Chapter 1: Unlocking the Genetic Lock
Today marked a historic day for the Colen family.
Their second son was about to unlock his genetic core — a rite of passage that would determine his future as a warrior, a pilot... or a failure.
Inside the grand estate, noble guests and military officials poured in, offering congratulations to General Kenneth Colen, the family's proud patriarch.
At the center of it all stood a young man.
Sixteen years old, with sharp features, black hair, and eyes darker still, Tony Colen looked almost... absent.
Surrounded by the Empire's most powerful figures, Tony paid them no mind.
His gaze remained locked on the intricate mechanical part spinning between his fingers.
It was as if the entire galaxy faded around him, leaving only gears, circuits, and cold, beautiful machinery.
This was Tony — the young heir whose fate would soon be decided.
Sixteen was the prime age for unlocking one's genetic core — the moment when years of training and natural talent would be revealed.
The stronger the potential, the more explosive the surge of Genetic Energy and Neural Sync Rate — the two most critical values for a future warrior.
Genetic Energy determined raw combat strength: the body's endurance, speed, and power.
Neural Sync Rate measured one's affinity with mechas — the towering war machines that ruled modern battlefields.
Pilots with high sync rates could merge their minds with a mech, making it an extension of their own will.
In a world where even superhuman martial artists could fall before a skilled pilot, mecha mastery was the ultimate path to power.
The Colen family was no stranger to greatness.
Tony's older brother, Ryan Colen, had broken all records during his awakening two years earlier:
Genetic Energy: 13 units
Neural Sync Rate: 15 units
To put that into perspective, a normal genius might achieve 5–8 units.
Ryan had nearly doubled that — instantly earning a seat among the Empire's future elite.
"Another Colen prodigy," the nobles whispered. "Tony will surely follow his brother's path."
Yet... as they glanced at the blank-eyed boy toying with machine parts, doubt crept in.
General Kenneth Colen stood tall and proud at the head of the hall, glancing at Tony with both expectation and hidden concern.
At his side, the family's chief geneticist, Dr. Isaac, prepared the final steps.
"Let's begin," Kenneth commanded.
Dr. Isaac stepped forward, holding a sleek injector filled with a shimmering green liquid — Primal Gene Serum.
This was humanity's greatest scientific triumph: a compound capable of unlocking the hidden potentials buried deep within human DNA.
With steady hands, Isaac injected the serum into Tony's arm.
Immediately, a strange energy coursed through Tony's body, visible only to those attuned to genetic flows.
His awakening had begun.
Kenneth watched closely, tension hidden behind his seasoned military calm.
If Tony succeeded, the Colen family would rise even higher in the Empire's hierarchy.
Standing off to the side, Ryan Colen narrowed his eyes.
To everyone else, he was the Empire's shining golden boy.
But inside, he felt only jealousy — and a gnawing fear.
Another Colen star could eclipse his own.
Suddenly, a shockwave of force burst from Tony's body — the unmistakable sign of a successful unlock!
The guests applauded politely, already predicting glory.
"Congratulations, General Colen!" someone cried. "Two legends born from one family!"
Kenneth smiled faintly, but he remained grounded. "We'll see once we have the readings," he said.
He nodded at Dr. Isaac, who brought out a diagnostic scanner.
The hall fell silent.
Two numbers appeared on the screen.
1
-3
The applause died instantly.
A murmur spread like wildfire.
"What...?"
"Is this a joke?"
Isaac's brow furrowed deeply.
He rechecked the device.
Same result.
He switched to a backup scanner.
Same result.
Three more scanners.
No change.
Tony's Genetic Energy was a mere 1 unit — barely stronger than an ordinary civilian.
And his Neural Sync Rate... negative three.
Negative.
It wasn't just low — it was catastrophically broken.
A cripple.
A failure.
A disgrace to the Colen name.
Laughter — cruel and stifled — rippled through the room.
"I always thought the boy seemed... off," someone whispered.
"He can't even sync with a toaster, much less a mecha!"
"Pathetic."
Kenneth Colen's hands tightened into fists.
He turned sharply toward an attendant.
"Explain," he barked.
The servant fell to his knees, trembling.
"General! The Second Young Master refused all training! He would do nothing but play with mechanical scraps day and night! We couldn't force him to cultivate!"
Mocking snickers echoed around the grand hall.
Across the room, Senator Grant — one of Kenneth's fiercest political rivals — seized the moment.
"General Colen," he called out loudly, "according to Imperial Law, any citizen of age who fails to awaken must serve five years of mandatory labor on frontier logistics planets."
"You would not... flaunt the law, would you?"
Grant's smirk was venomous.
Kenneth's face darkened.
He could crush Grant's political career easily — but not here, not in front of hundreds of witnesses.
Turning back to Tony, Kenneth took a deep breath.
"Tony," he said, voice dangerously low, "will you now abandon these mechanical toys and devote yourself to cultivation?"
A sliver of hope flickered.
If Tony agreed, the Colen family could pour resources into restoring him — even rebuild his potential through grueling training.
But Tony didn't even look up.
"No," he muttered stubbornly, his eyes glued to the part in his hand.
"I just need... one more piece. I'm almost done..."
The hall erupted in open laughter.
Even Kenneth's iron self-control cracked.
"This... useless fool," he spat.
There was no saving him.
"Strip Tony of the Colen name!" Kenneth barked. "Send him to the Mechanical Repair Corps on the frontier! Let him rot among the scrap metal!"
The soldiers moved immediately.
Tony, still mumbling to himself, was dragged toward the doors.
Just as they reached the threshold, a faint click echoed.
Tony's hands moved with impossible precision, neatly dismantling the component he'd been obsessing over into two perfect halves.
"Heh... finished at last," he whispered with a foolish grin.
The nobles laughed harder.
Kenneth turned away, unable to watch any longer.
But no one noticed the strange flicker that passed through Tony's dark eyes.
No one heard the voice that echoed inside his mind.
> Ding... Achievement unlocked: One Million Component Analyses.
Initializing Mecha Martial Venerable System...
Ding... Consciousness seal lifted.
Ding... Genetic reconstruction in progress. Carbon-based lifeform evolving into Starlight Body.
Ding... Special Physique acquired: "Nine Luminaries Star Physique."
Ding... Ultimate cultivation manual unlocked: "Starry Sky Infinite Technique."
At that moment, Tony Colen — cast aside, laughed at, abandoned — quietly set foot on a path that would one day shake the stars.