Machi crouched on the large tree that had stopped trembling, her ten fingers extended. If Ahmed were to use Gyo to see, he would notice faint, trembling fine threads at the tips of all her fingers.
"I haven't been just buried in books all these years. In neurobiology, I am a genius among geniuses."
"Instructor, all the nerves in your body are under my control!"
Machi's bruised and swollen face broke into a smile. As a neurobiology genius, she knew all about the nerves that controlled human limb movements. Her original idea was to use this ability in medicine, especially biomedicine.
But the instructor said: "Such a convenient ability, only to be used for healing and saving lives, would be too much of a waste."
"Why not consider developing this ability of yours for combat?"
So, in order to develop corresponding combat methods, Machi pondered deeply. Over the past month, she had practiced thousands of times, finally developing this move.
"Parasitic Thread!" Machi softly uttered the name of her technique.
"Threads that parasitize nerves?" Ahmed heard this and praised, "Not bad!"
"Then..."
A red light flashed in Ahmed's helmet-eye. The auto-defense function of the Alpha-KA001 Individual Power Exoskeleton activated. An unknown energy appeared, instantly severing the parasitic threads that had drilled into Ahmed's body.
"Eh~?"
On the tree, Machi, who had been secretly pleased with herself, looked stunned. All the transparent threads at her fingertips snapped.
"Come down, today's training is over."
Ahmed turned and walked with heavy steps towards the exit of the training room.
Machi gazed at the General Instructor's tall figure. She stood up from the tree branch, leaped, and landed behind Ahmed, having covered a distance of over ten meters.
"General Instructor, what was that just now?"
Machi was curious about what had instantly severed her parasitic threads. She followed Ahmed, asking.
"That's an energy shield specifically developed for Nen users. It can isolate most offensive and intrusive Nen abilities," Ahmed replied unhurriedly.
Compared to the Alpha-K1 prototype, the improved Alpha Individual Power Exoskeleton Armor added a defensive function that could convert aura into an energy shield.
In addition to being able to withstand most offensive Nen abilities, it could also withstand most firearm ammunition. Of course, this "most" excluded some Nen abilities that were inherently defined as unblockable.
For example, the Nen ability of the Kakin Empire's Ninth Prince belonged to the unblockable type. Furthermore, if the opponent's offensive Nen ability exceeded the shield's maximum endurance, the energy shield would automatically deactivate to reduce system burden, and the armor itself would bear the attack.
"It has that kind of function too!" Machi's eyes lit up. With such an energy shield, wouldn't any ordinary person wearing this armor pose a threat to Nen users? Moreover, if the Nen user was of low rank, they wouldn't even be able to put up effective resistance.
"Are there many of these power armors?" Machi asked curiously.
"Your clearance isn't high enough yet. You'll know later." Ahmed led Machi through the jungle, stopping in an open area. Immediately, with a clink, a large door appeared out of thin air in the empty space.
"What's the big deal? It's going to be standardized sooner or later, so what's the harm in telling me?" Machi tossed her bruised and swollen little face to the side, disdainfully. Her current clearance was only D-level, and just D3 at that, equivalent to a basic level manager, the lowest management tier.
The two stepped through the door one after another, exiting the simulation training room.
"Ahmed." Suddenly, a middle-aged man in a suit with an extraordinary demeanor appeared before them.
"Who is this?" Machi looked up at the man. Strangely, the moment Machi saw him, a sense of calm and contentment arose within her heart. An inexplicable, spiritual calm and satisfaction.
Machi couldn't help but smile, her eyelids fighting each other. Just as she was about to fall asleep with a smile, Ahmed's voice woke her up.
"It seems your strength has greatly improved." Ahmed slapped Machi's shoulder, grabbing her swaying body, and looked at Julius, saying in a deep voice.
"Four years and ten months of training, finally reaching the Mind Level." Julius's tone was calm, carrying a peculiar effect that made people feel peaceful and spiritually satisfied.
"What's the matter?" Even Ahmed couldn't help but frown. This pervasive mental power was truly annoying. Unfortunately, the current power armor didn't have the function to defend against such mental power. He hoped that the people in the Weapons Development Department could quickly develop corresponding defensive functions.
"Orders from above: some confidential measures need to be taken for Miss Machi." Julius, speaking, looked down at Machi and extended his palm towards her bruised and swollen fair face.
"Gulp... What are you doing!?" For some reason, looking at Julius reaching out to her, Machi felt a little scared. She instinctively grabbed Ahmed's arm and hid behind him.
