The Door shuttle closed with a soft hissing sound, leaving Fitran momentarily alone in the glass cabin bathed in soft blue light. Echo hovered beside him, looking half-seated in an empty chair, her hologram gently pulsing with each breath—as if the AI shared the same tension he felt.
"Take a deep breath, Fitran," Echo said, her smile thin yet calming. "The next session will be easier. You just need a little adjustment before facing the Beta Frontier."
Fitran gazed out the shuttle's window, his eyes captivated by the view outside. The shimmering lights of Alpha Genesis station flowed beneath them—glimmering spiral towers, bustling spacecraft docks, and the silhouettes of distant star fleets. An unfamiliar sensation twisted in his chest, intertwining with a fresh wave of anxiety; this first step was at once terrifying and exhilarating.
"So, where are we headed now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to shatter the sacred moment.
"To the training room," Echo replied firmly. "Mandatory combat tutorial for all newcomers. The system will evaluate your reflexes, coordination, and how well you adapt to the skills you choose. After that, we can discuss missions and the challenges awaiting us in the real world."
The shuttle glided gracefully before coming to a halt in a brightly lit corridor dominated by shades of metallic white and blue. The doors slid open automatically, revealing a vast training hall: the walls adorned with shimmering data panels, and the floor lined with blue lines forming practice circles. In the center, several spherical drones floated silently, waiting for the next command.
A trainer, a man in his thirties dressed in a combat uniform of the Spiral Coalition, approached them with measured strides. His name tag read: [Lt. Garven – Combat Tutor].
"New players, I see? Echo, it's been a while since we last crossed paths," he greeted warmly, his eyes scrutinizing Fitran with keen attention. "So, this is the rookie fresh out of quarantine, huh?"
"That's right," Echo replied, her voice calm yet confident, "Please introduce the tutorial system as usual."
Lt. Garven nodded, shifting his gaze to Fitran with a more serious expression. "Listen closely, kid. Here, everything feels real. While the training drones aren't lethal, if you don't master the fundamentals of combat, you won't survive even a single day outside this station."
Fitran squared his shoulders, a mix of fear and the thrill of battle flickering across his face. "I'm ready, sir."
Lt. Garven activated his data tablet. A blue notification suddenly appeared before Fitran:
[Tutorial Quest: Combat Fundamentals]
Objective: Defeat 3 Training Drones. Evade their attacks, utilize active skills.
Reward: +100 XP, Unlock Skill "Plasma Strike", Stat Point
Echo's smile widened, her holographic glow pulsing gently with excitement. "This training may seem simple, but it's crucial. Mastering these basics is the key to surviving the challenges that lie ahead. Are you ready to dive into this?"
[Tutorial Quest: Basics of Combat]
Objective: Defeat 3 Training Drones. Evade their attacks, utilize active skills.
Reward: +100 XP, Unlock Skill "Plasma Strike", Stat Point
Echo's holographic form flickered with satisfaction, her voice warm yet sharp. "This training is straightforward, but its significance can't be overstated. Stay focused; I'll guide you if you feel lost."
Lt. Garven stepped back, counting down with a commanding presence, "The training zone will activate in three... two... one..."
Three metallic drones heated the air with their glowing red lights, moving in a coordinated triangle around Fitran. The blue lights on his exosuit illuminated his path, and a status panel appeared effortlessly within his line of sight:
[HP: 100/100 | Quantum Energy: 100/100 | Plasma Blade: Ready]
In a flash, one of the drones charged forward, launching a barrage of blue energy that exploded on the ground beside Fitran's feet, forcing him to leap back instinctively.
"Your reflexes are impressive," Echo's voice flowed through his earpiece—calm yet firm, a direct current to his mind. "Try using the Analyze skill. Fix your gaze on the drone and think 'Scan.'"
Fitran focused intently on the nearest drone. As he concentrated, a data overlay flickered into view:
[Training Drone]
HP: 40/40
Armor: Light
Attack: Energy Pulse (10 DMG)
Suddenly, a second drone shot swiftly in from the right. Trusting his instincts, Fitran lifted his Plasma Blade and, in a reflexive motion, swung it sideways. The energy blade clashed against the metal body of the drone, sparks of electricity danced around him, and the crackling sound echoed in the space.
[Hit! Training Drone -20 HP]
The drone shuddered violently before retreating quickly. Yet, the third drone wasted no time; it barreled straight toward Fitran and unleashed two energy bullets aimed directly at his chest. His reflexes kicked in; he rolled to the side, narrowly dodging one shot, but the second bullet struck his shoulder.
[Damage Taken: 10 HP]
The Quantum Exosuit's panel shimmered in violet hues on Fitran's body, softening the impact of the blow. Though the pain was jarring, it felt more like the sting of an electric shock rather than a debilitating wound. Amidst the chaos, Echo's voice cut through his thoughts, clearer and more assertive than before. "Don't act rashly, Fitran. Remember, you have an active skill—'Quantum Strike'. Channel your Quantum Energy into your weapon and target that drone."
Fitran took a deep breath, gazing hopefully at his overflowing Quantum Energy gauge. He focused on Echo's guidance, relaxing his body to enhance his concentration, and redirected his attention to the Plasma Blade in his grasp. The deep blue energy surged vigorously along the length of the sword, giving it the appearance of a pure plasma weapon radiating light.
The first drone launched a relentless assault, attempting to break through his defenses with a frontal attack. With a powerful leap, Fitran swung his blade with both hands—the plasma edge sliced through the air around him, striking true at the drone's midpoint. A small explosion of energy erupted, shattering the silence.
[Quantum Strike! Critical Hit!]
