Next step

'Now then, I should start preparing for the mutation unlock.'

'Hmm... what did I have to do again?'

As if sensing Emir's question, the voice spoke up:

[Emir, it's time to start your training.]

[You have much to learn if you wish to protect your family.]

"Training? What training? Wait, who are you?"

He spoke acting oblivious, but before he could ask any more questions, the voice continued:

[I will teach you everything you need to know in due time.]

'It's back...'

'Finally!'

'I've been waiting for you for a long time, Miss Voice.' 

[Hello there... You supposed to be my golden finger?]

He said, or rather telepathically communicated with her using his thoughts.

'I can safely say that whatever this voice is, was connected to me when I got the Nano-bot injection...'

'Were all the doctors in on it?'

'Also, I wonder what purpose this voice has in helping me, after all, nothing is truly free in this world, or rather, in any world.'

The voice caught him off guard, to say the least.

He had always anticipated hearing it again someday, but its sudden appearance left him taken aback.

Emir remembered hearing it once when he was born and a second time later on.

Though he struggled to recollect the exact words that were spoken as if a veil obscured his memories.

At least he finally had confirmation on something that had plagued his mind for a long while... 

The voice wanted something out of him.

This realization made it obvious that his arrival here was not a mere coincidence.

'I was brought here for a reason, a man with a mission you could say.' 

Ignoring what he said, the voice asked: 

[Are you ready to begin your training?]

Emir took a deep breath and nodded, feeling a sense of focus wash over him.

He was alive, and he had a goal.

And he would do everything in his power to achieve it.

He stood up from the couch and stretched his arms, which felt a bit stiff from sitting for too long.

The voice had given him instructions on how to prepare for the mutation unlock.

Emir wouldn't say no to extra help.

'Although the voice is suspicious, I can assume its ability to read my mind is not omnipotent.'

'At least whatever I think needs me to want that thought to be sent to the voice, as it doesn't seem to notice my suspicion.'

'Goooooooood, then let's play, Miss Voice...'

'And see whose pawn you wish me to be.'

His thoughts churned as his pupils dilated to an unnatural degree.

'But let's save that for later, I'm hungry.'

So before that, he went to eat breakfast with his mother and sister.

As he walked into the kitchen, the smell of pancakes filled his nostrils, and his mouth watered in anticipation.

Lily, was already at the table, eagerly digging into her pancakes.

"Good morning, brothar!"

She greeted him with a smile, her mouth full of food.

"Good morning, Lily."

Emir replied while chuckling.

He sat down next to her and grabbed a plate, piling it high with pancakes.

As good as the food had looked, all of it was artificial.

Grown in a lab.

Since real food was only for people living in the epitome of wealth, the 'Elite.'

'At least it's got a lot of nutrition, perfect for my training plan.'

Emir thought as he began eating.

"So, what's on the agenda for today?" His mother asked as she sat down with them, sipping on her coffee.

"I have some training to do," he said between bites.

Laura raised an eyebrow.

"Training? What kind?"

Emir hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell her.

"It's to prepare me for when I become a hunter."

His mother's eyes widened in shock, and he saw the worry etched on her face.

"A hunter? Sweetie, I don't want you involved in anything dangerous."

Emir put down his fork and took a deep breath.

"Mom, I understand how you feel, but I need to do this. I have a responsibility to protect this family, and I can't do that without proper training."

The table filled with tension as Laura remained silent.

Suddenly, she snapped and yelled:

"Emir Oliver!"

"What about your father, huh? He died as a hunter! Do you want to join him too?!"

Emir felt a pang in his chest at the mention of his father.

Oliver had died around the time Emir was born and although he didn't know him personally, he had heard many stories about him from his mother.

And while he knew that the stories related to his sacrifice were suspicious, he couldn't do much about it...

At least not yet.

Yet Emir vowed to uncover the truth while attending the academy and to utterly destroy whoever was responsible.

"I know, Mom. I know what happened to Dad."

"Then—"

"But!"

