Infinite Metaverse

Chapter 23: Today is Another Energetic Day for an Astartes!

Fu Qinghai, a lazy bum, would never have considered taking the postgraduate entrance exam. Laziness and the pursuit of knowledge are not mutually exclusive. Laziness in humans can stem from personality traits or physical exhaustion.

However, after undergoing the Space Marine transformation, Fu Qinghai no longer suffered from fatigue or lack of energy. He was now brimming with vitality every day, eager to learn and improve.

Once Fu Qinghai decided to study under Magos Kurnos to become a Techmarine, his schedule became even more packed. In addition to his daily training and military studies, he now had to delve into the unique scientific and technological knowledge of the Warhammer 40K universe.

Even before officially becoming Kurnos's apprentice, Fu Qinghai had secretly immersed himself in the basic theoretical knowledge of the Warhammer 40K universe, particularly in the field of cosmic physics. He built a mental framework of the Warhammer 40K worldview, from the concept of the Warp to the function of Gellar Fields.

After all, the body he had been given in this Reincarnation World, that of the youth Locke, was practically illiterate by the standards of the Imperium of Man. As mentioned earlier, the electronic backup of Tony Stark's soul was not entirely equivalent to the real Iron Man. While it contained some of Iron Man's memories, it was essentially an electronic brain rather than a human one. It had both the limitations and advantages of an electronic brain, especially in terms of memory and comprehension.

Based on the characteristics of an electronic brain, Fu Qinghai could "read" books at a scanning speed, and his memory and understanding were far superior to those of a traditional human brain. He quickly grasped the fundamental physics of this universe.

With a foundation in theoretical physics, Fu Qinghai moved on to the prerequisites for engineering studies—materials science and energy dynamics. Materials science, especially the rare natural materials unique to the Warhammer 40K universe, such as adamantium, and the advanced composite materials of the Imperium, such as ceramite and plasteel.

Energy dynamics focused on the most basic and widespread liquid fuel in the Imperium, promethium. He also studied fusion nuclear power, a technology that was almost commonplace in the Warhammer 40K universe.

***

Fu Qinghai sat cross-legged in the center of the training cage, his upper body bare and covered in scars. He wore only a pair of shorts, his body relaxed, and his eyes closed as he meditated and regulated his breathing according to the methods taught by Ogotai. Even without the assistance of a power armor's life-support system, the physique of a Space Marine was more than enough to heal these seemingly gruesome superficial wounds.

Outside the training cage, Ogotai and Arbuslan were whispering to each other.

Ogotai, watching Fu Qinghai meditate quietly, tilted his head and covered his mouth as he whispered, "Arbuslan, what do you think of Locke?"

"He's a cunning fighter," Arbuslan concluded. "I like him. He's smart, a true warrior who fights with his mind. He doesn't confine himself to a single technique or style. Whether it's a bold, straightforward approach or a cunning, unorthodox one, he doesn't care. He's not like those narcissists from the Emperor's Children, obsessed with so-called 'beauty' in combat. This kid values results. To defeat me, he's willing to take a few light hits, feign retreat, fake injury—he's tried everything."

Ogotai's mouth twitched. Arbuslan's description made Fu Qinghai sound less like a smart fighter and more like a shameless one. However, Arbuslan's overall assessment of him was quite high. Techniques have their limits, but finding one's own path is the ultimate goal of a warrior. And Fu Qinghai seemed to have already shown glimpses of this from the start.

***

Another nine standard Terran months passed.

Nine months of silent travel through the void. For Fu Qinghai, this would have been unbearably boring, but for the crew, accustomed to the long voyages of space travel, it wasn't particularly difficult to endure.

Lower Deck, Kurnos's Laboratory

Once again, Fu Qinghai was covered in wires and probes, sitting on a metal crate. Beside him, at a workbench, Magos Kurnos, clad in his red robes, silently observed the fluctuating readings on the screen.

Kurnos was analyzing Fu Qinghai's physical data, but Fu Qinghai wasn't idle either. In his mind, he quietly opened his attribute panel.

'{Name: Fu Qinghai (True Name)

Reincarnation ID: 60731920

Race: Space Marine (Bio-engineered Human)

Height: 249 cm

Weight: 301 kg

Ability: Tony Stark Electronic Backup (17% Completion)

Reincarnation Equipment: None

Assimilation Points: 990

World Anchors: X1

Reincarnation Lives: X2}'

Compared to nine months ago, he had grown taller and heavier. The various superhuman organs in his body had fully developed during these nine months, and he was now a complete Space Marine.

Kurnos's hoarse voice broke the silence. "I'm not seeing any issues on my end. How do you feel?"

"Me? I feel great every day, full of energy."

Kurnos chuckled dryly. "That's your adrenal glands urging you to enter combat. That day won't be far off, little Locke. Remember why Ogotai chose you. Becoming a superhuman being comes at a cost."

After a pause, Kurnos continued, "Dying on the battlefield is the fate of all Astartes. I just hope you don't die too quickly. I'd like to observe you a bit longer."

"Even if you must die, don't die in a pathetic way. After all, you are the work of Kurnos Anastasio. Try to die gloriously, so that the common folk don't question my craftsmanship."

"Return to your squad. They should have something prepared for you."

Hearing that Ogotai and the others had prepared something for him, Fu Qinghai was about to ask for details, but seeing Kurnos wave his hand dismissively, he decided not to press further. After nodding to Kurnos, he turned and left.

The bridge was unusually lively today, with many people who didn't normally frequent the area gathered there. They seemed to have been waiting for Fu Qinghai's arrival.

