Chapter 41: Chapter Forty-One: Synchronisation Rate

Chapter Forty-One: Synchronisation Rate

Valen had always suspected that there must be a reason for their hurried journey into the Astral Veil — even though the latest series of events seemed to suggest otherwise.

The war Aaliyah mentioned might be a possibility, and the ’Dawn of a New Era’ President Frederick spoke of might also be another possibility.

But Valen knew that such things couldn’t be a reason to hurry over 100,000 Evolvers from all around the world into the Astral Veil when they hadn’t even learned to pilot an air shuttle.

Wouldn’t that be asking for their deaths?

So, although the impassioned speech of President Frederick had made the blood of countless Evolvers boil, Valen remained sceptical.

This couldn’t have been the only reason they had been summoned here, right?

President Frederick’s voice echoed throughout the building as he continued in a solemn tone:

"I would also like to inform everyone that our research into neural interfaces has achieved a breakthrough. For decades, Power Suits and Mechs have relied on either the pilot’s physical capabilities or advanced artificial intelligence systems to function efficiently. That is no longer necessary.

Through neural synchronisation technology, our machines can now connect directly to a pilot’s nervous system, interpreting neural signals and responding as naturally as one’s own body. To the pilot, the machine will feel less like a tool and more like an extension of themselves.

This advancement has allowed us to perfect the next generation of Elemental Power Suits. Unlike conventional Power Suits, every Elemental Power Suit is constructed from specialised nanomachines. These nanobots can continuously repair damage, restore structural integrity, and replace destroyed components during combat. As long as sufficient nanobots remain within the suit’s reserves, the suit can regenerate itself.

However, such extraordinary capabilities come with equally demanding requirements.

Each Elemental Power Suit possesses a unique neural architecture and therefore requires a different synchronisation threshold. Furthermore, each suit exhibits greater compatibility with certain Evolution Paths.

The Fire Elemental Power Suits demonstrates the highest compatibility with Strength Path Evolvers.

The Metal Elemental Power Suits demonstrates the highest compatibility with Endurance Path Evolvers.

The Wind Elemental Power Suits demonstrates the highest compatibility with Sound Path Evolvers.

The Light Elemental Power Suitsydemonstrates the highest compatibility with both Speed Path and Sight Path Evolvers.

And finally, the Ice Elemental Power Suits demonstrates the highest compatibility with Blood Path Evolvers.

This does not mean Evolvers from other Paths are incapable of piloting these Elementals Power Suits. However, their synchronisation rates are generally lower, making operation significantly more difficult.

The reason I am informing you of this is that we will be conducting an impromptu synchronisation assessment today. Every participant will undergo testing to determine their neural synchronisation rate and identify which Elemental Power Suit, if any, they are most compatible with.

Beginning next month, all newly Evolved individuals possessing Mid-Grade or High-Grade bodies will participate in mandatory synchronisation ceremonies. Those who meet the required standards will be granted the opportunity to pilot an Elemental Power Suit."

These words sent a ripple through the crowd, and even Valen’s eyes brightened. That had been a major flaw in the piloting of Power Suits and Mechs.

Everything relied entirely on one’s physique to bear the strain and on the control of an advanced in-built AI. For instance, assuming the Silver King’s Power Suit had such a function, he wouldn’t have needed to command Alex to use the Suit’s Ability.

One thought from him would’ve been sufficient. This was also the case for his Obsidian Power Suit. He wouldn’t have needed to ask the Humanity System to release its full form when a single thought could’ve solved everything.

He also understood the logic behind the Evolution Paths being tied to what Elemental Power Suit one could pilot.

Fire couldn’t be easily contained, and it relied on burning through assets quickly to maximise damage.

So probably, the synchronisation test for a Fire Elemental would look for intense neural bursts, high mental output, or some other hidden criteria. And this perfectly mirrored physical Strength — the ability to exert maximum force at an exact moment.

Endurance Path Evolvers may develop stable and resilient neural patterns, making them more compatible with Metal.

Following this logic, other Evolution Paths may also have hidden criteria they search for.

