I’ll be the Red Ranger
Chapter 101 – Energy Lines

- Oliver -

Oliver finally asked, "Alright. How do I learn?"

"The training is quite simple," replied Katherine, deactivating her armor with a smooth movement. The liquid metal retracted as if it had a life of its own, revealing her NEA uniform. "You just deactivate and reactivate."

She demonstrated by activating and deactivating the armor several times. With each activation, the armor assumed a different shape—lighter, heavier, with additional or reduced protection. The metal plates moved fluidly, adapting to her intentions like a conscious second skin.

"Keep your focus constant on the shape you want to achieve," Katherine explained, her eyes fixed seriously on Oliver's. "And don't stop at any moment, even if you're close to fainting. The key is persistence and mental control."

"Alright," said Oliver, determined.

Beside him, Isabela watched the scene with a hesitant expression. Her eyes reflected a mixture of admiration and apprehension. Oliver realized she didn't seem as enthusiastic as he was—perhaps she already knew how arduous that training would be.

"Start with something small," suggested Katherine, taking a few steps back to give them space. "Think about activating your armor, but without the boots or gloves. Focus on those details."

"Let's do this," thought Oliver, deactivating his armor. He felt the liquid metal retract, leaving him only with the basic uniform. He closed his eyes, visualizing the armor reappearing, but this time without the gloves. He imagined every detail, from the texture of the metal to the weight on his shoulders.

After a few seconds of intense concentration, he activated the armor again. Oliver felt the familiar tingling as the metal spread over his body.

Upon opening his eyes, his expectations dissolved. The gloves were still there, shining under the light.

Frustration tried to set in, but Oliver pushed it away. He knew it wouldn't be easy.

Thus began the training. Hours passed as Oliver repeated the process, deactivating and reactivating the armor, trying different visualizations, and adjusting his focus. Each attempt drained not only his physical energy but also his mental energy. His legs were heavy, and a thin layer of sweat covered his forehead.

Isabela was also struggling beside him, her face showing the effort.

While Oliver and Isabela tirelessly activated and deactivated their armors, trying to control every aspect of their configurations, Katherine faced a completely different challenge. In the center of the arena, she fought against two training robots programmed to test her limits.

One of the robots was an imposing brute-force machine. Its heavy movements made the ground tremble, and each strike it delivered could easily crush solid metal. The other, in contrast, was agile and swift, moving with an almost human fluidity. Its joints emitted soft hisses as it executed quick and unpredictable maneuvers.

Katherine put herself in extreme situations, forcing herself to alter her armor at the exact moments to adapt to the varied threats. When the strong robot advanced, she instantly transformed her armor into a robust shield, absorbing the devastating impact. Against the agile robot, she modified her armor to increase her speed and reflexes, dodging quick attacks and counterattacking with precision.

Sometimes, her strategy worked perfectly. Other times, a slight miscalculation resulted in being struck by one of the robots and being thrown back, colliding with the room's protective barriers. Despite the failures, Katherine remained determined and focused on her progress.

Meanwhile, Oliver and Isabela fought against their own internal challenges. Days passed, and despite their Herculean effort, there seemed to be no significant progress. Repeatedly, they activated and deactivated their armors, each attempt draining their Energy reserves. Physical and mental fatigue accumulated, bringing them nearly to the point of fainting. The Energy supplements they ingested provided only temporary relief, allowing them to continue the exhaustive training.

In moments of doubt, Oliver questioned whether he was on the right path. The monotony of the exercise and the absence of tangible results weighed on his mind. However, on the third day, something changed. During a break, he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. An unexpected calm took over his mind, and for the first time, he felt the natural flow of Energy inside his body.

