Military: First and Second Year

First Year

"Sir! Yes, Sir!" Haruto snapped to attention, his voice sharp and clear.

The training regime was grueling, a routine that repeated itself week after week, but Haruto quickly adapted, driven by the mysterious power that coursed through him.

Monday: Runs

The week began with an early morning run, a test of stamina. The soldiers were required to cover miles of rugged terrain, pushing themselves until their legs burned and their lungs screamed for air. Haruto, though, barely broke a sweat. His body moved effortlessly, his steps light yet powerful. Every time he felt fatigue creeping in, his regeneration kicked in, repairing his muscles faster than they could tire. By the end of the run, the others were gasping for breath, while Haruto stood at the finish line, looking as if he'd just begun.

Tuesday: Obstacle Courses

The obstacle course was a chaotic test of agility and problem-solving. Walls to climb, rivers to cross, and traps to avoid—each obstacle designed to challenge the body and mind. Haruto's reflexes were faster than anyone's, as though he had memorized the course before even stepping onto it. His muscles rippled under the strain, but each leap, each pull-up, felt effortless. He darted past his fellow soldiers, his movements fluid and precise, leaving them in awe and frustration. His body wasn't just strong—it was tuned to perfection.

Wednesday: Heavy Lifting

By Wednesday, Haruto's physical growth was undeniable. The soldiers were instructed to lift heavy loads, testing their strength and endurance. Haruto's competitors struggled to carry their weights, their faces contorted with effort. But Haruto? His grip tightened on the bars, and with minimal effort, he hoisted twice the weight they struggled with, as though lifting was second nature. His muscles, already swelling from days of intense training, responded almost instantly, growing denser and more defined. The sight of his effortless strength left the others in disbelief.

Thursday: Endurance, Speed, and Strength Tests

Thursday was an amalgamation of the week's toughest tests. Soldiers had to run sprints, endure long-distance marches, and lift heavy weights—all in one day. Haruto faced it all with the calm of someone who had done it a thousand times before. His speed was a blur, his endurance unbroken. The faster he ran, the faster his muscles repaired themselves, growing stronger with every step. Each weight he lifted seemed lighter, his body adapting rapidly, outpacing everyone around him. It was as though he was designed for this, every cell in his body working in perfect synchronization.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: Combat Training

The weekend was reserved for combat training—sparring with the best soldiers, learning new techniques, and testing battle strategies. Haruto's reflexes and speed put him at a distinct advantage, but what truly set him apart was his ability to recover. Every time he was knocked down, his body repaired itself almost immediately, allowing him to rise again, ready to face his opponent. The trainers were amazed at how quickly Haruto adapted to combat, his mind processing every move his opponent made, his body anticipating every strike before it came.

By the end of the week, the physical transformation was undeniable. Haruto's body had become a masterpiece of muscle and sinew, honed by the brutal training. His comrades whispered in hushed voices, clearly unable to reconcile what they saw before them. His rapid progress was impossible by any normal standard.

"He can't be human," someone muttered, eyes wide with disbelief. "How can someone get a body like that in just one week?"

Haruto overheard the comments but didn't react. His transformation was no coincidence—his regenerative ability had accelerated his muscle growth far beyond what anyone could comprehend. As each day passed, his body grew stronger, faster, and more capable, leaving everyone around him in a mix of awe, envy, and confusion.

"Impossible," another voice murmured. "Is he even normal?"

The whispers of jealousy began to grow louder. The other trainees couldn't help but wonder: How could someone achieve this level of growth so quickly? Haruto's progress wasn't just noticeable—it was extraordinary. And as the weeks went on, the gap between him and everyone else only widened.

Second Year

t had been nearly a year since Haruto first stepped onto the harsh, unforgiving grounds of the military training camp. Despite the passing time, his body showed no signs of aging, as if trapped in a perpetual state of youth. The shimmer that once gleamed in his eyes, filled with the excitement of a new world, was now dimmed. His expression had grown more distant, his thoughts often wandering to the family and life he had lost, a world that was slowly slipping further away from him with each passing day.

The Second Year: A Shift in Focus

As Haruto entered his second year of training, the regimen began to shift. No longer focused solely on physical conditioning, the curriculum now included learning the fundamentals of the mech suits—the towering, armored exoskeletons used in combat. These suits were crucial for humanity's survival in this broken world, and every soldier needed to master them in preparation for the upcoming battles against the alien invaders. Haruto and the other cadets spent long hours studying the mechanics, piloting techniques, and the complex systems that controlled the suits. It was mentally taxing, but Haruto took to it with his usual intensity, his mind sharp despite the emotional toll the past year had taken.

