Chapter 41: Darker Than Blood [Arc 2]

Arthur sat on what happened to be the side of an operating bed.

Metallic lights hung above him, casting their harsh glow over the bloodied surgical tools arranged neatly on a nearby tray.

A gruff voice soon echoed through the operating room.

"The procedure was a success. The neural link is running perfectly."

The man paused before continuing.

"Would you like me to install artificial arms and legs as well? Or perhaps an artificial eye for advanced combat analysis?"

Arthur remained silent.

It had been two weeks since he had arrived within the Central Empire, a collection of 50 systems that were completely under Imperial rule. What may have seemed like an exciting prospect at first soon came to be more grim in reality.

He hadn’t been admitted into the Academy quite yet. All Imperial cadets that arrived within the Central Empire had to go through brutal assessments before they were let in. The entire first week was filled with intense training. Those who didn’t meet the required performance thresholds were immediately sent back.

And now, the second week, Hell Week as most cadets would call it, was filled with crazy assessments that consistently put cadet lives at risk. A couple dozen casualties were already confirmed. Arthur had even witnessed some of them himself.

And today was going to mark the final assessment before they would finally be admitted into the Academy.

The sort of things Arthur had seen recently couldn’t help but make him wonder what he was going to face when he finally got in.

His right hand slowly rose and came to rest against the back of his neck.

His fingers brushed against a polished silver circular device embedded at the base of his nape.

The device was cold against his fingertips.

Arthur gently traced its smooth surface.

So this is it...

The gruff voice of the man who had performed the procedure sounded again.

"Of course, you don’t have to decide immediately. Many cadets eventually choose to undergo additional modifications once they realize how much of an advantage they provide."

Arthur’s fingers remained against the neural implant.

He stared down at the floor in silence.

The man’s voice carried a faint hint of amusement.

"After all, why settle for an ordinary human body when the Empire can give you something better?"

Arthur didn’t say anything.

The device suddenly lit up.

A crimson ring appeared across its polished silver surface.

Then—

A red holographic interface materialized within Arthur’s vision.

〘IMPERIAL NEURAL LINK〙

〘CADET IDENTIFICATION VERIFIED〙

〘Name: Arthur Von Ashbourne〙

〘Cadet Number: IMC-A7X-492781〙

〘Status: Imperial Academy Cadet〙

〘Neural Link Integration: Complete〙

〘Psychological Screening: Complete〙

〘Loyalty Assessment: Complete〙

Arthur stared silently at the crimson window.

Another notification appeared.

〘Congratulations, Cadet Arthur Von Ashbourne.〙

〘You have successfully passed all stages of mandatory screening.〙

〘Your Imperial Neural Link is now active.〙

Arthur’s expression remained calm.

Then—

Another message appeared.

〘NOTICE TO ALL IMPERIAL CADETS〙

〘From this moment onward, your neural activity and psychological state will be subject to continuous monitoring.〙

〘Your thoughts, emotional disposition, and feelings toward the Imperial Empire will be periodically assessed.〙

Arthur’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The next notification appeared almost immediately.

〘Cadets are advised to exercise caution regarding the thoughts and beliefs they repeatedly entertain.〙

〘Persistent hostile sentiments toward the Empire will be classified as a potential threat to Imperial security.〙

〘Thoughts or intentions related to desertion, rebellion, or abandonment of Imperial duty will be treated accordingly.〙

Arthur stared at the final line.

Then—

〘The Empire has no use for traitors or deserters.〙

Silence filled the operating room.

Arthur slowly let out a sigh.

"...How reassuring."

He pushed himself off the operating bed.

His body was covered by what appeared to be a slim black-and-red mechanical combat suit.

The suit tightly fitted his body, its surface lined with simple reinforced black steel and sections of reinforced metallic plating.

Arthur reached toward the side of the operating bed.

There...

Rested a black helmet.

Two narrow red vertical visors ran across its front.

He picked it up.

Then placed it over his head.

Hiss...

A gentle mechanical sound echoed through the room.

The helmet sealed itself around his head.

The two red visors suddenly lit up.

Arthur’s surroundings were immediately covered by a faint digital overlay.

The gruff voice of the man behind him spoke again.

"Cadet... You have yet to respond."

Arthur glanced toward him.

The surgeon had modified most of his body.

His entire lower body was mechanical, constructed from sleek black metal and reinforced joints. Despite this, he wore a simple Imperial personnel uniform: a fitted black uniform with dark red accents and a glowing red VI badge displayed on his chest.

Two additional mechanical arms extended from his back.

Unlike the artificial limbs replacing parts of his body, these arms weren’t covered with synthetic skin.

Their exposed metallic fingers were clearly designed for surgical work.

Arthur’s gaze then moved toward the man’s left eye.

Or rather...

His eyes.

Two pairs of artificial optical sensors had replaced them, their mechanical lenses constantly making subtle adjustments.

Arthur could only imagine the level of microscopic zoom and pinpoint accuracy they provided during an operation.

"I don’t need any implants."

He finally responded.

The man raised an eyebrow.

"You sure?"

"You’re about to undergo your final combat assessment in three hours."

The surgeon gestured toward the various mechanical components around the operating room.

"That’s more than enough time to install a few additional implants and allow you to get accustomed to them."

Arthur rolled his left shoulder.

Then—

Pop.

He stretched his neck from side to side.

Crack.

"No need."

Arthur calmly adjusted his helmet.

"I’ll do just fine the way I am."

As advantageous as an artificial arm or leg would be in combat, Arthur wasn’t going to have something else that would place neural strain on him when he secretly already had Genesis and Eclipsion.

For now...

He intended to remain completely human.

The man smiled sinisterly, revealing several silver teeth.

"Well, suit yourself."

He stepped away from the operating bed and walked toward the corner of the room.

A moment later, he returned carrying a long black box.

He placed it in front of Arthur.

Click.

The box opened.

Inside rested a simple tactical black sidearm.

Beside it was a sheathed blade.

The man gestured toward the weapons.

"Standard issue."

"You’ll be using them in your upcoming assessment."

Arthur reached inside the box.

He picked up the sidearm and examined it briefly before securing it at his waist.

Then his attention shifted toward the blade.

Arthur picked it up with both hands.

Slowly—

Shing.

He pulled the blade from its sheath.

The polished metal reflected the crimson light of his visor.

Arthur silently admired its simple craftsmanship for a moment.

Then—

Click.

He slid the blade back into its sheath.

Arthur nodded.

"Thanks."

The man waved his hand dismissively.

"No need."

Then he grinned.

"Now beat it."

Arthur shook his head slightly.

Without saying anything else, he walked toward the door.

The moment he approached—

Hissss.

The mechanical door automatically opened.

Arthur stepped through the entrance and walked out.