The interior design of the clinic was just like every other hospital — at least the ones he had seen in old books and TV’s.

In the slums where he had grown up, you were more likely to end up with more infections after going to a hospital.

Those disease incubation chambers were responsible for a large number of deaths.

Free healthcare was technically made available, but the money one would use to travel there would be enough for a good two-day meal, and if they could manage to walk there, then they clearly weren’t sick.

Dale walked past rows of closed doors and came across a man sitting in front of his computer.

He walked closer to him and sat on the chair opposite him.

The man’s large head was bald and he had a cartoonish moustache. He glanced up briefly at him the did a double take.

"Ugh. Sorry, didn’t notice you there." Doctor Eggman chuckled lightly then turned to him fully.

His eyes trailed over Dale for a good time. "You’re new here, aren’t you?"

Dale would’ve been surprised if it weren’t for the fact that he was still wearing the clothes he came with.

The military hadn’t given him time to pack more clothes, and he suspected it was the same for everyone else within the boot camp.

So unless he removed his clothes, washed them, and wore them the next day — which he had in the past — it was obvious that he was new. Even Austin had been wearing the military tracksuit.

Doctor Eggman nodded slowly and reached a slow hand out to Dale. The latter shifted just out of reach of the limb, avoiding contact.

The doctor raised an eyebrow which Dale mirrored — he also had eyebrows, and it wasn’t like he’d let a stranger touch him.

He didn’t care if he was allegedly working for the military, he didn’t trust him.

Doctor Eggman sighed. "I can understand. I wanted to use my dormant ability skill on you. That way I’ll be able to advise you on what to eat, how and when to sleep, and so on."

Dale’s ears perked up. ’So he has a scanning ability?’

He had heard of a few but the idea that he’d meet someone with one so soon seemed like a pipe dream once upon a time.

His eyes glossed over Doctor Eggman suspiciously but technically, he had no reason to refuse.

With a sigh, he let him place his hand on his head.

A faint tremor ran through his body and the doctor slowly pulled his hand back. "There’s no issue with your body... in fact, it’s properly healthy. All you need, however, is to eat more."

Dale didn’t reply. Of course, he knew he needed to eat. He hadn’t eaten in a few days... that was nothing compared to how far he was used to going without a meal.

’I even forgot.’ He smiled mentally. At some pointz he had stopped feeling hunger.

Doctor Eggman cleared his throat, bringing back Dale’s attention to him. "I am Doctor Edmond and I will be in charge of noting down your ability skills."

Dale froze. ’So his name is Edmond...’ but he was already used to calling him Eggman. Quite the predicament.

Doctor Egg— uhm, Edmond tapped a few keys on his computer and turned back to him as though waiting for him.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and summoned the voice of AIDE to whisper the descriptions of his ability skills to him.

[Welcome Dale Green to your AIDE]

[Ability successfully received! Brilliant!]

[Ability Rank: Dormant(Evolvable)]

[Ability Skills]

[Variable(Passive)]

[Energy Pulse(Active)]

His eyes hovered over the skills and their description appeared.

[Variable(Passive): You are an unforeseen number. Changing fates, directions, and spreading disarray]

[Energy Pulse(Active): Release a pulse of energy into any item or object to affect their operation. Requires physical contact]

Dale wasn’t stupid. He knew that he was spending far too much time with this but the reason was simple. He was doubting whether he should lie.

Not only was she unsure of the limit of Doctor Edmond’s scanning ability but there was the idea of treason.

If, for any reason, it was found out that he hid an ability skill, especially one with the potential to be dangerous, he could be tried as an enemy of the state and if he was going to be treated as such, then he might as well have joined another nation’s military.

He gritted his teeth and uttered: "I have only one ability skill; [Energy Pulse (Active)]

Doctor Edmond nodded and typed away at his keyboard. "Description?" He asked without breaking eye contact with the screen.

Dale described it and he fully entered the details into the military database.

There was simply no going back or changing his mind now. If he spoke and tried to tell him that he had accidentally omitted a skill, then he’d lose all agency.

If he could ’ accidentally omit’ one skill with such massive implications then he might as well be omitting that he’s a demon from hell or that he’s working for another state.

Either he’d end up dead or in a lab, tied up and being monitored. To be honest, he would prefer the former.

With his mandatory visit to the clinic completed, he walked out and back to his room.

On his way there, he passed by groups of recruits heading to several places. Some threw him a curious glance while others just ignored his existence.

Not that he cared though. As he had learned, it’s often better not to be seen at all.

Dale opened the door to his room and saw Austin staring at him. Had he been waiting?

"What are you doing?" He couldn’t help but ask.

Austin tilted his head like he’d asked the most bizarre question ever. "What are you talking about?" The wall of muscle asked, then continued, "You promised to spar with me."

Dale’s eyes widened. "Wait, what?"