Aaditya followed the three officers through a series of sleek, dimly lit corridors. Their boots clicked against the polished floor of the Human Center's underground facility. Every step reminded him that he had only scratched the surface of the hidden truths buried beneath Earth's surface.
At last, the officers stopped in front of a heavy, sealed door. Officer Ryker swiped a keycard, and the door slid open with a soft hiss. Beyond it lay a vast training hall filled with rows of advanced combat dummies, weapon racks, and state-of-the-art holographic displays that projected simulated battle scenarios.
Officer Ingrid's clear voice broke the silence:
"You'll be undergoing basic combat training. We need to test your skills before you can travel off-world."
Aaditya nodded. Inside, he would learn the basics that would help him survive on other planets. Today, his training was divided into three simple parts:
1. Combat Arts: Learning to fight with weapons and with his bare hands.
2. Survival Techniques: Learning how to avoid and handle attacks from dangerous animals.
3. Understanding the Dominez Strength Scale and Animal Classification: Knowing the numbers that measure strength and the types of creatures he may face.
Aaditya clenched his fists. He was ready to begin.
---
Combat Arts Training
The first part of his training began with weapons practice. Aaditya was handed a practice sword. The sword felt heavy and strange in his grip, but he had no choice but to work with it. He stepped into the combat area, where a humanoid dummy moved to mimic a real opponent.
"Strike!" Officer Ryker commanded.
Aaditya lunged forward and swung the sword, though his motion was clumsy. The dummy dodged easily and countered with a simulated blow that made Aaditya wince with pain in his ribs.
"Pathetic," Ryker said harshly. "Again. This time, use your whole body. True power comes from a steady stance and controlled movement."
Determined, Aaditya reset his position. He repeated the swing and adjusted his stance until each strike grew sharper and faster. It took hours of practice, but gradually his body began to learn the flow of combat. Later, he practiced hand-to-hand techniques. Officer Ingrid demonstrated quick blocks and counters, along with powerful strikes designed to disable an opponent in seconds. Aaditya mimicked her, beginning slowly but steadily improving. His muscles ached, but he refused to give up.
By the end of the combat training, Aaditya was drenched in sweat. He collapsed for a moment, exhausted but aware that every repetition brought him closer to mastery.
---
Survival Training
After combat training, the officers led Aaditya to another area of the hall dedicated to survival techniques. Here, the lighting changed, and a large holographic display activated in the center of the room. The display showed images of different creatures and explained their threat levels.
Officer Zane stepped forward and said,
"Weapons alone won't save you. In the wild, you must be able to read the battlefield and adapt quickly. Today, you'll learn about the animals you might encounter on Velmoda."
The holographic projection then showed a chart with four animal classes. The text on the screen read:
Dominez Strength Scale:
1 Dominez = Basic human strength.
4 Dominez = Minimum requirement for teleportation to other planets.
5-6 Dominez = Average strength of typical travelers.
Next, the chart explained the animal classifications:
1. Vanta-Class (First-Class Animals):
Strength Range: 6 - 12 Dominez
These are the weakest creatures, yet dangerous in large numbers. They attack in packs and can overwhelm an individual if underestimated.
2. Vidborn-Class (Second-Class Animals):
Strength Range: 13 - 20 Dominez
These animals are faster, stronger, and more aggressive. They are the apex predators of many environments and require smart tactics to defeat.
3. Doom-Class (Third-Class Animals):
Strength Range: 21 - 30 Dominez
Highly lethal and intelligent, these predators combine brute force with cunning strategies. Only well-trained fighters can face them directly.
4. Eclipse-Class (Fourth-Class Animals):
Strength Range: 31 - 40 Dominez
These are the strongest creatures known to humans. They are nearly unstoppable, and encounters with them are extremely dangerous.
Aaditya absorbed every word as he looked at the holographic images of creatures – their shapes, movements, and even their attack patterns. The reality of what he could face on Velmoda was sinking in. Even the weakest of these animals was far beyond his current strength.
Officer Ingrid's voice echoed,
"Remember: a first-class fighter should never face a third-class animal alone. Without proper strength and strategy, you will perish. Your only chance is to level up, improve your skills, and use every tool at your disposal."
---
Dominez Strength Scale & Rare Abilities
Following survival training, the display shifted to explain the measurement system of power—the Dominez scale. Officer Ryker began the next lesson:
"The Dominez scale tells us how strong someone is. A normal human has 1 Dominez. A bodybuilder might reach 2 to 3 Dominez—and reaching 4 Dominez is rare. For those traveling off-world, you must have at least 4 Dominez. Most travelers typically have a strength of 5 to 6 Dominez."
Aaditya's face fell as the display revealed his current strength:
4.2 Dominez.
He was barely above the minimum threshold for interplanetary travel. The knowledge stung; he had much room to grow if he wanted to survive real danger.
The system then reviewed the animal classes along with the corresponding strength ranges:
Vanta-Class: 6 - 12 Dominez
Vidborn-Class: 13 - 20 Dominez
Doom-Class: 21 - 30 Dominez
Eclipse-Class: 31 - 40 Dominez
Officer Ryker continued,
"There is also a chance, one in every 1000 kills, that you might obtain a unique power. This could boost your abilities—granting you enhanced strength, sharper senses, or even an elemental edge. But do not expect it to happen often. Most fighters never acquire such benefits."
Aaditya felt a flicker of hope. While his training was rigorous and his present strength low, the possibility of gaining extraordinary power drove him onward.
---
The Next Step
After a long day filled with combat drills, survival exercises, and detailed briefings, Aaditya finally got a moment to rest. His body ached, and every step reminded him of the hard work ahead. Still, his mind was clear and determined. He had learned the basics of combat arts and survival tactics, and he now understood the Dominez strength system and how it related to the animal classes he might face on Velmoda.
Officer Ryker stepped forward with a small, metallic card, intricately engraved with the emblem of the Human Center.
"This is your teleportation access card. It grants you permission to travel to Velmoda. But remember—once you leave, you are on your own. The training you have received today is just the beginning."
Aaditya clutched the card tightly. As he looked back at the holographic display once more, he knew the path ahead was fraught with peril. Yet with every lesson, every sweat-drenched moment, he was one step closer to becoming strong enough to face the challenges of other worlds.
With his heart pounding, Aaditya stood ready to take his next step. His journey from Earth to Velmoda was now imminent, and the question still hung in the air:
Will Aaditya boldly step onto Velmoda, or will the challenges ahead make him reconsider his path.....????