After Kieran entered the training room downstairs, which happened to be the one that Altair and the others trained in due to how spacious it was, his mind shifted to the matters that Soulless addressed.
'According to Soulless, the first phase of this evolution is known as Hyper Intuition. Based on the name, I can already guess what this relates to. Though, if I'm being honest, my intuition has been greater than others since… perhaps the beginning.'
Kieran had learned to trust his instincts as they had yet to lead him astray. If his gut told him that something was amiss or that he should perform some unknown action, he heeded the feeling.
These instincts were the reason Kieran not only excelled in Zenith Online, but in academia as well. Even without studying, his instincts usually kicked in and helped him ascertain the correct answer.
Such a phenomenon transcended mere bestial instinct.
It was something intrinsic yet also somewhat esoteric in nature. Of course, Kieran didn't question it during his early days.
However, now that Soulless had shed light upon the phases of the inhuman evolution process, Kieran felt like he had received an answer regarding those strange instincts.
Though, honing said instincts was a different story.
As he thought about it, Kieran glanced at the HRT chamber in the distance.
Compared to the one upstairs, the one down here was more extreme. Whereas the one upstairs was meant for cognitive rehabilitation, being the reason why it fired soft projectiles, this HRT chamber was designed to pose a challenge by inciting imminent danger.
Dr. Riley had once voiced that it was unneeded, but the Magnate Families behind the existence of this facility insisted that it be included in the blueprints. There was no telling when they'd have to utilize this place in an emergency.
Should that happen, the proper training mechanisms should be installed to accommodate their stay and training.
"A disclaimer on the Hyper Reaction Training Chamber. Though… what should serve as a warning and a deterrence only excites me further," Kieran said, placing his hand on the tempered glass pane to open the chamber.
Once he stepped inside, Kieran glanced around and nodded subtly.
Not only did this chamber have several times more openings on the walls, but they were also placed everywhere—the floor, the ceiling, and the eight walls.
It wasn't a typical circular or rectangular structure. The chamber was modeled as an octagonal prism.
"It's kind of like stepping inside a kaleidoscope," Kieran muttered.
All of a sudden, a smooth robotic voice echoed in the chamber.
[Identity recognized as examinee: Kieran Silver. There is a record of previous activity with the HRT chamber. Would you like to resume where you last terminated the examination?]
[Previous progress is recorded to be at the 99th percentile of the Prime Rating. Inside the 99th percentile, the difficulty will increase exponentially.]
Due to his lack of time the last time he attempted this training, Kieran decided to leave his limit testing for another attempt. That attempt was naturally upon him since he wasn't exactly in a rush to return to Zenith Online.
If anything noteworthy or alarming were to occur, Aspaira or the others would contact him since they were the only ones capable of reaching him directly aside from people from the Gamer Republic Corporation.
After all, considering his surroundings and condition, Kieran made his decision.
"Begin a 99th percentile warm-up session," Kieran commanded.
[Warm-up session commencing. All projectiles will begin at 10% of the chamber's maximum projected velocity and will continue to increase until you say "Halt".]
[3…]
[2…]
Kieran exhaled and prepared himself as the final countdown occurred.
[1… BEGIN!]
Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
Kieran dodged projectiles from a few of the walls around him by employing fluid Accel Shifts. While they weren't as impeccable as his actions within Zenith Online, there was a certain appeal to his movements that would attract astounded gazes.
As he continued to move, Kieran's eyes darted around the room, analyzing where the next projectile could appear from. It was difficult because the signs were essentially nonexistent, but Kieran continued to uphold a perfect warm-up despite the speed having increased to 50%.
Based on what Kieran experienced, the speed would increase by 2% every minute, giving Kieran a decent window to acclimate.
[Basic warm-up has been completed. Now moving on to the Intermediate warm-up.]
All of a sudden, four walls began to fire projectiles simultaneously in varying intervals, which led to Kieran having to switch his footwork.
'It's not that difficult in the game thanks to the high attributes I possess, but here in the real world… linking Surge Step and Accel Shift together is quite difficult. No, not difficult—taxing,' Kieran thought.
Despite the stress of performing such actions, Kieran continued to do so, intent on improving and properly gauging his body's limits.
Soon enough, Kieran decided that the warm-up was done.
"Halt," Kieran called out.
A light hissing noise sounded in the background as the mechanical voice verified that the warm-up session had been terminated. Before following through with the actual test, now that his body was warmed up, Kieran gave himself a few minutes to adjust to the capabilities of his body.
