CHAPTER 104: FIRST DEPLOYMENT

The midday sun continued to cast sharp shadows over the AMSO training grounds, and the clang of steel and the sharp bursts of gunfire echoed in the air. The recruits were scattered across the field, assigned to different drills, from hand-to-hand combat to weapons proficiency and tactical maneuvering.

Theo adjusted his grip on the combat knife as the instructor barked, "Next group, tactical blade to firearm transition! Move!"

He stepped forward, falling into place, and for the first time since entering AMSO officially, Theo felt something... exciting.

Back when he was surviving on his own, everything he’d learned was self-taught or something granted by his Mutation Abyss System. But those weapons - their weight, form, and balance - only ever materialized from within the System.

Real, physical weapons? Training with them? This was different. Real steel in his hand, real recoil at his shoulder.

He moved swiftly through the sequence, slash, block, disarm, transition to sidearm, and fired.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three clean hits. Center mass. He didn’t go for the head like he could have. No need to draw attention.

"Impressive, Luther," one of the Class 3 instructors muttered, marking his form on the tablet.

Theo only gave a short nod and stepped back in line, silently watching others take their turns. The truth was, he was actually enjoying himself. Learning how each weapon felt, how different it was from System-generated gear was fascinating.

At the long-range firing test, Theo picked up a precision rifle, checked the sights, and lined up. He slowed his breathing and pulled the trigger.

Click. Bang.

Target down.

He didn’t go for the bullseye. He made sure to hit just enough to look competent, not remarkable. Still, a few nearby recruits stared. A few whispered.

He could feel them watching.

Shine, from another group, waved at him like a child spotting a classmate at recess - big smile, full of energy. Beatrice lingered near her squad, arms crossed, watching with a thoughtful expression that was hard to read.

Lexa wasn’t around at the moment, and honestly... Theo felt a bit relieved.

It wasn’t because he didn’t want to see her. Quite the opposite.

But every time she was nearby and caught him talking to Shine or Beatrice, she would frown or raise a subtle eyebrow and it left him feeling uneasy.

He couldn’t exactly explain her expression. Most of the time, her face was unreadable, professional. But now and then, there was something else there. A flash of something he didn’t want to misinterpret. And the last thing he wanted was for her to get the wrong idea about anything.

Especially now that they were both in the same place. Officially. He wanted to get along with her well.

"Next group - close-quarters combat, live sparring! Gear up!"

Theo moved quickly, grabbing the protective pads and gloves. His sparring partner was a stocky recruit with strong arms and an obvious temper. One of Ben’s group.

"Bet you think you’re tough," the man muttered under his breath, cracking his knuckles as they stepped into the ring.

Theo didn’t answer.

The instructor blew the whistle, and the man charged.

He’s going to swing wide and heavy, Theo noted calmly. Overconfident.

He ducked, twisted, and landed a soft blow on the man’s ribs - not enough to bruise, just enough to score a point.

The man snarled and came back harder. Theo kept it minimal - fluid movements, simple blocks. Efficient. Clean. He didn’t even look like he was trying.

By the end of the match, the man was panting, red-faced and furious. Theo? Barely broken a sweat.

More eyes turned to him.

And still, he kept his head down.

Inside, though, Theo was taking notes. Every move, every stance, every weapon, they were being copied and cataloged into his Mutation Abyss System.

"Attention! All AMSO Class 3 and Class 4 operatives, report immediately to the Eastern Staging Hall. You are to be deployed for live drill engagement. Assigned teams and commanding officers will be waiting. This is a real-time field readiness scenario."

The field buzzed with sudden movement. Recruits froze, some mid-swing, others in mid-stretch. Then the scramble began.

"Class 3 too?" someone muttered in surprise, lacing up their vest straps faster.

Theo blinked, straightening up and lowering his weapon. His heart gave a strange thump. This wasn’t just training anymore. It was real enough to test them in the field.

Beatrice was suddenly nowhere in sight, and he realized with a sinking clarity - of course, she wouldn’t be here. She was part of AMSO’s research and intelligence team. She wouldn’t be deployed in field drills like this.

Across the yard, Shine came bounding across her group’s area, waving both hands like a kid in a playground. "Let’s gooo, Hunk! It’s showtime!"

Theo managed a quick nod before scanning the crowd again and that’s when he saw her.

Lexa.

She had just returned from the administrative building, her pace brisk as she marched toward the staging hall’s operations tent. She wasn’t in casual uniform anymore, she wore her full Class 1 field gear, and her expression was sharp and so serious.

Inside the tent, Supreme Commander Hayden Carlton stood near the holoscreen, giving rapid orders to the Command Unit. Lexa stepped up, firm and composed despite the weight of her recent suspension.

"Commander Hayden," she said directly, "I know I’m still under sanction but permission to join the operation. Punishment can wait. Saving lives can’t."

There was a beat of silence as Hayden turned, his stern expression unreadable.

He exhaled slowly and nodded once. "Fine. You’ll lead Team Delta. Take Class 4s with you. Keep them alive."

Lexa gave a sharp salute. "Yes, sir."

Theo, watching from across the platform, felt a strange mix of awe and unease. Lexa wasn’t avoiding him now. She was returning to the field and he was going to be in it with her.

The announcement repeated again over the speakers.

"All Class 3 and 4 operatives, assemble at designated locations. Transport vehicles en route. Five minutes to deployment."

Theo exhaled slowly. "So this is it," he whispered under his breath, tightening the straps of his vest. "My first deployment as an AMSO."