His excessive empathy—a word described by Vexa, who had more interaction with him—was slowing down the NATO's progress when it came time to launch into combat.
He couldn't even touch him anymore, now that Nouwlan had analyzed and countered the mockery that were that NATO's combat abilities.
That's why he spared no effort in calling in some favors in order to push the NATO to his limit in this session.
Korr-Add was led to the center of the octagon, where his next opponent awaited him. He was hoping it would be the crybaby kid, since the boy would simply endure a single knock from him to give him the victory.
Around him, on ascending bleachers, the other NATOs watched in silence, to the point that there were even other instructors and NATOs from higher generations.
It was no secret that Korr had made a name for himself in the tower, though not for good reasons. In a way, many instructors had voted for his immediate execution, as they couldn't understand how such a rebellious NATO was in their ranks.
Discipline and blind obedience were mandatory within the Dorymathos, but for some reason that baffled them, Nouwlan had decided to keep him alive. Even more impressive, the rebellious NATO was under the protection of Instructor Vexa-6, who, although inferior in rank, it was more than clear that in some orbits, such a mutant would be her undisputed superior, both in strength, in class, and in her bright future as one of the Viltrumites closest to the level of the Regent Emperor himself.
Maintaining an excellent relationship with Vexa was more important than their displeasure with the NATO's lack of decorum.
Nouwlan levitated at the edge of the circle, his arms crossed, though his face seemed less impassive. Vexa was at his side, nibbling on a nutrition bar with a poorly disguised bored expression.
She was unhappy and disagreed with Nouwlan's decision. However, he ignored her suggestions, determined to carry out this practice.
"Recruit Korr-Add," announced Nouwl-an, his voice amplified by speakers hidden in the walls. "You have proven time and again that standard lessons are insufficient to correct your insubordination. Therefore, the high command has authorized... a different incentive, especially for you."
Korr stood at attention, but he was intrigued. He saw that all his comrades were in the bleachers, which meant they wouldn't give him another NATO to fight today.
He thought for a moment, but could only shake his head. Either way, whether it was a NATO or an Ephebos—the equivalent of the word 'teenager'—his decision would remain the same.
He would not act against children.
His thoughts were interrupted by the decompression of the gate rising in the distance, leaving only a hydraulic hiss.
Great was Korr's surprise when the opponent that came to meet him was neither a NATO nor an Ephebos as he had expected. Instead, a being, clearly not of the Viltrumite race, had been assigned to be his opponent.
That being, emerging from the shadows, measured two meters and twenty centimeters, even much larger than Nouwlan himself.
His body was a mass of dense muscle, wider than any standard-built Viltrumite, with limbs that looked like granite tree trunks. He wore a black leather harness over ashen-gray skin, with no imperial symbols, only a skull with tentacles on his belt buckle.
At first glance, Korr could compare him to a human or Viltrumite. But when he looked at his head, things were completely different.
Where a Viltrumite would have hair, on the creature's bald skull were four fleshy, dark-gray appendages, similar to octopus tentacles, but thicker, more muscular.
They writhed slowly, independent of each other, like snakes hissing in the air. And his eyes, like two black pits, had no iris or sclera. Only darkness, as dark as two slits of void.
"What... what the hell?" Korr couldn't help but curse, frowning.
This alien was of the Venatici race.
He had seen that race once, when Syreni-Val took him to the lower levels in search of cheap instruments. That race seemed to be the only one authorized to maintain order throughout the empire—not to mention on the entire Viltrumite planet. They were, in a way, the imperial police.
Of course, like them, they were also extremely hated, and infinitely feared, just like a Viltrumite. An imperial Viltrumite soldier might kill you, but this race, the Venatici, could torture you indefinitely before deciding whether to kill you.
They were extremely violent and sadistic. Korr had no doubt about that.
He looked at Nouwlan in disbelief, but the instructor only returned a smile in response.
"Damn," Korr thought, cursing.
This being was dangerous. While they didn't compare to a Viltrumite, these beings, the Venatici, possessed extremely troublesome abilities.
In addition to impressive strength, according to imperially authorized information, they could also absorb energy, and their eyes could fire beams capable of melting steel. Theoretically, they were incapable of getting tired, and more importantly, they never gave up.
And such a deadly being stood before him, sniffing the air with its cephalic appendages.
"This is Kaelus," said Nouwl-an, pointing to the being with a lazy gesture. "He's a special combat class within the Venatici peacekeeping forces. He holds the rank of Executioner, with a quality comparable to a class 80 Viltrumite—maybe 60, though I couldn't quantify it since those classes no longer exist in the empire. Executioner Kaelus has been... borrowed for this educational session, though from your perspective, more corrective."
Kaelus's appendages contracted, and a deep voice, as rough as stone scraping against stone, emerged from his throat.
"So this is it?" he said, his black eyes fixed on Korr. "A pup? With all due respect to my superiors, I thought you'd at least give me a NATO of one orbit. I didn't think the rebel I was told about would barely reach my knees."
"Those matters are none of your concern, Venatici. Focus only on what you are ordered to do." Nouwlan corrected him, frowning.
In response, the Venatici bowed, his tentacles lowering in unison.
"This inferior obeys the superior," he said, as Nouwlan nodded.
"Alright, I'll let it slide this time," said the instructor, before adding, "Besides, don't underestimate this pup. He might bring some interesting surprises. However, I have specifically requested that you not kill him. At least, not today. Other than that, make him suffer as much as you please."
Kaelus smiled at those words, a horrible smile that seemed to stretch to both ends of his pointed elf-like ears. Between his jaws, a row of triangular teeth, like a shark's, were exposed to Korr's bewildered gaze.
"Damn," Korr thought, his body tensing at the real danger he was experiencing. "This is serious."
It seemed that Nouwlan had grown tired of playing tricks with Korr, so he found a solution to 'teach' him to fight, even if by force.
"As you order, instructor."
Those words from the Venatici made the NATO shudder. He rose slightly off the ground, only to be dragged back down after three seconds.
"I can't fly with this suit on," thought Korr, looking at his training uniform. Looking towards Nouwlan, he saw him adjusting the settings on his suit. "Shit," he thought.
"The rules are simple," announced Nouwl-an. "The combat ends when one of you cannot get up. There is no time limit or external intervention. Understood, recruit?"
Korr nodded, his throat dry. He didn't want to go through with this, but he had to answer.
"Yes, instructor."
His eyes did not leave Kaelus's black pits.
"Then... begin."