Kaizer sighed, running a hand over his face. The rest of the manual was dense with research—pages upon pages on attaching, detaching, and canceling frequency waves. Yet, despite the complexity, a faint glimmer of direction emerged. At last, he had some idea of how to tackle his problem.
The most common method he devised was canceling the frequency waves produced by the genome parent with another of the same level. Then he could simulate the genome parent without interference. However, he needed some preparation. The most essential was something to produce the same level of frequency and a lot of practice to simulate the genome parent in a short amount of time.
Kaizer checked the Astra app on his smartwatch to see if he could find what he needed. The app included news, academy notices, shops, training room facilities, and a chat system. It also showed his student account information:
Student Account
Student ID: 501
Name: Kaizer
Age: 18
Father's Name: Lucian Novus
Mother's Name: Aria Novus
Major Subject: Flight Pilot Starship (1st year)
Status: Evolved Human
Badge: One Bronze
Merit Points: 50
There was also a link to the academy webpage. Currently, the meta web is free for all, but some pages require authority access.
The academy page was accessible only to students and staff; others could not find it.
Kaizer activated the hologram feature. The academy page popped up from his smartwatch like a full-screen television. He scrolled through the rules and regulations to better understand his surroundings.
Then he opened the market page of the academy, which listed resources, weapons, and training facilities. He read the descriptions carefully.
Suddenly, his figure froze, as if time had stopped.
'This might work.'
Kaizer found a training facility where students practiced their abilities. One of its functions was to deflect any attacks. He had a plan, though he wasn't sure it would work. There was no other choice, even with a low chance of success.
When he saw the training facility's fees, his heart nearly jumped out.
'Who the heck put these prices? 100 merit points for an hour?'
After controlling his anger, he searched for energon serum, which he needed most. He found the right item and a short description:
Superior Energon Serum: 100 merit points, five silver badges
Description: Unlimited daily use; fills 80% of the average energon pool
Middle Energon Serum: 50 merit points
Description: Fills 50% of the average energon pool; use five per day
Inferior Energon Serum: 20 merit points
Description: Fills 10% of the average energon pool; use once per day
Kaizer slapped the sofa handle in frustration.
"Ridiculous, it's too expensive."
He was really in a bad mood—he needed merit points most, and even spending them didn't guarantee a solution.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
Before opening it, Kaizer maintained his neutral expression. A two-steel-arm robot with a four-wheel trolley appeared, holding two sets of black academy uniforms.
A small orb in its center flashed, and a robotic voice said, "Scan completed. Student ID number 501 confirmed. Please receive your academy uniform. The academy only provides two sets for free. Additional sets or replacements must be paid for."
Kaizer closed the door and unpacked the uniforms from the plastic. Inside was also one bronze badge. Like him, all new students received the same package. Kaizer set it aside. He wasn't excited; most students tried on their uniforms immediately, checking themselves in mirrors and dreaming of a bright future.
Kaizer's stomach grumbled.
Now he remembered that his roommate had invited him to lunch. He got up and took a cool bath.
Previously, his focus was scattered throughout the manual, so he didn't notice the instruction note attached to the academy uniform package. He picked it up and read it.
He casually threw the note aside and wore the academy uniform. At first, it felt slightly ill-fitting, but after adjusting, according to the instruction note, it conformed perfectly to his body. He pinned the bronze badge on his chest and placed the name tag above it.
There were hidden mini-sensors in the fabric. With a simple swipe along the sleeves and waistline, the cloth tightened or loosened instantly, molding itself perfectly to his body. Additionally, with many swipes, the cloth tightened to an extreme level, so the student didn't need to fold the cloth every time to store it. These uniforms responded only to the registered owner's fingerprint, and anyone else trying to adjust the uniform would find it completely unresponsive. The academy had already embedded the owner's biometric data into the fabric before distribution.
Kaizer could also feel that the material used in the academy uniform was of high quality. Even for low-evolved humans required some time to tear it apart.
At exactly 9 p.m., Kaizer left his room. Soren, his neighbor, also emerged, wearing a red uniform.
"Kaizer, you look good in that uniform. Maybe I should have chosen the Black House," Soren said, laughing.
"You also look good in red."
They walked toward the cafeteria on the fourth floor while talking to each other. Along the way, many new students were leaving their rooms.
When they reached the cafeteria, it was lively. Many were eating quietly; some were talking, and some were trying to impress new girls. Kaizer thought, 'Is this really a military academy?'
They found an empty dining table near the kitchen. Kaizer looked at the small screen next to the table and began scrolling through the menu. Most meals cost one to ten merit points. Another menu offered premium meals starting at 100 merit points, made with special ingredients that healed or boosted the body and also increased energon.
Soren said with a bitter smile, "If I ate this, my evolution would go smoothly every day. I wouldn't have to worry about exhaustion after training."
They ordered rice with chicken and dessert, costing four merit points total, splitting the bill. They scanned their smartwatches linked to their student accounts to pay. While students could use smartphones, smartwatches were more convenient and had supercomputer-like features.
As they waited for food, the lively atmosphere went silent. All eyes turned to the seniors entering the cafeteria. Most wore silver badges, some gold, with a maximum of five badges. These seniors often traveled together with house members. Some approached tables, removing the new student and claiming the spots for themselves. Many, not wanting conflict, avoided confrontation.
Arlo glanced at Kaizer and smiled as if he'd just found something amusing. Turning to his group, he revealed an evil smile.
"Look over there, we found him."