LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 2: Awakening
Chapter 2: Awakening
Marcus frowned as he comes out of his study holding his datapad, his military instincts kicking in immediately as he noticed the people who came are not here to make friends
Caden stood in the hallway, clutching his wrist as the mysterious bracelet tightly has merged with it. The knock came again, louder this time, accompanied by a firm voice.
"Open the door. United Earth Military."
Marcus exchanged a glance with Lana, his expression grim. "Stay back," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Lana nodded but gave Caden a worried look as Marcus approached the door. With a deep breath, he pressed the panel to unlock it. The door slid open, revealing two officers clad in black-and-silver uniforms. Their combat boots gleamed under the porch light, and their expressions were as rigid as their postures.
"Marcus Ward?" the taller of the two asked, though his gaze drifted past Marcus and into the house.
"That's me," Marcus replied, his voice steady.
"We're here for Caden Arden," the officer said bluntly, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto Caden, who had stepped into the doorway behind Marcus.
Lana stepped forward, her voice firm. "What's this about? He's just a teenager."
The second officer, shorter but no less intimidating, pulled out a sleek datapad and began scrolling. "Routine checks," he said flatly. "The United Earth Military has flagged his profile for further evaluation. A necessary precaution given his connections with someone who we believe to be a traitor to humanity after stealing one of the military best tech. We would like to see if Caden knows anything about it "
Caden felt the words hit like a physical blow. The soldiers weren't nice with their words at all.
"What kind of evaluation will he undergo?" Marcus asked, his tone sharp.
"A preliminary fitness test at the Earth Military Academy," the taller officer replied. "We need to ensure that no irregularities exist."
Caden gritted his teeth, the bracelet in his wrist growing warmer by the second. He could feel something stirring within it, almost as if it were alive.
"And if we refuse?" Marcus challenged, stepping slightly in front of Caden.
"Refusal is not an option," the shorter officer said coldly. "Failure to comply will result in immediate detention for questioning."
Lana gasped, but Marcus placed a calming hand on her shoulder. He turned to Caden, his expression a mix of frustration and resolve. "It's your call, kid," he said softly.
Caden straightened his back, as he rubbed his wrist again. He wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing him cower, he has to prove to them the he isn't like his father.
"I'll do it," he said, his voice steady despite the knot in his stomach.
The officers nodded. "Report to the Academy in two days," the taller one said. "Further instructions will be sent to your communicator."
As they turned to leave, the bracelet suddenly pulsed in his hand. A faint glow emanated from it, so subtle that only Caden noticed. He quickly slid his hand into his pocket, his heart pounding as the door hissed shut behind the officers.
Caden quickly went to his room, clutching his wrist as the warmth from the bracelet intensified. The officers had left, but their words lingered in his mind. *They think I'm connected to my father's crimes?* He gritted his teeth, glancing at the bracelet he was wearing .
Suddenly, the bracelet pulsed with a sharp, rhythmic thrum that seemed to sync with his heartbeat.
**"System initialization detected. Assessing surroundings... Hostile entities confirmed."**
The voice echoed in his mind, cold and emotionless. Caden stumbled back, his eyes widening. "What the hell is this?" he whispered.
A faint glow emanated from his wrist, casting a soft blue light over his arm. His pulse quickened as a semi-transparent screen materialized in front of him, filled with strange symbols and unfamiliar text.
-
**SYSTEM STATUS**
- Host Name: Caden Arden
- Synchronization Level: 20%
- Threat Detected: Moderate
- Action Required: Begin initial protocol.
The text blurred for a moment before stabilizing. Caden blinked, struggling to comprehend what he was seeing.
**"Welcome, Host. The Strongest Interstellar Soldier System is now online. Synchronization in progress."**
He rubbed his temples, unsure if he was hallucinating. " I don't remember signing up for this."
The system ignored his complaint.
**"Immediate danger detected. Hostile individuals in close proximity. Preparing for emergency synchronization. Do you accept?"**
"Accept what?" Caden hissed, his voice rising. The light from the bracelet grew brighter, forcing him to shield his eyes.
