Adam rose from his slumber, feeling refreshed. He headed to the training area, seeking improvement.
Upon arrival, he found familiar faces: Eli, Arin, and Kaide. Trainees from other batches mingled, their determination palpable.
The training area housed three batches. Zero String consisted of the most experienced and powerful executors, comprising twenty to twenty-two year olds. First String, subordinate to Zero String, had nineteen to twenty year olds. Second String was the youngest batch, consisting of sixteen to eighteen year olds.
Within the Umbrella Collective Organization, four ranks existed. Top Brass, or Holders, were royal family members holding supreme authority. Officers managed the organization, relaying royal family orders. Executors carried out tasks and orders from officers. Trainees held the lowest rank and were ineligible for missions until reaching Zero String.
Adam's batch, Second String, was the youngest. He aimed to rise through the ranks, seeking recognition.
The teams stood triangularly in the training area, eyes locked on each other. Most gazes fixed on Adam.
Zero String, with seven trainees, had already begun tackling small and large missions.
First String, consisting of five trainees, handled internal missions and security.
Second String, the newest batch, had four trainees, including Adam.
A trainer arrived, surveying the room. "What is our motive?" he asked.
In unison, the trainees shouted, "Live for Collective...die for Collective!"
The trainer continued, "Loyalty is your principle...loyalty is your driving force of life."
The response was automatic: "Loyalty is mine…"
Adam echoed the phrase, avoiding attention.
But inwardly, he grasped the organization's strategy. They cultivated loyalty by repetition, instilling the idea that the Collective was everything and everything else was a lie – a mantra ingrained since childhood.
Adam played along, hiding his true thoughts.
The trainer's gaze shifted to Adam, his eyes piercing.
The trainer's voice commanded attention. "All trainees, listen carefully... A new trainee has joined us, so First String, explain everything to the new trainee in front of everyone."
Smiles spread across the faces of the trainees, including Kaide's, which raised Adam's suspicions. Kaide rarely showed kindness towards him; something must be amiss.
Adam's instincts screamed warning.
A 20-year-old boy, Victor Lauren, stood tall in the First String. He was 5'10" with chiseled black hair, piercing black eyes, and a muscular physique honed from rigorous training.
Victor's rugged features and sharp jawline exuded confidence, his every move radiating experience.
Clad in the First String's signature attire – a light grey shirt and black pants – Victor declared, "I nominate myself as the new trainee executor."
Trainer Ryder gazed at the First String. "Does anyone object to this nomination?"
The room fell silent, fear flickering in the eyes of the First String trainees.
Ryder nodded. "Then it's decided. Victor will provide a starting guide to the newbie in front of us all."
Victor's gaze locked onto Adam, a hint of superiority in his smile.
Adam sensed trouble brewing.
Victor began, "Welcome, Adam. I'll teach you our ways. Loyalty, obedience, and discipline are key..."
Adam listened intently, wary of Victor's intentions.
As Victor approached, Eli, Arin, and Kaide distanced themselves from Adam, leaving him isolated.
Adam's unease grew, sensing something was off.
Victor stood before him, smiling. "What's your name?"
Before Adam could respond, his Prediction skill activated.
[Host Skill Active: Prediction]
Adam glimpsed a 2-second future: Victor kicking him in the face, Adam's head hitting the ground.
Returning to the present, Adam saw Victor's smiling face.
Adam weighed his options. Resisting would raise doubts about his loyalty, but submitting silently would make him a target for bullying.
Adam decided to walk a fine line: cooperate, but not without boundaries.
Victor repeated, "What's your name?"
Adam steeled himself, ready to respond.
Adam thought to himself, "If I recall, I don't even know the names of most of the people here."
All eyes were on Adam, filled with anticipation.
A minute passed, and Adam remained silent. Victor's smile faded.
"Don't be shy, we're all one family now. Tell me, what's your name?" Victor asked, his tone laced with annoyance.
