Chapter 43 - Anomaly

    Leo followed the lanky assistant deeper into the Genetic Assessment Room, his footsteps echoing against the polished floors.

    The testing room was pristine and sterile, just as he expected it to be, with an array of advanced scanning equipment embedded into the walls.

    At the center stood a large, high-tech diagnostic pod, lined with glowing circuits, its transparent frame pulsing with soft blue light.

    "Stand here," the assistant instructed, adjusting his glasses while tapping away on his data slate.

    Leo complied, stepping onto a circular pad in front of the machine.

    "You''ll need to be plugged into the system first," the assistant continued, opening a compartment on the side of the pod and retrieving several thin bio-sensors, each lined with intricate runic etchings.

    He moved methodically, attaching the sensors to Leo''s temples, wrists, and chest, as the machine began humming with activation.

    Leo glanced at the various displays flickering around him, filled with genetic diagrams and complex symbols.

    "...So, what exactly does this test measure?" he asked, keeping his voice neutral.

    The assistant adjusted his glasses, raising a brow. "You don''t know? Well, I suppose that makes sense. Most recruits don''t understand the full importance of genetic testing."

    He smirked slightly before tapping a few more commands into the system. "Alright then, let me explain."

    "There are five classifications for genetic potential," the assistant began, his tone shifting into a practiced explanation as he finalized the machine''s calibration.

    "First, at the lowest level, we have the Adept-tier Awakening. This means that while the person can train as a warrior, their genetic potential is fundamentally limited. No matter how much they push themselves, they will never reach the heights of true powerhouses."

    Leo absorbed the information silently as the assistant continued.

    "Adept-level warriors can, at best, reach the Grandmaster realm of power with extreme effort, but they will never go beyond that.

    However, to compensate for this flaw, the academy offers such students a chance at genetic augmentation—a process where their DNA is fused with animal or beast DNA to artificially boost their physical capabilities."@@@@

    The assistant shrugged, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Of course, doing that caps their potential at Grandmaster, but at least it makes the journey easier."

    Leo frowned slightly. "...So, they''ll never surpass Grandmaster, no matter what?"

    "Correct," the assistant nodded. "They''re better suited for roles like lieutenants in the Universal Army, but they won''t ever make it to top management."

    The machine emitted a soft pulse, signaling that Leo''s biometrics had been fully linked to the system.

    "Now, moving up—Grandmaster-tier Awakening," the assistant continued.

    "This is the most common classification. In fact, 99 out of 100 cadets at Rodova fall into this category. These students have good growth potential and, with dedication, can advance far in the military."

    He glanced at Leo. "Grandmaster-tier warriors are considered top talents in small and medium-sized factions. They may not be the absolute strongest, but they''re highly respected and hold significant power."

    Leo nodded slightly, his expression unreadable.

    "But things start to get interesting at the Transcendent-tier Awakening."

    The assistant''s tone shifted subtly, carrying a hint of awe.

    "Transcendent-level talents are rare—one in a million. If someone awakens at this level, they are immediately placed on a different trajectory. The academy ensures they receive the best resources, training, and opportunities. They''re nurtured like prized assets."

    The screen flickered, lines of text scrolling at high speeds as the machine began breaking down his genetic code.

    Leo exhaled slowly, forcing himself to relax.

    This was it.

    This was the test that would determine everything—the academy''s investment in him, the resources he would be given, the level of competition he would face.

    A few moments later, a mechanical voice echoed through the chamber.

    [Primary Genetic Structure Analyzed. Awakening Tier Classification Pending...]

    Then suddenly—

    BZZT!

    Leo''s vision blurred for a split second as a surge of mana coursed through his body, deeper and stronger than before. His muscles tensed involuntarily, his veins burning as the machine amplified the scan. It was as if his very existence was being dissected down to the smallest particle.

    And then—

    Something shifted.

    It was subtle at first, but Leo felt it—a stirring deep within his core, something buried within his very being responding to the scan.

    A pressure.

    A weight.

    A force slowly responding.

    His fingers twitched. His pulse spiked. A deep, primal sensation stirred in his blood, something that felt both foreign and familiar at the same time.

    [Warning. Unidentified Anomaly Detected.]

    Leo''s eyes narrowed as he heard the words flash across the screen.

    Anomaly?

    The machine whirred louder, recalibrating itself as the circuits flickered erratically for a brief moment before stabilizing.

    [Attempting Reclassification...]

    Another pulse of mana surged through him, stronger this time, probing deeper—searching for something hidden beneath the surface.

    Leo clenched his jaw, his body instinctively resisting the force that was being forcefully drawn out of him.

    Then—

    [Genetic Awakening Tier: Analyzing...]

    The air in the pod seemed to thicken, the entire machine vibrating as the scanning process reached its peak.

    The moment of truth had arrived.