**"Accept synchronization to unlock basic survival protocols. Refusal will result in deactivation of system support."**
The cold, logical tone grated on his nerves. He wanted to rip the bracelet off, but it had already fused with his skin. His thoughts raced was this connected to his father's disappearance or to the tech which the military is looking for?
The glow intensified, and he could feel his heartbeat pounding in his ears. *I don't have time to think. If I'm really in danger...*
"Fine," he muttered through gritted teeth. "I accept."
The moment he spoke the words, a surge of energy erupted from the bracelet, coursing through his veins. His body convulsed as a wave of heat and cold washed over him, leaving him gasping for air.
**SYSTEM UPDATE**
- Synchronization Level: 100%
- Initial abilities unlocked: Enhanced Perception (MAX).
As the light dimmed, Caden found himself standing straighter, his breathing steady. The interface updated, displaying his stats:
- Strength: 5
- Speed: 4
- Dexterity: 5
- Perception: MAX
- Combat experience: 2
Beneath the stats was a single line:
**"Daily Mission: Complete 10 push-ups. Reward: 1 Status Point."**
"Push-ups?" Caden muttered, staring at the screen in disbelief. "Are you serious?"
The system's voice returned, unyielding:
**"Physical fitness is critical for survival. Begin immediately."**
Caden sighed, shaking his head as he glanced at the screen hovering in front of him.
"Fine, ten push-ups," he muttered, dropping to the floor of his small room. His arms trembled as he pushed his body upward, his mind still thinking of the the events that occurred in the evening.
As he completed the final push-up, a strange sensation rippled through his body like a spark of electricity igniting his muscles.
**Daily Mission Complete!**
- Reward: 1 Status Point.
- Current Status Points: 1.
Caden sat back on his heels, staring at the screen as his breathing slowed. "Status points?" he murmured, confused. Before he could think too hard about it, the system chimed again.
**"New Mission: Begin combat readiness assessment. Complete basic hand-to-hand combat training. Reward: 5 Status Points and Tier 1 Healing Fluid."**
"What now?" Caden groaned, rubbing his wrist as the bracelet glowed faintly. He flopped back onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. The day had been exhausting enough without this strange new voice in his head demanding workouts.
But before he could fall into the lure of sleep, the system's voice returned.
**"Host, failure to complete assigned missions will result in penalties to physical stats. Training is mandatory."**
Caden bolted upright. "Penalties? What kind of penalties?"
The interface shifted, displaying a list of possible consequences. His heart sank as he read:
- Strength: -2
- Speed: -1
- Overall Synchronization: -10%
He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "This isn't fair," he muttered. "You can't just take things away. It was never yours in the first place"
The system ignored his complaint. **"Initiating training protocol. Location: Safe Zone 1."**
The bracelet pulsed again, and before he could react, his surroundings blurred. A moment later, he found himself standing in what looked like an abandoned gym, the air thick with the scent of sweat and rubber. A faint glow lit the room, emanating from the walls.
"What is this place?" Caden muttered, spinning in a circle.
**"Virtual Combat Training Module activated. Please engage."**
The system's voice was cold and distant, offering no comfort. As Caden turned, a figure materialized in the center of the room a holographic opponent, its body made of shifting, translucent light. It was humanoid but moved unnaturally, its limbs twitching in odd manners and angles .
"Are you serious?" Caden asked, raising his hands instinctively.
The opponent lunged without warning, its movements eerily fast. Caden stumbled backward, his heart racing as he narrowly avoided a punch.
"Okay, fine," he growled. "You want me to fight? Let's fight."
He clenched his fists and stepped forward, throwing a clumsy punch at the hologram. His fist passed through it harmlessly, and he cursed under his breath.
The opponent didn't wait for him to recover. It swept its leg out, catching Caden in the stomach and sending him sprawling to the floor.
**"Host performance: Poor. Please recalibrate."**
Caden groaned, pushing himself up. "Thanks for the encouragement," he muttered sarcastically.