Adam thought sarcastically, "Family, my a**."
Victor's expression darkened, and he kicked Adam in the face. "Not respecting your senior is a punishable offense. You'll receive punishment for it."
The other trainees cheered, enjoying the spectacle.
The Zero String trainees remained indifferent, while the trainer silently praised Victor. He believed that low-ranking members were disposable and discipline was crucial.
Typically, a First String trainee's kick would knock out a lower-ranking trainee. But Adam was no ordinary person.
As Victor's kick connected with Adam's face, Adam activated his skill.
[Host Skill Active: Kinetic Enigma]
Adam absorbed the force and momentum, rendering the kick harmless – like a soft pillow grazing his face.
Adam's eyes locked onto Victor, a spark of defiance igniting within.
Victor, oblivious to Adam's true strength, sneered. "You'll learn respect, newbie."
The trainer watched, intrigued by Adam's unusual resilience.
Adam longed for the ordeal to end swiftly. He hoped Victor would tire quickly and lose interest, as attracting more attention would only draw unwanted scrutiny from formidable foes.
Adam's priority was to maintain a low profile.
Victor found Adam's reaction perplexing. Previously, lower-ranking trainees would cower in fear, but Adam's eyes conveyed pity, as if saying, "My sympathy is with you for being so weak."
Enraged, Victor unleashed another kick with greater ferocity.
Yet, Adam's expression remained unwavering, devoid of fear.
Victor thought, "Now the fear inside you is coming out... It'll be thrilling to see him cry... Beg me to spare him."
Victor's kick connected with Adam's face, but unexpectedly, it halted mid-air, as if halted by an invisible force.
Adam stood motionless, his eyes unblinking, his gaze fixed on Victor.
[Host Skill Active: Kinetic Enigma]
Adam's skill continued to absorb the impact, rendering Victor's attacks ineffective.
Victor's confusion deepened. "Why isn't he reacting?"
The trainer observed, intrigued by Adam's unusual resilience.
The Zero String trainees exchanged curious glances.
Victor's frustration grew as Adam remained unresponsive. He unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks, but Adam didn't flinch.
"The fear will come out, it has to," Victor thought, his anger boiling.
Trainer Ryder watched intently, sensing something unusual about Adam.
The Zero String trainees whispered among themselves, their interest piqued.
Eli, Arin, and Kaide exchanged worried glances, unsure what to make of Adam's impassive demeanor.
Adam's thoughts remained calm: "Just let him tire out... Don't react, don't provoke."
As Victor's attacks continued, Adam's skill silently absorbed each blow.
[Host Skill Active: Kinetic Enigma]
The trainer's eyes narrowed. "Victor, enough. You've made your point."
Victor, panting, stepped back, confusion etched on his face.
Adam's gaze never wavered, his eyes locked onto Victor.
The room fell silent, awaiting the next move.
Trainer Ryder stepped forward, his voice commanding attention. "Alright, Victor, that's enough. You've demonstrated your point."
Victor's chest heaved with exertion, his eyes still fixed on Adam with a mix of frustration and curiosity.
"The rest of you, take note," Ryder continued. "This is how we maintain discipline within our ranks."
The Zero String trainees nodded, their expressions unreadable.
Eli, Arin, and Kaide exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the underlying tension.
Adam remained impassive, his thoughts still on avoiding unnecessary attention.
Ryder's gaze shifted to Adam. "You, newcomer, have shown... interesting resilience. But loyalty and obedience are just as crucial."
Adam sensed a hint of curiosity in Ryder's tone.
"What's your name, newcomer?" Ryder asked, his eyes piercing.
Adam hesitated briefly before responding, "Adam."
Ryder's expression remained neutral. "Welcome, Adam. You'll learn our ways quickly."
As Ryder turned to leave, Victor whispered to Adam, "This isn't over."
Adam's instincts flared, warning him of impending challenges.