Bl4ckm4il3d?

The first day of training under the former... no, the Devil would be a more fitting name, was a descent into hell itself. "He broke our bones over and over again, and then he'd heal them slowly, saying, 'It will strengthen them, just bear with it a few thousand times.'" Aiden's voice was a mix of disbelief and exhaustion as he recounted the harrowing experience he had just endured.

"Now I understand why they say this academy is deadly. The instructors are insane," Aiden muttered, his steps heavy as he made his way back from what he sarcastically referred to as a "lecture."

^Well, I must admit, it does yield results. It's one of the most cost-effective and fastest methods, after all.^ Iris' voice responded in his mind.

"No, wait. Are you actually defending his methods?" Aiden's tone was almost incredulous.

^I-I'm not siding with him!^ Iris stammered, slightly panicked. ^I just meant that it is, indeed, one of the most effective methods. Besides, you possess super-regeneration. You shouldn't have any lasting issues.^

Before Aiden could offer a retort, he felt a reassuring pat on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Elias, his fellow student, smiling at him. "Hey, Aiden, how's it going?"

Aiden's lips twitched into a half-smile. "Well, the... you know, bone-crushing, hellish training."

Elias nodded, understanding. But as Aiden continued recounting the details, Elias's face twisted with empathy. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I'm grateful I didn't choose that course now."

Aiden shrugged, his expression half-exasperated. "Well, it's effective, that's for sure."

Elias raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Effective, huh? How many people have left the course?"

Elias' eyes widened with curiosity. "Effective? How?"

Aiden's lips curled into a wry grin. "My endurance stat increased by two points."

Elias blinked, clearly taken aback. "Still, having your bones healed only to be crushed again immediately... it sounds insane. How many people started the course, and how many are left?"

Aiden hesitated for a moment before responding. "At the beginning, there were..." ^Twenty-three^ "... twenty-three of us. Now, only five remain."

Elias' eyes reflected understanding. "Well, it's not surprising. Who would willingly endure something like that?"

Aiden's gaze met Elias's, a hint of a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, I don't know... someone who's not in their right mind, perhaps?"

Elias snorted, the tension in the air easing as he grinned. "Touché. Well, let's stop talking about the course. Did you already visit your familiar room?"

"Yeah, I did. It's... interesting. Not sure if I'll ever use it, though."

Elias chuckled. "I get that. I decided to skip on that whole familiar room thing. Seems like too much of a hassle."

Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Your choice."

Their banter carried them all the way to their respective dormitories, both situated close enough to be called neighbors. Aiden gave a wave to Elias before stepping into his house.

^Aiden, be cautious. My sensors indicate an unfamiliar presence inside the house, attempting to access the network.^ Iris's voice echoed in his mind, her tone urgent.

Aiden's body tensed as he slipped into a battle stance, his mind racing through potential scenarios. {Damn it, the bone-breaking session drained my stamina...} he thought, frustration gnawing at him.

Emerging from behind a wall was a tall figure. The man had light blue hair, yellow eyes, and a striking appearance, complete with a lab coat donning the academy emblem. "Whoa, calm down. I'm not here to fight you," the man said, holding up his hands in a non-threatening gesture.

"I'm Gillian Matt. I'm one of the instructors for the Manaforge Engineering courses," he introduced himself.

Suspicion lingered in Aiden's eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Gillian leaned against the wall, seemingly unfazed by Aiden's guarded demeanor. "Well, you practically created a cybernetic fortress around your dormitory. Of course, I had to take a look... Red_Eye."

Aiden's shock was evident, both in his expression and his thoughts. {How does he—} And then realization dawned upon him. "You're the technopath who was spying on me."

Gillian chuckled. "Oh, 'spying' is a bit harsh. Let's just say I was observing. With my Gift, [Cybernetic Link], I tried to uncover your real identity. Took me a bit too long to access your underground lab network without triggering your defenses, though."

Aiden's suspicion deepened. "So, what exactly are you doing in my house?"

Gillian's grin widened mischievously. "I want you to join my course. Or else, I might have to reveal that little secret of yours."

In an instant, Aiden found himself in an unexpected predicament. {Did I just got blackmailed?}

=================================

[Cybernetic Link] S-Rank

The [Cybernetic Link] Gift grants its user unparalleled control over technology, blurring the line between human and machine. Those who possess this extraordinary ability can forge an intricate connection with machinery, seamlessly integrating their consciousness with various technological devices. This gift enables them to manipulate and communicate with computers, devices, and even complex systems using just their thoughts.