I Received System to Become Dragonborn-Chapter 980: A Fire
Phase Two had been running for two days straight now. Every cycle was the same as before. The candidates inside the pods, the core pulsing with structured Magic, the infusion process unfolding in precise stages.
Now, they have reached the fifth stage already with a lot of breaks during the interval.
The changes in the candidates were becoming undeniable. Their bodies were no longer resisting the Magic. They were beginning to accept it and integrating it into muscle, bone, and mind.
The changes was not only physical but perceptual as well.
During the nightly confession sessions, where each candidate described their experiences after each day session ended, the stories had grown stranger and more vivid.
One of them said that he can lift a metal cup from across the room without touching it. Another one of them described that they can produce a small ember in the palm of their hand, but the flickering light fading as quickly as it had appeared.
Others mentioned subtle changes like having sharper vision in the dark, a heightened sense of hearing, or the ability to feel the emotional state of those nearby.
Back in the control room, Erend, Adrien, Billy, Jessica, Thomas, and Conrad gathered around the main table.
On the central screen, progress charts glowed in neat lines and bars.
Thomas leaned forward, tapping a set of readings and said, "Their progress is solid. As expected, Marcus Vollen is still performing far above the others. His integration rate is unmatched."
Conrad gave a single nod. "Yes. As we predicted," he said.
Billy, who had been reviewing individual files, looked up.
"It’s not just Marcus. I’ve been keeping an eye on Candidate Twelve named Ronan Hale. He’s showing remarkable growth too. He can now maintain controlled telekinesis within a five-meter radius. It was a sustained control, not just a burst," Billy explained.
Adrien folded his arms. There was a faint smile on his lips.
"It’s more than just those two. A lot of them are showing breakthroughs earlier than projected. The project is ahead of schedule by a wide margin," Adrien said.
The room carried an unspoken sense of triumph. On paper, it was all good news. But Erend remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor as the others spoke.
Jessica noticed first. She turned to him. "Sergeant Drake," she said, using his formal title, "is something on your mind?"
The others followed her gaze so the conversation paused.
Erend slowly looked up, meeting each of their eyes.
"I’ve got a bad feeling," he said simply.
They didn’t dismiss it when it came from him. Erend’s instincts had saved more lives than any sensor or algorithm ever could.
The air in the room shifted, it became tightening.
Nobody spoke for a long moment. They only glanced at one another with subtle, weighted looks. Each of them understood that a warning from Erend was never just paranoia.
Adrien, as the captain, leaned forward with his hands clasped on the table. His tone carried none of the casual ease from before.
"What exactly are you feeling, Erend?" he asked, his gaze fixed and unblinking. Like the others, he took the matter seriously.
Erend drew in a slow breath, eyes narrowing slightly.
"I don’t know yet actually, captain," he admitted. "But this is going too smoothly. For a project like this I think there should’ve been more resistance, or complications more than this."
The room went quiet again. He glanced around, measuring their reactions before continuing.
"I’m not saying we should stop. We can keep going as planned. But there will be no easing on security."
No one argued.
Adrien nodded once and said firmly. "Yes, of course."
The meeting ended shortly after. They stepped out into the dim, silent corridors of the facility. Midnight had long passed. Those without night duties went straight to their quarters.
Erend didn’t go home. He had spent most nights here lately, sleeping in the narrow bunk provided in his assigned room.
At first, it had bothered him because his mother was alone at home. But she had been firm with him over their last call.
"Just do your job and don’t worry about me."
Besides, Arty had been keeping in contact with her through telepathy, almost every hour. That eased his mind, at least enough to focus fully on the work.
—
The next day arrived under pale, cold light filtering through the facility’s upper windows.
The morning began with light physical training like a short run in the underground track, followed by strength and mobility exercises. Even the staff joined in. It kept everyone sharp.
After breakfast, the sixth stage of Phase Two began.
The candidates were back in their pods, sedation levels low this time, their eyes half-open but minds adrift as the systems prepared them for the next infusion.
The crystalline core pulsed brighter than before, its slow rhythm matching the steady hum of the containment field.
This stage was different. The Magic being fed into their bodies now carried layered patterns of complex, overlapping structures meant to trigger latent abilities.
From the observation platform, the staff watched as the first thin threads of light spread from the core once more, linking to each pod like the strands of a glowing web.
Inside the capsules, faint expressions of strain crossed the candidates’ faces. The integration was deepening.
Suddenly, from one of the pods, a violent burst of fire erupted. The flames surging upward in a chaotic explosion of heat and light.
The reinforced glass cracked with a sharp snap. But fortunately, the distance between pods was enough to prevent the fire from leaping to the others.
The alarm blared instantly as a harsh pulsing wail that echoed through the chamber.
Shouts filled the air as staff scrambled in panic, some reaching for extinguishers, others retreating from the sudden blaze.
From the observation platform, Erend vaulted over the railing and landing hard on the floor below.
He raised both hands toward the inferno, his expression locked in calm focus. The fire twisted, pulled inward as if obeying him then with a final hiss it guttered out.
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