Ultima was once again up very early, and even before breakfast arrived, he was punching and kicking at the air in his prison cell-like room. Over the course of the last three days Arron had kept a close eye on him. Ultima knew this fact because of his relationship status, which had finally stopped growing just yesterday.

  Relationships

  Doctor Arron: Subject (85/100).

  Officer Gareth: Trusted Soldier and Higher Up (0/100), he has placed his full trust in you after seeing your abilities, and since you can't refuse orders. Don't mess that up.

  The Ark Organization: Enslaved Soldier (20/100).

  The doctor's relationship grew at a fast pace just from watching him practicing alone in his room, but it finally teetered off and stopped increasing. It no longer went up when he practiced his typical. As to be expected, he managed to increase one of his stats by a tiny amount as well in doing this, but it was only slightly even with his enhanced physique skill.

  Alexander "Ultima"

  Class: Ultima

  Skills: Enhanced Physique, Broken Mind

  Abilities: Ultimate Limit Release

  Statuses: Hypnotized (Strong)

  Stats

  Strength: 11 (10)

  Dexterity: 10

  Intelligence: 10

  Endurance: 12

  Wisdom: 8

  Luck: -0

  Notes: All around average, stats of ten are considered the average, so you're slightly above average in endurance. As an effect of your regime, you've earned a temporary +1 to your strength, continue your training to make this a permanent increase. You're currently hypnotized, which has dropped your wisdom down just a bit, rendering you worse off against further charming or hypnotism. Your luck is [null].

  Even with the increase that his skill brought, which was kept vague purposefully, it still only resulted in his strength barely increasing so far. He really did understand this though, before this point he'd never worked out all that much to a degree like he had been, the mere fact he could see even a temporary increase in his strength meant he was growing faster than just about anyone else would. While he was unsure of specifics, he knew a person didn't go from lifting one hundred pounds to lifting one hundred and fifty just like that, it took time and repeated effort. Meanwhile, he did that sort of increase just from exercise with no equipment, and from the sounds of it wasn't long before this became a permanent increase in his power rather than just a temporary one from having a consistent routine.

  He finished up his second hour of practice when the door to his room opened. He moved from an outstretched fist to turning on a dime, standing straight and suppressing heavy breathing as he stared at whoever entered his room.

  Arron watched as Ultima whipped around to stare at him. His cloudy neutral eyes staring at him in total neutrality and unfeeling emotion. He also saw how he was trying to keep his breathing steady, "You can, breath hard Ultima" he says, but Ultima doesn’t listen to him as per usual because it’s not an order from Gareth. He sighed "Well, I have noticed that the past three days you've been practicing very hard. Despite the fact you have no equipment and weren't ordered to. Gareth would like to know why this is” the doctor said, producing a notepad and handing it over to him with a pencil.

  Just like before, he took it, and after a moment began to write. Taking his sweet time just to write each letter painstakingly and perfectly as possible. Arron didn’t make him rush or anything. Having a feeling that would just confuse Ultima somewhat. So, he waited without a word, feeling the tension in the air as the pencil scratched against the paper. Sometimes followed by the rubbing of the slowly blackening eraser to erase the small mistakes and imperfections.

  Finally, after ten minutes, Ultima handed the notepad back. Arron stared at the page, expecting an essay at this point. However, there was just a single sentence for all that hard work. The level of carbon dust on the paper made it clear he rewrote this single sentence maybe a dozen or so times. “Am I not supposed to get stronger?” he asked.

  Arron began to feel like Ultima has been imbued with a level of perfectionism beyond what should be normal. He should maybe look into his past. Arron also that perhaps vaguely despite possessing no emotions Ultima just felt some sort of satisfaction from training no matter what "No you are fully allowed to train as much as you want. In fact, Ultima, is there anything you’d like to request to help you with getting stronger?" he offered.

  Ultima suppressed a smirk as the doctor said the exact right thing, but he had to keep in character. So rather than showing any sort of emotion, he stared at Arron. As if to say without a single word, that he didn’t have any wants. He was just making an assumption that he was supposed to get stronger. Infact, once Arron clarified he could train as much as he wanted, he turned away from the doctor and just began to shadow box again despite his routine having been finished today.