[Training Drone destroyed]
Now, just two drones remained, moving with cautious intent, as if they sensed the peril surrounding them. One of the drones darted in a zig-zag pattern, firing projectiles in rapid succession. Fitran, displaying his sharp reflexes, leapt aside, narrowly avoiding the onslaught, and countered with a calculated slash. The attacking drone was cleaved in two, collapsing onto the floor with sparks of electricity flickering from its wreckage.
However, the last drone seemed intent on making a desperate escape, hovering towards a dark corner of the room. Fitran wasn't about to let it slip away that easily; he charged after it, activating his Analyze skill to pinpoint the enemy's weak spot. With a calculated swing, he aimed directly for the drone's primary sensor.
[Training Drone destroyed! Quest Complete.]
The rhythmic chime of a digital notification filled the air, signaling that his struggle had borne fruit. Fitran felt lighter, as if a fresh surge of energy coursed through him. Along with this invigorating sensation, a blue notification appeared before him:
[Tutorial Quest Completed! +100 XP]
[Level Up! Level 2 → Level 3]
[Stat Points +2]
[Skill Unlocked: Plasma Strike (Active)]
[Reward: Minor Healing Capsule x1]
The status panel flickered to life, revealing a slight increase in his HP and Quantum Energy. The newly acquired skill had integrated seamlessly into his abilities. Everything felt like it was sculpting Fitran into a far more formidable fighter.
"Well done, Fitran!" Echo's voice caressed his ears, a soft whistle threaded through her tone. "Your progress is impressive. Check out your skill panel; do you feel the difference?"
Fitran nodded, navigating through the virtual menu that glowed a brilliant blue:
[Skill Menu]
Quantum Strike (Active): A plasma attack harnessing Quantum energy, delivering high damage.
Plasma Strike (Active): A rapid, slicing attack, offering a critical hit bonus.
Analyze (Passive): Scans the enemy, revealing their status and weak points.
Every skill ignited a fire within him, awakening a confidence that had lain dormant for too long. With each experience point earned, he sensed a transformation within him, both physically and mentally.
"Now, finish your training with that," Echo suggested, her voice laced with foresight, as if she could anticipate his thoughts. "You should try out Plasma Strike on the training wall."
With fiery determination, Fitran aimed his weapon at the training wall. The plasma blade detonated with astonishing speed, barreling forward and leaving a deep scorched mark in its wake. The metallic clang echoed as the projectile collided with the surface, heightening the intensity of his struggle.
Lt. Garven approached, a broad smile lighting up his face as if he were capturing Fitran's enthusiasm. "Impressive! Not bad for a beginner. If your reflexes are this quick outside the simulation, you might last longer than most."
"How many players fail during this session?" Fitran asked, curiosity bubbling within him.
Lt. Garven sighed, "Typically, more than half will drop out before they truly master this skill. But you… you have something unique."
Echo, observing from the sidelines, smirked knowingly, "It's a blend of luck and… history."
Lt. Garven gave Fitran's shoulder an encouraging pat. "Take a moment to catch your breath, and then we'll move to the next phase—team combat simulation. Out there, going solo rarely works."
Fitran sank onto a bench at the edge of the room, his breath coming in sharp gasps. Yet, despite the fatigue, there was a curious sense of satisfaction swelling within him. His gaze fell to his hands, still trembling—not from exhaustion, but from a fervent exhilaration.
"Echo, I feel... as though I know this world, yet at the same time, I feel so out of place."
Echo regarded him, her violet eyes reflecting streams of data moving at incomprehensible speeds. "There are things etched into our subconscious, even when your memories are wiped clean. Perhaps... our souls cannot be completely reset by the system."
Fitran gazed up at the ceiling of the training hall, pondering Echo's profound words. He tried to recall—faces, names, memories—anything at all—yet all that surfaced was a fleeting rush of emotions: longing, fear, and a fiery determination igniting within him.
As a few other NPCs entered the training hall, preparing for the upcoming session, a young man with silver hair shot him a challenging grin. "A new player, huh? Don't think the training drones will be a walk in the park once you're out there in the real world."
Fitran gave a brief nod, striving to avoid any sort of conflict. Echo chimed in, "Every player in Spiral Nexus carries their own burdens and goals. Only time will reveal who can endure."
Shuttle Beta Frontier awaited at the dock, softly humming with the soothing drone of machinery. Lt. Garven stepped forward, handing Fitran the access key, and activated a holographic map that shimmered in the air before them.
"Remember, Beta Frontier is fraught with danger. But if you can master the skills available to you, it won't just be fragments of memories that you'll uncover there. Prepare your mind, and seize every chance to learn."
Echo interjected, seriousness lacing her voice, perhaps a touch firmer than usual, "One last message before we depart. The system has unlocked access to the stat allocation feature. Use the two points you have wisely and consider the fighting style you wish to develop."
Fitran opened his stat panel, heartbeat quickening at the sight of the numbers on screen:
[Stat Points Available: 2]
Strength: 5
Intelligence: 5
Agility: 5
Endurance: 5
Charisma: 5
He determined to distribute one point to Strength and one to Agility—seeking to become swifter and stronger for the battles ahead. Moments ticked by as the panel updated his status. His body felt slightly lighter, more responsive. He rose, gripping his Plasma Blade firmly, gazing intently at Echo.
"I'm ready."
Echo beamed a genuine smile, "Come on, Fitran. This is your first step, and the journey has just begun. The world—and your future—awaits you, brimming with all the potential of the Beta Frontier."
The shuttle doors glided open smoothly, and as Fitran glanced down the corridor of Alpha Genesis Station, a surge of hope and challenge coursed through him. With determination roaring in his chest, he stepped toward the gateway of adventure, his footsteps steady, as if the very universe itself was cheering him on.