The days blurred into a routine of relentless training and focused research for Arthur. Every morning began the same way: a protein-rich breakfast, a quick review of his training plans, and then a long session in the gravity chamber.

The hum of the chamber had become a constant in Arthur’s life, almost a companion. Over the week, he had gradually increased the intensity of the gravity field, pushing his body to new limits with each passing day. At the start of the week, he had been lifting weights and performing exercises under 11 times Earth’s gravity. By midweek, he had dialed it up to 15 times, and the strain on his body had been immense.

"Come on," he muttered to himself one day as he positioned a 1000-ton barbell across his shoulders. His legs trembled slightly under the immense weight, and sweat poured down his face even before he completed the first squat.

With a deep breath, he lowered himself, his muscles screaming in protest. “One… more rep.” he gritted through clenched teeth.

Each day, he pushed harder, surpassing the limits he thought were immovable. By the end of the week, Arthur stood in the chamber, bathed in the dim glow of its core, under the crushing force of 21 times Earth’s gravity. He moved slowly, deliberately, each motion a testament to his determination.

The workout was grueling, but the results were evident. His muscles had grown denser, his reflexes sharper. Arthur felt stronger, more in control of his own body than ever before.

Still, physical training was only half of his focus. When he wasn’t in the chamber, Arthur immersed himself in his lab, studying the advanced technologies he had procured. His research table was cluttered with holographic projections, disassembled gadgets, and piles of notes.

One device caught his attention, a high-capacity energy core used in some of UFE’s experimental spacecraft. He activated the core, its faint blue glow lighting up the room.

His technopathy allowed him to interface with the device, its intricate schematics unraveling before his eyes. Arthur worked tirelessly, cross-referencing the core’s design with the knowledge he had gathered over the years.

“I can replicate this,” he murmured, his fingers flying across a holographic keyboard. “But I’ll need to source materials… Maybe I can optimize the design to increase efficiency while reducing the size.” He thought of doing so to train his energy absorption ability.

It wasn’t just about replication. Arthur was always looking for ways to improve, to innovate. Every spare moment was spent designing, testing, and refining.

Amidst all this, Arthur continued practicing his energy absorption ability. The progress was slow at first, but by the end of the week, he felt a breakthrough. Standing in his lab, he held a high-yield energy battery in his hands.

“Let’s see what happens,” he said, closing his eyes and focusing.

A faint shimmer surrounded the battery as Arthur activated his ability. He felt the energy flow into him, like a warm current coursing through his veins. The sensation was different this time, it was faster and smoother.

When the battery was completely drained, Arthur opened his eyes and checked his status, a small grin playing on his lips. “I have finally reached level 2,” he said, feeling the surge of power within him.

To test his limits, Arthur lined up three more batteries, each one more powerful than the last. One by one, he drained them, the energy absorption almost effortless now. The glow of the batteries faded as he drew their power into himself, his body adapting to the influx with ease.

But it wasn’t just electrical energy anymore. Arthur had discovered he could absorb heat energy as well. In a controlled test, he placed his hand near a high-temperature thermal plate. Focusing intently, he felt the warmth flow into him, the heat dissipating from the plate.

“This… is new,” he said, staring at his hand.

However, the ability had its limitations. While he could absorb the heat, he couldn’t manipulate it yet. The energy sat dormant within him, a potential he had yet to unlock.

“I need to figure out how to use this,” he muttered, pacing the lab. “What’s the point of absorbing energy if I can’t direct it where I need it? Maybe… maybe it’s about control. Or maybe I’m missing something fundamental.”

Arthur spent hours running simulations, testing theories, and experimenting with different methods of energy manipulation. Despite his progress, the solution remained elusive.

As the week came to an end, Arthur leaned back in his chair, staring at the holographic display of his lab’s systems. He was physically exhausted from the gravity training and mentally drained from his research, but there was a sense of accomplishment in his fatigue.

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With that, Arthur shut down the lab’s systems for the night and headed to his quarters, his mind already planning the next steps in his journey.

…

At the start of the week, as Arthur sat in his lab poring over a particularly intricate energy schematic, a sharp ping echoed from the door. He looked up from his work, the holographic display casting a soft blue glow across his face.

“Another delivery?” he muttered, pushing his chair back and heading toward the door.

When he opened it, his eyes immediately fell on a large metallic crate, the UFE insignia emblazoned on its surface. A small note was affixed to the side. Intrigued, Arthur tore the note off and unfolded it.

