The Resonating Process!

Following behind Red Waters Nuveth, the Rank 1 Half-machines began discussing with each other how this resonating process could work.

Being former humans, the information about Half-machines was severely limited, some even not being aware of this term to begin with. 

Hence, every word that Nuveth spoke carried infinite value. 

"What are your guesses?" Icarus spoke to Tahir, who was beside him.

"Well… he mentioned something about a wild Implant. Does that mean we have to fight it?"

"Physically?"

Tahir shrugged: "Maybe it's a nanobots battle, given their relation to Implant."

Icarus nodded, pondering for a moment.

"Wild Implants… do wild nanobots exist then? Perhaps it's a fight of transformation, making those nanobots into your own."

"Isn't a wild Implant ownerless to start with?" Tahir remained silent until his eyes widened. "Perhaps it being wild means it's part of nature… Like, its owner is the wilderness"

Icarus nodded as he looked back into Tahir's direction.

"You know, the less annoying you are, the smarter you become."

The boy shook his head in disbelief.

"Wha—Where did that come from?"

"Don't be surprised," Lonna spoke from behind them. "He's right."

"Agree," Nia's voice joined as well.

Tahir looked back only to find both girls close to each other while containing a laugh.

Pointing at them, he said: "Who are you to talk? What do you know about me."

Nia raised an eyebrow.

"We… can hear you. Icarus' right."

"What— But—!"

Icarus put a hand on his shoulder and patted it twice.

"Don't try to save face. It's futile."

"You're one to talk! I saved your ass from all the questioning!"

Laughter erupted as the students reached the guarded Implant Room. Two Rank 1s equipped with few Implants bowed at Rank 3 Nuveth and let him inside, as well as the Rank 1s he was teaching.

As he stepped inside, Icarus couldn't help but stop his laughs and stare in awe at the massive room. It was as big as a tennis court. And at least five meters tall.

Set up on the wall, there were multiple Rank 1 Implants in display—attached to chains to avoid them from moving.

In a sense, wild Implants were still alive. Security was needed.

Stopping in the middle of the room as the Half-machines made a semi-circle around him, Nuveth spread his arms and spoke with confidence.

"Welcome to the Rank 1 Implant Room. This is the main storage Rank 1 public storage of Red Waters and the place in which you'll get most of your Implants.

"First of all, do you notice any similarities in them?"

Quickly looking at the Implants in the wall, Icarus began searching for some hints. 

The first one was the clear exposure of chemicals, which made them appear rugged and spiky as if not properly filed.

The second one was the occasional release of gas that was quickly handled by the cutting-edge ventilation system of the room.

The last one was the molten lava flowing across the Implant's "veins", which were similar to transparent tubes.

A teenager spoke his thoughts as he began realizing every detail, to which Nuveth nodded.

"As you can see, wild Implants are heavily influenced by their surroundings. Broken Canyon is an active, volcanic planet. Hence, all nanobots have been forced to evolve to withstand the corrosive chemicals and hellish temperatures.

"Our clan, Red Waters, takes advantage of this evolution to prepare our Implant Wielders against the harsh conditions of the planet.

"These traits have shaped not only these nanobots but also our way of life. As you increase in Ranks and explore other planets, you will come to realize the uniqueness behind them."

Walking towards a stand, Nuveth released a wild Implant.

It was a massive glove that reached up to one's forearm, and it began squirming and shivering in an attempt to be released.

"Wild Implants will try to escape and resist your hold, but they aren't by no means strong. At least Rank 1s. They will be easily subdued with your human strength."

Walking to the center of the room again, Nuveth raised the Implant and spoke.

"I will now begin resonating with the wild Implant and adapt it to my Core. Listen attentively as I will explain all the steps behind the resonating process."

Sitting down, all the students followed his actions.

Grabbing the Implant with both hands, Nuveth said.

"The first step is to bridge the wild Implant's nanobots with our own. This means concentrating them into our fingertips and establishing a link."

As Red Waters Nuveth began the process, Icarus could notice how the wild Implant stopped moving—its fingers stopping squirming.

With a deep breath, he continued.

"I have established the link. The next step is to extend my nanobots throughout the wild Implant's ones. At least 75% of my nanobots must be directly in contact with the Implant."

As he spoke, the wild Implant's surface was slowly being covered by extremely tiny, green dots. The color was similar to Nuveth's vines around his neck and arms.

