Tenebrous Wolf-Chapter 38: Academy’s Western Division

As the two made their way through the academy grounds, Adrian kept the conversation going.

"So, what have you been up to since graduation? I mean, other than, you know, coming here?"

Klaus cast him a sidelong glance before replying,

"Not much. Just surviving, I guess."

Adrian chuckled.

"That sounds rough."

"Well, not everyone is privileged. Speaking of privileged, what about you?"

"Me?" The blonde seemed surprised for a moment before nonchalantly shrugging. "Nothing special. It might even sound boring, but I just trained. And trained."

Klaus was taken aback.

"Wait, you seriously spent the entire free month training?"

"Is something wrong with that?"

"Not really. But doesn't it kinda suck to do nothing but train? As I thought, vestiges really don't have it easy."

For some reason, Adrian's expression darkened at those words. He muttered something under his breath.

"It's different for me, so I have to train even harder."

"Sorry? Did you say something?"

At Klaus's question, Adrian's usual cheerful expression returned as if nothing had happened.

"It's nothing," he said lightly. "I was just saying the academy is even greater than I expected. I mean, look at this place."

"Yeah. Even I was surprised, but I guess this is just the result of the Sanctuary's influence."

"That's certainly true. Ah, I also heard something about a virtual simulation, but I'm not sure how true that is."

"You mean one of those testing devices?"

"Yeah," Adrian explained. "From what I heard, it's not just a simple test. It's a full-on virtual reality where Aspirants fight each other in real-time."

"Virtual reality? You mean, like a simulation?"

"Not just any simulation. It's an advanced system that replicates real combat conditions almost perfectly. Pain, fatigue, even injuries, you feel all of it. Of course, nothing carries over to the real world, but the sensations are authentic. There have even been cases where some Aspirants suffered mental trauma from the shock of dying inside. Those are rare cases, but still... pretty scary."

"So it's like a BD?"

"Not exactly. A Braindrive just records someone's past experiences. But you're right to say they're similar since you experience everything within those memories such as physical sensations, emotions, even thoughts. It's a deep memory dive. But the key difference was that BDs were originally designed and developed for psychological torture. Since physical torture is outlawed, it became the best way to extract information from criminals without leaving any evidence. Even if someone reports abuse, there's no proof."

Klaus frowned.

"The way you described it makes me uneasy."

Seeing his tensed expression, Adrian simply laughed.

"You shouldn't worry too much though. These virtual realities aren't nearly as mentally harmful. Like I said, cases of brain damage are extremely rare and usually caused by accidents or system malfunctions. The academy has already fixed those flaws. After all, we're the Empire's most valuable assets. They can't afford to lose us, can they?"

There was a slight pause before Klaus replied:

"I suppose that's true."

Somehow, his words managed to calm down Klaus's unease a little.

After countless failed experiments, Kenji Sakamoto eventually pioneered Braindrive technology in 2025. Originally, it was designed for deep neural mapping, but it was soon repurposed for criminal reconditioning and military simulations, receiving heavy funding from the US government. Naturally, its development remained classified until an internal information leak exposed its existence to the public.

Needless to say, other nations were not pleased. Under international pressure, Braindrive technology was officially banned worldwide in 2026.

However, in 2045, it resurfaced, this time under the Braindrive Corporation, founded by Kenji Sakamoto and a female psychologist named Casimira. Instead of torture, they rebranded the technology as a form of entertainment. Public demand for Braindrive media skyrocketed, and in a matter of years, it became "the world's most purchased commodity."

Despite knowing all of this, Klaus still couldn't shake his wariness. BDs were dangerous, especially unfiltered or unedited ones. There had been incidents, after all, where twisted perverts obsessed with death and violence sought out illegal BDs... only to end up destroying their own minds in the process.

He had an unshakable feeling that the so-called virtual reality used by the military to train Aspirants was developed from the same Braindrive technology.

And if that was true... what would happen if there was another accident while he was inside?

Wouldn't that be a free ticket to hell?

Damn it. Stop being anxious! Being anxious will only make it worse! Just think positively about the future!

Shaking off those unsettling thoughts, Klaus continued walking beside Adrian.

As they moved through the academy grounds, they passed by several towering buildings, each one labeled with the different divisions and departments of the academy. The deeper they went, the more they saw young Aspirants taking tours, just like them.

Eventually, they arrived at the Western Division.

