Chapter 6: Metaphysics

"The smoke I emitted, where did it come from?"

Everyone was silent, deep in thought. Everyone apart from Kalb, who was desperate to redeem himself.

"From your hand Lieutenant", Kalb responded in a confident tone. Everyone turned to look at him with an expression of disbelief. He looked around, confidence dropping. "What?"

Tenet turned away from the idiot twin. "Did you gather it from the atmosphere?" 

Lieutenant Feinar shook her head, smiling. "No." She had also decided to ignore Kalb.

It was Bean who got the closest, "Do ya store it Lieutenant?"

She looked at Bean, her eyes gleaming. "Yes and No."

Everyone fell silent again, how could it be yes and no. She smiled, enjoying their confusion. "This is the question that drove the first generation of mutants to research into the metaphysical world. Metaphysics is intangibility. It's abstract, something that can't be physically controlled in reality as we know it. It is a topic with no basis in reality. Before the cataclysms, humans had no contact with this metaphysical concept. How can we? The entire idea was that it's something that has zero basis in reality."

"Does that mean, you do store the smoke, in metaphysics?" Tenet asked. 

Lieutenant Feinar nodded, "The metaphysical world. It's a plane of reality that we can't interact with, and thus we previously had no way of allowing the idea of its existence to go past theory. But with the 2nd Cataclysm, certain humans underwent a mutation that was more than physical in nature. We now believe that a metaphysical mutation occurred, giving us limited access to an intangible plane of existence, as well as allowing us to survive the radiation that caused the initial physical mutations. It is this combination of physical and metaphysical mutations that creates the basis of a mutant's abilities."

I'll give you fifteen minutes to generate theories, ideas and questions that we shall discuss further. 

At her leave, everyone broke into discussion. When he turned, everyone was already in pairs. He saw that it was only Theymin and he left, so he went to approach the legacy reluctantly. To his surprise it was Theymin that asked him to partner up first. 

"Tenet, could you explain to me what she said? I didn't really get it." Tenet smiled inwardly. Theymin's quiet demeanor made it seem he was quite smart, but perhaps that wasn't the case.

"It's simple really. A mutant's abilities stems from two mutations that occurred during the 2nd Cataclysm. A mutation in our DNA, and a mutation in our interaction with a plane of existence that we can't perceive nor interact with, but thanks to the mutations we can prove exists. Otherwise the smoke Lieutenant Feinar stores couldn't just appear out of nowhere." Theymin nodded, "I think I get it now. But if it is both a physical and metaphysical mutation, shouldn't they be able to pinpoint who would have the mutation and who doesn't? Why do they get random volunteers and hope for the best? " 

Tenet paused, his response dying on his tongue. That was actually a good point. "Perhaps, the mutation in the physical body happens as a response to something in the environment, so we don't have it yet?" He responded hesitantly. 

"Quite good", came a female voice. Tenet looked around him, then dropped his gaze. Lieutenant Feinar stood there, her bright green eyes approving. "Yes, and no. We gathered that all mutants have an O blood type, but not all people with an O blood type are mutants." 

Then in a louder voice so everyone could hear, she continued, "The physical mutation can only occur under extreme conditions. It has such a violent effect on the body, that if you aren't strong enough, it'll kill you. If your body survives the physical mutation, your soul will undergo the metaphysical mutation. Well not mutation, more like your soul will undergo something that allows your metaphysical and physical mutation to merge."

"So a soul exists then", asked Adam.

The tiny Lieutenant nodded, "The soul is the metaphysical body. It often interacts with the body in very indirect ways. Have you ever had a bad dream about something, and then it happens in real life? Have you ever had a really bad premonition, or the feeling of something wrong? These are all the ways the metaphysical soul interacts with the body. Now be warned, 9/10 these feelings are your brain playing tricks so don't jump over your own shadow, but those few and rare unexplainable situations are that seem too real to be ignored. That is your soul. Or well unless you have any underlying mental issues."

"Sorry Lieutenant", interjected Finn. "But doesn't this sound a bit magical and fictional like. Feels like you're about to tell me about the ability to summon fire or fly in the air."

The Lieutenant smiled at Finn, "What is magic, cadet?"

"Isn't it just, you know spells and yknow, wands and flying brooms?"

"Magic is science that is unexplainable at our current capacity. You think if a caveman saw someone flying in an aeroplane, or someone else being able to talk to someone halfway across the planet as easily as if they were next to you, wouldn't they think that phone in your hand was some sort of wand?"

Finn paused, "That'd be a decent point Lieutenant." 

She nodded. "This concludes the first lesson on metaphysics. Next week we will begin to look at examining the biology of mutants, seeing their weakness, limits and strengths. Dismissed."

All of them got up, saluted, and then made their way back to their dorms. 

When they returned it was announced that they had a few hours of downtime. Tenet sighed. His legs still shook occasionally when he walked. 

