Chapter 5

Two slots on the ceiling of the simulation room occupied by Cade and Arthur. From it, two projector like devices came down. Light came out from each of them, shining the floor below them. Slowly the light particles began merging. Soon, figures were formed from the merging if these particles. It continued until they were both facing four human-like figures made from light. "Are those hard light constructs?" Lucille asked, amazed by what she witnessed. "They are." Siegfried answered. "The principle behind them is similar to a 3D Printer. From here, I program the figure I wish for it to create. Next, those projectors took the data and process it. Then, with the help of mana, that data is then coded into the light it projects. Like a 3D Printer, the mana uses the light as its mold to create the those figures." Siegfried explained.

"Amazing." General Dubois remarked. "Imagine our national army composed entirely of that. No soldier would have to die in battle. Sadly, it's still in the prototype stage just like you said before, Mr. Doron." The general added. "Correct, General." Siegfried affirmed. "Though the light constructs can move with the mobility of a seasoned fighter, it can only operate within a 40 square feet area. Also, one projector can create an optimum of four figures. Any more than than and the integrity of the mold will crumble, making an army impossible." He added. The delegate then directed their attention below. With their practice enemies in place, the two Scions made their move and rushed the light figures.

The light figures indeed moved like experienced fighters. Their movements were well coordinated, like a well oiled a machine functioning at maximum efficiency. Both fighters responded differently. Cade summoned a gust of wind and blasted the figures. It stopped the figures on their tracks, foiling their plan to surround him. Arthur, on the other, leaped into the air and dive bombed the figures with his mighty fist. The figures scattered, leaving Arthur to hit the ground. There was a loud-shattering sound, created by Arthur's impact. A small crater was left on the area he punched. He may have succeeded in scrambling them but now, they completely surrounded him.

With the gust of wind halting the figures' advance, they were forced to change tactics. They scrambled, moving like buzzing bees in order to be unpredictable. With this, Cade's wide-area wind blasts won't be able to stop them. However, that was what the young Scion wanted. That wind blast earlier wasn't to stop them but to see how they would react. Now, he can proceed in picking them off one by one.

"The one with the glasses is good. Each of his movements are carefully calculated." General Dubois commented. "He'll be a great asset to this new team but I'm not comfortable with this one." The general added, pointing out Arthur. "I understand General Dubois' concern." Secretary Ortiz seconded. "I know we're against the clock here but are you sure there are no other Scions in your team? The boy is a brute. He's toying with his enemies instead finishing them up quickly. He'll be a liability out there." The defense secretary added.

Lucille who was just listening can't help but roll her eyes. "I understand you men are from the Military and Defense Sector but you can't apply the same logic you put in the army into these people." Lucille interjected. "What you're seeing there is a Category Two and a Category Three. Twos have enhanced physical attributes. They're classified into two groups: Herculeans and Mercurials. Herculeans have superhuman levels of strength and durability while Mercurials have superhuman speed, agility and reflexes." She explained. "The one down there is a Herculean. And according to some psych. evals. that I've read, they do enjoy pounding their enemies. Think of it as their release. Having that level of strength can make them live their lives on boxes so given the opportunity to let loose, they will make it last."

"Threes on the other hand are intellectual beings. They're gifted with above average intelligence. They're brains are like organic computers, processing faster than a normal human brain. They lack a Two's physical attributes but their minds are lethal weapons as well. In a fight, what you see there is what you expect from someone like them. They won't attack head on. They would test each possibility they can think of until they find the one effective method to end a problem."

"So you see, Deviants are far different from us normals. You can't expect them to follow the same disciplines that you impose in the army. A soldier, before becoming one, enters the military academy empty and umolded. That's why they undergo the same training to be reformed into our defenders. Deviants already have the skills when they were born. They don't need a generalized environment. They needed conditions that would suit their individual abilities in order to become stronger." Lucille explained.

The two men were silent for a while, listening to her then nodded in agreement to what she said. "It seemed that we were right into letting you in this. Your company's resources and facilities aren't the only asset that you can offer. You're very knowledgeable in Deviants as well." Secretary Ortiz commented. "Thank you, Mr. Defense Secretary. I do have Twos and Threes in my employment so I know them." Lucille said. They then looked the two Scions demonstrating below. "Looks like they're about to wrap this up." Siegfried said.

Below, the fight has continued. Cade continued fighting cautiously, studying the light figures movements, making sure that he has seen all they can do. Meanwhile, Arthur did what he does best. He didn't move from his spot and just allowed the light figures to attack him. With each time they attacked, he would overwhelm them with his strength. This continued on until they both saw the opportune moment to end the fight.

With enough information gathered, Cade was now ready to end this. He gathered wind around his fist, amplying his next strike. With swiftness not natural to a human, he weaved around the field, striking each of the light figures with well placed strikes. The light figures then dissipated after being defeated.