Those were his nanobots.

In a moment, they had taken most of the Implant's surface.

"Now comes the hardest and vital part. I'll start commanding my nanobots to attack the wild Implant!"

Suddenly, the Implant's fingers stretched for a second before it started trashing around, trying to get rid of the tiny insects making their way into it.

Nuveth's hands remained steady, but the air around him seemed to ripple with heat as the battle between nanobots raged.

The Rank 3 kept explaining.

"I must destroy the Implant's nanobots, replacing them and slowly transforming the Implant into my own. And by this stage, its nanobots have begun striking back!"

Icarus could see how the Implant stopped squirming before shivering uncontrollably! However, it was slowly coming to a stop.

"Unfortunately, a Rank 3 Implant Wielder's nanobots are far beyond what a Rank 1 wild Implant can sustain! It has begun its own attack, but upon realizing the vast difference in our strength, its courage has almost given up."

It didn't take long for the Implant to stop moving altogether.

Deeply exhaling, Red Waters Nuveth held the Implant high in the air.

"The wild Implant has been subdued and now belongs to me!"

Most of the teenagers stared in sheer awe, their eyes shining with expectation and delight after being in the presence of such a masterful spectacle!

Icarus couldn't close his mouth, resting his chin on his fist while listening to every explanation.

'Link, spread, subdue or replace… It sounds awfully simple in theory, but he's a Rank 3. As Rank 1s, I'm sure it'll take far more time and resources.'

Putting the Implant on the floor, Nuveth explained.

"Since I'm a Rank 3 Implant Wielder, acquiring a Rank 1 Implant is extremely easy due to the difference in strength. However, it's completely different from your Rank 1s.

"When dealing with wild Implants, it's more than probable that you'll need to take several breaks, often spanning days, to cultivate them properly. 

During this time, you will lose some of your nanobots due to the wild Implants' attack. But do not worry, as those nanobots lost by the wild Implant will remain useless for at least two days. 

"Lose enough, and the resonating process will fail."

Nuveth took out a Cluster.

"That is where I said Clusters come into play.

"By consuming the dormant nanobots with your other hand, your Core can quickly activate them as your own and replace the fallen troops in a blink! Do not be greedy and try to hoard your Clusters. It's far wiser to spend them on Implants and your Core than anywhere else.

"However, when a Cluster is activated, its process cannot be stopped. It can replenish between 40% and 60% nanobots. If your Affinity has less than 50%, say 20%, for example, you could potentially lose up to 40% of the Cluster's nanobots!"

Some teenagers raised their concerns.

"But… wouldn't that mean that us, Grade Ds, can only lose?!"

"It's not fair. Why must we suffer because of our lack of Affinity?"

However, it was at that moment Icarus made up his mind.

'This is far more valuable than mere Earth money. I must be extremely careful with how to spend it, but at the same time, I can't hoard them…'

His heart steeled with his next thought.

'At first sight of an advantage, I'll gladly take it.'

Grabbing the Implant and standing up, Nuveth showed it to the Half-machines.

"This is a Red Iron Fist Implant, Rank 1. It can be evolved into Rank 2, Red Steel Fist Implant, or Molten Trail Boots. It's one of our most common Implants."

Turning his gaze towards the stands, the teacher walked towards them and began pointing at different Implants.

"Corrosive Vines, Pressurized Carbon, Sulfuric Flower… All of these can be found in Broken Canyon, and they're the main source of our power.

"Tomorrow, you will choose one of these Rank 1 Implants to begin your journey as Half-machines Implant Wielders. I will send an extensive description of how each works. Choose whichever fits you best."

Icarus heard Cebrian's voice at the back.

"Tomorrow?! Haha, I can't wait!"

"Me neither. I have to put my hands on an Implant!"

"Let's bet on who'll become the best of us. Three Cluster that it's me!"

As his classmates inability to contain their excitement, Icarus seriously began to ponder over what could be his best choice.

Back on Earth, he had never practiced any martial arts, but he was really good when it came to throwable objects. Boomerangs, axes, and rocks always hit their mark.

Hell, he even got socially banned from playing darts ever again!

'If I want to get the best of my built-up specialties, I should get into a style that grants close-quarters combat and medium-range attacks…'

He rested his cheek on his palm as he stared at the vast wall of Implants.

'But… what could fit me?'