Chapter 8: Source Energy and Imprinting

Ron nodded and made a sweeping gesture, prompting the boys to start running. Those who lagged were met with the instructor's whip. The run continued until the first light of dawn, at which point Ron called a halt. Breakfast followed, abundant and balanced, though some of the food tasted peculiar due to growth-stimulating additives.

Many boys devoured their meals ravenously; Allen, equally famished, did the same. Despite his usual stamina—honed by surviving five harsh years in the wild—Ron's run had drained him. The lieutenant seemed to take a special interest in him, personally whipping him whenever he slowed down to conserve energy, forcing Allen to sprint at full speed. He led the group by three laps.

Now, even holding a piece of bread made his hands tremble. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to eat slowly, unlike some boys who, eating too quickly, ended up clutching their stomachs in pain. Ron ordered these boys to be taken away and advised, "Remember, after intense exertion, avoid rapid and excessive eating. It could kill you, especially after starving for days. Start with water, and control your intake strictly!"

Only then did the boys realize that eating was an art. "You have 15 minutes to rest after eating, then it's strength training!" Ron's words made their faces grimace.

The next two months passed in a blur of physical, strength, and other various trainings, interspersed with surprise attacks from instructors wielding whips, batons, or even knives, and engaging in hand-to-hand combat. These attacks could come at any time, except at night, to ensure the boys got enough sleep. Anything else would be torture, not training.

Allen gradually adapted to this lifestyle. Some techniques taught by Ron were similar to those he had learned from the snow wolves, though others were beyond their capabilities, given humans' advanced knowledge and the wolves' reliance on experience—a difference as vast as heaven and earth.

On the first day of the third month, after breakfast, Ron unexpectedly gathered the boys in the square instead of starting strength training. Two months of training had whittled their numbers down to twenty-nine. Eyeing the remaining boys, Ron smiled, "You've surprised me. I thought half of you would be gone by now. Congratulations, because now you'll have the chance to touch true power in this world!"

"In Babylon's war academies, scholars would bore you with theory. But here, we're a training camp, and in a few months, one of you will face the death arena. I have no time for lengthy explanations. Just know this: the true power of this world, indeed the universe, is called Source Energy!"

"I'll give you a direct impression of what Source Energy is," Ron said, looking skyward. "There are two types of Source Energy: Cosmic Source Energy and Life Source Energy. Detailed explanations are in the manuals you'll receive. Forget Cosmic Source Energy; even the greatest among us may never touch it. It's a power beyond mere effort, requiring innate talent. You, however, will learn to harness Life Source Energy!"

Allen trembled, beginning to understand the glow he saw in people like Bai Fang and Ron was likely this Life Source Energy. Ron noticed his thoughtful expression and smiled, "What is life? At its simplest, it's the result of male and female union. But it's far more complex. The universe is full of competition. Every life must endure this struggle. When your father released his essence into your mother, you had a one-in-millions, even billions, chance to be born!"

"Only the strongest and fastest sperm reaches the egg. Thus, you carry the best genes from both parents." Ron paused for the boys to digest this. "Life Source Energy taps into these hidden genetic potentials, extracting, absorbing, and strengthening them, distinguishing you from ordinary people. With this power, you'll gain wealth and power beyond any ordinary person's reach. Source Energy is power; with it, the universe is yours. Without it, you're mere livestock."

His voice thundered like their first encounter, forcing his words into the boys' minds. "Now, let me show you what Source Energy can do…" Ron raised his muscular arm, veins bulging like worms. A faint, firefly-like glow appeared, forming a circuit-like pattern, finally converging into a blade-like mark on his hand.

"Activating your genetic potential is just the first step. In the Source Energy system, we call it the Fire Seed. Lighting this seed is merely a ticket to this vast world. Creating Source Energy vortices makes you a Source Energy user, but don't get complacent. You're still the lowest tier, cannon fodder in real battles. True power lies in forming nine vortices and creating the first genetic circuit, which will appear as a mark like this on my hand. We call it an Imprint!"

"Each Imprint is unique, like you. Mine is Steel Blade, making my arm as hard as steel and as sharp as a blade!" The boys watched in awe as Ron opened a new world to them, a world they had to explore once they ignited their Fire Seeds. At least, they had to light the Fire Seeds first.

Ron looked at the boys like a wolf about to devour prey, "You're lucky to be here. Without this camp, you'd never have this chance. In seven days, the first enlightenment potions will arrive. These will help you awaken your hidden Source Energy quickly. Beware, though, they severely damage your nervous system. Most can only use them two or three times. Exceed this, and you'll be a vegetable!"

The boys gasped, their excitement turning to dread as Ron continued, "Furthermore, you have two months to ignite your Fire Seeds. Any who fail will be eliminated!"

By now, they knew elimination meant death. With just two months and a maximum of three potion doses, their chances seemed slim. In two months, how many of the twenty-nine would remain? The number wouldn't be high. After all, Source Energy users were still rare.

Strength training resumed, with Ron increasing the intensity. His standards pushed the boys to their limits. He tailored the training, adding extra weight for some, like Allen, whose training load was nearly double that of the others.