But as he stood, he noticed something. His vision had shifted slightly he could see the hologram's movements a split second before they happened, almost like a the hologram itself was now an afterimage of it's actions. Caden could see the hologram's actions before the humanoid hologram performs it.
His perception ability.
A grin spread across his face as he raised his hands again. "Alright," he said. "Let's try this your way."
The opponent lunged again, but this time, Caden sidestepped with ease, his body moving almost on its own. He ducked under a punch, then countered with a kick that sent the hologram staggering backward.
**"Improvement detected. Host synchronization at 110%."**
The fight continued, Caden's confidence growing with each exchange. By the time the hologram finally flickered and disappeared, he was breathing heavily but grinning.
**Training Complete!**
- Reward: 5 Status Points.
- Bonus Reward: Reflex Enhancement (+2 Speed).
Caden collapsed onto the floor, staring up at the glowing ceiling. "This system is insane," he muttered.
But as the adrenaline faded, he realized something: for the first time in years, he didn't feel like the son of a traitor. He felt strong, capable like someone who could carve out his own future.
"If I keep on improving I might be able to get into the Academy," he said softly, a spark of determination in his eyes.
The system's voice chimed again.
**"New Mission: Achieve top rank in the Earth Military Academy entrance test. Reward: Advanced Weapon Blueprint."**
Caden's grin widened. "Challenge accepted."
Soon Caden was catching his breath as he stood in the dimly lit virtual training room, his chest heaving. The faint hum of the system resonated around him, and the holographic opponent flickered before vanishing completely. The interface adjusted itself, now displaying his updated stats and progress:
**SYSTEM STATUS**
- Host Name: Caden Arden
- Synchronization Level: 110% (+10%)
- Threat Level Assessment: Low
- Vital Status: Optimal
- Level: 2
- Exp to next level: 100/ 200
**ATTRIBUTES**
- Strength: 5
- Speed: 6 (+2)
- Dexterity: 5
- Perception: MAX
- Combat experience: 4
- Status Points Available: 6
**INVENTORY**
- Tier 1 Healing Fluid: 1 vial
**MISSIONS**
- Daily Mission (Complete): 10 push-ups
Reward: +1 Status Point
- Training Mission (Complete): Hand-to-hand combat training
Reward: +5 Status Points, Reflex Enhancement
**NEW MISSION**
- Goal: Achieve top rank in the Earth Military Academy entrance test.
Reward: Advanced Weapon Blueprint
Caden's gaze locked on the screen. The synchronization level intrigued him. It wasn't like any other stats number it was tied to his progress with the system, perhaps even his ability to stay alive.
He looked at the missions tab. The promise of advanced weapons was tempting, but the thought of competing in the Academy's entrance test as number one still seem impossible to him as he looked at his stats he does even have an ability even with the system.
*I still need to improve more* he thought to himself
A faint sound interrupted his thoughts. The low hum was distant but unmistakable, like drones slicing through the night air.
**"Host, potential danger detected within a 300-meter radius. Surveillance activity confirmed,"** the system announced in its cold monotone.
Caden froze, his muscles tensed. He approached the window, pulling back the curtain cautiously. Against the dark sky, a flickering red light hovered ominously. It was faint, barely visible to the current normal human eyes but with his maxed out perception he could see it was there.
"What is that?" he whispered, the words catching in his throat.
**"Unknown entity. Recommendation: Remain undetected. Defensive protocols in standby mode."**
The red light blinked twice, then vanished, swallowed by the night.
His gaze shifted to the bracelet on his wrist. A thought struck him like lightning. *They're not just watching me, they're assessing me before questioning at the academy*
The system's interface flashed one final notification.
**"Synchronization boost available. Spend 5 Status Points to enhance combat experience, strength, dexterity and speed. Do you wish to proceed?"**
Caden stared at the screen, his mind racing. He tightened his fist has he hardened his resolve.
*Whatever's coming, I'll be ready.*