Chapter 5: Cadet Tournament — Part 1: The First Round
The sun barely crested over the horizon, scattering pale light across the Federation Cadet Complex, but Adrian was already wide awake. While most cadets scrambled to eat, dress, and calibrate their standard gene modules, he had long since settled in his private chamber. There was no luxury here, no prebuilt equipment, no easy upgrades. Every enhancement, every tool, every calculated advantage had to come from himself.
The Newbie System hummed faintly as holographic interfaces filled the room, casting a soft azure glow. Adrian's six-species hybrid gene module projected in 3D: the dung beetle for unmatched brute strength, the tadigrade for absurd resilience, the immortal jellyfish for regenerative adaptation, the spider for reflex and climbing versatility, the African bush elephant for energy storage and raw force amplification, and the sixth species—a lethally venomous black viper chosen to complement his intellect, adaptability, and tactical cunning.
He grinned. "Time to see if all this work actually pays off."
Adrian's polymath mind began running the first calculations: output efficiency, weight-to-strength ratios, energy consumption, and reaction latency. All the formulas ran simultaneously in his head and were checked against the Newbie System's hyper-speed computational analysis. This was his hybrid: a balance of brute power, finesse, and survival instinct. But raw genes alone wouldn't win a tournament; he needed equipment to enhance his abilities without betraying the secrets of his powers.
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Step One: Micro-Jet Propulsion
He started with micro-jets, small thrusters integrated along his calves and back. The system suggested optimal placement for maximum agility.
1. Material selection: lightweight titanium-aluminum composite from cadet lab storage. Strong enough to withstand heat and friction, yet light enough for fast maneuvers.
2. Energy cores: compact micro-capacitors, normally used for reconnaissance drones, were adapted for his suit. He calculated recharge intervals using the system: 1 second in real time equaled 16 minutes relative time, allowing him to recharge fully between rounds.
3. Integration: Neural-linked actuators connected to spider gene reflex circuits, calibrated to detect motion faster than any cadet could process.
4. Safety testing: Low-gravity simulations ensured no over-thrust accidents. Tadigrade and elephant sequences would absorb excessive impact.
By the time he finished, Adrian could execute sudden boosts, jumps, and landings with pinpoint accuracy. Micro-jets would act as silent vectors, invisible to opponents but crucial in dodging or repositioning.
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Step Two: Adaptive Armor
Next, Adrian built armor modeled after the dung beetle's exoskeleton—tough, resilient, yet flexible. Integrated within the plating were:
Conductive threads from the black viper sequence for minor shocks when touched.
Energy distribution channels feeding into the elephant module for rapid thrust output.
Sensor nodes providing trajectory data for environmental hazards.
He flexed, testing mobility. Every joint moved without restriction, every reflex augmented. The armor became more than protection; it was another layer of integration with his genes.
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Step Three: Sensor Systems
Small orbs embedded in shoulder plates monitored:
Environmental shifts: gravity, temperature, liquid or gas hazards.
Opponent motion: reflexive mapping for predictive counter-moves.
Material density: to estimate impact absorption and energy redistribution.
These sensors connected to the Newbie System, feeding live data into his thought process, giving Adrian a tactical advantage while remaining unseen by other cadets.
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Step Four: Testing Hybrid Integration
With all systems ready, he ran simulations. Micro-jets hummed, armor flexed, sensors mapped the virtual arena. The system projected holographic opponents simulating every possible gene integration type he might face:
Electrokinetic Voltari using short-range lightning surges.
Aquatic Ocealiths simulating high-speed fluid environments.
Volatile Pyronite cadets capable of incendiary bursts.
Adrian moved fluidly, combining spider reflexes with micro-jet-assisted jumps. Tadigrade resilience absorbed simulated concussive forces. The black viper conduits delivered controlled feedback for environmental hazards. Elephant energy storage provided kinetic bursts, landing him safely after high-velocity maneuvers. Jellyfish regeneration module worked in real-time, showing minor cellular repair in holographic visualizations.
"All systems operational," he muttered, excitement coursing through him. Unlike other cadets, his preparation was hands-on, step-by-step, and completely self-made.
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Step Five: Psychological Prep
He allowed himself a small distraction: the sight of cadets arriving in standard issue suits, talking nervously about strategy. He laughed quietly, the first of many teen impulses. He still remembered being a prime Otaku in his past life—curiosity, humor, and fascination with fantastical scenarios were embedded in his personality.
Even here, he allowed that part of himself to surface. Watching the nervous cadets, imagining how each would react under extreme duress, was a small game. One he would win with brains and preparation.
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Step Six: Resource Limitations
Adrian's chamber reminded him he had limited resources. Every capacitor, composite sheet, and sensor module came from one-time-use supply cards. Misuse could leave him stranded. Every step required calculation: efficiency, necessity, and maximal hybrid synergy.
He checked each gene's current state:
Dung Beetle Strength: Lift capacity 2.3x normal human max.
Tadigrade Resilience: Damage absorption 3x baseline.
Immortal Jellyfish Regen: Minor tissue regeneration active, full activation requires more nutrients.
Spider Reflexes: Reaction speed 2x normal.
Elephant Energy Storage: 1.8x kinetic output.
Black Viper Toxins: On standby, defensive shocks calibrated.
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Step Seven: Entering the Arena
Adrian stepped into the arena floor, heart steady. The crowd roared faintly. The first round was about to begin. Opponents included Voltari, Ocealiths, and high-tier human cadets with advanced gene integration.
He activated the hybrid module, micro-jets humming silently. No one knew the full extent of his preparation.
The first opponent, a Voltari, surged forward, lightning arcs dancing. Adrian adjusted sensors, micro-jets lifting him clear. Spider reflexes anticipated trajectory; black viper module delivered minor counter shock, neutralizing the pulse.
An Ocealith flung water projectiles. Micro-jets, elephant energy bursts, and tadigrade resilience allowed Adrian to dodge, land, and pivot fluidly.
The arena shifted dynamically: low gravity, artificial storms, structural hazards. Adrian adapted instantly, calculating each move and maintaining low profile.
Amy, competing elsewhere, acted efficiently, but Adrian noted her style, mentally logging potential synergy opportunities for future team-ups.
The round ended. Silence, then applause. The system displayed:
Hybrid Gene Integration: 99.4%
Strength Output: +19%
Reflex Output: +26%
Regenerative Efficiency: +21%
Adrian exhaled, masking a grin. The cadet tournament had begun. The real challenge was ahead. The secrets he had built, step by step, would remain hidden—for now.
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