However, instead of heading toward the main building for Riders, they made their way to the Rider's Testing Zone, a vast, open training field that stretched endlessly before them and surrounded by a giant transparent dome.

The stationed guards confirmed their identities and allowed them entry. Then, they climbed up to the safe zone building, where they could sit and watch comfortably.

On the seemingly endless green field, several structures were scattered across the terrain, including towering pillars that resembled ruins of a battlefield. And within this simulated battleground, two Angelions were currently engaged in combat.

One was a standard Black Angelion, while the other was a White Angelion.

The two Angelion units were locked in an intense shootout, with each wielding a Gauss Rifle — the standard-issue firearm for Angelion units. Nearly identical in design to a Steyr ACR (minus the scope), the rifle was an oversized rapid-fire assault weapon, proportioned specifically for Angelions. It allowed the massive humanoid machines to handle it just as a human would use a regular rifle. To manage its overwhelming power, the rifle was reinforced with special shock-absorbing rubber and fitted with a large muzzle to reduce recoil as much as possible. Despite these modifications, the sheer weight of the weapon ensured that only Angelions could wield it. With enough firepower to rival artillery-grade weaponry, each shot fired was powerful enough to rip through reinforced steel like it was nothing but tofu.

That was indeed the case, yet both of those machinary were using it for training.

Klaus frowned.

I don't understand. If they used that deadly thing for training, wouldn't the pilots get injured or even worse, die?

Seeing his reaction, Adrian smiled as though he could read his thoughts.

"Judging from that expression, you're probably wondering why they're using Gauss Rifles in training, right?"

"I guess you could say that. Are they... dummy versions?"

Adrian nodded.

"That's right. Who in their right mind would allow them to use actual live weapons? What you're seeing is a dummy version of the Gauss Rifle. At most, it just pushes the target back. That said, even though it's non-lethal against Angelions, it's still completely lethal to a normal bystander. That's why the dome is necessary. And those are just training Angelions, so there's no real danger. Worst-case scenario, the pilot might come out with a light injury."

"I see. I was almost scared for a moment. Also, how exactly do Angelions work again? I've heard a lot about them, but not much about their functionality."

"Ah, that..." Adrian held his chin as if trying to remember. "From what I heard, they function based on synchronization. Is that right? It should be that."

"Synchronization?"

"Hey, tell me, have you ever heard about the Deus Ex Machina?"

Klaus raised an eyebrow.

"Wait, are you talking about Deus Ex Machina as in plot device Ina story or as in God in a Machine?"

"The latter."

From there, Adrian explained with a somber expression:

"Inside an ANG unit, there's a liquid called Neural Synchronization Fluid, N.S.F. for short. It's stored in the entry plug, which is basically an airtight capsule where Riders connect to their machines. Think of it as the bridge between the Rider and the ANG, both physically and mentally."

He continued after a brief pause.

"The moment an ANG activates, the pilot is completely submerged in N.S.F. It's not just some random liquid, it allows the Rider's nervous system to directly interface with the machine. Their thoughts, reflexes, even their instincts, everything is converted into data, which then translates into movement. The stronger the connection, the higher the 'sync ratio.' In other words, the better the connection between the Rider and their ANG, the more responsive and powerful the machine becomes."

Klaus asked, wide-eyed:

"Wait... are you saying the machines are alive?"

"No. Not exactly... I think." Adrian tilted his head slightly. "A machine can't think beyond its set programming. People often mistake the Angelions for being alive because they don't fully understand how they work or they simply lack the knowledge. Remember when I mentioned how N.S.F. links the Rider's nervous system to the ANG? The process is similar to a deep-sea dive in a Braindrive, except the Rider stays fully conscious the entire time."

He then added,

"Simply put, the inner workings of the Angelions were made using Braindrive technology. They aren't alive when they're offline, but the moment a Rider connects, they 'wake up' in a sense. It's just a link, nothing more. At the end of the day, the Rider controls everything."

Bang! Bang! Bang! A series of rapid gunshots, like rolling thunder, echoed through the building, causing the walls to tremble slightly.

"Oh? Looks like the fight's getting interesting."

Both Klaus and Adrian turned their attention forward and looked past the transparent window.

The battle between the two Angelions intensified. The Black Angelion, relying on sheer speed, weaved through the ruined pillars, dodging a barrage of incoming rounds. Meanwhile, the White Angelion remained firmly planted in place, unfazed by the Black's agility.

