[ Subject Hale ]
[ Detected Genetic Compatibility: 72%
Category: Cognitive-Augment Pathways ]
[ Candidate pathways available:
Agent Protocol: High Compatibility
Savant Protocol: Moderate Compatibility ]
Oracle Protocol: Low Compatibility ]
The officer actually paused after seeing this...
The silence was heavier than before, like he hadn't expected to see that result twice in a row.
"Agent Protocol… Seventy-two percent. We can even push through the Rare Oracle path…" His voice was softer now, almost reverent upon seeing the result.
"This is incredible…"
The officer couldn't help but feel conflicted. Even if the Agent Protocol Enhancement was the best for Hale, the Oracle was still a great option since there were only three of them existing within the city.
"Why is it a Rare one, Sir?" Hale softly asked.
"The Oracle heightens neural acceleration… It is a strain that rewrites the brain into something… predictive. We once believed oracles were touched by divinity. In truth, it is pure neuro-computation… Still, Agent is more suitable."
The officer shook his head to clear his mind and sighed.
"Rare enough to see one child breach seventy. To see two, in the same batch…" He trailed off, studying Hale and Darius for a moment.
Hale didn't flinch under his stare and even asked more about the Agent Protocol.
"This strain sharpens reflexive processing, strategic mind, mental resilience, and improves your overall physique. You'll think faster than others can blink… and that is only the surface."
Murmurs rippled through the other children. To see two staggering results back-to-back… it left them shaken. Some felt envy while others were just in awe.
The officer finally signaled to Hale to take some rest as he looked at the remaining nine pods.
"In one batch… two above seventy percent. I haven't seen that in a decade… This is no ordinary intake. I hope that the rest of you can surprise me."
One by one, the other pods opened, and their candidates were finally able to breathe some cooler air…
As expected, their results weren't as dramatic, yet each drew some remarks from the officer.
A small, stiff-looking boy stumbled forward…
Unfortunately for him, he only had Moderate and Low Compatibility, unlike the first two children.
[ Scout Protocol: Moderate Compatibility ]
"Scout strain, suitable for infiltration. Low tolerance, but enough to craft a notable path in the alleys if you survive the injections."
Another child, who was broad-shouldered despite his youth, registered with 35% Genetic Compatibility.
[ Pugilist Protocol: Low Compatibility ]
"Well… You can achieve good results if you work hard. This strain has potential. Don't look down on it." The officer explained.
Then, a nervous girl who was still pale and trembling stepped from her pod.
[ Tracer Protocol: Moderate Compatibility ]
"Fifty-four percent. Tracer Protocol, Moderate… You may lack physical strength, but your reflexes… they are sharp. The Tracer strain bends your nerves toward speed. A proper hand will make you faster than the eye can follow."
Soon, he turned to another interesting applicant who seemed to be 14 years old.
[ Subject: Ren ]
[ Detected Genetic Compatibility: 41% ]
[ Category: Instinctive Pathways ]
[ Candidate pathways available:
Beast Protocol: Moderate Compatibility
Pugilist Protocol: Low Compatibility ]
"Instincts… It will be wild, but unrefined. The Beast Protocol builds feral response, but your compatibility is only moderate. If you take it… You may gain power, but it will cost your control. Choose carefully. Pugilist can be also be a good choice if the compatibility is low."
Ren swallowed hard, but said nothing. Since they actually have an option, he felt a little better, but still felt worried about the path that he wasn't sure of taking.
The other children watched with tense faces as the results continued.
Some had decent pathways, others weaker ones. But the tone in the room had changed. After Darius and Hale's shocking results, everyone compared themselves silently, measuring their worth against the lucky two.
The officer then clasped his hands behind his back as he noticed their thoughts.
"Do not compare yourselves too much. High compatibility is a gift, yes… but survival is another matter. Even the strongest strain will kill those who cannot endure the process."
Now that these children were about to be part of his regiment, he knew that he had to take care of them so they could replace the many soldiers who had died fighting against the resistance.
It may take them years to become usable, but he would do his best to teach these children.
Finally, his gaze turned to Alexis…
[ Subject Alexis ]
[ Detected Genetic Compatibility: 92% ]
[ Category: Adaptive Neuromuscular Response ]
[ Candidate pathways available:
Specter Protocol: High Compatibility
Catalyst Protocol: Moderate Compatibility
Titan Protocol: Low Compatibility ]
"W-what?"
Then, the officer didn't speak for a few moments. His silence carried more weight than all his earlier words.
Then, his silver jaw clicked once.
"…Ninety-two. Adaptive Neuromuscular. Hah."
He couldn't imagine he would see something like this! Furthermore, they were in Gate 7, this region
"You don't see this often. Not in children. Not ever."
He turned his head slightly as he looked at him...
"Above seventy and you may become a soldier worth a name. Above eighty… you become someone others will follow. Above ninety…" His the turned to Alexis and looked carefully in his eyes...
"…you stop being replaceable."