  Arron wasn’t sure what to say, as Ultima didn’t talk, and just began to practice. So, he sat down and just watched him. As expected, the small super soldier showed no reaction to this at first. Keeping at his usual intensity. Only stopping periodically to catch his breath.

  After a bit, Arron spoke up with his own idea “What about practicing with others, fighting with others?” he said, “You aren’t going to get a lot of practical use out of all this practice if you never apply it right?” he suggested.

  Ultima paused mid-kick, slowly putting the foot down and turning to look at Arron. The doctor was surprised the suggestion made him pause and pay attention to him. So even if Ultima seemed to not possess his own wants and needs, he still could be persuaded in a direction if it was the right thing. Like offering him a new way to train and get stronger.

  Arron cleared his throat as Ultima stared him down with uncomfortable silence. “Alright then, I will see right away if you can join a group of soldiers for training” he said, before standing up and quickly leaving. Stopping at the door for a second and glancing at Ultima, who was already back to practicing again and not paying attention to him. He didn’t know what to really think but sighed.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  Ultima continued with his training, on occasion his eyes flicking to the camera before after another hour of training he sat down finally on the bed and allowed his body to relax and heal. It went smoothly, which was good. He only needed to wait for approval from the higher ups of The Ark Organization. He assumed with him directly becoming involved that those soldiers who were chosen would be affected by his joining, since he was a secretive project. They may be selected based on results or sign up for additional and unusual training. In any case, the time would come soon when he could complete the mission depending on how many were chosen.

  Arron swiftly filled out a request form, something he was familiar with doing by this point. He spun it as the subject needed to be given an opportunity to interact with non-higher ups to gauge his social skills and be given a chance to spice up his exercise routine to encourage his continued growth. Despite the fact that Ultima was already known to be like talking to a brick wall that was silently judging you, nor did he really need to spice up his exercise routine with beating up rookies.

  Two days later, after some review from the higher ups and selecting a group of fourteen people, and with Ultima bringing it up to a group of fifteen. Officer Gareth was put in charge of a group of soldiers who had performed well, signed forms to not leak what they saw, and were known for being outstandingly loyal to the Ark. It was the first day they were to be doing combat drills with him, but for now they just stood around in lines of five and one of four while their superior officer waited at the end of the matted room, having said that the last person would be arriving soon.

  Ultima was taken out of his room right after breakfast, following his usual escorts while asking no questions as per usual. Eleven days remained on his countdown, and he had yet to increase the quota at all since receiving the fourth mission. He recognized the route they took as the same one he took to spar with Gareth, but he quelled his surprise when he quietly entered the room and saw everyone lined up. Gareth waved over at him "Come here!" he ordered, and the silent soldier strode over, not caring as he walked between the lines of other people. He stood in front of Gareth with his head down, not looking at him. "You may look at me Ultima, welcome to your new unit” Gareth thought for a moment before speaking more “I want you to introduce yourself to everyone" he commanded.

  Ultima looked at him before turning to the fourteen others who were lined up. After a few moments, he walked up to one of them. His cloudy colorless eyes staring the soldier down with neutral silence that felt like he was being morally judged. Before the super soldier held out his hand.

  After getting over how eerie he was, the other soldier finally shook his hand before Ultima just moved onto the next one. Never varying his expression or the judgmental glare he gave them all. His mind hurt while he took in every possible thing about his new units one by one. All male, they varied in height and weight, but none were overweight or shorter than him. In fact, somehow, all of them were taller than him. There were also three that exhibited signs they were near a nervous breakdown, two that were utterly confused by him, and the rest were more interested than confused or scared.

  Ultima stood tall and firm while he waited for his next order "Finish the four-person row and make it a five" he said, which made the soldier move over and stand in place, standing quietly with his hands at his sides and his eyes staring straight through everyone else to watch Gareth.

