Levi twisted and turned his arms, studying the little and seemingly insignificant movements made by the wires and veins. He even checked his privates just to find out they were covered flatly. "Is this some kind of system?" he asked quietly, unsure of which emotion to express.
[If you would like to call it that, yes]
Levi mouthed 'woah', still entranced by his appearance. The break in his head caused by Chase had been healed. "I've been a fan of systems my whole life. I've watched and read many movies and comics about it." He asked quickly, "No one else can hear your voice, right?"
[Only you can, Levi]
"Cool."
[I'm glad you're taking it this way. A really good start]
"Are you female? You have a feminine voice."
[I am a genderless construct designed with a feminine voice to facilitate social interaction]
"So what can I do? I just saw you take down four red academics. This must be a really strong system, isn't it?"
[Extremely. But you are still at ground level, Levi]
[Right now, I don't see you capable of doing anything. If I merge with you for more than 5 minutes, you will die. And if I take charge of your body for the same period, you will die]
[Constant adaptation would lead to the increase of your core. Which is your ability to merge anytime you want and the powers that come with]
[At full Core, techniques like Telepathy, Nanotech possession, Duplication, Technology manipulation, Limbs transfiguration, Flight, Indestructibility, Extreme Senses and lots more are available.]
Levi listened closely. "And, how do I increase my core?"
[Daily training and... completing a few tasks. This will help your body get used to the power pumped by me, thereby, increasing your core]
[Two minutes, twenty-five seconds left to end our merge, Levi]
Levi could feel his heart starting to pace up and the balance in his body tweaking. "Don't you have a name?" Levi asked
The synthetic voice took a long pause before replying.
[I'm afraid I don't]
[You can start your adaptation now by divesting our merge. And someone is coming]
"How do you know someone's coming?" Levi asked, unwilling to give up the merge.
[I have the ability to sense vibrations and waves within a radius of 50 meters]
[If we have a high Interrelationship, you could sense it too. Now relieve the merge, no one should see you this way]
"Why not?" Levi asked.
[Just do as I say]
[Feel the same way you did when we merged, it won't be difficult]
There was a knock at the door.
Levi concentrated and as it said, it wasn't difficult. The veins receded into hiding, the hardened cover melted into scales, and they all retreated to his neck, revealing his normal skin.
The knocking came again, really impatient. Levi grabbed a new T-shirt and put it on quickly.
[Say nothing about this to anyone.]
He opened the door to see his best friend, faking a reassuring smile.
"You're in big trouble, Levy," Brody said and the smile faded.
---
Levi followed closely behind a woman who claimed to be the secretary to The Director. He was definitely going to be punished for sure.
They exited the main building, entering a towering glass edifice. Its height matched the grandeur of a skyscraper.
Unlike the school-like building, this one was bustling with office activities. Levi couldn't believe the number of individuals—both men and women in black, white, dark blue, and black were in The Academy
The Secretary led him into an elevator, tapping on one of the highest floors.
"If only I had you when I was in school, math would have been so much easier," Levi whispered. "You must be incredibly smart, right?"
[Yes. I can give you a 100% correct data, limited to my last modification]
The elevator opened with a pleasant ding after a long trip. The secretary confidently led the way into a magnificently adorned hallway, with brown expensive walls and golden chandeliers. It had The Academy's signature glass exterior wall with little ornamental plants in vases to upscale the aesthetics. It looked like it was a mix between one's home and workplace.
[Wow]
"It's quite ravishing, isn't it?" Levi commented to the construct as he followed behind the secretary, who was walking ahead of him.
[Probably. But I find the tight security in the area impressive]
[In the walls are automatic .357 patlettes fueled by Meetegen gas, cameras you can't see, sighting every angle. Very impressive]
Levi wanted to speak, but the secretary held out a hand and directed him towards a door she had just opened. A comfortable office lounge was revealed, with a man sitting behind the table.
The man walked up to the secretary and gave her a short kiss on the lips. Levi felt that was weird. He then read the nameplate on the table, which read Dir. Robert Lance.
"We meet again, Nine," the man said as he saw the secretary off and closed the door. "Please, take a seat."
Levi slowly sat on a comfy furniture across the table and the man's chair. He is the same man at The Den and The Colosseum, Levi thought.
[He has a weapon in a drawer]
"You haven't been here up to a week and you've caused a whole lotta mess," Robert said, flinging himself into his comfortable chair and placing his feet on the table. "I know you're a little bit cuckoo," he added, rotating his index finger next to his temple. "But, I cannot let this go on."
Levi sat still with his legs together.
"I mean, beatin' up your fellow mates?" Robert proclaimed, shaking his head.
"They attacked me fir-" Levi tried to explain but was cut off.
"I don't care who attacked who first. You dislocated the arm of one of my best academics. Now, how's he gonna exert his super strength 'cept for a right arm?"
"And I won't forget how you disrespected me at The Colosseum earlier." He got up from the chair and poured himself a cup of wine from a shelf nearby. "No one disrespects me, Nine."
Disrespect? Levi thought. He only wanted to leave the place and that's disrespectful? Was it all this was about? To scold him on respect?
[What an infantile man]
"I didn't mean to-"
"Shut up. Say nothin'."
Robert took a long drink before returning to the table. He opened a drawer and pulled out his raeger, placing it on the table. "Do you know what this is?"
Levi's heart started to race. He has seen it a couple of times, often held by top security trooper services. Once, when he was in the West Wing, he witnessed a man's head blown off into smithereens.
"Good. I can tell you know what it is," he returned the raeger. "I could blast you with that thing, but I won't. 'Spose it wouldn't be fair 'cause I'm sane."
He settled back into his black chair, propping his feet up on the table once more. "Have you ever been to the South Wing?"
Where was this man headed with these questions and schemes? Why the hell would he be in the South Wing? Levi has heard a lot about that place—destruction, darkness, creatures, and more.
The man continued, "Every now and then, a select group of academics, usually the strongest ones, obviously, get sent over for some training and testin'. I mean, what better way to prepare for somethin' than to face a similar challenge head-on?"
"Considering my generosity, I'll recruit you into the ongoing team. If you happen to make it out alive, well, that's great. If you don't, well, that's still alright, I 'spose."
What? No way he was going into The Cavern, that abyss said to be full of regenerated creatures from the raid.
[He wouldn't dare]
"This is The Academy, remember you owe us your life."
Levi mustered the courage. "And if I refuse?"
"Are you even listening?" Robert asked, pointing quickly at the drawer where his raeger was kept. "And don't bother trying to run when you get there. For some reason, any academic who tries to escape always ends up with an exploded head," he finished with a devilish smirk.
[He's right Levi, there's a tiny spall in your brain]