chair without being told twice. For some reason, this chair was unfamiliar but... not new.
Strange... my body reacts to it as if it has been here before, even if I don't remember it.
The restraints on the chair remain folded away, looks like they know I'll cooperate for now.
Mechanical arms hummed as slender sensors extended, brushing agaisnt my temples and wrist, syncing with my pulse. A blue light traced my neutral system on the holographic display.
Oliver examinated the graphics on the display, and after a short while, he spoke aloud in a clinical tone.
"Neural response is within the expected parameters, though increased beta wave activity detected..."
"Could be an indicative of elevated alertness," Emma stated.
Alertness is the only reason I'm still breathing among you, miss.
After both scientists finished taking notes of my vitals they unlocked the door of the test room, allowing me to leave.
The two officers standing on both sides of the door stopped me from leaving. The shortest one locked his gaze with mine and gestured for me to follow. I complied, walking through the halls once more.
Eventually, they led me to a corridor that widened and darkened. The air grew warmer, up to, at least, 5 degrees. I could hear faint thud and gunfire sounds, like when one strikes a training dummy. The final door on that corridor slided open with a mechanical grind, revealing "Training Hall"
Observation decks ringed the upper level, the tinted glass hiding the personnel behind them, and who probably have never set foot on the ground below. Data feeds scrolled across large screens, showing subjects' vital statistics in real time.
Down on the padded floor, two combatants clashed brutally under the harsh overhead red lights. Locked weapon racks lined one wall, that could probably be accessible once an instructor keyed them open.
To the far corner of my vision, holographic monsters emerged as subjects attacked them. And once defeated, they flickered before disappearing. As the name suggests, it was indeed a training hall.
The officers stood by the door again, and I deduced that they were waiting for me to finish training by myself.
I sighed and stepped inside. In a matter of seconds, several heads turned to gaze at me. I was unsure whether it was because my attire was different from theirs, or because they knew me. Some subjects quickly looked away, while others met my gaze as if they were sizing me up like a threat or a prize.
The air became thick with unspoken rivalry and fear. However, I shrugged it off, as I was more focused in completing my task quickly and efficiently.
From above, a voice spoke from the intercom. "Subject S-R-001, your slot is active. Move to the center mat."
Going along with it is easier than resisting. Everything around me is a chance to learn the patterns.
If this so called 'DHE' wants my body sharp, that works in my favour.
And if I can figure out their system, the people, the schedules and gaps in their control... maybe the next time I walk in here, it won't be to train, but to leave.
I began to approach the center mat confidently, with no idea how to fight. The murmur caused by my entrance in the training hall dimmed, as I stepped into the center. I gazed up at the observation decks, noticing the cameras on me.
They're recording this... that means failing is a dangerous outcome. VIREN mentioned my body is 'made' to adapt to any circumstance, does this include it?
Yes. I will show you where you need to strike in times of battle, when needed. 99.97% chances you will succeed, if you hit them efficiently.
I don't appreciate you reading my thoughts, but I will cooperate.
Before I knew it, a second door slided open at the far side. My opponent stepped out. Male, broad-shouldered. His skin had fait lines where restraints once were, a little too deep. His eyes weren't dead yet, unlike most of subjects in the room. Instead, they were full of rage.
The referee leaned a little closer, speaking in a low tone only I could hear.
"That one is unstable, don't kill it."
We circled eachother for a few seconds. His breath was sharp and hollow and he looked impatient.
I can use that to my advantage.
Mantain the distance. Begin assessement.
The referee gestures us to begin the tournament. I had no time to think about how I didn't know how to fight.
Threat incoming. On the right hook. Evade by taking two steps to the left.
VIREN's voice spoke in my head. My opponent lunged at me, at all force, but with no precision. I moved on instinct before my mind even finished processing and dodged left, as VIREN instructed, moving in sync with the glowing arrow in my vision. His fist cut the air where my head was half a second ago.
Counterstrike, on his sternum. Force: 35%.
A glowing blue circle appeared on my target's sternum bone, to which I striked on it. The impact drived my opponent back one step.
Prepare for a secondary strike on the upper left quadrant.
He came again, I pivoted and took the blow on my arm, exactly where VIREN marked as "safe zone". The jolt ran through my plating, but the pain was minimal.
Neutralize your balance by sweeping your right leg. Force: 50%.
I moved as instructed and my opponent was down one knee and Ipressed my knee into his back.
