ALL NOVEL Chapter 1: Chapter 1
*Side note:
".....": dialogues.
'.....': thoughts.
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The sterile air of the laboratory was suffused with the stench of antiseptic and iron—a smell Aleksandr had come to associate with pain. The room's harsh fluorescent lights cast stark shadows on the metal walls, the cold surface reflecting the unfeeling nature of his captors. At only six years old, Aleksandr lay strapped to an examination table, his small frame dwarfed by the complex machinery surrounding him.
A scientist in his late 40s walked inside a room crowded with many other scientists and individuals wearing military uniforms. He brought a folder of reports with him as he stood in front of the audience who had their books, papers, cameras and recorders ready for his speech.
After a brief part of welcome and introduction, Dr. Orlov(the scientist) started to the main topic everyone had been waiting for:
"Subject 4729—Aleksandr Mikhailovich Volkova—continues to display exceptional progress across all metrics, exceeding the benchmarks set by previous test subjects. At six years of age, the subject has already surpassed the physical and mental capabilities of an average adult human, with results indicating exponential growth.
Artificially Stimulated Quirk number 1: Enhanced Physical Attributes:
Strength metrics are extraordinary. During controlled tests, the subject successfully lifted weights exceeding 500 kilograms, though this resulted in temporary muscle tears and fractures that his healing factor repaired within minutes. His bone density has increased by approximately 140%, allowing him to withstand high-impact collisions with minimal injury. In one stress test, he endured repeated strikes from a hydraulic press, sustaining only superficial damage.
Speed and reflexes are equally remarkable. High-speed cameras recorded reaction times of approximately 12 milliseconds, placing him well beyond human capacity. Enhanced durability is evident as well; during a chemical resistance test, his skin withstood exposure to concentrated acid with only minor surface damage.
Artificially Stimulated Quirk number 2: Magnetism and Electromagnetic Manipulation:
The subject's control over magnetic fields is developing rapidly. He can manipulate ferrous materials within a 50-meter radius, demonstrating fine precision. In one trial, he successfully assembled a disassembled firearm using magnetic force in under six seconds. Additionally, the subject disrupted a series of electronic devices, indicating his ability to generate electromagnetic pulses.
Electrical manipulation tests revealed he can absorb and redirect energy. When exposed to 100,000 volts of electricity, he experienced mild discomfort but was able to channel the energy into an adjacent conductor. This ability makes him uniquely suited to disrupt modern technology and defenses reliant on electricity.
Artificially Stimulated Quirk number 3:
Telekinesis:
The telekinetic abilities remain the least developed compared to others. Currently, he can only lift small objects weighing up to 2 kilograms within a very limited range of 3 meter radius. And the subject appears to require significant focus when using telekinesis, and prolonged use results in visible fatigue. However, this quirk has the highest potential to be explored if our investments are adequate.
Artificially Stimulated Quirk number 4:
Enhanced Intelligence:
The subject's cognitive abilities are astounding. His IQ is estimated to be in the range of 190 to 200, though traditional tests are inadequate to measure his full potential. He solved advanced calculus problems in under a minute and demonstrated eidetic memory during recall tests.
His analytical skills are equally formidable. During simulated tactical exercises, the subject consistently outmaneuvered AI opponents designed to mimic professional military strategists. Notably, his ability to recognize patterns and predict outcomes suggests he may be capable of anticipating opponents' moves in real-time.
Artificially Stimulated Quirk number 5:
Healing Factor:
During controlled injuries—lacerations, fractures, and minor burns—the subject fully healed within minutes. A severed arm and leg regenerated entirely in under 1 hour. This quirk ensures sustained combat effectiveness and greatly reduces downtime from injuries.
Behavioral Notes:
The subject's psychological state shows increasing signs of instability, which may be a side effect of the enhancements or prolonged exposure to the experiments. Recent outbursts have become more intense and destructive. During his last recorded incident, Subject 4729 exhibited a violent reaction within his cell, causing significant structural damage to the reinforced interior walls and killing two guards before reinforcements subdued him.
This behavior appears to stem from a combination of physical stress and emotional strain rather than premeditated aggression. It is worth noting that the subject remains eerily composed during most experiments, complying with instructions and rarely displaying resistance. However, this calm may mask underlying resentment or latent hostility. Enhanced psychological observation is recommended to preempt further outbursts.
Although the exact trigger for the latest incident remains unclear, preliminary hypotheses suggest a possible side effect of overloading his cognitive functions during recent neurological tests. Further studies are required to determine if this is a one-time occurrence or indicative of a developing pattern of uncontrollable rage under duress.
Recommendation: Increase sedation dosages for containment periods and minimize unnecessary stimuli within his cell. Additionally, implement more stringent security protocols for interactions with Subject 4729 to ensure the safety of all personnel.
Conclusion:
Subject 4729 is the most promising result of Operation Longinus to date. His combination of physical, mental, and quirk-based capabilities places him in a class of his own. However, his psychological instability poses a significant risk. It is imperative to proceed cautiously, balancing further enhancement with measures to ensure compliance. I recommend initiating Phase 3 chemical augmentation to amplify his abilities while implementing stricter containment protocols."