He evolved through all paths, so did this mean he could pilot all Elemental Power Suits?

’If the neural synchronisation technology really works out, then a revolutionary era of Mechs and Power Suits may begin.’

Valen thought, countless possibilities flashing through his mind. But then, he paused and fell into deep contemplation.

’Weren’t Elemental Cores supposed to be rare? How, then, could humanity have mass-produced Power Suits to the point that, effective from next month, anyone with Mid-Grade and High-Grade bodies could obtain one? Could an ancient Legion really be helping Greenfield Planet’s people?’

Valen shivered at the thought. He didn’t know why, but he felt that he shouldn’t, no matter what, interact with those Legions as the Silver King.

***

Following this, all Evolvers on each floor were instructed to approach the massive pillar at the centre in groups of five.

Then the Evolvers had to touch the metallic pillar for it to assess their synchronisation rates with the different Elemental Cores.

The logic behind this had already been briefed to the candidates earlier. It was said that the pillar contained microscopic sensors that scanned the Evolvers’ nervous systems, then transmitted harmless electrical impulses that the Evolvers’ nervous systems responded to.

Each Elemental Core installed within the pillar was then analysed for signal stability, response speed, error rate, adaptability — the list went on, with Valen quickly losing interest.

To sum it up, after each Elemental Core had completed its detailed analysis, a compatibility score would be generated. This score wasn’t displayed for everyone to see and was only sent to the candidate and the upper echelons of their country.

However, depending on the Elemental Core with which they had the highest synchronisation rate, the pillar would release a glow: crimson for fire, green for wind, white for light, silver for metal, and blue for ice.

The visual effects weren’t magical. They were simply indicators designed for spectators to see.

The Evolvers on each floor had subconsciously divided themselves into several groups, each indicating the city they came from.

Without even putting in effort, Valen found himself standing among a group from White Star City. Although he didn’t know many of them, as they came from different Energised Chambers, he still recognised two Evolvers.

One was a youth with a square face and dry skin, while the other was a teenager with luminous black hair and smooth skin.

Valen knew the youth with the square face because he was Iron Wraith — one of his teammates during the raid on the Black Ruin Castle Beast Haven.

Although he recognised him, that wasn’t the case for Iron Wraith. After all, Valen had worn a mask throughout the raid.

The teenager, on the other hand, had left a deep impression on Valen, as he was the one at the Void Ship trading hub who had received a rare Beast Egg as a reward, causing an uproar back then.

When Valen glanced at him, the teenager also looked over and flashed a smile before turning away.

’Was that a coincidence?’ Valen thought.

However, he soon shook his head. Such a coincidence almost didn’t exist. Either the teenager possessed extremely astute perception, or he was constantly paying attention to his surroundings.

Even Valen, who had begun assimilating the first Silver King’s memories and experience, found such a thing nearly impossible to carry out currently.

’Just who is he?’

Valen soon had to abandon those thoughts when he noticed a lone figure depart from the crowd and approach the massive pillar.

Wherever he passed, everyone gave way.

He radiated a kind of silent confidence in every step, causing the subconscious minds of those around him to perceive him as a threat. Thus, before they even realised what was happening, they had already stepped aside.

Valen immediately recognised him as the young man with shoulder-length white hair and crimson eyes who seemed to be the leader of the people from the Outlands.

When he reached the massive pillar, he halted and stared at it before placing his hand on its surface.

Several seconds passed.

There was no reaction whatsoever.

This caused many Evolvers present to wear odd expressions.

If it wasn’t for the fact that one had to evolve through an Evolution Path to reach this place, they might have thought he wasn’t an Evolver at all.

A thought soon surfaced among the crowd.

Could it be that his synchronisation rate was simply below the minimum standard, and he had failed the assessment entirely?

As this speculation began circulating among the audience, some people even revealed mocking smiles.

Then, without warning, the massive pillar at the centre of the floor burst forth in a radiance of four colours.

Pure radiant white, brownish white, green, and crimson.

The four colours illuminated the shocked expressions on everyone’s faces.