Chapter 7: Cadet Tournament – Quad Finals Prep
Adrian adjusted the straps on his hybrid nano-exoskeleton, feeling the familiar hum of the six integrated species pulsing through his body. His reflexes had sharpened beyond recognition, every muscle fiber synchronized with the augmented dung beetle, spider, tadigrade, immortal jellyfish, African bush elephant, and his Black Manner genes. The system displayed new metrics: each ability multiplied cumulatively for Gene Lock 2. His dung beetle strength alone allowed him to lift 195,000 kilograms effortlessly. Spider-enhanced reflexes and mobility had increased tenfold, while his regenerative systems were now capable of reversing serious trauma in moments.
He looked around the Federation's cadet grounds. The quad-final of the cadet tournament was in two days. The top ten contenders had been announced, and Adrian studied each carefully. Unlike before, the AI now allowed predictive simulation, projecting potential combat outcomes, environmental variables, and adaptability scores. Yet Adrian wasn't arrogant—he knew raw numbers couldn't guarantee survival. Each cadet had unique gene paths, and their ability to think and adapt independently could override even superior stats.
Across the arena, the other cadets prepared their own gene modules. Some specialized in raw strength, others in elemental adaptation, and a few were experimenting with hybrid combinations of multiple species. Alien cadets with towering forms moved with grace, their biomechanics optimized for combat efficiency. A Vultramine scout adjusted its limb actuators, preparing for explosive speed maneuvers. A Martian cyborg adjusted internal power regulators, syncing mechanical reflexes with neural implants. Even the Otruskian and Cyphari cadets—known for their regenerative aptitude and psychic reflexes—tested their limits quietly, ensuring no one knew the full extent of their abilities.
Adrian smirked. It was chaos in its purest form, a perfect field to test both science and strategy. He wasn't merely a polymath with perfect simulation; he was a polymath with curiosity, creativity, and a stubborn streak that his genes only amplified. His Black Manner gene, now integrated at Gene Lock 2, allowed him to sense cadet positions, detect subtle physiological stress, and anticipate moves before they happened—though he kept it hidden behind the facade of a "strength gene" user.
Step One: Environment Simulation
Adrian moved to a training pod, simulating the varied biomes of the tournament arena. Each zone mimicked extreme conditions: dense forests, arid plains, toxic swamps, high-pressure aquatic regions, and fluctuating gravity chambers. His system adjusted in real time, testing the hybrid gene module's adaptability. The spider legs allowed him to scale vertical walls in seconds, the elephant gene boosted stability under uneven terrain, and the tadigrade's cellular resilience absorbed the environmental stress.
The AI chimed: "Gene Lock 2 cumulative enhancements active. Predictive adaptation 98.7% efficiency. Load capacity: 195,000 kg. Regeneration rate: 3,600× baseline human. Reflex augmentation: 3,000× human baseline. Camouflage and stealth: perfect integration across all biomes."
Adrian chuckled. "Not bad… not bad at all. Let's see how far we can push this before the tournament."
Step Two: Pre-Tournament Recon
He entered the arena's observation deck, watching the other top ten cadets. Amy was among them, focused and detached as ever, adjusting her own gene module. Adrian noted her refinement: her S-tier genes were enhanced with precision, but she hadn't attempted hybrid fusion like him. The distance between them was palpable, yet he felt a spark of curiosity—she was no longer a step-sibling figure but a competitor with untapped potential.
Each cadet presented a unique challenge. A Vultramine scout could accelerate movements to extreme speeds, but its stamina wasn't infinite. A Cyphari tactician used environmental manipulation, setting traps using reactive camouflage. Adrian analyzed these limitations in real time, storing tactical data for potential engagement.
He activated the Black Manner sensor, scanning subtle physiological changes: heart rate fluctuations, micro-muscle tension, and neural firing patterns. He could predict movement up to five seconds in advance. The advantage was immense, yet Adrian refrained from fully exploiting it. Over-reliance could reveal the hidden strength of his hybrid genes before the tournament.
Step Three: Nano-Exoskeleton Optimization
Adrian's exoskeleton had undergone upgrades since his resource hunt. Adaptive nanomaterials allowed the suit to evolve alongside his genes. Reactive evolution modules processed environmental and combat stimuli in real time. If a cadet attempted to overpower him with brute force, the suit could redistribute power, enhancing load-bearing limbs while reducing energy wastage. If stealth or evasion was required, the camouflage nanomesh activated instantly, merging with the Black Manner gene's sensory overlay.
He tested each function: lifting an armored drone in one hand, balancing on a micro-gravity platform, and performing evasive maneuvers in simulated high-pressure water currents. The AI displayed analysis metrics: Efficiency: 99.6%, Energy Consumption: 2.7% of max, Maximum Load: 3×10^5 kg, Regeneration synergy: 3,600× baseline human. Adrian flexed and smiled, feeling the thrill of peak performance.
Step Four: Humorous Interlude
Adrian's teenage curiosity could not be suppressed. While adjusting his suit, he noticed a holographic simulation of potential love interests for distraction tests. He rolled his eyes. "Seriously? Do they really think I'll be distracted while carrying 200 tons of load?" He smirked, but a subtle blush crept in as he realized the AI had included Amy's training avatar in the simulation. For a moment, he laughed, shaking his head before returning to the preparations.
Step Five: Resource Verification
Before the tournament, Adrian ran a final systems check. The hybrid genes were fully integrated at cumulative enhancement 3,000× baseline. Every characteristic of each species—strength, reflexes, regeneration, stealth, and intelligence—was fully functional. The Black Manner gene's sensory overlay masked his presence perfectly, ensuring that no cadet could detect the hidden layers of his abilities.
Dung beetle: lift 195,000 kg
Spider: agility, climbing, web creation, heightened senses
Tadigrade: extreme survival, cellular resilience
Immortal jellyfish: regenerative capabilities, age reversal
Elephant: endurance, silent steps, combat stability
Black Manner: sensory overlay, paralyzing potential, adaptive intelligence
He allowed himself a moment to breathe. Two days remained before the quad-finals began, and his rivals were sharpening their skills too. Adrian's mind raced with strategies: which genes to emphasize in different rounds, how to adapt on the fly, and how to utilize the nano-exoskeleton's reactive evolution to outmatch the top-ten cadets.
Step Six: Cliffhanger Setup
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the cadet grounds, a distant alarm echoed. It wasn't part of the routine—a subtle, irregular pulse. The AI scanned the perimeter. "Unknown lifeform detected: hybrid tier-alpha entity. Threat assessment: critical."
Adrian tensed. This was no simulation, no tournament challenge. Something real, something beyond the Federation's standard parameters had appeared. His nano-suit adjusted instinctively, muscles tensing, sensors on high alert. The hybrid genes surged with energy, every system synchronized for immediate action.
He glanced at the top-ten cadets in the distance. None of them were aware of the incoming threat. Adrian smirked behind the visor. "Well… looks like my first test outside the arena isn't going to be easy. Perfect timing for the quad-finals prep."
The arena quieted as night settled, the distant rustle of an enormous lifeform approaching. Adrian flexed his hybrid-enhanced muscles, ready to test the full extent of his Gene Lock 2 powers.