CHAPTER 57
Within a few minutes, the Aspirants were all strapped into their boots.
Ray moved his toes around a bit, feeling how snug the innards were against his skin.
It was like one walking barefooted in grass, the texture soft yet firm enough to provide support.
The footwear was so comfortable and cozy, almost like wrapping one's feet in a thick blanket and feeling the warmth settle in.
'Considerate.'
"Now… I will be showing you all how to use your VMS gear effectively."
Clap, Clap—!
"I will be explaining each core component of those boots you are putting on so you would know what to do. And also, I will be demonstrating while explaining."
Still on the circular platform he occupied, the crates had already rolled off, leaving him alone on a six-meter wide stage.
From atop the small earth island, a huge wall rose up, standing at the same height as the man.
"I will be explaining this properly again and again for an hour or so while demonstrating.
After that, it will be left up to you to learn how to use the gear while I give pointers where necessary. So watch."
Everybody leaned in, as not a single person was unable to see the instructor.
The tension in the air was palpable, every student realizing the importance of the technology strapped to their ankles.
"You see these boots; they can do the following; help you glide in the air. Not fly, but glide."
With that word, the man's equipment activated and he soon vaulted off the platform.
One leg pointed straight down, while the other bent at half the length of the first limb.
His boots could be seen oozing out gas from the three small circular vents at the back of the heels.
"Notice how I launched off the platform? Well, these boots can't work effectively without a platform or a launch pad. You only have about half a minute in the air before you have to launch off from something again."
Ray was paying rapt attention as he mentally made a countdown from the moment the instructor took flight.
When the thirty-second mark hit, the man landed on the wall he had erected immediately, crouching there and staring down at the Aspirants below.
"The boots can help you move effectively through the atmosphere. That is if you know how to use them properly.
This helps us cross the height advantage the Aberrants have over us and get right in their face to blast them into oblivion."
After a brief pause, he added;
"Enough of that. You will understand the function of the gear better when you know how to use it. So watch and listen to what I do."
The gas oozed out again as the instructor launched off from the wall and then landed back on the platform.
"You see those circular vents at your heels? They are what aid our movements. It helps us launch off a platform, glide upwards, diagonally, or forward. They facilitate our maneuvers and without them, the boots won't function."
Ray was taking notes inwardly as he stared at the wall to his side and then the boots.
He could already see the tactical possibilities of such mobility.
"... You see these thin slits on each side of the boots? This is what they do."
Before he did any demonstration, he scanned the crowd for a few seconds before randomly selecting Trisha out of the group.
"You have an ability?"
The girl nodded.
"Projectile type?"
She nodded again without saying a word.
'If I didn't know better, I would have thought she was mute.' Ray scoffed inwardly.
"Good. The moment I launch off, fire away until I tell you to stop."
"Roger."
Without any hesitation, the instructor vaulted off the platform.
"Pay close attention to what the thin slits do."
Mist began spreading around Trisha's hands and in a flash, ice shards began shooting out of her hands at the instructor.
The left slit fired out gas and with it, the instructor's body veered to the right, dodging a shard with practiced ease.
Another shard was approaching him from the right, and the corresponding slit activated, pushing him to the left; with that momentum, he began alternating between the two openings.
He was weaving through the shards Trisha was hurling at him easily, not getting touched by a single projectile as he danced through the air.
"That's enough." He landed on the raised wall with a slight huff, his chest rising and falling with the exertion.
With a quick salute, Trisha walked back to stand in her spot like a statue, her expression as unreadable as stone.
"Who can tell me what those slits did for me?"
An Aspirant raised her hand, her eyes bright with sudden understanding.
— They helped you change direction in mid air.
"Correct."
Ray nodded with a gentle smile as every detail was rapidly registering in his mind.
He could visualize the physics of the gas propulsion, mapping out how he would eventually mimic those maneuvers.
"... This is why I have been so intent on your physical training. Without a high level of endurance, you might run out of breath mid air.
And slowness will only get you killed on the battlefield where the enemy does not show mercy.
Also, these boots work with a certain compressed gas fitted in this armoured ridge. It is the lifeblood of the VMS gear.
And when the fuel runs out, you need to refill immediately. Supplies are usually sent out to combatants on the front lines for any situations that might arise."
"...."
A brief pause followed as all the Aspirants began murmuring at how impressive the boots were.
The potential for aerial dominance seemed within their grasp for the first time.
"And lastly, the metallic plating beneath the soles of your feet helps to grip any surface.
They are magnetic and can latch onto any terrain, whether metal, earth, or trees. When you are ready to launch off, the mechanism will un-magnet and you are free to wreak havoc."
Clap—!
The instructor slammed his palms together as he landed back on the ground, the sharp sound instantly stopping any unnecessary chatter.
The dust settled around his heels as he surveyed the rows of young, eager faces.
"And now that you have seen what the gear can do, let's begin with the first step.
Launching off the ground and stabilising yourself in the air without crashing head first. Let's go!"
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