The sterile white light of the infirmary stung his eyes. Oliver Vale groaned and sat up, a cold film of sweat clinging to his body. His heart pounded with a lingering sense of vertigo, but the overwhelming surge of pain from earlier had dulled into a heavy buzz in the back of his skull.
"Welcome, Successor."
He flinched. The voice was back.
"System initializing... Core Integration at 6%. Neurological sync: stable. Lifeform designation: Oliver Vale. Species: Human. Status: Confused but resilient."
Oliver blinked rapidly. "I'm definitely hallucinating."
"Negative. You are now connected to the Core—a legacy system from the Astral Dominion. Congratulations on not dying during synchronization."
He groaned. "Oh great. It's snarky."
Across the room, Lira's head popped up from a chair. "Hey, he's awake!"
Lieutenant Armin entered just behind her, arms crossed and expression unreadable. "Took you long enough. You blacked out for nearly two hours. Care to explain what you thought you were doing touching alien tech with your bare hands?"
Oliver straightened slowly, suppressing the urge to look away. "I thought it was inert. Just glowing junk. Didn't expect a power surge."
"You poked a glowing alien core because it looked cool?"
"I've made better decisions," he muttered.
"You're lucky you didn't fry your brain," Armin said, tapping his temple. "Keep pulling stunts like that, and you'll be cleaning starship toilets until graduation."
Garek's voice floated in from the doorway. "Assuming he still has a brain."
Oliver managed a weak smile. "Mostly intact, thanks."
Back at Barracks Gamma-5
The squad was unusually quiet as they filed into their shared quarters. Oliver dragged his feet to his bunk, mind still ringing with the voice that had greeted him like some ancient operating system.
[CORE MENU ACCESSED]• Status• Power Tree (Locked)• Combat Enhancements (Initializing...)• Memory Fragments (Corrupted)• Universal Positioning (Offline)
The interface appeared in his mind's eye, overlaying his thoughts with eerie clarity. No helmet, no implants—just... thought.
"Growth will be gradual," the Core's voice echoed. "But the ceiling? Infinite. That is the gift. And the curse."
"What are you?" Oliver whispered.
"I am the last echo of a dying age. The final remnant of the Astral Core Masters. My duty is to prepare a successor worthy of our legacy across galaxies. You, Oliver Vale, were chosen."
"Why me?"
"Because you touched the Core... and survived."
He looked across the room. Lira was removing her boots, casting the occasional glance at him. Garek had already passed out, snoring softly.
Oliver clenched his fists. He couldn't tell them. Not yet.
"Wise," the Core said. "Others would seek to exploit or destroy you. Especially before you awaken your first ability."
"How long?"
"Unclear. Your physiology is... primitive. But promising."
"Thanks for the backhanded compliment, alien Clippy."
"You're welcome."
The Next Morning: Briefing Room
Commander Voss's scarred face looked more irritated than usual. He barked from the podium: "Due to escalating conflict across Earth's borders, the United Empire has greenlit the Regional Military Trials. All academies will submit their top squads."
The room buzzed with whispers.
"The Trials will test combat strength, tactical coordination, adaptability, and resourcefulness. Winning squads will be offered placements in Earth's elite Strike Program and Off-World Opportunities."
A ripple of excitement moved through the room.
Lira leaned over. "Think we've got a shot?"
Oliver shrugged, but his mind burned with urgency. If the Core was real—and it clearly was—this trial might be his first chance to test it. But not openly. Never openly.
"Power must be honed in silence," the Core whispered. "When they see your strength, it must already be too late to match it."
Training Field 4B — That Evening
Oliver stared at the dummy combat units. His squad had already completed the drill hours ago, but he returned alone under the cover of darkness. He reached for the Core.
[Combat Enhancement: Kinetic Acceleration - Unlocked]Level: 1 | Effect: Momentary speed burst, 1.3x human max. Duration: 3 seconds. Cooldown: 5 minutes.
"Let's see if you work," he whispered.
He sprinted.
The world blurred around him. One step became three. The target dummy approached, and he pivoted, faster than he ever had. His leg swept across its base, toppling it in a single strike.
Then he stumbled, chest heaving.
"Cooldown initiated. You require conditioning. Much of it."
He groaned. "You're like a disappointed gym teacher in my brain."
"Correct."
That Night: Dreams of Flame
He stood in an endless void, filled with collapsing stars and spiraling galaxies. Floating cities burned. Machines screamed. Titans fell.
At the center of it all was a figure—shrouded in cosmic fire, wielding a staff forged from black light. The figure turned toward Oliver.
"Find me."
Oliver gasped and woke, drenched in sweat.