The sound of rapid gunfire filled the air. Klaus observed the way the White Angelion fought. Its stance and there was no gap in the unit's defense. Unlike the Black Angelion, which relied on acrobatics and bursts of movement to avoid getting hit, the White Angelion's strategy was clear: calculated offense and overwhelming suppression.

The Black Angelion suddenly slid to the side, narrowly avoiding a shot aimed at its chest. In response, it swiftly raised its Gauss Rifle and unleashed a counterattack, sending a hail of non-lethal rounds at its opponent. The White Angelion tilted its body, dodging the first few shots before raising its left arm.

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A small, circular device embedded in its wrist lit up.

[Defensive Barrier Activated]

A translucent energy shield flickered to life, absorbing the incoming fire. The Black Angelion didn't stop and continued its high speed manen , circling the battlefield, searching for an opening.

Klaus leaned forward slightly, visibly intrigued.

"So, they also have energy shields?"

Adrian nodded.

"Yeah, but only certain models. It's not something every unit has. And even then, barriers aren't invincible. They drain energy fast, and once depleted, they need time to recharge. Most Riders only activate them as a last resort."

"And yet this guy is using it so casually?" Klaus pointed at the White Angelion.

"Who knows? Maybe they're confident. Or maybe..." Adrian smirked. "They're just that good."

As if responding to his words, the White Angelion lowered its shield and stepped forward. It raised its rifle and took aim, not at the Black Angelion, but at a crumbling structure just behind it.

Bang!

The shot struck the upper section of a ruined pillar, causing it to collapse instantly. Debris rained down in a massive cloud of dust and blocked the Black Angelion's line of vision.

"Oh, that's smart," Klaus muttered.

The Black Angelion was forced to change direction. In that moment of hesitation, the White Angelion moved. It dashed forward and closed the distance with just three steps.

Bang! Bang!

Two precise shots struck the Black Angelion in the shoulder and leg, sending it stumbling backward. The impact wrenched its firearm from its grip, and the unit was hurled across the battlefield with a kick to the gut, skidding violently across the ground like a discarded doll.

Before it could recover, the White Angelion had already closed the distance and raised the Gauss Rifle to finish it off.

Without hesitation, the unit squeezed the trigger. However—

Click! Click! Click!

Three times, yet not a single shot escaped the barrel. The Unit seemed momentarily puzzle by this, but it soon discarded the rifle and reached for the massive blade secured to its back.

'What? It's a melee fighter as well?' Klaus's eyes opened wide.

Smoothly, the White Angelion unsheathed its weapon. It was a giant black katana designed to cut through even the thickest armor.

In response, the Black Angelion kicked off the ground and somersaulted backward, trying to create distance so it could pull out its handgun.

Well, at least, it tried to...

The White Angelion lunged and in a flash, swung the blade downward.

A metallic shriek rang through the battlefield as the Black Angelion barely managed to block with its left forearm. Sparks erupted on impact and the sheer force of the strike sent it crashing back down.

A moment later, its torso, along with the arm it had used to defend, was sliced cleanly in two.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, a red light flashed on the Black Angelion's visor.

That meant that the combat simulation had ended. Obviously, the victory of this spar was apparent.

As the training dome's systems deactivated, the once-intense battlefield returned to a state of stillness. The two machines stopped moving, frozen in place.

At that moment, the maintenance team with aid of futuristic machinery approached the two mechs.

"Man, that was... brutal," Klaus commented.

"Brutal, but effective." Adrian grinned. "Whoever's piloting that White Angelion is a damn good Rider."

As if on cue, the entry plugs of both Angelions slowly ejected from their backs. Steam hissed from the release mechanisms, and the airtight capsules opened, and the pilots within finally stepped outside.

The first to step out was a young woman with flurry silvery-blue hair and piercing golden eyes.

She wore a black form-fitting body suit with blue and white accents, resembled a wetsuit used by scuba divers. Moreover, the suit left no room for imagination as it clung tightly to her figure, emphasizing the full curves of her upper and lower body.

No, her lower body, along with her backside, was undoubtedly more pronounced, wider than her shoulders, and shaped in a way that left little doubt.

Simply put, she had a naturally voluptuous pear or spoon shape with considerable and full bust.

Did Rider suits have to be that tight? More importantly, why did that girl seem so familiar?

There was certainly a unique presence to her. A unique... presence of a lonely snow flower resting within the rays of the rising Sun.

"Wait, no way..."

Klaus's eyes opened wide as he recognised her on the spot.

"... Isn't that Yuki?"