Alex had made incredible progress with the fire matrix, but there was still one hurdle to overcome: speed. The process of activating the matrix, though effective, was slow. It took hours to get the matrix up and running, and in a real-world scenario, that kind of delay could prove fatal. If he wanted to truly master this ability, he needed to reduce that time—drastically.
Sitting in his study, Alex stared at the glowing matrix projected within the Cognichip space, its delicate lines and curves flickering softly as cosmic energy flowed through it. He had shaped his soul power into the matrix, had learned how to guide the energy, but now the task was to speed it up.
"Nano seconds," Alex muttered to himself. "I need this to activate in nano seconds."
"Your current process involves several steps that could be optimized," Cognichip's voice chimed in, breaking through his concentration. "The central point of activation takes the longest time to stabilize. You may consider streamlining the energy pathways for faster ignition."
"Right," Alex nodded. "It's like tuning an engine—everything has to be in sync, but it also needs to be quick, automatic."
He closed his eyes and began to dissolve the matrix, breaking it apart with his soul power and letting it dissipate into the ether. His goal was to speed up the reformation process—to be able to summon the matrix instantly when needed. It was tedious work. Each time he dissolved the matrix, he rebuilt it, focusing on making each step faster than the last.
Hours passed, the process repeating itself over and over. Dissolve. Reform. Dissolve. Reform. The first few attempts were painfully slow, but as the days went by, the activation process grew faster and faster.
On the third day, he could feel it. The rhythm of the matrix was becoming instinctive—his soul power could shape the structure without hesitation, without any gaps or delays. The energy pathways smoothed out, flowing like water through a riverbed, until finally, on the seventh day, he achieved it.
"Matrix activation complete in 1.4 seconds," Cognichip announced, its voice even and calm.
Alex exhaled, a smile forming on his lips. "Not quite nano seconds, but it's a huge improvement."
"You are approaching the limits of your current mental strength," Cognichip noted. "To reach nano-second activation, you will need a significant boost in either soul power or mental capacity."
Alex leaned back in his chair, satisfied for now. "One step at a time."
The holographic form of Eva flickered into existence beside him, her tone as neutral as always. "Alex, there are updates on the global situation. Would you like to review them?"
"Go ahead," Alex said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He wasn't just working his mind; every attempt at shaping the matrix took a toll on his body too, and the breaks in between were becoming a necessity.
Eva's holographic projections filled the room once again. "The Central Coalition remains focused on their technological advancements. Several scientists within the coalition are working on reverse-engineering AI protocols, but their efforts have not yet yielded significant progress. However, there has been growing unrest in several smaller states due to economic strain."
"And the ability user nations?" Alex asked, though he wasn't expecting much change there.
"Things remain mostly stable," Eva replied. "Tera Nova has begun consolidating more territory, securing its borders against potential incursions from La Corona. Eze continues to lead, with no opposition strong enough to challenge him. La Reina remains focused on expanding her influence southward but has made no aggressive moves recently."
Alex nodded, soaking in the information. Everything was quiet—for now. The larger nations were holding their ground, and the smaller ones were too fragmented to mount any real threats. Even the Central Coalition, with all their ambitions, seemed to be spinning their wheels without making any real breakthroughs.
"What about Suprema?" Alex asked, curious about Arjun's group.
"Suprema has maintained its neutral stance," Eva said. "They continue to serve as mediators between various states, keeping tensions low. Their mentalist abilities give them an edge in diplomacy, allowing them to prevent conflicts before they escalate."
"Good for them," Alex said, with a slight grin. He admired Suprema's tactics—subtle, low-key, and effective. It was a strategy he could relate to.
For the next week, it was more of the same for Alex. He spent his days dissolving and reforming the fire matrix, each time shaving off milliseconds from the activation process. It was tedious but necessary work, and with each success, his control over the matrix grew stronger, more precise.
Eva continued to keep him updated on the world between his breaks. For the most part, things were quiet. The Central Coalition had put most of their resources into securing their technological edge, with little success. The ability user nations continued to build their empires, each ruler focusing on fortifying their position rather than engaging in open conflict.
On the tenth day, Alex finally reached his goal.
"Matrix activation complete in 0.04 seconds," Cognichip reported. "You have achieved near-instantaneous activation."
Alex couldn't help but feel a rush of satisfaction. He had done it. The matrix now responded to his will almost instantly, the fire sequence coming to life at a moment's notice. All it took was a single thought, and the cosmic energy around him would bend to his will, manifesting in the form of fire he could control.
"It's about time," Alex muttered, though there was a grin on his face.
"Your mastery of the matrix has reached a new level," Cognichip observed. "However, it is advisable to test your abilities outside the confines of the Cognichip space to ensure they function as expected in real-world conditions."
"I know, I know," Alex replied, standing up and stretching his limbs. "But for now, I'm taking a break. It's been a long week."
Eva's hologram shimmered as she processed more data. "There is little change in the global situation. However, reports indicate that La Corona's influence continues to spread. Several smaller states in Central America are considering aligning themselves with La Reina in exchange for protection."
"She's expanding fast," Alex remarked. "But that's her style, isn't it? Build an empire one deal at a time."
"Correct," Eva confirmed. "Her telepathic abilities allow her to influence key figures without direct confrontation. It is an effective strategy for gaining control."
Alex walked over to the window, staring out at the evening sky. The world was moving, changing—slowly, but surely. And now, with the fire matrix mastered, he was more prepared than ever to face whatever came next.
"Alright," he said, turning back to Eva and Cognichip. "Let's keep an eye on things. We'll make our next move when the time is right."
"Understood," Eva responded.
As the room fell silent once more, Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of calm. The fire matrix was just the beginning—there were more patterns to unlock, more elements to master