Theymin approached him as the rest of the unit sprawled on the chairs, discussing their day. 

"Hey Tenet. You want a game."

Tenet looked at him in confusion before realising he was talking about table tennis. 

"Sure."

They played in silence for a moment. They weren't really playing to win, just trying to maintain their rally. It was quite difficult for Tenet who had little experience in the game, but Theymin's skill made up for it, responding to Tenet's pathetic shots with a gentle fitnesse, allowing the rally to continue unbroken.

"So, Theymin. Why'd you want to play with me of all people?" He had a suspicion of the answer, but he wanted to hear it from Theymin.

There was silence for a moment before Theymin responded. "What do you know about me?"

Tenet snorted, "Not much." Theymin relaxed, "Apart from the fact you're a legacy" he continued.

Theymin tensed again. "What I don't get is why you're so protective about it."

"How'd you find out?", Theymin asked. 

"Your demeanour. The fact you knew the answers to my questions. You knew how to make the bed perfectly, your body looks as if it's been trained for this. And the way you looked at me when I said I'm a volunteer, because usually only legacies are volunteers, right?"

Theymin sighed, his mask cracking. He looked unbelievably tired. "Yeah, you're right. But I need you to keep it a secret, Tenet." There was a silent 'Or else' Tenet heard from the way he said it.

Tenet laughed, "Don't worry, I don't want to get involved in that shit. I'd just as much forget about it. I would've preferred playing dumb if you didn't already suspect me."

Theymin smiled slightly. "Wasn't hard. You kept asking me questions, as if sure that I'd know the answer.

Tenet smiled, "And you kept answering, meaning I was right. If you want to pretend, play dumb a little. Still I don't understand why you'll try to hide it."

Theymin looked at him, "There are other legacies out there. If they find out who I am, they can inform their families and make life hard for me. But I guess I'd do the same if I could."

Tenet nodded, "I think I'm going to get some sleep. What about you."

"I'll do the same."

Tenet nodded, allowing the ball to bounce away as he turned away.

"Oh Tenet, thank you."

Tenet gave a half wave. It was better for him if he pretended he didn't know. It would be dangerous if anyone thought he was part of Theymin's faction. 

On his way up he met Jellal who was also going to sleep. Contrary to earlier, he seemed much more tired now. 

"Hey Tenet, going to sleep?"

"Yeah, I'm tired."

As he climbed the stairs, he felt his legs start shaking. Jellal noticed and started smiling. "If you want you can sleep in my room."

Tenet looked at him confused. "Aren't you going to be sleeping? Oh, uhhh. Sorry Jellal but I'm into women."

Jellal looked at him confused, before breaking into uncontrolled laughter. "Not like that, fuck no. I'm not going to sleep on the bed, don't worry."

That aside, Tenet agreed to the offer, he wasn't looking forward to making the climb there and back. Especially seeing as though they had further training in the afternoon. 

When he entered Jellal's room, his jaw fell to the floor. Jellal's room was much bigger than Tenet's. At least double the size. He had a single bed, but then near it there was some sort of bed frame that had rope woven turning it into a sort of old fashioned bed. It had a long pillow and a thick blanket. 

He also noticed that Jellal had paid no effort into cleaning the room. 'No wonder Lieutenant Scarlet gave him 500 press-ups."

"What's that?" Tenet asked, pointing at the thing next to the bed.

Jella smiled sadly, "That is something from my homeland. We called it a munji."

"I didn't know you lived abroad, where?"

"It doesn't matter. The place doesn't exist anymore. Got washed by lava and disappeared under the sea during the first cataclysm." His voice was sad. Tenet, who's parents never needed to move often forgot how detrimental the cataclysms were for most of the people who had survived. 

"My parents told me about my country. They told me a lot, after all, the cataclysms happened before I was born."

Tenet nodded silently, feeling it'd be rude to interrupt. 

"Anyways, you can sleep on the bed, and I'll sleep on the munji."

Tenet nodded, "Thank you Jellal."

He waved his thanks away, "Don't mention it."

.........

Tenet woke up to a sof, relaxing sound. It sounded similar to a guitar, but it was more lively and stronger. Opening his eyes, he saw Jellal had also just woken up. Stretching, he got out of bed, enjoying the music. 

His muscle felt tight and sore, preventing from being able to walk normally. 

"Is this your alarm", Tenet asked in disbelief. 

'I knew that higher ranks have got it nice, but this is taking the piss.'

Jellal smiled proudly, "It's music from my homeland."

Tenet snorted, "Must've been some homeland to have all these things."

"Yeah, I guess it must've been."

Jellal noticed Tenet's stiffness and continued, "want me to stretch you out."

Tenet paused, looking at him through the side of his eyes silently.

Jellal looked confused again before realising and shaking his hand emphatically, "Just teaching you how to stretch out you bastard. Unless you wanna be walking like a penguin for the next class."