*2 days ago*
It was an ordinary night in Aleksandr's meticulously designed cell, a place built to suppress his formidable quirks. The walls were a composite of reinforced concrete and fiber-reinforced polymer, ensuring no magnetic or conductive materials could be exploited. The dim light came from a chandelier of glass oil lamps, a deliberately antiquated system that avoided the use of modern electrical components. Each day, a staff member entered to refuel the lamps. No magnetic materials, electrical devices, or anything capable of producing an electromagnetic field were permitted within the cell. Even the guards were outfitted in armor and equipped with weapons crafted entirely from hard polymer and durable plastics. Aleksandr's hands and feets were cuffed with shackles made from pure paramagnetic Tungsten 24/7.Thus ensuring the majority of Aleksandr's quirks remained entirely neutralized.
As he lay curled on the cot, something felt wrong. A dull ache started in his temples, a pressure that grew with every passing moment. He groaned softly, pressing the heels of his hands to his head, hoping the pain would subside. It didn't.
Instead, the pressure exploded.
'I can't take this anymore. Someone, please help me—'
'I hate this place. I hate all of them.'
'God please, curse all of them to hell, I pray my whole soul to you–'
'It hurts... it hurts so much... Please, make it stop!!!'
Voices…no—they are thoughts. Hundreds of them.
They weren't spoken. They weren't sounds. They were raw, unfiltered, alive inside his mind. A torrent of alien thoughts and emotions crashed into Aleksandr all at once, each one distinct yet blending into an unbearable cacophony.
'I miss my mom... I want to go home…'
'My skin is still burning…. It's painful, so painful…'
' I'm scared... I don't want to be like this. I don't want to be what they're turning me into…'
' I can't feel my legs when they cut them off... I can't feel my legs when they attach them back either….'
'Please, somebody, anybody, help me—'
He bolted upright, clutching his head. The pain was excruciating, like needles stabbing into every inch of his brain. The voices grew louder, overlapping, pressing in from every direction.
Aleksandr gasped for air, his chest heaving. The pressure in his skull felt like it would crack his head open. He stumbled off the cot, falling to his knees, his fingers clawing at his scalp as though he could rip the voices out.
"S-s-stop it."
The voices grew louder.
"I said stop it!"
The voices continued to an extent that Aleksandr felt like his head was being splitted into halves by an axe. The agony, both physically and mentally to his brain was immaculate.
The thoughts weren't just words; they carried emotions—raw, vivid, overwhelming. Aleksandr felt the icy fear of the guards outside his cell, the clinical detachment of the scientists in the observation room, and the despair of the other children locked away in their cells. Each emotion struck him like a blow, one after another, until his entire body trembled from the strain
"GET OUT OF MY FUCKING HEAD!!!!!"
Aleksandr's scream tore from his throat, primal and guttural. He staggered to his feet and slammed his fists handcuffed in Tungsten into the wall. The synthetic material and Tungsten cuffs didn't give, but his enhanced strength left his hands bleeding and broken. The pain in his body was nothing compared to the agony in his mind.
He threw more punches and kicks again harder this time, despite the cuffs restricting his movements considerably, creating deafening sounds that alerted the guards.
The commotion brought the guards running. Aleksandr heard their thoughts even before he saw them.
'What the hell is that bastard doing?'
'We need to sedate him—now!'
The cell door hissed open, revealing a group of guards clad in non-metallic combat gear, armed with tranquilizer rifles made of ceramic and polymer. Aleksandr's glowing, tear-filled eyes locked onto them.
Their fear hit him like a tidal wave. He could feel it coursing through their veins, feeding his rage and amplifying his pain.
They raised their rifles, aiming for his torso, but Aleksandr now had lost his mind, jumped at the group like a primitive animal with an unexpectedly fast speed considering his predicament of being cuffed.
He swung both his Tungsten encased hands at a guard, fracturing his skull and sending him flying into the wall. The guard crumpled to the floor, his thoughts falling silent from Aleksandr's mind.
The rest of the guards looked in pure horror. Aleksandr felt the flicker of indecision in their minds. Fear. Regret. Panic. It was too late. Aleksandr jumped towards to take down the second unlucky guard to the ground as he relentlessly slammed both of his cuffed hands down to the guard's head like a wild silverback gorilla. The hopeless man's head splattered into blood, smashed brain's tissues, and skull's fractures in just seconds.
The boy was distracted by his own newly awakened quirk's painful effects from recognizing a tranquilizer dart had sunk into his skin.He didn't flinch, but the second dart found its mark in his side. His body trembled with the chemical sting, but he fought against it, lashing out in a blind rage. More darts followed, each one striking him in rapid succession. The guards moved quickly, each shot a calculated attempt to bring him down before he could hurt anyone else.
Aleksandr's vision blurred, his strength waning as the sedative started to take hold. His limbs grew heavy, his breaths shallow, his mind…slowly faded away, relieving him from the agony he was suffering.