Chapter 40: Second Strengthening Serum

Chapter 40: Second Strengthening Serum

Welcome to the team, buddy. Run while you can. A fatty among five grinned as he warned Miles. He had hazel eyes with blonde hair. All in all, he looked like an easy to get along person. My name is Piero, Piero Tauro.

Nice to meet you all. I am Miles. Miles shook Pieros hand and looked at others while telling his name. As usual, he refrained from giving away his last name.

Welcome Miles. Is it true that you dont have any superpowers? I heard you used the Strengthening Serum. A girl approached to shake his hand next. Ah, sorry. I am Lara Raffo. My superpower is Heat Sense. Pretty useless right. She smiled self-mockingly.

Must be pretty good at reconnoitering. Miles encouraged her. Yeah, I have no superpower, and used the strengthening serum. He answered with a smile. Since they were nice to him, he wouldnt be rude to them.

I forgot to mention mine. My superpower is the Air Wall. I can compress the air to form walls. Piero said from the side.

I am Samuel, my superpower is the lightning step. A brown-skinned man said. He too, shook Miles's hand.

I am Alma, my superpower is Ice Blade. A girl with icy blue hair and bright blue eyes said. She was smiling brightly.

And we are Bari brothers! We will support you with everything we have. A pair of twins jumped in front of Miles and introduced them.

They have support-type superpowers, so they are auxiliary. Alma said as she explained, If I am correct you and Piero will be the defense, while Captain Quinn and Samuel will be on the fast attacks, luring and distraction, Bari brothers are the supports. Vice-captain Lucy will control the enemy, while I will be the main attack.

Seems about right, Piero said, then looked towards Lucy walking over. She just finished her conversation with Quinn and she looked angry.

Alright, you good for nothing! It is time to put you in shape. She shouted and pointed at the weapon rack at the side. Grab a bow, we will work on horse stance today.

But, Vice-Captain. We dont use bows. One of the Bari brothers said.

It doesnt matter. And raise your hand before you speak! Lucy lashed out. Horse stance is basic military training to strengthen your formation, muscles, and concentration. Grab your bows, now!

Yes, maam! They all saluted.

Miles went to pick up a random bow when Lucy appeared beside him. You are not going to take a regular bow, right? She asked with a sneer.

What do you mean? Miles asked.

You are twice stronger than any of them. Shouldnt you challenge yourself? Lucy said with a smirk and explained, The aim of the training is developing yourself, right?

Makes sense. Any other bow? Miles asked. She made sense. She was from the military, after all, so her insights were better than Miles.

Here, use this, Lucy said and took the bow she was carrying behind herself. This is my personal bow. Since I can use it, it shouldn't be too hard for you, right?

Alright, thanks. Miles smiled and grabbed the bow. He knew Lucy was trying games, but he didnt mind. As Lucy said, if he couldn't challenge himself, what was the point of training?

Lets start. The key to bow mastery is being able to control your breath! Now, pull the strings and stay in that position until I tell you to release. Control your breath! Control your muscles. You shouldnt move even a hair! Lucy shouted!

Miles left with the orbs in his person.

He first went to the administration to rent a room belonging to Ezio Firenze, aka The Marooner. Luckily no one knew who Ezio was, thus it wasn't a problem for him to get another room under his alias, and he had no trouble with it.

He then sold the four cores and the dagger orb he looted from Blizzard wolves and earned 500.000 UD. He kept the money in his alter bank account before leaving the stronghold with Dimensional.

He appeared in the train station once again and luckily didnt run into anyone.

Miles took the train to the place he visited so many times before - The Army Headquarters.

Because people may recognize him there, he wore a hood and a medical mask over his face. He didnt want his mother or father to see him, or they would kill him if they knew what he would do. Because he had to scan his AI at the entrance, covering the face wasn't a big issue in the headquarters. It was the safest place on Earth, and no one could or dare create a ruckus.

Miles scanned his AI and passed through security with ease. Even though Mama Hill was watching over this building all the time, it couldnt find anything amiss with Coins alter id. All the major government facilities are under constant watch of Mother AI, yet Miles and Coin passed through the security without any problem.

Miles passed through the security and walked towards the lab's direction.

When he got there, he saw a familiar person that walked by him.

Luckily I wore a mask, or Uncle Roger would recognize me in a heartbeat. He sighed in his heart and continued inside.

There he went to the shopping area and talked to the paymaster.

I would like to buy a second Strengthening Serum and a first Mind Serum, please. He altered his voice, deepening it as much as he could.

Sure, let me see if you are eligible to buy them. Scan your AI, here. The man behind the counter pointed at the device over the counter.

Miles reached out Coin while covering it with his sleeve to not show off its color. The device beeped twice and a green light lit.

Alright, let me see. the paymaster looked at the screen in front of him.

Mr. Ezio Firenze. 23 years old, bla bla bla. Hmm, I cant see any first Strengthening Serum on your chart. He looked at Miles with questioning eyes.

I took it illegally. Miles said without sweating.

That is honest of you. Even though it is not prohibited, you shouldnt buy illegal knockoffs. They may cause permanent damages. Still, because I cant see it on my chart, you have to go through a will test. It will take about an hour. Would you like to take it now? The payment is 10.000 UD." the paymaster paused before continuing. "Same for the mind test. We have to run some clinical tests to see if your mind is ready for the serum.

I will only take the strength test, and the mind serum will not be necessary. Miles answered after some thought.

Even though his cover was foolproof, he wasnt Ezio. With current technology, it would be as easy as pie to uncover his identity if he were to do any medical test. Blowing up his cover wasnt the real issue. If he were to get caught with a fake id, the real problems would blow up.

Alright, scan your AI for the payments. If you fail the test, the fee for the test will not be returned and only the fee you paid for the serum will be returned. Do you agree? the paymaster asked in confirmation.