'I must remember that I'm not Aatrox right now. I'm Kieran,' Kieran mused.
Afterward, Kieran issued his order.
"Commence the 99th percentile training."
[Now commencing the 99th percentile training. The basic level will commence in T-10 seconds.]
Kieran awaited the countdown, clenching and relaxing his hands as he noticed the holes in the wall widen. 'Are the projectiles being changed? They were the size of a golf ball before, but the size of that opening seems large enough to accommodate the launch of a tennis ball-sized projectile.'
As Kieran suspected, the projectiles underwent a drastic change. From what Kieran gleaned, their size and density of them would undoubtedly leave a bruise, or perhaps even a fractured bone if they landed wrong.
Of course, the odds of injury were also dependent on the physique of the athlete that was attempting this training.
In Kieran's case, his physique was decent, but not extremely strong. A direct hit would undoubtedly result in extreme discomfort.
A few seconds later, Kieran began his attempt to find his place in the 99th percentile, if that's where his abilities existed.
Unlike the warm-up session, Kieran was no longer so modest with his movements. He blitzed around the chamber, dodging several projectiles at once without giving himself time to breathe.
Thanks to his increased vascularity, he didn't tire as quickly as a normal person. His body could also function optimally with less oxygen. This was why individuals at this standard were referred to as the elites among men.
At the end of the basic level, Kieran panted as his dark hair clung to his sweaty forehead. When he rested his palms on his knees, beads of sweat dripped onto the floor but the floor suddenly warmed up in that area and evaporated it.
The chamber was designed to account for and eliminate all outside interference. Things such as sweat making the floor slippery was not a hindrance.
The only hindrance present inside the chamber was the examinee themself or the examinees if it was large-scale training.
After two minutes of rest, the voice automatically alerted Kieran that the intermediate level would be taking place shortly.
[The jump in difficulty will be evident. Flexibility and swift movements are key points from this point on. If incapable of high-level flexibility, progressing within the 99th percentile is impossible.]
While he read the disclaimer, Kieran rubbed his chin pensively. 'Flexibility. That's definitely an important component that most would overlook. If you're flexible enough, your current position is negligible.'
Since the chamber's virtual assistant had alerted Kieran of what the training focused on, Kieran closed his eyes and recounted a specific training he had undergone in the past.
The only difference with the training he recalled was that it was more combat-oriented than his current situation.
Be that as it may, it didn't conflict and Kieran could make some minor adjustments to make it suit the current predicament perfectly.
'I don't have a weapon in hand, but I don't need one. I'll simply emulate the idea of having one,' Kieran decided.
Not too long after, Kieran commenced the next segment of training.
The haphazard firing occurred in such a way that if Kieran didn't bend accordingly, his legs, ribs, shoulder, and head would be brutalized by the projectiles. Thankfully, Kieran contorted his body unusually at the last second, narrowly avoiding the projectiles.
Every launch sequence was randomized, appearing from one of the eight walls at an almost baffling speed. As Kieran glanced at the screen implanted in the wall, he noticed that the projectiles had achieved 80% of their maximum velocity.
If Kieran compared the speed of the balls to how much effort he required to dodge, Kieran estimated he would fail to cope with these projectiles reaching their maximum speed.
But… the challenge intrigued Kieran—he had to know.
Could this pressure be used to unearth more about this evolutionary process? If he was born with innate Hyper Intuition and Hypersensitivity, couldn't he use this pressure to step into that third phase, or maybe even the fourth as Soulless called it?
'I must. If someone like Soulless can achieve it, why can't I? Titled Rankers? Luminaries? That is all just the beginning for me… I will go beyond!'
With his competitive spirit ignited, Kieran completed the intermediate level, moving on to the advanced level without pause.
As one would expect, the advanced level began at 90% velocity and would most likely reach full capacity near the end.
While Kieran employed his movement techniques without fail, beads of sweat began to drip off his body incessantly. As the room was forced to heat up, Kieran began to feel warm.
As this warmth intensified, Kieran's focus grew, entering a realm where he could sense the minute signs that happened before a ball was launched. The signs originated deep within the hole where the mechanism was rooted.
The almost inaudible noise of a dial turning sounded in Kieran's ear, drawing his attention to that place.
'This change… did my senses just become clearer? Could this state of heightened sense be what Hypervigilance is?' Kieran wondered.
A second later, an absurd volley of projectiles sped toward Kieran.