Hold the position for three seconds, then release.
After three seconds, I released my opponent and stepped back. My breath hadn't changed, and neither did my heart rate. VIREN's instructions were useful, and even crucial, to my success in the battle.
Above, the silhouettes shifted behind the tinted glass. I could almost feel the weight of their attention.
Prepare for combat phase two. Maintain aggression at 15%.
Fifteen-percent? If this isn't even a quarter... what happens if I push more?
My opponent rushed me again. That time, I met him head-on, my every move was a mirror of the overlay's blue prompts. Blocking, striking, stepping back, dodging and getting hit. Everything was calculated down to the centimiter.
And finally, as the the final strike dropped him flat on the mat, the overlay faded, and a holographic screen appeared in my vision, followed by a playful sound effect.
---
[ ★ MISSION CLEAR! ★
Performance: 97% (bonus: +2% for style)
Efficiency rating: S-Rank
Agression output:15%
Achievement: "Promising Threat"
Reward: 1(one) Glow-In-The-Dark Stress Cube! Yay! — Slogan: "Press me, or don't. I literally serve no purpose."]
---
A tiny, pixalated cube hovered beside the text, pulsating awkwardly with a faint, neon yellow glow. I blinked momentarily, staring at the cube, caught between bafflement and disbelief.
...A stress cube?
After nearly getting knocked out, if it wasn't for your guidance, THIS is my prize?...
A small, what one would call chibi in my planet, holographic blue version appeared beside the hologram. It buzzed cheerfully, then winked and vanished along with the mission hologram and the ridiculous glow-in-the-dark stress cube. I was left with absurdity, as a creeping suspicion about VIREN having a bizzare sense of humor grew.
---
[ Item stored: Glow-In-The-Dark Stress Cube
Location: VIREN inventory → Rewards Section. ]
---
As the light of the new hologram faded, I was back to reality in the center of the mat. I could still feel the weight of the attention towards me. Rows of subjects, handlers and uniformed DHE personnel were around the training hall. Some leaned forward in interest, and others looked away as if the outcome was predictable from the very start.
A few personnel approached me to discuss my performance, comparing it to other S-ranked. My attention was drawn to a conversation between three subjects across the training hall.
"Did you see that?! I mean, did you actually how fast he moved?! I swear, I blinked and it was already over! That's... amazing! If I could even learn a tiny fraction of that—"
"Don't get your hopes up," the older one cut in, voice calm, but sharp. "You're new, so there are things you don't understand yet. That boy is one of them, an S. They don't train or live like us. The best thing you can ever do, is watch from a distance."
"An... S?" the first voice repeated, almost admired. "So the rumors are true? I heard someone was... different. That they were stronger than the other's, like they—"
"Rumors are just that. No one here knows the truth. And those who know..," the older one's tone lowered, "won't reveal it."
A scoff broke the short silence. The third subject learned agaisnt the wall, his voice sharp with contempt. "It doesn't matter what's true. You can see it in the way he fights. He's not one of us, he's their weapon. You really want to run up to him and ask him to 'teach you'? He'd snap you in half without trying if we wanted to!"
"I don't believe that," the younger one replied back, though quieter this time. "If he can fight like that... maybe he can show us something. Just one move or trick, it could make a difference."
"Or it could get you torn to pieces," the bitter one spoke.
The older subject sighed, folding his arms, "Both of you, stop. Whether he's their weapon or not, it doesn't change the fact that he's dangerous. And more importantly, he's being watched. Even if he wanted to train you, they would never allow it. Remember that before you start dreaming out loud."
Their conversation eventually blended into the other voices and noises in the room. For a moment, I felt a faint sensation in my chest, one I couldn't describe.
"Subject S-R-001"
A voice spoke from the loudspeaker, and followed by it, the same pair of armored escorts stepped into the arena and montioned me forward. I didn't resist and complied, but before leaving, my gaze, unintentionally, drifted to the three subjects.
The three of them leaned in close, worn and bruised, whispering and nudging shoulders like they had known eachother for quite a while.
As if sensing it, the younger one's head tilted and met my gaze. Her expression changed to one of surprise, as if she didn't expect me to be looking at them. Before I could look away, to new guards with visors on their faces approached.
Their grips were firm on my shoulders as they guided me through another corridor. The noise of the arena faded away behind me, replaced by the footsteps in the corridors.
About the previous eye contact, I didn't pay much mind, and instead, I pondered what my next trial would be.