Three days passed since Arin's trial.
In that time, his body continued to evolve. Muscles responded faster. Thoughts processed quicker. His entire being was sharpening like a blade honed by pressure.
But beneath the calm, a storm brewed.
---
> [System Update – Mentor Program Active]
Assigned Mentor: Xyro
AI Rank: Level 1 – Combat Strategist
Synchronization: 12%
Daily Directive:
– Train: 2 hours
– Theory Analysis: 1 hour
– Rest Optimization: 6 hours
– Recovery Monitoring: Enabled
– Mission Prep: In Progress
> New Trait Unlocked: Echo Step
Description: Temporarily doubles dodge speed after successful Phantom Reflex activation.
Cooldown: 2 minutes. Duration: 3 seconds.
> Stat Update:
Strength: 9
Agility: 8
Intelligence: 7
Reflex: 8
Bio-Core: 6.4%
Arin was advancing. But he could feel it—someone was watching him.
---
In the NovaCore Academy's lower data vaults, Director Virex stood before a holographic map of Sector 9.
Beside him, Rhea Lin waited in silence.
"You were right," Virex muttered. "The anomaly… he's fused with something not native to our system."
Rhea nodded. "It's not just a rogue AI. His Bio-System is self-upgrading—without external prompts."
Virex turned, eyes narrowed.
"If that's true, we're dealing with a potential Class X evolution."
"Should I restrict his access?"
"No," Virex said coldly. "Train him. Groom him. Let him evolve... But assign a shadow unit. If he strays, we terminate him."
---
Back in his assigned academy room, Arin's Mentor AI, Xyro, materialized in full projection mode. A silver-hued humanoid avatar with no eyes and a rotating crystal embedded in its chest.
"Your combat rating is improving. But your awareness of the battlefield remains primitive."
"I just beat a Sentinel bot," Arin replied, raising an eyebrow.
Xyro didn't flinch. "A dog can break a chain. Doesn't mean it understands war."
"Then teach me."
"Very well," Xyro said. "We begin with Tactical Memory Imprints. Prepare your neural link."
Arin braced.
---
The simulation hit him like a flood.
His mind was pulled into combat zones—urban warfare, bio-beast ambushes, rogue AI skirmishes. Each scenario more brutal than the last.
But unlike traditional training, Xyro's simulations left no time to think. They demanded instinct. Reaction. Survival.
After the third sequence, Arin collapsed onto the mat, gasping.
> [Skill Progress: Phantom Reflex +2.2%]
[Combat Awareness +4.0%]
[AI Sync: 18%]
"Not bad," Xyro said. "But you hesitate when emotions spike. That'll get you killed."
"I'm human."
"For now," Xyro replied.
---
Later that evening, Arin visited the Division 7 archives.
He'd gained limited access—but it was enough to find one file labeled:
> "Suppressed DNA: The Truth About Rank A+ Beings"
The content was chilling.
> "Once a being reaches DNA Rank A, they begin overriding their own Bio-System protocols.
By Rank S, some have achieved system creation—forming their own AI cores.
A few… have disappeared into hidden zones, rewriting reality within them."
Arin exhaled slowly.
"Is that where I'm headed?"
His hands trembled slightly—but not from fear.
From excitement.
---
Meanwhile, in a hidden zone beneath the academy's eastern wing, a dark figure monitored him.
> Codename: Zeth. Shadow Unit. Clearance: Black-9
Mission: Observe anomaly candidate Arin Verma. Terminate if corruption reaches 35%.
Zeth watched the feeds silently.
"Bio-AI fusion. Echo traits. Skill fusion at E rank…"
He clenched his fists.
"He's not just evolving. He's awakening."
---
The next morning, Arin received an alert:
> [New Mission: Border Field Test – Squad Compatibility Evaluation]
Team: 4 Cadets
Objective: Survive for 6 hours in Zone 13-X (Simulated)
Anomaly Activity: Moderate
Rewards:
– Combat Bond Data
– Access to Tactical Imprint Lv. 2
– DNA Sample Cache (Unstable)
> Mission Begins: 2 Hours
Arin suited up.
Combat vest. Neural band. Tactical gloves. One plasma dagger.
He glanced at the mirror.
Not a boy anymore.
Something else was staring back.
---
At the deployment zone, three cadets stood waiting.
One wore gauntlets crackling with static—Kara Venn, the electric-type.
Another stood tall with a greatsword on his back—Drex, a power-tank build.
The last sat calmly, fingers tapping a floating orb—Yuin, a psychic manipulator.
And then there was Arin.
They stared at him, eyes skeptical.
"You're the anomaly, huh?" Drex said. "Heard you beat a Sentinel."
"I didn't beat it," Arin replied calmly. "I out-evolved it."
Kara smirked. "Let's see if you can evolve out of getting your team killed."
Yuin just said nothing.
The simulation loaded.
The countdown began.
---
5… 4… 3… 2… 1.
They dropped into Zone 13-X.
Ruined skyscrapers. Biofog. Red warning lights blinking in the sky.
> [Mission Active – Survive 6 hours]
Mutation Level: Rising
Bio-Beast Detected: Class C
Team Sync: 31%
Arin took point, scanning the area.
Suddenly—
A shriek tore through the silence.
From behind the debris, three mutated hounds charged forward, their limbs twisted, eyes glowing white.
"Formation!" Drex shouted.
But before anyone could respond, Arin dashed ahead.
> [Phantom Reflex: Activated]
[Echo Step: Engaged]
He dodged between the first and second hound, slashing its tendon with surgical precision. A pulse strike dropped the second.
Kara zapped the third with a blast of electricity.
Drex cursed. "You could've gotten killed!"
"Or saved your life," Arin muttered.
Yuin tilted her head. "He's fast. But how long can he stay ahead of chaos?"
Arin smiled.
"As long as I need to."