  "Please turn to your sides and get ready to spar with the person on it. Ultima! You are to try hard but not go all out against your fellow soldiers, understood?" He ordered as everyone began to get ready. Most were confused by what they were about to do, sparring wasn't a typical exercise. Ultima nodded, looking to his partner, who was the most confused and perhaps even a little concerned. He said nothing else, just adopting his usual stance.

  "You may begin when ready" Gareth says, and he watches as Ultima moves nearly as soon as he finishes talking, jabbing his partner in his stomach while he's distracted and listening for orders. Ultima listens as he receives a ding right after hitting the man, who wasn't ready to be socked in the stomach.

  The Ultima Project: Origin Story 4

  Mission: While you're a subject and expensive project of The Ark Organization, that doesn't mean you should remain a secret. Interact with at least 20 people and leave a lasting impression on them, negative or good. Do this before the launch of The Server for additional rewards.

  Rewards: Instant rank up of The Ark Organization relationship, and ???. Relationship related rewards are subject to change based on action taken to complete the mission.

  Failure: Cannot fail mission, beyond dying, so don't die

  Notes: Exist Ultima

  Quota Currently: 9/20

  The other soldier coughs after being punched, backing up while everyone else had their eyes on him. He touches his stomach and shudders "That was sudden, does this mean we a-" he's punched with a vicious right hook, to the lower jaw, causing him to stumble and fall.

  Ultima stared at his sparring partner, like he was bored by this even if it’s just his neutral expression. Gareth was surprised that not going all out still meant taking pot shots and interrupting his opponent. Then again, Ultima didn't seem to have any form of sympathy or empathy in those cold eyes of his.

  The other soldier slowly got back up, rubbing his jaw while closely watching Ultima "Okay man, you could've at least said something. Like, dodge this, or say something! This is just a spar, are you looking to knock me out?" he asked, his jaw aching painfully.

  Ultima watched him, not gracing him with a response while staying in his usual stance. Everyone was now watching the silent soldier, and he heard more dings as the number slowly climbed up with people starting to take him in and have an impression of him. It was an indirect interaction, but he was still having one.

  "Continue your fighting now! Stop gawking! Ultima, I want you to let Jackson attack you a few times, you may defend and dodge, but no counterattacking" Gareth ordered. He was surprised when Ultima moved from his normal defensive posture into a relaxed state, hands down by his sides. The super soldier then nodded while looking at the new relationship that popped up.

  New Relationship

  Soldier Jackson: Punching Bag (-20/100), good job on deciding to sock your fellow soldier. Twice.

  The first relationship that was going into the negatives, interesting, he knew the mission was now complete, which was good. However, he would wait for that to be turned in once he wasn't in a fight. Jackson, when ready, threw a punch at him, and he calmly stepped out of the way of it. He was focused on him now, causing him to recognize when he moved. Even with average dexterity it was still enough time to dodge the attacks. If Jackson focused, he may be able to actually trip him up, but it was clear he was a little too angry to focus on the fight beyond punching him.

  Ultima actually felt sort of annoyed when he heard a buzzing sound, which turned out to be his relationship continuing to fall every time he dodged one of Jackson's attacks. He also found it sort of funny though. It finally stopped at -50/100 and Jackson was panting, worn out after trying to attack Ultima for several minutes. Everyone else was at least fighting together and trading blows, but Jackson's fighting practice was just him punching at air while his 'partner' did nothing but stare at him.

  The small session soon ended, and Gareth dismissed him first to be escorted back to his room. When he arrived back, he did his usual habit of ten laps around the room before eating his lunch and finally sitting at his desk. The mission was complete, and it was time to turn it in.

  The Ultima Project: Origin Story 4

  Mission: While you're a subject and expensive project of The Ark Organization, that doesn't mean you should remain a total secret. Interact with at least 20 people and leave a lasting impression on them, negative or good. Do this before the launch of The Server for additional rewards.

  Rewards: Instant rank up of The Ark Organization relationship, and ???. Relationship related rewards are subject to change based on action taken to complete the mission.

  Failure: Cannot fail mission, beyond dying, so don't die

  Notes: Exist Ultima

  Quota Currently: 22/20