Chapter 23: Training & Knowledge I

The Admiral's Office, Solace Prime

Admiral Tiber stood by the large observation window in his office, gazing out at the swirling nebula that framed Solace Prime. Behind him, Elara Vynn, the lead genetic scientist, stood with her datapad, her expression a mixture of intrigue and concern.

"So," the Admiral began, his voice even but laced with curiosity, "did you find anything special about him? How is he naturally so strong?"

Elara hesitated. "None, actually," she replied. "He's perfectly normal. In fact, from his genetic makeup, he could be considered a healthy young man by any standard, nothing out of the ordinary. If I hadn't seen him perform feats only ECHOs can, I would have dismissed him as mundane."

The Admiral turned, his brow furrowing. "I don't understand. How can his DNA appear normal when he's clearly not?"

Elara shrugged, frustration evident in her tone. "That's the paradox. There's nothing in his genetic structure to indicate why he's capable of such strength or speed. Yet, the reality defies the data."

The Admiral exhaled deeply, clasping his hands behind his back. "Continue your study of his genes. Just imagine if we could replicate his ability and potential, what it could mean for the ECHOs, for all of humanity. The possibilities are endless."

(A/N: Don't worry there won't be any scenarios of his clones appearing and they can't replicate his powers as I had previously said his powers come from his soul, and there is another reason they can't replicate his powers which I will reveal later.)

Elara hesitated, her conscience warring with her duty. While she understood the Admiral's perspective, experimenting on Arthur without his knowledge didn't sit well with her. Still, the greater good loomed large over her personal ethics.

"Alright," she said reluctantly, nodding. "I'll continue the research."

With that, she exited the office, leaving the Admiral alone in his thoughts. He turned back to the nebula, his expression unreadable.

…

Arthur sat cross-legged on the floor of his quarters, surrounded by holographic screens displaying various subjects. Mathematics, physics, biology, and history floated in midair, their glowing diagrams and equations casting a soft light on his face.

He leaned closer to a screen detailing advanced quantum mechanics. "Schrödinger's Equation," he muttered, tracing the holographic text with his finger. "I could barely understand this back in my world from the books I had gathered, and now it's as clear as day."

His cognitive abilities had grown exponentially since his arrival. What used to take hours to grasp now took mere minutes. In less than a day, he had absorbed knowledge equivalent to a high school education and was already diving into more advanced topics.

"It's like my brain is a sponge," he thought, marveling at his newfound mental acuity. He closed his eyes, and to his amazement, he could recall every detail he had read, even from years ago. Memories he thought were long forgotten resurfaced with perfect clarity.

His enthusiasm grew as he delved deeper, voraciously consuming data on every subject he could access. For the first time in years, he felt truly alive.

…

The next day, Arthur was led to the training hall by a soldier. His boots echoed faintly against the polished floors as he walked, his mind buzzing with anticipation. Today, his training would officially commence.

When he arrived, the hall loomed before him, a massive space lined with advanced monitoring equipment, reinforced walls, and platforms designed for all kinds of combat scenarios. Standing in the center were Commander Lira and Kael, both looking sharp and focused.

"Good morning," Arthur greeted, his tone polite but curious. "Why are you both here? I thought I'd be trained by regular soldiers or maybe an AI program."

Lira's lips curled into a slight smile."Regular soldiers can't handle you, and AI lacks the intuition required for this. Kael and I will oversee your training personally."

Arthur blinked in surprise. "But aren't you both too busy for this?"

Kael chuckled. "You're a priority, Arthur. Think of it as an investment."

Lira nodded. "Let's see what you've got. Kael will start with combat training, techniques and awareness."

Kael gestured for Arthur to step forward. "Alright, rookie. Let's see how you handle yourself in a fight."

Kael assumed a fighting stance, his movements fluid and confident. Arthur mirrored him, his posture less refined but solid.

"Ready?" Kael asked. Before Arthur could respond, Kael dashed forward with a speed that seemed impossible, landing a calculated blow to Arthur's midsection. Arthur stumbled back, winded.

"Lesson one, never let your guard down," Kael said, his tone teasing but firm.

Arthur recovered quickly, his eyes narrowing. Kael attacked again, this time aiming for Arthur's side. Arthur blocked the strike but barely, his muscles straining against Kael's strength.

"Good reflexes," Kael noted, stepping back momentarily. "But you're relying too much on brute force. That won't always work."

Arthur gritted his teeth. "I'll figure it out."

Over the next hour, Kael pushed Arthur to his limits. He demonstrated complex maneuvers, explaining each in detail before attacking. He explained each technique with precision, showing Arthur how to turn an opponent's strength against them, how to find openings, and how to anticipate an enemy's next move.

