2. Awakening

Clive sat on the edge of the bed, his heart racing as he tried to process everything. He had woken up just a few minutes ago, but it felt like hours. He couldn't help but wonder if he had gained some special ability, like the characters in the stories he used to read.

In those stories, people who transmigrated usually received powers or systems to help them navigate their new lives. But after waiting for several minutes, nothing happened. No system appeared, no voice spoke in his head.

"Figures," Clive muttered.

Taking a deep breath, Clive stood up and tried to focus. He was now in the body of a 15-year-old boy, also named Clive Bixby, who had just arrived at one of HYDRA's secret academies.

The boy had completed training at a smaller HYDRA school and had been transported here by a ship today, the destination kept hidden. Tomorrow, the real tests would begin for each student to join a specific department in HYDRA.

The previous Clive had already applied for the Battle Department, which was what his father had always wanted for him. His father had been a strong HYDRA operative but had died three years ago on a mission. Clive's mother had died giving birth to him, so he had grown up with only his father's guidance.

The minor HYDRA academy had instilled in him a deep hatred for SHIELD, telling him that they were responsible for his parents' deaths. Now, with both his parents gone, Clive was truly alone. But in a way, that made things easier—he didn't have to pretend to care about anyone.

Clive glanced over at the desk in his room. On it sat a single book that all new students were given upon arriving at the academy. He picked it up and began to flip through the pages. The cover was plain, but inside was a detailed guide on the academy's rules, departments, and HYDRA's hierarchy.

The academy's rules were strict:

1. Loyalty to HYDRA was absolute. Disloyalty or betrayal would lead to execution.

2. No communication with the outside world was allowed without permission. Trying to contact anyone outside the academy without approval was a serious offense.

3. Survival of the fittest was the guiding principle. Students were expected to compete, and only the strong would succeed.

4. Respect the chain of command was crucial. Orders from higher-ranking officials were to be followed without question, and failure to do so would result in severe punishment.

There were few more rules that the students had to follow and Clive memorized them by heart. He felt a chill run down his spine as he completed reading all the rules. This wasn't just a school; it was a pressure cooker designed to create loyal HYDRA operatives. There was no room for weakness, and every action was being watched unless you proved your worth and earned a higher rank.

The book then outlined the various departments within HYDRA. Every student had to apply for one of these departments upon arrival:

1. Battle Department – Focused on training soldiers and commanders for HYDRA's military operations.

2. Scientific Research – Developing new technologies, weapons, and biological enhancements for HYDRA.

3. Espionage Division – Training spies and infiltrators to gather intelligence and sabotage HYDRA's enemies.

4. Psychological Warfare – Specialists in mind control, manipulation, and propaganda.

5. Weapon Development – Creating advanced weaponry for HYDRA's forces.

6. Communications and Cyber Warfare – Handling hacking, surveillance, and communications for HYDRA.

7. Diplomatic Relations – Managing HYDRA's political dealings and influence over governments.

8. Training and Recruitment – Responsible for finding and grooming new members of HYDRA.

9. Financial Operations – Managing HYDRA's vast financial resources and wealth.

10. Special Projects Division – Conducting top-secret missions and handling classified experiments.

Each department had its own focus, and the students were groomed to take on leadership roles within HYDRA. Clive had already applied for the Battle Department, but now that he was inhabiting the body of the previous Clive, he wasn't sure if that was the right fit for him. Still, it was too late to change anything now.

The last section of the book detailed the hierarchy within HYDRA, listing the ten ranks:

1. Trainee – The lowest rank, held by students and new recruits.

2. Operative – Agents who had completed their basic training and were sent on missions.

3. Agent – More experienced operatives who were trusted with important tasks.

4. Elite Agent – The best of the agents, given the most important and critical assignments.

5. Commander – Responsible for leading teams and organizing missions.

6. Captain – Commanded larger groups and was involved in strategic planning.

7. Director – In charge of entire regions, overseeing multiple commanders and operations.

8. General – Head of entire departments, wielding significant power within HYDRA.

9. Council Member – One of the few top officials who helped run HYDRA on a global scale.

Additionally, the book introduced a credit point system that all students could utilize during their time at the academy. Students earned credit points through tasks assigned by agents and missions from HYDRA. The uses for these points were numerous:

Promotions: Points could be spent for advancement to the next rank in the hierarchy.

Vacations: Accumulated points could be exchanged for time off from rigorous training.

Punishment Avoidance: Students could use points to evade disciplinary actions for minor infractions.

Death Penalty Avoidance: A significant number of points could be used to negotiate leniency.

Transfer of Points: Credit points were transferable among members of the same rank, allowing for strategic alliances and bargaining.

Emergency Exits: In dire situations, points could be used to secure a safe escape from dangerous missions.

..

....

Other than this information, the book was just filled with praises for HYDRA, beliefs, etc

Clive stared at the book, feeling the weight of his new reality. This wasn't some dream world where he could relax and enjoy himself. He was trapped in a deadly organization where every step could lead to his downfall if he wasn't careful.

'I need a plan,' He thought to himself, knowing that surviving in HYDRA meant more than just playing along—it meant rising through the ranks or finding a way out before it was too late.

Clive looked around the room, feeling uneasy as he considered the possibility that it was being watched. The plain walls felt too close, and he couldn't shake the feeling that hidden cameras were keeping an eye on him.

This wasn't just any school; it was a secret training ground for HYDRA, an organization known for spying.

'I should be careful with what I do,' he thought. He had just received a brief summary of the previous Clive's memories, but not all of them. He needed to act normal so no one would notice any changes in his behavior.

Suddenly, words appeared in front of his eyes on a glowing black panel:

[Initiating the system].....

[Binding the system to host]...

Pain shot through his body, starting in his core and spreading to his limbs. It felt like a thousand needles poking him, and the intensity only grew worse. Clive realized he was getting a "golden finger," just like the protagonists in the novels he used to read. But unlike them, he was in a room that could be under surveillance. If HYDRA figured out something was wrong, it would be bad news for him.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Clive forced himself to head to the bathroom. He hoped it wasn't being monitored, and as he closed the door behind him. And even if he was being monitored in there, he hoped that whoever was watching would just think that Clive was dropping a massive dump.

He hurried to the commode and sat down, trying to look as normal as possible despite the pain that was building up inside him. The discomfort intensified, but he focused on keeping his expression controlled, as much as possible.

Leaning back against the wall, sweat dripped from his forehead as he tried to breathe through the agony. The pain felt like it was tearing him apart, and he could tell something important was happening inside his body.

Finally, just as he thought he couldn't take it anymore, the pain faded, leaving him gasping for air and drenched in sweat. Clive leaned against the bathroom wall, grateful for the relief.

Suddenly, another message appeared in front of him, bright and demanding his attention:

[Binding Successful]

A wave of relief washed over him, mixed with excitement.

As soon as the binding was successful, Clive felt a rush of energy flowing through his body. It was a strange feeling, as if every part of him was coming alive, full of a new strength that felt as vital as blood. This energy pulsed within him, powerful and vibrant, ready to be used. But Clive knew he had to be careful; experimenting recklessly could get him into trouble.

Just then, the message disappeared, and in its place, a black panel filled with information showed up.

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