Arthur,

Your upgraded armor has been delivered as promised. This version uses a newly developed alloy, denser, more durable, and suited to withstand the increasing strain you place on it. The gauntlets have been reinforced to endure the force of your punches, ensuring better performance in high-impact combat. It’s heavier, but I trust that won’t be an issue for you. Let me know if you encounter any problems.

— Mara

Arthur’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Heavier? Sounds perfect,” he said, stepping aside as an automated bot carefully wheeled the crate into his lab.

He activated the crate’s unlock mechanism with his technopathy. A soft hiss escaped as the seals disengaged, and the lid slid open to reveal the armor within.

The first thing Arthur noticed was the color, a deep matte black, giving the armor a sleek, intimidating appearance. The alloy had a faint sheen to it, a clear indicator of its superior density and craftsmanship.

He lifted the chest piece and immediately noticed the added weight. It was significantly heavier than his previous armor, but he welcomed the challenge. With the gravity training he had been doing, the extra weight would not be a problem for him..

The armor’s specifications were detailed on a small holo-display embedded inside the crate’s lid. Arthur skimmed through them, he saw it was 40% heavier than the previous version.

Wasting no time, he began suiting up. The pieces clicked into place with precision, the internal mechanisms adjusting to fit his frame perfectly. The weight was immediately noticeable, but it did not feel cumbersome.

He flexed his arms, testing the mobility. The adaptive plating moved seamlessly, allowing him full range of motion. With a deep breath, he shifted into a combat stance and threw a series of quick punches into the air.

For the next hour, he tested the armor under various conditions, moving in the gravity chamber. He ran, jumped, and lifted weights while wearing the suit, gradually increasing the gravity field to see how the new alloy responded.

The armor held up beautifully, its durability and flexibility exceeding his expectations. Even under 13 times Earth’s gravity, Arthur felt confident in its performance.

After that, Arthur deactivated the chamber and returned to his lab. The week had only just begun, but with his new armor and the progress he had made, he felt more prepared than ever for the battles ahead.

…

Midway through the week, while Arthur was fine-tuning a component in his lab, the console on his desk emitted a sharp chime. It was a priority communication from Admiral Kane.

Arthur wiped his hands with a cloth and tapped the holographic interface to accept the call. The admiral’s familiar face appeared, his sharp features and stern expression framed by the insignias of the UFE behind him.

“Arthur,” Kane began, his voice steady as ever, though there was an undertone of anticipation. “I trust your training and research are progressing well?”

Arthur nodded. “Everything’s on track, Admiral. Do you have something for me?”

“That’s good to hear,” Kane said. “Yes.. I have news that might interest you.” He leaned slightly closer to the screen, the light from his console reflecting in his piercing eyes. “I’ve reached out to one of the most renowned experts in dimensional studies, Professor Eamon Carstairs. He’s been studying interdimensional phenomena for centuries, and when I shared a heavily redacted version of your case, he was eager to meet you.”

Arthur raised an eyebrow. “Eager to meet me? Why?”

Kane’s expression softened, though his tone remained professional. “You’re the first living being known to have undergone dimensional displacement and survived. Before you, we’ve only been able to recover inanimate objects, fragments of alien materials, faint energy signatures, and data corrupted beyond recognition. But you? You’re a walking enigma, Arthur. Your existence could help unlock answers to questions scientists have only dared to ask in theory.”

“When will he arrive?” Arthur asked, finally meeting Kane’s gaze.

“He’s already en route to Solace Prime,” Kane replied. “You’ll meet him when you return after your upcoming mission. I wanted to inform you in advance so you could prepare yourself. Carstairs is a brilliant mind, so you could expect results from him.”

Arthur appreciated the admiral’s candor. “Thank you, sir. And you said I’d meet him after my mission?”

“Correct,” Kane confirmed. “Once your mission is complete, you’ll return to Solace Prime for some time.”

The two exchanged a few more words before Kane ended the call, leaving Arthur to ponder the admiral’s news.

…

Arthur leaned back in his chair, staring at the holographic display as the call ended. The thought of meeting someone like Professor Carstairs stirred his curiosity.

He glanced at the blueprints projected above his desk, determined to make the most of the week ahead, knowing that the answers to some of his most pressing questions, his transmigration, might finally be within reach.

Though Arthur didn’t hope for much out of it as he knew that there is something different about his situation, he might not have been dimensionally displaced, as he clearly remembered he died in his previous world. He thought he would deal with it later, when it comes to meeting the professor. With that, Arthur refocused on his work.

***