Emir didn't let her interrupt because he didn't want her to take up his time for something that needed to be done.

"I also know that he died doing what he loved, protecting others, and that's what I want to do."

"I want to be there for you two, to make sure nothing wrong happens..."

"I need to do this."

His mother looked at him with a mixture of pride and sadness in her eyes.

"I... I understand... But promise me that you'll be careful."

"I will."

"Sweetie I... don't want a repeat of what happened to your father. You know that I've already gone through enough as is."

"I know Mom, I promise. I'll always come back to you and Lily, so don't worry."

He reached across the table and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Laura gave him a small smile before standing up.

"Alright. But make sure to finish your breakfast before you start your training. And don't forget to take breaks and stay hydrated."

They finished breakfast in comfortable silence—well, at least Emir and Laura.

Lily kept talking about random things, every chance she got.

'I swear if I'm the reincarnation of a 24-year-old, she instead is the reincarnation of a goddamn radio.'

His mussing earned him a suppressed chuckle.

He later went to his room to change into training gear.

Emir put on a pair of black athletic shorts, a tight-fitting tank top, and some sneakers.

He then grabbed a water bottle before heading out to the backyard of their house.

It was a large, open space that was perfect for what he had in mind.

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm glow over everything around him.

He took a deep breath, feeling the cool morning air fill his lungs.

[Alright Emir.]

The voice spoke up, interrupting his thoughts.

[Let's start with the mutation unlock. This will be greatly beneficial for your future as a hunter, especially as a higher-ranked one.]

Emir nodded, ready to begin.

The mutation unlock was something he had read about in the novel, although mentioned he didn't remember much, as if it was on purpose.

What he knew was the process, albeit vaguely.

He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, feeling his heartbeat slow down and his muscles relax.

Emir tried to clear out all his thoughts, slowly letting himself sink into a meditative state.

Which made him feel a deep sense of connection between his mind and his body.

The best way he could describe that feeling was that he felt every muscle contracting and relaxing, even when it was very subtle.

This would most probably be unnoticeable by even the highest level of athletes.

'So now comes the next step...'

'I need to force myself to focus all my attention on my brain.'

A few minutes went by, and he made sure to be as stable as possible.

'No going back now, it's do or die baby.'

Emir thought steeling himself for the upcoming pain.

His eyes snapped open as he concentrated.

A sudden intense heat began to spread through his body.

His muscles trembled violently, causing him to writhe in agony.

It was a sensation unlike anything he had ever felt before, and the pain was almost unbearable.

'Shit, shit, shit, this hurts so much!'

'I feel like my entire body is being stabbed by a million knives!'

'Fuck, shit, DAMN THIS NOVEL!'

Although it felt like an eternity had passed, it had only been a couple of hours since he began.

At first, Emir was afraid that he wouldn't be able to handle the physical and mental strain, but then he reminded himself of his purpose in this world.

His burning desire was to overcome any obstacles that dared stand in his way, no matter the form they took, until the fateful day of his inevitable demise.

His sole reason for existence in this world.

Emir pushed through the pain and challenged himself to see how much he could endure.

His training consumed him so entirely that he forgot about his initial fears and doubts.

And as he continued to focus, his eyesight sharpened.

He could see everything around him in vivid detail.

Emir's hearing became more acute, and he could hear the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds from far away.

His sense of smell heightened, and he could distinguish different scents with ease.

He could also sense other changes happening in his body, but his focus remained solely on mutating.

Despite feeling utterly exhausted, he continued to battle the throbbing headache that threatened to knock him out.

Emir simply refused to give up.

His breathing became shorter and shorter, and he struggled to catch his breath.

However, he continued pushing himself, even as his mind screamed for him to stop.

'Dammit, who said that the pain gets easier the more you experience it?'

'WHAT'S PAIN TOLERANCE?!'

'THAT DOESN'T FUCKING EXIST DAMMIT!'

Every time he felt like the pain was becoming bearable, the pain increased in intensity, reaching levels he never imagined were possible.

'I REFUSE TO GIVE UP DAMN YOU!'