A head emerged from the still water, Wein's.
Cold droplets ran down his face as he brushed his wet hair back, his breath steady despite the cold embrace of the secluded spring. He climbed out of the dark water, revealing his new, more refined physique.
After the transformation, Wein underwent drastic physical changes. His abdominal muscles were clearly defined, and the muscles of his arms, chest, and legs had become firm, almost sculpted. His skin looked healthier, almost glowing.
On the side nearby was a towel, he dried himself and stood quietly before the spring. He had come here for solitude, the place was hidden on a lower level beneath the mansion and was difficult to reach.
Draping the towel around his lower body, Wein slipped into his slippers. He followed a stone path before him that led him out. Underground, it was cold and quiet, with nothing but the flowing water and distant drips. Yet despite the chill, it had no effect on the current Wein.
As he walked, he saw a lone figure before him. He recognised her as Kyra, who stood waiting, arms crossed and silently watching. This time, unlike before, she was partially visible, dressed in a black suit, similar to the military uniform bearing the Voss insignia.
It did not take long to reach her, and when he did, Wein could see her face clearly. She was beautiful, he had to agree but behind those eyes lay something else, cold, and cruel.
"My lord," she greeted with a slight bow. "I have brought them as you requested."
Wein smiled faintly as he walked passed her, and she followed behind. "How many?"
"Six, they were left relatively unscathed, just as requested. They are ready for you."
Ahead stood a small makeshift stall. Wein entered and after some time he emerged dressed in a black turtleneck, matching pants with black formal shoes. He appeared more refreshed, calm, and composed.
Kyra, who was standing outside, waited silently.
…
"Kyra, what do you know about the powers nobles possess?" Wein asked as they walked.
"They have the ability to invade the minds of any being and read or see their thoughts. The power to inflict mental shock on other beings. Beyond that, include superhuman feats such as strength, recovery, and heightened senses. And finally, a longer lifespan compared to other beings."
"You know a lot," Wein replied. They entered an elevator that took them up.
In Wein's study about his new role and environment, an interesting new topic came up and that was the abilities given by the Divine Blood Core. In the galaxy, there were superior beings such as Knights who had transcended normal capabilities. They had gained enhanced strength, speed and reflexes being the pillars of sectors and territories.
These "knights" were akin to superhumans, then there were Semi-Knights, a realm just below but still formidable. These beings could still be a danger Shock Troopers of the highest level and had abilities to match but were not as decisive as Knights. In House Voss, these would be Eric and the High Inquisitor herself, Kyra.
Just like troopers, there were levels between each other just as there were levels between the nobles. In the case of nobles, the rank defined how strong ones core was, still that could change based on training.
Nobles, just by having the cores would be treated as Semi Knights and depending on their rank or experience could attain godhood. That power was dangerous but destructive, because if a knight could an obstacle for a small army, nobles were the obstacles.
Being able to invade minds and perform mental shock could cripple enemies before they got close enough. That was the power, a noble had.
…
They arrived at a guard room that was guarded by men in a similar uniform to Kyra's, who all looked solemn. The door opened and Wein along with Kyra entered.
It was a small room and surprisingly clean. At the centre was a knelt man covered in a bag chained to the floor.
Wein approached him and removed the cover, revealing a young man of a more refined background. He had few minor bruises, but did not seem to have been tortured.
Wein ran his hand briefly over man's hair as he stared into his eyes. He could see the man had some strength left in him.
"State your name," Wein ordered.
Silence.
He had expected resistance, few would talk so easily when caught but Wein was not deterred. He did not come for answers, at least not yet but rather, he came to master his gift.
This power, the ability to influence the minds of others was dangerous. If not mastered properly, Wein could harm his allies. To master it safely, he needed living test dummies and so he made sure Kyra had brought some of the spies she caught.
Wein placed his hand behind the man's head, cupping it. He tried to struggle at first, but it was already too late.
From Wein's point of view, the world shifted. He was suddenly thrust into an empty subspace with nothing but drifting mist. He searched around and saw nothing from as far as the eye could see. Below he could feel there was a surface he was standing on similar to the floor he was standing on, just seconds ago.
He recognised the space instantly, the man's subconscious mind.
The power of nobles was truly terrifying, they could enter this realm with ease and do as they please; here, normal people were at their mercy.
Recognising that he had entered the space as desired, he spoke. "State your name."
He barely spoke a few words but the space around him trembled as if struck by an earthquake then he stumbled.
Instantly he was jolted out of the mind realm, and he found himself back in the dark room with his hand behind the man's head. He looked around, he was back to the real world. Kyra had gone out and he was alone with the spy who remained unmoving.
On closer look, the man had frozen still, and blood dripped from his nose and ears, and then like timber, he fell stiff to the floor, dead.
Wein watched over his lifeless body. For the first time since the transformation, he had killed. Strangely he felt nothing, even as a great Trooper, he felt for the people he killed but now, nothing. Maybe this was what it meant to truly be a noble.
"Bring in the next one," he ordered.
At once, guards entered and carried the dead body out while Wein stood silent, contemplating what he had just experienced.
The whole invasion took a fraction of a second, he could tell with his enhanced senses, it was that fast. In that moment he killed that man.
This ability was extremely dangerous, he realised was why as a Trooper, Shock Trooper, and even Knight, mental strength was needed. This gave them a way to fight off such an influence.
Wein recalled the sequence, from entering the subconscious to looking around and finally speaking. His power had been too raw, rash and uncontrolled. Instead of extracting information from the man's mind, he had shattered it.
He needed to do was be patient and refine his control. To impose his will, not force servitude upon the victim outright.
Just like that another prisoner was dragged in by the guards covered in a bag and struggling to no avail. He was chained to the floor like the other and the guards left.
Again, Wein removed the cover. This time the man was younger looking, from a rougher background, but his eyes suggested he was knowledgeable.
"State your name" Wein commanded, his voice cold once more.
Still silence.
Again, he put his hand around the man's head and once again he found himself in that realm. Like the other, it was empty with nothing but mist flowing everywhere. This time Wein did not speak and remained still, his hand was in the same position it was outside, and with more concentration, a hidden blurry, humanoid figure appeared and knelt.
This time instead of speaking Wein willed his inquiry to the figure. For a moment, there was a struggle, he guessed that it was working. Speaking in this realm without a full grasp of everything was dangerous. He needed to command the man without words and as a noble and the Core enabled him to do so.
With that a command was sent, the man tried to fight it. Since it was still unrefined, the man resisted but the strain began to tear at the man.
Fragments of words flickered before Wein's eyes. He could not read them clearly, but understood enough, a name, a man's name. Still, it was too late, the man's mind crumbled and jolted Wein out.
Wein returned to the room and folded his sleeves as he stared at the body dropping.
"We are making some progress, bring in the next one" he ordered.