At first, Arthur struggled, his movements clumsy compared to Kael's precision. But as the session progressed, he began to adapt.

Kael swung a powerful kick aimed at Arthur's head. Arthur ducked just in time, using the momentum to deliver a counterpunch that Kael barely deflected.

"Not bad," Kael admitted, stepping back. "You're a fast learner. At this rate, it won't take you more than a few months to master everything I can teach."

Arthur wiped sweat from his brow, his chest heaving. "Thanks, but I'm not letting this go to my head."

Kael's expression turned serious. "Good. Because in the ECHO ranks, I'm barely above a new recruit. Some have been in service for centuries."

Arthur's eyes widened. "Centuries? Humans can live that long?"

Kael smirked. "With the right tech, yes. But don't get distracted. Focus."

Arthur nodded, his amazement tempered by determination. "Let's go again."

Kael didn't hesitate, launching another series of attacks, this time more aggressive. He forced Arthur into a corner, testing his ability to defend and counter under pressure. Arthur gritted his teeth, dodging and parrying as best as he could, sweat dripping into his eyes.

As Kael swung a roundhouse kick, Arthur saw an opening. He sidestepped and grabbed Kael's leg, using the momentum to push him off balance. Kael stumbled briefly before recovering, a surprised but approving look on his face.

"Impressive," Kael said, straightening. "You're starting to think ahead. That's what I like to see."

Arthur gave a small smile, his confidence growing. "Thanks. What's next?"

Lira, who had been observing silently, stepped forward. "Now it's my turn. Kael taught you how to fight. I'll teach you how to win."

…

After combat training, Lira led Arthur to a room filled with holographic projectors. She activated a simulation, and a battlefield sprang to life around them. The air shimmered as soldiers, vehicles, and alien landscapes materialized in front of them, as real as anything Arthur had seen.

"Tactics are just as important as raw strength," Lira began. "This scenario pits you against an enemy outnumbering your forces three to one. Your objective, survive and win."

Arthur surveyed the simulated battlefield. His forces consisted of infantry units, a few armored vehicles, and scattered defensive positions. The enemy, by contrast, was an overwhelming swarm of relentless soldiers backed by heavy artillery.

"Alright, where do I start?" he asked, his brow furrowing.

Lira smiled faintly. "Show me what you've got."

…

Arthur hesitated briefly before issuing commands to his holographic troops. At first, his strategies were straightforward, direct assaults and brute-force engagements. His soldiers marched head-on into enemy fire, taking heavy casualties. The simulation ended with his forces obliterated in less than five minutes.

"Think," Lira said, pausing the simulation. "You're not a one-man army here. Use the terrain, anticipate the enemy's moves, and give command according to that."

Arthur nodded, determined to do better.

Restarting the scenario, he scanned the battlefield. This time, he noticed a cluster of rocks and hills that could serve as a natural choke point. He repositioned his infantry there, setting up ambushes with his armored units hidden behind the ridges.

As the enemy advanced, Arthur's troops struck with precision, catching them in crossfires and forcing them into narrow kill zones. The enemy faltered, their superior numbers rendered useless in the confined spaces.

By the end, his forces stood victorious, albeit with multiple casualties.

"Impressive," Lira said. "Though they were primitive troops, nowadays soldiers have techs to maneuver these kinds of situations, so your tactics won't work in modern times . But let's see how you handle a more dynamic scenario."

Arthur nodded. "Alright."

…

The battlefield shifted, morphing into an urban environment of towering buildings, narrow streets, and a labyrinth of alleyways. Lira tapped a few controls on the projector.

"This time, the objective isn't to destroy your enemy. A civilian convoy has been captured. You have limited forces, and the enemy is dug in. The clock's ticking."

Arthur assessed his available troops: a small squad of elite operatives and a single reconnaissance drone.

"Alright," he murmured. "Speed and stealth, then."

He sent the drone ahead, mapping the area and identifying enemy positions. Using the intel, he split his squad into two teams, one creating a diversion while the other infiltrated the enemy's stronghold.

The diversion team launched a series of hit-and-run attacks, drawing the enemy's attention. Meanwhile, the infiltration team moved swiftly through back alleys and rooftops, avoiding detection.

After multiple tries of the simulation, Arthur was able to save half of the civilians and the other half dead.

"Well done," Lira said. "You're starting to use your head. But there is still much to learn."

"Alright, let's see how you perform in a different scenario."

Arthur nodded. "I'm ready."

***

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