The following morning, Arin woke up earlier than usual. His sleep was deep, dreamless—healed not just by rest, but by the Bio-System's passive recovery protocols.
> [Vital Check: All systems optimal.]
Minor bruising healed. Neural fatigue cleared. Stamina at 100%.
A quiet confidence had begun to form in him—not arrogance, but awareness. Every day, his body and mind were changing. And every change was making him more than human.
He stood by the window, stretching.
Far below, the streets of Sector 9 buzzed with life—delivery drones, children playing in alleys, patrolling bots humming by. But above it all, an airbus painted in academy blue hovered past.
> NovaCore Academy – Division 7: Combat Training Unit
His eyes narrowed.
They were scouting again.
---
NovaCore Academy—the most elite institution in New Terra.
Technically, it was open to all… but only the gifted survived. Even fewer made it to the Combat Training Unit.
It was said that graduates from Division 7 were fast-tracked into leadership roles across New Terra's private military corps, guilds, and sanctioned exploration teams.
They trained hunters.
And hunters got access—to gear, classified zones, data vaults, and system-enhancing tech.
"I need to get in," Arin murmured.
Not for prestige.
But for evolution.
---
> [System Alert: A new path has been marked for you.]
Optional Quest: Enter NovaCore Academy's Combat Unit – Division 7.
Requirements:
– DNA Rank E
– Pass Academy Aptitude Trial
– Clearance via Scout Approval
Rewards (Conditional):
– Combat Skill Tier Unlock
– Personal Trainer AI
– Weekly Resource Access
– Hidden Story Route Unlocked
Arin's eyes lit up.
This wasn't just a side path—it was a mainline opportunity.
But before he could react further, his system pinged again.
> [New Character Approaching – Unknown Profile: Potential Threat or Ally]
ETA: 10 minutes. Identity Hidden by Level 2 Firewall.
"Somebody's coming…"
---
Nine minutes later, Arin stepped outside his building.
She was already waiting for him.
A girl—around his age—lean, athletic, wearing the distinctive navy-gray jacket of NovaCore's scout unit. Short black hair. Tactical boots. No weapons visible, but Arin could feel the pressure from her aura.
She scanned him once.
Then smiled.
"You're not what I expected."
"Who are you?" Arin asked calmly.
"Recruitment Agent Rhea Lin. NovaCore Academy. And you… are a walking anomaly."
She tossed him a tablet. On it was his profile.
Height, age, zero training record—and yet, it showed his kill of the Mutated Rodent Drone, complete with sensor data and system-tagged battle logs.
"You've been flagged. And not by us first."
"Who else?"
Rhea's smile vanished. "Doesn't matter. What matters is this—someone powerful wants to bury you. But I think you're interesting. So I'm offering you a shot."
She stepped closer.
"The academy trial. One-on-one. Two days from now. No teams. No favors. Just you."
Arin nodded slowly. "And if I pass?"
"You enter Division 7. If you fail—your system's activity will be reported to Central Authority."
"So it's a trap."
"It's an opportunity disguised as a threat. Just how evolution works, right?"
For a moment, Arin's system pinged again.
> [Quest Timer Initiated: Academy Trial Begins in 48 Hours.]
Prepare:
– Upgrade DNA Rank to E
– Increase Survival Rate to ≥ 40%
– Unlock 1 Additional Skill
Challenge accepted.
---
After she left, Arin didn't rest.
He trained.
Two days.
That's all he had.
> [Daily Quest Updated: Intensive Prep Mode Active]
Objectives:
– Complete 100 pushups
– Complete 50 dodges (Simulated)
– Meditate (20 min)
– Skill Progress +5%
– DNA Progress +1.0%
Rewards:
– +2 Stat Points
– Temporary Buff: Focus Surge (24 Hours)
– Unlock DNA Upgrade Sequence if Rank E is reached
He dove into it.
The pushups were exhausting—but his stamina stat kept him going. The dodge simulations were like fighting invisible enemies at triple speed.
> [Reflex Boost: +3% Progress]
[Stamina +0.5 Bonus Triggered]
By the time he began meditation, sweat dripped down his chin, but his eyes were clear.
> [Neural Sync Achieved: Stability +3%]
And finally…
> [DNA Rank-Up Achieved: F → E]
– Bio-Core Expansion: +12%
– Skill Limit Increased
– Combat Trait Eligible: "Focused Flow"
The system pulsed with new power.
His body tensed—then relaxed. As if some invisible shell had cracked inside his cells.
He looked in the mirror. His muscles weren't massive, but his eyes… sharper. Movements—precise. Instincts—accelerated.
He was evolving.
---
That night, Arin accessed the Encrypted Data Chip from the tech bazaar.
With Intelligence now at 6, the file opened.
> "Anomalies of New Terra – Black Class Memo"
Entry 1: "The Seedlings are waking up. Those chosen by the Bio-AI aren't random—they're designed."
Entry 2: "All recorded anomaly bearers display immunity to conventional augmentation control chips."
Entry 3: "At DNA Rank C, anomalies begin to resist system commands. By Rank A, they command the system itself."
He leaned back, stunned.
"What am I becoming?"
The idea that he could someday control the system itself wasn't just exciting—it was terrifying.
But it meant something more:
The academy wasn't the final destination.
It was only the starting line.