Arthur on the other room has now gone bored and had enough fun. Still not moving from where he crashed, he taunted the light figures into attacking him simultaneously. The figures took his bait, jumping on him with simultaneous attacks. Arthur only smirked and gathered strength from the earth. The gathered strength was then used in one tremendous punch to the ground, sending a powerful shockwave that wiped the figures and inadvertently shook the room their in.

The people above were impressed by what they saw. These two were the only recruits for now but they certainly showed promise. They were, indeed, the perfect counter to the dark and evil threat that was now rising in the city. "They're magnificent, Mr. Doron." Secretary Ortiz remarked. "I agree with the Defense Secretary." General Dubois seconded. "They're still far from the Scions of the old but all had a start." Lucille connected. Siegfried was glad to hear all of these positive comments. This endeavor of his didn't go to waste.

He then turned on the intercomm to speak to the Scions. However, Alyssa interrupted him. "Pardon me." She excused. "With all due respect, I don't think those are Scions at all. They're Category Fours, like you said before, but they're far from Scions. I know my history lessons. And I know that Scions possess a weapon forged out of pure Mana which served as a proof of their contract with the Eidolons that provided their power." She said. The people in the room gave her a regarding look, making her squirm. She felt that she spoke out of turn. After all, she was just an executive assistant and all of them have high ranking jobs. How she hoped to be swallowed by the floor now.

"Your protege is perceptive, Lucille. You have a good eye. Train her well and she'll be running AICorp in no time." Siegfried commented. Hearing this, Alyssa can't help but get flustered. "What does the woman speak off, Mr. Doron?" Secretary Ortiz said. "She's referring to Soul Arms. They're weapons that only a specific Scion can wield. The Ten Saints from four thousand years ago possessed one each. You can say that they're the most powerful weapons in the world since it's an Eidolon's power manifestation." He explained. "The most powerful? Good Eidolons above!" General Dubois exclaimed. "That could tilt the power balance between the three regions of the world! The Central Continents and Western Domains might sue us for this." He added. "That's why this is a secret, General." Siegfried said. "And we're not forming VANGUARD as a new military unit. They're a response team for the upcoming demonic threat." He added.

Siegfried then turned the intercomm again, patching his voice to both rooms. "Cade. Arthur. That was a great display. But there's one more test. Show them your Soul Arms." He told them. "Sir. I believed you specifically told us not to use them for now. I share your concern that they're powerful devices that must be used with utmost caution." Cade said. "Oh, shut up, Cade!!!" Arthur exclaimed. "I've been dying to use that axe after it showed up. Don't be such a killjoy." He added. "I don't expect a simple-minded brute like you to understand." Cade insulted. "What did you say?!! Want me to smash that wall between us so I can wring your neck?!!" Arthur threatened. "Guys. Guys. Have some decency. We have important people here." Siegfried interjected. "Arthur. Keep that temper down. Cade. I know what I said but listen to what I'm saying now. Those weapons are yours. You're the only ones who can control them." He said. "I'm going to give you another opponent. Do your best to finish it in one shot." He commanded. "Yes, sir." They answered in unison.

Siegfried's fingers glided on the keyboard, inputing the program for their next opponent. The projectors then emitted the same light particles as before. The process restarted again as it formed the light figure that Siegfried programmed. The result was a hulking figure that towered over the two Scions. "Your opponents will simulate adamantite, the strongest metal in the world. Show them what you got, boys." Siegfried said.

Taking their cue, the two Scions outstretched their arms. Mana started gathering into their open palms as they began to summon their weapons. The tremendous mana they were calling was so strong that it caused the electronics inside the observation room to flicker and die every now and then. Soon after, weapons formed in each of their hand. "In Cade's hand, a sword formed. It's green in color and had silver cutting edges. It's guard looked like a pair of wings. Arthur's weapon in the other hand was a pole axe. It had a single cutting head and holding it in place was a lion head embled carbed from gold.

With weapons in hand, the two Scions attacked. Cade's sword gathered wind around its blade. He then swung it at the enemy, releasing the wind and transforming it into multiple wind blades. The blades then decimated the hulking light figure. It's adamantite simulation was nothing to it. Arthur's weapon glowed a bright yellow. If looked at closely, his weapon gathered mana from the earth. He then leaped into the air and brought down the axe as he fell. The combined energy of his fall and the raw strength of his Soul Arm chopped the light figure in half. With the figures defeated, they then dissipated.

"Excellent work, guys. Really impressive." Siegfried said through the intercomm. The Scions then put away their weapons, disappearing the way they appeared. "So. I believed you saw what you needed to see. They're powerful. And I'm sure they can handle the demons that would come to this world." Siegfried proudly said.

"Yes. They are impressive, magnificent even." Defense Secretary Ortiz said. "They're very powerful and because of that..........I've decided to shut down this project." He stated, making the world around them seem to break.