V Dossier

TRAINING

CHAPTER 03

1ST PERSON POV

"You all performed well during the last mission," the Commander said while pacing slowly across the front of the briefing room. "But I've noticed a particular issue that needs to be addressed."

The atmosphere inside the room immediately became tense.

All six of us stood in a straight line with our hands behind our backs as military discipline demanded. The Commander's heavy footsteps echoed against the metallic floor while his sharp gaze moved from one investigator to another.

Jake was the first to speak.

"We apologize if there was any problem during the operation, sir."

"There was," the Commander replied coldly.

He stopped walking.

Then his gaze shifted directly toward me.

"Ethan."

"Sire," I answered calmly.

"You were supplied with Phantom pills before the mission." His voice deepened slightly. "Yet once again, you refused to use them. Why?"

The entire room fell silent.

Jake glanced sideways at me while Kelvin folded his arms, already expecting trouble.

I sighed quietly.

"With all due respect, sir," I began, "I didn't think the mission required it."

The Commander narrowed his eyes.

"You considered that operation low-level?"

"Yes."

A faint scoff escaped Lucy.

Bold answer.

The Commander slowly approached me until he stood only a few feet away.

"The Phantom pills were designed to push the human body beyond its natural limitations," he said. "Enhanced strength. Speed. Healing. Instincts. Durability. They are one of the organization's greatest assets."

"I'm aware."

"Then why avoid them?"

I remained silent for a moment before finally answering.

"Because the first time I used one, everything went wrong."

The room became quieter.

Even Jake's expression shifted slightly.

The Commander crossed his arms behind his back.

"Your pill enhances speed and killing instinct," he explained. "What happened during your first synchronization wasn't the pill's fault."

I clenched my jaw.

"It almost turned me into a monster."

"It revealed a weakness you failed to control."

His voice rose slightly this time.

"You lost control because your mind was unstable during activation. That is not the same thing."

Maybe.

But the memory still remained.

Blood.

Screams.

Bodies.

An entire operation gone wrong because I couldn't stop myself once the pill fully activated.

I looked directly at the Commander.

"I still don't trust it."

"You don't have the luxury of trust," he replied sharply. "You're an Investigator. If the mission demands it, you use every weapon available to you."

"I'll decide when I use it."

Jake quietly muttered:

"Oh no…"

The Commander stared at me in disbelief.

"You'll decide?" he repeated slowly.

"Yes."

"You are unbelievably difficult, Ethan."

"I've been told that before."

A few investigators struggled not to laugh.

The Commander rubbed his forehead in annoyance before letting out a tired sigh.

"You know what your problem is?"

"I'm guessing you're about to tell me."

"You act like the rules don't apply to you."

I shrugged slightly.

"As long as I complete my missions, does it really matter?"

The Commander stared at me for several seconds before finally shaking his head.

"You are the most irritating operative I've ever trained."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It wasn't."

This time Jake actually laughed.

The Commander exhaled deeply before turning away.

"Regardless," he said, "your results speak for themselves. I'll overlook your insubordination for now."

"Appreciated."

"But next time," he added while glancing back at me, "if a mission escalates beyond control, you will use the Phantom pill. Understood?"

I hesitated briefly.

"…Understood."

"Good."

He walked back toward the center of the room.

"All of you are dismissed. Report to the training hall immediately."

"Yes, sire."

We saluted before leaving the briefing room together.

The moment the doors closed behind us, Victor burst into laughter.

"Bro," he said while slapping my shoulder, "you seriously have guts. I thought the Commander was about to kill you."

"I was just defending myself."

"Defending yourself?" Lucy raised an eyebrow. "You basically challenged him."

I shrugged.

"He overreacts."

Jake looked at me like I was insane.

"You really don't fear authority figures at all."

"Fear wastes time."

We walked through the long illuminated hallway leading toward the training sector. Security personnel passed us occasionally while bright ceiling lights reflected against the polished floor tiles.

Kelvin stretched lazily.

"Still," he said, "I don't understand why you avoid using the Phantom pills so much."

"Because unlike you people, I enjoy remaining sane."

Lucy rolled her eyes immediately.

"They aren't that bad."

"That's easy for you to say," I replied. "You use them like energy drinks."

Lucy smirked proudly.

"For the record, I only used Hero's Breath five times this month."

Jake nearly choked.

"Five?!"

I looked at her in disbelief.

"You seriously used that many recently?"

She shrugged casually.

"The less dependent your body becomes on the pills, the higher your mortality rate during missions. Everyone knows that."

"That sounds unhealthy."

"It is unhealthy," Charlie finally spoke from behind us. "But it works."

I glanced at him.

Charlie rarely talked unless necessary.

Jake folded his arms.

"The pills aren't perfect," he admitted, "but they give us advantages normal humans can't compete with."

That part was true.

Without Phantom enhancement, most investigators would never survive high-level missions.

I looked around at the group curiously.

"What abilities do you all gain after activation anyway?"

Victor grinned immediately.

"My body becomes ridiculously durable," he said proudly while flexing his arm. "And my strength increases massively too."

"So basically you become a walking tank."

"Exactly."

Kelvin smirked.