Captain Conrad Adenauer, a middle-aged man with a black beard, perpetually clad in his uniform, stood at his usual post on the bridge. The highest military commander aboard the ship, representing the White Scars' Falcon Brotherhood, was Ogotai Mangnut, Fu Qinghai's old acquaintance. Besides Ogotai, the other six Space Marines, including Taral and Arbuslan, were also present on the bridge—a rare sight.

Over the past nine months, Fu Qinghai had grown familiar with his battle-brothers. He raised his arm to his chest, saluting them, and the Space Marines, standing in a row, returned the gesture with equal respect.

There was also another person present—a tall, thin young man with messy, flaxen hair, pale skin, and freckles. His eyes and forehead were tightly wrapped in layers of white cloth, yet he seemed unaffected as he "looked" toward Fu Qinghai along with the others.

The moment Fu Qinghai felt the young man's gaze, his heart skipped a beat.

'So, this is what it feels like to be stared at by a psyker…' Fu Qinghai thought.

This was Marco van Lier, the Navigator of the 'Shortsword', a scion of one of the Navigator Houses of the Imperium. Navigators, a special class of psykers, develop a third eye on their foreheads when their psychic abilities mature. This eye is usually kept closed and covered to prevent ordinary humans from accidentally glimpsing it and falling into panic or fear.

Fu Qinghai nodded to Navigator Marco, who returned the gesture with a barely perceptible tilt of his head. Contrary to the cold and aloof reputation of psykers, Marco seemed approachable.

'Astropaths are usually blind, but Navigators are not. Marco probably covers his eyes to enhance the sensitivity of his third eye,' Fu Qinghai guessed.

"Alright, little Locke, come over here," Ogotai's gruff voice rang out. He seemed to be in a good mood today.

He motioned for Fu Qinghai to approach and looked over the tall, young Space Marine with pride in his eyes. The White Scars believed in the existence of a "killing intent," and in Ogotai's eyes, after months of rigorous training, Fu Qinghai had begun to exude a certain "aura" and "momentum."

"Today is the day you officially ascend to become one of us. I've prepared a simple ceremony for you," Ogotai explained.

"I think you know everyone here, so I won't bother with introductions. Oh, this is van Lier, Marco blah blah blah van Lier—I can't remember his middle name—our Navigator, from the noble… uh, House van Lier of the Lowlands of Terra Europa."

Ogotai's tone carried a hint of mockery as he turned to Marco and asked, "Did I get that right, Navigator?"

The pale young man showed no reaction to Ogotai's teasing and simply shook his head. "No issues, Lord Ogotai."

Fu Qinghai understood why Ogotai was acting this way. The White Scars were desperate to return to the Sol System to complete their mission and join the fight against the traitors. However, due to the inability to make Warp jumps, the frigate had been crawling through the void at sub-light speed. At this rate, even without considering fuel and supplies, by the time they reached the Sol System, the war between the traitors and the loyalists would have long been decided.

The reason the frigate couldn't make Warp jumps was that the Navigator, affected by the violent Warp storms, couldn't find suitable nodes and paths in the Warp. Given Ogotai's personality, it was only natural for him to show some displeasure toward van Lier.

From van Lier's reaction, it seemed he was used to it.

"Ahem." Taral cleared his throat, signaling Ogotai to get back on track.

Ogotai understood and turned to face the group. "Today is the day little Locke officially ascends to become a glorious and mighty White Scar. I've invited you all to witness this moment. Given the wartime circumstances, we'll keep it simple, without the elaborate rituals of the monastery."

With that, Ogotai turned to Fu Qinghai and declared, "Today, you leave the ranks of mortals and become one of the Emperor's closest sons—an Astartes. You become one of the Khan's most powerful warriors—a warrior of the Torguud. In the future, as you gallop across the stars, spreading the truth of the Imperium, reclaiming humanity's lost worlds, and crushing the skulls of our enemies, do not forget this day. Do not forget the oath you swear today!"

"This is not the monastery on Quan Zhou, so face the direction of Holy Terra, kneel on one knee, and repeat the oath after me…"

Fu Qinghai complied.

After the oath, Fu Qinghai stood up, and Ogotai said to him, "From today onward, you must sever ties with your past self. Discard your old name and become a new person. Choose a name in the style of Chogoris to help you integrate into the Legion."

Fu Qinghai had already prepared an answer. "Qingshan. My name will be Qingshan."

The name "Qingshan" reminded him of a web novel he had read over a decade ago on Earth, the first web novel he had ever read. The characters and story had left a deep impression on him.

"A good name, a strong name," Ogotai praised, patting Fu Qinghai's shoulder. "It reminds me of Lushan, a mighty warrior from the Brotherhood of the Dawn's Light."

Then, Ogotai handed Fu Qinghai a small bowl of black, viscous liquid. "This is a highly toxic potion I asked Magos Kurnos to prepare for me. Dip your blade into it and carve your own scars on your face. Once that's done, the ascension ceremony will be complete."

Fu Qinghai solemnly accepted the bowl of poison.

The reason for using a highly toxic substance was that the regenerative abilities of a Space Marine were too powerful. Ordinary blades couldn't leave lasting scars on a Space Marine's body, and the pigments used for tattoos by ordinary humans wouldn't stay on a Space Marine's skin. Thus, corrosive poison was the only way to maintain the tradition of scarring.

Normally, the ascension ceremony of a Space Marine was an internal affair of the Legion, witnessed only by the members of the company. The reason Ogotai had chosen to hold the ceremony on the bridge today, inviting outsiders to witness it, was likely due to the irregular nature of Fu Qinghai's ascension.

Fu Qinghai's process of becoming a Space Marine didn't follow the standard procedures. Ogotai's grand gesture was meant to show the entire crew that he, Ogotai, was acting in the open and for the greater good.

***

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