The sensation was subtle, almost ethereal. The amount of Energy was infinitely less than that contained in the Z Crystal of his gauntlet, but the connection was undeniable. Oliver perceived energy lines spreading from his wrist, traversing his arms and reaching the base of his brain. They also descended through his torso, branching out to the tips of his feet. It was like a new organ had awakened inside him, generating and channeling this vital force.

| New Skill Unlocked

| Energy Perception [Pawn]

Oliver was surprised to have obtained a new ability simply through such basic training. ‘Now I just need to learn to control this Energy,’ the boy thought, feeling his determination renew.

With each passing day, the number of recruits at the base decreased drastically. The daily exams were relentless, and those eliminated departed the next day, leaving behind increasingly empty dormitories. The environment became quieter, but the tension and competitiveness only increased among those who remained.

Finally, the three days came to an end. Katherine had achieved remarkable progress in her training. Her ability to alter her armor in combat had become more refined, allowing almost instant transitions between offensive and defensive modes. Isabela had also advanced, learning to activate and deactivate parts of her armor. Although she still needed to improve her control to create specific modes, it was a significant step.

Oliver, on the other hand, knew that his training time had ended, at least for now. But he carried with him the new perception of internal Energy, a knowledge that could be the key to unlocking even greater abilities.

Thus dawned the fourth day. The vastness of the base seemed almost deserted, with only a tenth of the recruits who had arrived on the first day. The silence was broken only by the hum of some machines and the softly echoing footsteps.

Oliver was the first to awaken, his eyes adjusting to the soft light as he sat on the edge of the bed. Already accustomed to the new routine, he felt the absence of news about the war unfolding outside. However, at that moment, his mind was focused entirely on succeeding in the next stage.

‘Today will have the next exam announced,’ Oliver thought, looking intently at his gauntlet. The device emitted a subtle glow, reflecting the room's lights.

While waiting for time to pass, the boy tried to concentrate and feel the energy flowing within him, controlling it and moving it through every part of his body. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, seeking balance.

His meditation was abruptly interrupted. All the gauntlets began to vibrate simultaneously, emitting a pulsating light. A holographic notification appeared before his eyes.

| Announcement of the Second Exam will begin in 60:00

The countdown marked each second, increasing the tension in the air.

Isabela and Katherine quickly awoke upon feeling the vibration in their gauntlets. Isabela yawned, still overtaken by sleep and the accumulated fatigue from the intense training of the last few days.

"It's today," murmured Katherine, rubbing her eyes as she got up.

The three hurriedly descended to the first floor to start the day. While the countdown continued its relentless descent, they dressed in their uniforms and had a quick breakfast in the nearly empty cafeteria. The aroma of synthetic coffee permeated the environment, mixed with the soft sound of the few remaining conversations.

When the countdown finally reached zero, all the holograms scattered throughout the base synchronized for the official broadcast. A brief static preceded the appearance of the new image. This time, the General of the Yellow Division was not leading the broadcast.

"Congratulations to all who have reached this stage," a firm and serene female voice initiated.

Oliver raised his eyebrows in surprise when he saw the new presenter. It was the General of the Pink Division. Her name and title appeared in clear letters in the corner of the screen.

| Camille Laurent

| Pink Division - General

'Laurent? Isn't she from the same House as the girl who was in my arena?' Oliver recalled upon seeing the name.

General Camille displayed an imposing posture, radiating serenity and authority. Her hair, a cascade of shining silver, fell gracefully over her shoulders, framing a face with delicate yet firm features. Her eyes, a pale blue mixed with metallic gray, carried the weight of difficult decisions and lived experiences.

Oliver felt a chill run down his spine as he observed her. Perhaps, to others, she seemed elegant or even friendly, but something in his instinct alerted him that Camille Laurent was possibly the coldest of all. Her gaze had a silent intensity, an unwavering determination that pierced through the screen.

Her gleaming pink armor stood out under the broadcast lights. It was a robust piece with smooth lines. Designed to withstand the most myriad types of attacks, it was impressive how much Energy would be necessary to keep that monster functioning in the field.

Camille smiled before announcing, "This second stage will be interesting. Instead of just one attempt, you will have ten days and can try once a day."