"My senses sharpen beyond human level. Hearing, smell, reflexes—everything becomes animalistic."

"That explains why you fight like a rabid wolf."

"Thanks. I think."

Jake stretched both hands behind his head casually.

"Mine boosts my speed and physical endurance."

"I noticed," I muttered.

Charlie adjusted his glasses slightly.

"I gain electrokinetic abilities," he explained calmly. "I can manipulate electrical currents and create constructs using charged particles."

I blinked slowly.

"That sounds ridiculously overpowered."

"It drains stamina quickly," he replied.

Lucy smiled proudly.

"I become invisible for short periods and generate temporary force fields."

I stared at everyone for a moment.

"So all of you are basically monsters."

Victor laughed loudly.

"Says the guy who terrifies trained assassins without using pills."

We finally reached the massive training hall.

Jake smirked.

"Still doesn't mean you can beat me in a duel."

I looked at him blankly.

"You talk too confidently for someone I've beaten twice."

"That was luck."

"Sure."

Before Jake could respond, a loud voice echoed across the hall.

"One more round!"

We all froze instantly.

Captain Micheal.

The man stood near the center of the training arena wearing black training shorts and a sleeveless shirt. Numerous scars covered his muscular body while a large scar stretched across his left eye.

The man looked like violence itself.

"What?" Kelvin groaned dramatically. "We just finished a mission."

Captain Micheal cracked his knuckles loudly.

"And real enemies won't care if you're tired."

Victor immediately dropped onto the floor.

"My body is dying."

"Then train it harder," Micheal replied sharply. "On the battlefield, stamina determines survival."

"I respectfully disagree," I said while drinking water from a bottle nearby.

Micheal slowly turned toward me.

"That attitude explains why you're a nuisance."

"Glad my reputation is spreading."

A dangerous smile appeared on his face.

"Fine then. Since you have so much energy left, how about a sparring match between you and me?"

The entire hall instantly became silent.

Jake whispered:

"You're dead."

I sighed deeply.

"Captain, with all due respect, you've served this organization for over twenty years."

"And?"

"That sounds less like training and more like attempted murder."

Several investigators laughed quietly.

Micheal stepped forward confidently.

"In combat, experience and strength matter less than strategy."

Kelvin raised a hand casually.

"That's not entirely true."

Micheal glanced at him.

"Oh? Explain."

Kelvin shrugged.

"Speed. Strength. Reflexes. Instincts. Mental warfare. Those things matter too."

"Correct," Micheal replied. "But a skilled fighter learns how to maximize every advantage available."

I tossed aside the empty water bottle and stepped onto the arena floor.

"Fine," I said. "Let's get this over with."

"That's the spirit."

Micheal rolled his shoulders before taking a fighting stance.

The others quickly moved toward the spectator area.

Jake grinned excitedly.

"This is going to be good."

Micheal motioned toward me.

"Come at me, Ethan."

I didn't hesitate.

The moment the signal was given, I lunged forward and threw a direct punch toward his face.

He sidestepped effortlessly.

Fast.

I followed with another strike aimed at his ribs, but he blocked it easily before slamming his fist directly into my torso.

Pain exploded through my body instantly.

I staggered backward while coughing violently.

Damn.

He didn't even hold back.

Micheal rushed forward immediately.

I barely avoided the next punch before countering with a sweeping kick aimed at his legs.

He jumped backward smoothly.

"Is that all?" he asked calmly.

I smirked despite the pain.

"Not even close."

I charged again.

This time I feinted with my right fist.

Micheal tilted his head instinctively—

Exactly what I wanted.

My left hook slammed directly into his cheek.

A loud impact echoed across the hall.

"Ohhhh!" Victor shouted from the spectator section.

I grinned slightly.

"That's one hit."

I followed with another strike toward his stomach, but Micheal reacted instantly. He grabbed my wrist tightly before throwing me across the arena.

I crashed hard against the floor.

Pain shot through my back immediately.

"Then consider that my counterattack," Micheal replied with a grin.

Jake burst into laughter.

"I can't believe Ethan actually landed a hit."

Victor looked impressed.

"That's what happens when someone rises through the ranks without Phantom enhancement."

"I still want to spar with him," Victor added excitedly.

Lucy pointed toward the arena.

"Then ask."

Victor immediately stood up.

"Captain Micheal! Let me join the duel!"

Micheal laughed.

"Sure. Get down here."

Victor practically jumped over the railing excitedly.

Using the distraction, I quickly rolled beneath Micheal's legs and escaped his grip.

"Smart move," Micheal admitted while backflipping backward.

Suddenly, the hall speakers activated.

"Captain Micheal. Report to my office immediately."

The Commander's voice echoed throughout the room.

Micheal sighed heavily.

"Yes, Commander."

Victor's excitement disappeared instantly.

"No! Seriously?"

I exhaled quietly in relief.

Saved by the Commander.

Micheal pointed at me while walking toward the exit.

"This fight isn't over, Ethan."

I immediately turned toward the opposite door.

"It absolutely is."

Jake burst out laughing while Victor looked completely devastated.

"Not fair," Victor muttered sadly.

Lucy patted his shoulder sympathetically.

"Don't worry. You'll probably get punched through a wall another day."