"Don't worry, it'll be over in an instant." Julius's large hand caressed Machi's cheek, bringing a sense of tranquility to the frightened Machi's heart, and her emotions gradually calmed.
"Don't be afraid, child." Julius gently caressed Machi's fair face, wiping away the dirt and sweat, and looked at Machi with a kind expression. Machi also stared intently into Julius's eyes, as if there was something there that deeply attracted her.
"Swish!"
Suddenly, a bright white light burst forth from Julius's pupils, deeply imprinting itself into Machi's mind. The white light, like an unfolding night-blooming cereus, instantly engulfed her, rapidly occupying her entire world in an unbelievable speed.
In a daze, Machi could only perceive herself in a tranquil white space. At the very center of this white space, a giant spherical body floated in mid-air. Around the spherical body, strange characters unknown to Machi were rapidly forming, continuously rotating around the sphere, seemingly protecting it.
"What is this?" In the white space, Machi wondered in her heart, taking a step forward. As she approached the spherical body, her expression suddenly changed. Because on that giant spherical body, familiar scenes were playing out like on a television.
"These... are my memories!?" Machi's heart trembled violently, her eyes wide. She then looked at the strange characters wrapped around the spherical body.
"These aren't protection, these are shackles!" The generated characters were wrapping around the spherical body containing Machi's memories, layer by layer, like chains.
"What did you do to her?" Ahmed looked at Machi, who was suddenly motionless, expressionless, and hollow-eyed, asking.
"Mind Lock!" Julius slowly stood up, pulled out a handkerchief, and meticulously wiped the dirt from his palms, his tone calm.
"This is an ability that can seal human memories deep within their consciousness."
"When she wakes up, she won't remember what just happened."
Having completed his task, Julius turned and left. He still had matters to attend to in the Kakin Empire. This time, he had to return midway due to organizational orders, wasting four months for nothing.
"Ugh..."
"What happened to me?"
Julius had only been gone for ten seconds when Machi woke up, rubbing her temples. She felt incredibly tired.
"You did very well today. Go back and rest." Ahmed patted Machi's head, then walked towards the weapons testing ground.
"Oh." Machi responded tiredly, then turned and walked towards her private resting room. She needed a good sleep.
Ahmed walked a few steps, then suddenly paused, turning to look at Machi's slender, small figure.
"To specifically seal her memories... it seems this child doesn't yet have the boss's complete trust." Thinking of Illumi, Ahmed shook his head. They were all beneficiaries, and if it were them, they would also do the same. Moreover, they would do it even more excessively than Illumi.
...
The next day, 07:30 AM.
"Ugh..."
Machi opened her eyes, threw off the covers, and climbed out of bed. Drowsily, she turned on the light and washed up. She usually woke up at this time, washed up, and ate in the cafeteria. At eight o'clock, she would undergo various training sessions. However, unlike ordinary soldiers, she received individual guidance and one-on-one combat training from the General Instructor.
After washing up, Machi put on her black uniform and left the room, heading towards the cafeteria.
"Hi, Machi."
On the way to the cafeteria, new recruits in black uniforms came and went. From time to time, someone greeted her, and Machi smiled and waved back. The new recruits in this base all knew about Machi's special treatment in the training camp.
Upon entering the base, she immediately received individual guidance and one-on-one combat training from the General Instructor. In a base with tens of thousands of soldiers, how many people had such qualifications?
Clearly, Machi's identity was special. Everyone wanted to build a good relationship with her and was usually willing to be close to her. Of course, some people harbored emotions like jealousy and envy towards her, but no one dared to do anything against Machi. They knew the General Instructor's methods to their very core.
"Thank you." Machi stood before the window, took the tray handed to her, and thanked them politely.
"Machi." But as soon as she turned, General Instructor Ahmed, dressed in straight-leg pants and a black T-shirt, appeared before her, looking down at her.
"You don't need to stay at the base anymore. You can leave." Ahmed's deep voice reached Machi's ears.
"I..." Just as Machi was about to speak, before she could even react, the instructor reached out and pressed her shoulder, pushing her aside.
"Give me an Altora Golden Lion." Ahmed stood at the window. A piece of meat covered in a large amount of golden sauce was handed out from the window. Ahmed took it with one hand, glanced at Machi, and walked alone to a table in the cafeteria.
"Eating so greasy first thing in the morning." Machi mumbled with a pout, then followed him.
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