Tenet laughed, he enjoyed annoying his friend, it gave a deep healing sort of happiness. He could feel it becoming a habit.

'Uhh. I'm already thinking of him as my friend.' Arthurs words echoed through his mind. 'Don't trust them, unless they save your lives, and not even if they do that.' 

Shaking his head, he went through a series of motions, pushing himself through excruciating pain. Jellal seemed to enjoy seeing Tenet's face contorted in pain.

'Sick bastard is probably getting a kick out of this.'

Afterwards they both made their way to the common room. It felt like a blessing when he realised he only needed to descend 1 flight of stairs. 

He saw the rest of them lined up in Rank order, waiting for Lieutenant Scarlet. Tenet made his position to the bottom of the line, feeling much better.

After 5 minutes of standing at attention the door opened. But it wasn't Lieutenant Scarlet who entered. It looked like a bear, and a gorilla mixed together. 

Otto strode in, his feet making the room tremble as his entire giant body squeezed through the door. "Cadets" he boomed. "I am Lieutenant Weber. Your weapons training instructor."

They saluted in response. "Follow me, cadets.'

Otto, or Lieutenant Weber took them a different route to a large hall. Inside the hall there were various weapons lined up. Tenet was surprised to see that most of these weapons weren't guns. They came in the form of spears or swords, medieval weapons that he assumed would have no value in these times.

"You're probably wondering why there are so many weapons", rumbled Otto. "It's simple. Guns are too wasteful in space. Their bullets are too dangerous in areas of low gravity. Guns contain too many factors that increase in danger one you're in space. This is where more medieval weaponry becomes useful."

Bean raised his hand. "Yes, Cadet Noname?" "Sir? Why would we need weapons in space?" Tenet nodded, he had also thought of it, but hoped someone else would ask the question. 

Otto chuckled, "You're not at liberty to know cadets." Bean nodded silently.

"Well now, let's start with teaching you a few basic forms. Then we'll go to physical conditioning and training."

Tenet groaned inwardly. He felt a strange sense of Deja vu from Otto's casual tone. 

What followed was another grueling 4 hours of physical activity, followed by a further 30 minutes of stretching. Otto had begun with teaching the basic swings and thrusts, making the cadets repeat it. It was harder than it seemed, Otto expected 100% in each movement, soon Tenet's arms began slowing, his shoulder and back burning from the effort. Otto walked amongst them, occasionally correcting any mistakes. 

Tenet felt stiff as he swung the sword, it didn't feel right. Every time he swung he felt a profound wrongness, as if he was using someone else's hands on his wrist. Otto had to correct him quite a few times before he managed anything that had a semblance of the rapid and fluid strokes Otto had demonstrated.

Afterwards, they moved onto bone conditioning, and then physical activity. Bone conditioning was excruciating to say the least. Tenet had to blink back tears as he followed Otto's torturous workout.

Suffice it to say that by the end, even Jellal showed signs of exhaustion. Tenet couldn't even walk properly. He had to be helped by Jellal and Adam to even be able to leave the hall in one piece.

Jellal was over the moon. Otto had rewarded him 500 points for being first, showing exemplary physical activity. He had rewarded Bean, Theymin and Adam 100 points for not making any mistakes in their form. Jellal had immediately spent over half his points ordering two further portions of food. 

Their food arrived shortly after they sat down. Finn brought them over, as they all waited in a circle, eyes dancing with anticipation. Everyone started eating, not even bothering to have a conversation." 

"Isn't the metaphysics really cool", said Kolb in excitement. Kalb nodded as well. Finn turned to Kalb who was smiling with his brother and said with a snort, "Didn't think you'd be liking the subject after having the shite kicked into you." Kalb's smile died quickly. "Don't even joke about it Finn. My lungs still don't feel the same." Everyone laughed at that. 

After some more conversation, which to Tenet's surprise, Theymin was quite involved in, they made their way to their own rooms. He sighed inwardly.

'Jellal's room spoiled me.' 

As he went up the eight floors, he heard someone enter. Turning he saw Lieutenant Scarlet striding in, a gleam in her eyes.

"I've come to collect Cadets. Some of you owe me some press-ups."

Tenet's face dropped. 'My instructor is a sadist. She has to be.'

Her eyes locked on to Tenet, who was obviously making his way to his room. "Come down Cadet Sparrows. You owe me fifty."

Tenet turned back down, inwardly holding back tears. His arms trembled in exhaustion and pain as he got into the press-up position alongside Kolb, Jellal, Adam and Finn. He went down once. Then twice, then his arms gave out. His muscles, which had barely survived the training sessions, collapsed. Refusing to move any further. He looked up at Lieutenant Scarlet's smile, his eyes filling with fear. 

Tenet saw that smile, and knew straight away, 'I'm screwed.'