Cyberknight: One Path

⁕ The Lynching Game (part 2)

Despite the high noon sun shining above the sky, the inside of the communication base was only illuminated by artificial light. Inside the makeshift commune living room, Kadyn and her team gathered around Jagger for their first lesson. Although Kadyn wasn't a crystal user like the rest, she still insisted on listening anyway out of curiosity.

[Jagger] - "In case any of you had never fought a real cyberknight, we tend to yell out the name of our ability and the type of ability as we start a fight. People might think it's a thing about formality and honour but the truth goes a little deeper than this. You see since the ability depends on our mind, we don't want to activate it when it's not at the right time. Someone who cannot properly control their abilities can easily get themselves or the people around them killed. "

[McCree] - "That's indeed true. I couldn't count the number of times I accidentally knocked mah head against my ability because I sometimes unintentionally completed the empty space in a doorframe. "

Said McCree abruptly.

[Senju] - "Shhh! Let sensei speak! "

Said Senju while throwing a frustrated look at McCree.

[Jagger] - "While you people have to constantly think about not activating your abilities, we the cyberknights don't need to do that. Instead, we keep our ability dormant by default. As part of our training, we link the ability itself to a name we give and only think about the ability when we say that name ourselves. This way, the mind will be cleared for other tasks and not be in a constant battle to keep our demons sealed. So for today's lesson, you will learn the basics to tame your ability. "

[Audrey] - "What do you suggest we do for our training? "

Jagger quickly took a piece of paper and wrote down four bullet points.

[Jagger] - "An ability is a piece of you. You must give each ability a name and memorize that name until the mere mention of it can only remind you of your ability and its effects just like a sort of trigger word. Finally, define it by one of these codes: "

Said Jagger as he put the note down on the middle table.

The group approached and followed Jagger's finger onto the first point.

[Jagger] - "Any ability that can allow precise ranged manipulation of energy, objects or people or deal specific damage to a target from far away must be categorized as [Guilt Extension]. Any ability with a zone-ranged effect with little to no precision when it comes to targeting must be classified as [Echoing Verdict]. Any ability capable of only short-range or direct contact damage must be tagged as [Damnation's Reach]. Finally, any ability capable of defensive, utility or boosting effects must be put under [Trial Access]. "

Said Jagger as his finger moved down his points as he spoke.

[Kadyn] - "Oh! What does that other thing do? I heard you say it once when you did that attack called "1st Dimension" or something. "

Said Kadyn excitedly.

[Jagger] - "Heh! Yeah, you are right. There is also a call sign going by [Existential Judgement]. However, I don't think any of you will ever need to use that since people capable of using that call sign are either gifted users or extremely experienced users. People capable of using that call sign display peek mastery of multiple abilities and are capable of ending most battles before they start. "

[Senju] - "Will I be able to attain that level of mastery with hard work and years of training? "

[Jagger] - "You? Not a chance! Not to mention you only have a single ability, you are also unlikely to grow stronger in my eyes. The only place you would hear that call sign be mentioned anywhere near you would be from the mouth of your enemy. And when that happens, only certain death awaits you. "