Assimilation Training
-----
Normally, the direction or vector of genetic development is predetermined and stored in the human genetic code, otherwise known as DNA. It is a result of the amalgamation of two large genetic data banks into a newly found unique sequence from the consummation of a male and female. The complex process involved is a whole field of discipline thought to be beyond human reach. As the proverb says, "Steel rod grind to needle" (铁杆成针), meaning all problems cannot stand against persistence. Although in this case, it was more a strike of luck, APTX-0629 from Seed Labs was a foot in the door into this mysterious study. However, undeniably, the effort invested by Seed Labs was immeasurable. So much so that Seed Labs is the only authority in this field of study. But more importantly, their lead is certain by keeping the formulation of APTX-0629 tightly bottled up. Even today, 50 years after it was discovered, nobody knows its secrets except for two individuals, the only rival in secrecy of formulation being that of a certain dark, sugary, carbonated drink.
So, even though controlling or changing the vector of the inherent genetic code was nearly impossible, Seed Labs was able to succeed in developing ways to increase the brain's gene assimilation rate. One of these ways was applying external pressures to stimulate the brain to reorganize to adapt to said stimuli. This was achieved in two ways: medicine and applying physical stresses. Medicine was administering X-807, a supercharged cell supplement that boosts cell activity, which in turn stimulates a faster assimilation rate. Applying physical stresses was a much cruder process involving damaging cells of specific body parts they wanted to train, then allowing them to heal into stronger individual cells. The benefit of this method was that it stimulates the brain by giving it a signal that the body can keep up with a higher assimilation rate and also inclines it to improve its existing abilities. Individually, these external pressures give a limited boost to the assimilation rate. Combined, the synergy achieved was astounding, such that it was pushed as the main training method for increasing assimilation rate.
For instance, due to the nature of Rayner's ability, part of his training overlapped with Rob, nicknamed Mouse's routine, focusing on running and leg exercise. Mouse's newfound ability is his astounding running speed, allowing him to run at the same speed as Rayner. Periodically, they were also administered X-807. Another part of the training was having them collectively engage in combat training, and by the end of the month, they would be pitted against each other in a competition to determine the strongest of them. The overall winner of the combat competition would be rewarded with a higher rank once they got the job at Seed Labs. With or without the reward, all subjects were motivated to learn. It was a necessary skill to survive the outside world. The conflict had already spread across multiple regions of the world, and it looked like it was only a matter of time before they got involved in it. However, when Brad heard they were going to engage in combat, his eyes shone with hostility and looked at Rayner with a bright smile on his face. Rayner looked back at him when he heard a voice behind him.
"I think you should back down on this one. He probably isn't the same person as he was months ago," said Antonio.
"Don't worry, I can handle this," he said as he patted Antonio's shoulder, his clenched fist confident in his newfound strength.
**Seed Labs Training Room 7**
"87, 88, 89, 90..." Rayner's forced voice was resounding inside the room as he was doing his one-finger push-ups. His lower body was covered in a dark training suit while his upper body was fully exposed. His whole upper body now, unlike months before, was bulging with stone-hard muscles that slightly contracted with each of his movements. Underneath the dark training suit were leg muscles that looked like they had been honed with years of training. This achievement was supported by ample amounts of X-807 providing timely energy replenishment and cell repair, allowing for faster muscle building and more efficient training. The only disadvantage being its inability to heal mental fatigue. Although it had been the effects of X-807 hastening the buildup process, it was mainly due to his gene-enhanced physique. If a normal person were to intake X-807, they would explode into a bloody pulp because of its potency.
In front of Rayner was a black-skinned, bald-headed man, shouting: "Why you doing pushups like a fucking pussy? Man up, go faster. Go! Go!! Go!!!" He was Instructor Jamar, the man who oversaw his training for the past half month. "Remember Brad's face? At this pace of training, he's gonna pulverize you like potatoes. Focus. Push yourself more!"
Rayner's eyebrows twitched as Instructor Jamar said those words. For the past half month, Jamar had been using this to irritate him. Rayner gritted his teeth and asked something he had been asking without getting any reply from Jamar previously.
"What ability does he have that I should be scared of?"
Jamar looked at him with a face of amusement. Upon hearing his reply, Rayner's face turned dark.
---