Physical training, once the cornerstone of the program, was now relegated to every other week. These bi-weekly sessions were brutal, focusing on endurance, strength, and combat skills. But even in these rare moments, Haruto stood apart. His body had grown stronger and more refined over the year, his regeneration continuing to give him an edge over his peers. However, it was no longer just his physical form that set him apart. The emotional distance he kept from the others was growing, and the mental toll of his abilities and the weight of the world around him began to take its toll. While others grew closer, forming bonds and sharing their hopes for the future, Haruto's mind lingered in a state of constant isolation.

Despite his internal struggles, Haruto had formed bonds with a few of his fellow cadets, the most significant being with Ayane Fujiwara and her twin brother Renjiro. Ayane, a determined and fierce young woman, had joined the military not out of a thirst for power or glory, but to save her family from the crushing grip of poverty. She dreamed of a world where she could protect those she loved and help restore humanity to its former glory. Renjiro, her twin, was a kind-hearted and protective older brother in spirit, though only by a few minutes. He shared Ayane's dream of saving the world, and their bond was inseparable, with Haruto becoming an unlikely third member of their close-knit trio.

Over time, their friendship had blossomed, though Haruto remained distant, his thoughts often drifting to the family he could no longer protect. Ayane and Renjiro were his only real connections, and while he appreciated their companionship, the emotional burden of his powers weighed heavily on him. They often spoke of their hopes for the future and the worlds they imagined, and though Haruto remained silent more often than not, a part of him yearned to believe in the future they dreamed of.

The end of their second year brought with it the final trial: the consumption of the Tyralks blood, a deadly ritual designed to enhance physical abilities and unlock the true potential of the soldiers. The blood of the Tyralks, a dangerous and rare creature known for its regenerative abilities, was said to give the user enhanced strength, speed, and resilience. However, the procedure was risky—extremely so. The blood was potent and unpredictable, and its acceptance could either elevate a soldier to new heights of power or kill them in the process.

On the final day of their second year, the candidates were lined up in the central courtyard, each preparing to consume the blood that would forever change them. The process was gruesome. Soldiers were expected to drink the blood straight from the vial, and their bodies would undergo immediate physical transformation. Some would pass out from the pain as their bodies struggled to accept the foreign substance; others would be overwhelmed and perish before they even had a chance to react.

Ayane and Renjiro went first, their faces steely with determination. Ayane, having trained herself relentlessly, consumed the blood without hesitation, and Renjiro followed her lead. Both of them endured the pain, their bodies adjusting with relative ease. Haruto watched, a distant observer, wondering what the Tyralks blood would do to him. His body was no longer like those of the others—his regeneration had already exceeded human limits, and he wasn't sure what would happen when he introduced something so foreign into his system.

When it was his turn, Haruto hesitated. The blood seemed almost alive in its vial, a dark crimson liquid that shimmered with an unnatural energy. He drank it, feeling an immediate, searing pain as the blood entered his veins. His body rejected it at first, the foreign substance clashing violently with his regenerative abilities. Pain surged through him as his body attempted to expel the blood. But then something extraordinary happened—his regenerative powers kicked in, working faster and more intensely than ever before. His muscles strained and tore as they adapted, growing stronger with each passing second, and his mind raced to keep up with the rapid changes.

Unlike the other candidates, whose bodies struggled and failed, Haruto's regeneration allowed him to adapt, his body quickly learning to contain the Tyralks blood and integrate it into his system. The transformation was excruciating, but it was also transformative. Haruto felt power surge through him, a newfound strength and resilience that made him feel invincible.

However, the trial proved deadly for many others. Over 70% of the initial candidates who consumed the Tyralks blood failed the trial, their bodies unable to withstand the overwhelming transformation. They died in agony, their bodies breaking down as the blood rejected them. Haruto stood, gasping for breath, his body trembling from the aftershocks of the trial, but alive—alive and more powerful than he had ever been before.

As the others struggled to process the brutality of the trial and the loss of their comrades, Haruto looked over at Ayane and Renjiro. They had survived, but the weight of the bloodshed—both literal and figurative—hung heavily in the air. Haruto knew that the trials of the military had only just begun, and the world ahead would demand far more than they could imagine