Daylight broke across Sector 9, casting long shadows between steel towers and cracked walkways. But for Arin Verma, time had become secondary.
Only one thing mattered now:
The Trial.
---
> [System Status Check – Trial Day: Activated]
DNA Rank: E
Reflex Boost: 48%
Strength: 8
Agility: 7
Stamina: 7
Intelligence: 6
Bio-Core Resonance: 5.2%
> Skills Available:
– Reflex Boost (Passive)
– Focused Flow (Active)
– Bio-Regen (Passive)
– Neural Pulse Scan (New: Unlocked)
> Traits:
– Neural Sync (Lv. 1)
– Instinctive Awareness (Unlocked for Fusion)
– Fusion Slot Available (Eligible: Reflex Boost + Focused Flow)
> Temporary Buff: Focus Surge (6 hrs remaining)
He had prepared every moment since the academy scout's visit. Meditation. Combat drills. System analysis. Even sleepless nights reviewing AI-simulated battle models.
Now it was time.
---
At 10:00 AM sharp, a sleek hover transport arrived outside his building.
Its doors hissed open, revealing a hollow chamber of blue light and padded walls. No driver. No escort. Just the system logo blinking on the inside.
> [Destination: NovaCore Combat Grounds – Trial Dome Gamma]
He stepped in.
The doors closed behind him.
---
Inside the dome, the temperature dropped by ten degrees. Arin stood on a hexagonal platform, alone, surrounded by towering walls laced with surveillance drones.
A mechanical voice echoed through the dome.
> "Candidate 1172: Arin Verma. DNA Rank E. Unauthorized anomaly class detected. Commencing solo adaptive trial."
The floor shifted beneath him.
Platforms rose. Walls folded in.
And then—his opponent materialized.
A training bot. No, something more. Its body was humanoid but reinforced with reactive armor plating. The system marked it as:
> [Opponent: Adaptive Sentinel Mk-I]
Threat Level: Moderate – Evolves with prolonged combat
Skills:
– Combat Mimicry
– Armor Shift
– Energy Blades (Retractable)
Arin's pulse quickened.
"Show me what you've got."
---
Round One: Speed vs. Control
The bot lunged first, a blur of steel limbs.
Arin activated Focused Flow.
Time didn't slow, but his brain accelerated.
He ducked under a sweeping strike, pivoted, and aimed a counterblow to the joint.
Clang.
The hit connected, but the armor absorbed it.
> [Skill Progress: +0.6%]
The bot adapted instantly, mimicking Arin's movement and launching a mirrored version of his counterattack.
But Arin was faster—this time, he anticipated it.
> [Reflex Boost: +0.9% – 49.5%]
One more push and he'd unlock his first combat fusion trait.
---
Round Two: Neural Games
Ten minutes in, Arin began to feel it—the bot's programming wasn't just fighting; it was learning.
It feinted now.
Used terrain.
Lured him into traps.
But Arin was evolving too.
He activated Neural Pulse Scan, a new ability that released a wave of electro-mental feedback, giving him momentary insight into the bot's intentions.
> [Prediction Window: 0.6 seconds – Active]
He read the next move—a high feint into a leg sweep.
Countered.
Arin rolled sideways, caught the bot off-balance, and struck it square in the core with a boosted palm strike.
CRACK.
The armor dented.
> [Skill Fusion Threshold Reached – Reflex Boost + Focused Flow]
Fuse Now?
→ Yes.
---
> [Fusion Complete: New Skill Unlocked – Phantom Reflex]
Description: Allows instinctive counterattacks during Focused Flow state. Adds 10% chance to auto-dodge non-lethal blows.
Cooldown: 60 seconds. Duration: 10 seconds.
Arin's eyes widened.
"Now we're talking."
---
Final Round: The Evolution Threshold
The bot, now slightly damaged, entered rage mode.
It deployed its twin energy blades, spinning like a whirlwind of light and steel.
Arin barely dodged in time—his coat torn, sparks flying. But then, something clicked.
He wasn't scared.
He was focused.
And he had a new power.
Phantom Reflex activated.
He slipped between the bot's strikes, arms flowing like water, redirecting hits before they landed.
Then, with a burst of strength, he vaulted over the bot's shoulders and delivered a concentrated pulse directly to its neck joint.
BOOM.
The bot staggered.
Fell.
Silence.
---
> [Trial Complete – Combat Unit Approval: Provisional Pass]
Performance Rating: A
Evolution Score: 82%
Risk Factor: High – Recommend Observation
Bonus Granted:
– Personal Combat Mentor AI (Level 1)
– Division 7 Access Pass
– DNA Rank Progress +2.0%
– Reflex Boost Maxed – Trait "Echo Step" Unlockable
Arin dropped to one knee, breathing hard.
His body hurt. But he was smiling.
He did it.
---
Outside the dome, Rhea Lin watched from a holographic feed.
She spoke into her comms.
"Candidate Verma passed. Better than expected. Notify the director."
A pause.
"And schedule a probe team. Someone else is enhancing him… and we need to find out who."
---
Later that evening, back in his room, Arin sat cross-legged with the system menu open.
> [Division 7 Access Unlocked]
Next Phase Begins in 3 Days.
> [Mentor AI Activated: Codename – Xyro]
"Greetings, Arin. I'm here to push you beyond your limits."
Arin grinned.
"Good. I was getting bored."