I only wanted to retire, but I ended up becoming an extremely popular character.

Zod was unfazed by Captain Spinner's relentless attacks.

His biggest concern right now is how to master the power that a true Heracles need.

"Please teach me how... ah... um... Captain...!"

After talking with Captain Spinter for so long, Zod realized that he didn't know the other's name at all.

At this moment, Colonel Xavier clearly noticed Zod's embarrassment: "I really admire you two. You've been chatting for so long and you didn't even think to introduce yourselves. I thought you were already quite familiar with each other."

"This is Captain Spent, and Lieutenant Zod, your new superior."

"Because Captain Spent was away on a mission a few days ago, you two didn't have a chance to get to know each other."

"He came here today specifically to visit you, and also to see for himself his subordinate who caused such a commotion in Zhongta Town."

Colonel Xavier briefly introduced Captain Spinter to Zod.

Then, Colonel Xavier answered Zod's question directly for Spent: "Zod, it's not Captain Spent who will train you, but rather special Imperial instructors who will provide you with specialized training."

"Remember, Zod! You only get one chance."

"The officers who can participate in the Empire's special training are basically officers who have made meritorious contributions to the Empire."

"The Empire doesn't have enough resources to train every officer, nor will it waste extra resources on an incompetent officer."

This was an opportunity Colonel Xavier had specifically secured for Zod, and it was also a way to prepare for the turbulent situation that would soon unfold in the Empire.

Colonel Xavier patted Zod on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Make sure you seize this opportunity."

"Don't worry, Colonel Xavier, I will!"

Zod was silent for a moment, then raised his eyes and responded in a low, clear voice.

This could determine his future and whether he could retire peacefully.

Even without Colonel Xavier's reminder, Zod would have seized this opportunity.

……

……

After resting in the hospital for five days, he really wanted to stay in the hospital for a few more days.

However, Xavier did not give him such an opportunity. With a single order, he sent Zod directly to the Imperial Officers Special Training Camp, a military training camp located in the rear.

The military camp was heavily guarded and shrouded in mystery.

Zod wore a blindfold throughout and followed the Imperial soldiers' guidance as he entered the so-called Imperial special training ground.

Upon entering the Imperial Special Training Grounds, a familiar feeling washed over me.

That pale training space resembled a vast palace.

Although the architectural style is different from the "Virtual Dream Training Ground" reward in the Zod popularity system, the aura it gives to Zod is very similar.

Zod was surprised to find himself alone in the training ground, without seeing anyone else.

A wisp of grayish-white smoke drifted in front of Zod and then transformed into the shape of a person.

He wore a hood, his face buried in his high collar: "You must be Lieutenant Zod!"

Judging from the voice, it was clearly a male instructor.

"Yes!" Zod carefully examined the mysterious person in front of him.

"I'll be your instructor from now on. Just call me 'Instructor'!"

The instructor walked up to Zod and, without any further pleasantries, said, "The so-called 'Hakuja' didn't originally exist as a concept; it was merely an artificial definition. It was a concept created to define people of different levels of strength."

"In theory, anyone can become a 'Hakuja'."

"In reality, not everyone can become a 'Kakuja'. Differences in talent, circumstances, abilities, desires, and other factors create the difference between 'Kakuja' and ordinary people."

"The characteristic of a Level 1 'Kakuja' is that they can easily control their own body and flexibly utilize their various potentials, turning them into blades, shields, or even bullets."

"For example, if I want, I can turn any part of my body, like this hand, into an indestructible shield."

Before the instructor finished speaking, with a slight thought, a cannon appeared out of thin air directly in front of him.

The cannon muzzle stood menacingly in his direction.

The next second, the cannon fired with a roar, and the shell tore through the air.

Faced with the shells flying towards him, the instructor remained as steady as a mountain, completely unmoved.

Zod's expression changed drastically. He quickly retreated while shouting, "Instructor, what are you doing? It's a shell! Get out of the way!"

The instructor calmly raised his right hand, his palm acting as an invisible barrier, steadily blocking the trajectory of the bullet.

"Boom—" The deafening explosion, accompanied by flames and thick smoke, instantly engulfed most of the instructor's figure.

Zod's heart tightened, and he involuntarily held his breath.

He tried using steel shields to protect against artillery shells.

The shell didn't land on him, but on a nearby building, which still gave Zod a good thrashing.

However, when the smoke cleared, the instructor was still standing there, unharmed, except for some gunpowder-stained palms.

The instructor looked intently at Zod: "This is how you transform the body's potential into an indestructible 'shield'!"

"As for potential, you can think of it as the life energy covering the surface of our body, like a piece of clothing."

"And that 'clothing' can transform into armor, blades, bullets, or even cannonballs, depending on your will."

"The key lies in how you utilize the abilities hidden within you."

"How to use your potential elegantly and efficiently is the essential difference between a 'Hakuja' and a beast."

Next, the instructor demonstrated to Zod an example of transforming potential into armor, blades, bullets, and even cannonballs.

Of course, the physical techniques demonstrated by the instructors were only the most basic.

Zod was greatly shocked by this. If a level one Kakuja could reach such a level, he was very curious about what level Kakujas of higher levels could achieve.

Zod asked, "What's the difference between a level 2 and a level 3 Kakuja? What about level 4? Are there level 5 Kakujas?"

The instructor explained in detail: "Level 2 Hex users, with their deep control over muscles, nerves, and the body, can liberate our bodies from the various limitations that our genes impose on them in order to extend the lifespan of the physical body."

"Completely unleash the body's full potential; a small number of ghouls can even overload their muscles to unleash their full potential."

"Therefore, compared to a level one Kakuja, a level two Kakuja not only has significantly improved abilities in all aspects, but also possesses two abilities: 'potential release' and 'potential overload'."

"However, 'Potential Unleashed' is an ability that all those called 'Level Two Kakuja' must master."

"However, the more demanding 'potential overload' is not an ability that all Level 2 Hex users must master."

The instructor turned his back and looked up at the dome: "As for the third-level Hellbinder, the biggest qualitative change compared to the second-level Hellbinder is the 'flow domain'."

"Within their own 'flow zone,' they will be able to perceive the dynamic changes of their opponents and matter, and take timely evasive action."

"In short, it's about pushing the limits of perception."

"At the same time, due to the enhanced perception, their control over their own bodies will be further strengthened."

"As for information about Level 4 Heracles, I'm sorry I can't tell you, your level is too low."

Faced with this overwhelming flood of information, Zod's gaze faltered slightly, and for a moment he found it difficult to fully digest it.

He stood silently in place, his brow furrowed in deep thought.

The instructor's words seemed to tear open a veil before his eyes, suddenly deepening his understanding of the world and instilling in him a more substantial awe for those who stood at the top.

His gaze unconsciously turned serious, as if he could see through the air in front of him and see countless unimaginable possibilities.

A complex emotion swept through his heart—a faint sense of lingering fear, but also a clear sense of relief.

Fortunately, it happened at this time and in this way, rather than being suddenly confronted on the battlefield where life and death hang in the balance.

He unconsciously took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, his clenched fist loosening slightly.

However, the instructor seemed to have left it unsaid: "Remember, the different 'Kakuja' levels are just artificial classifications, and on the battlefield they can only serve as a rough basis for judging the strength of an opponent."

"If you become careless just because your Kakuja level is higher than your opponent's, you may die a horrible death."

"On the battlefield, everyone is a mortal, and mortals are all destined to die."

"The Hellish level is nothing more than a beautiful robe; it is not enough to protect you from any weapon's damage or attack."

"By the way, besides the 'Kakuja,' some people also possess..."