The Alpha's response to his unauthorized expedition was more measured than Raze expected.
"You went to Jirisan Deep alone. Consumed four A-rank cores. Dropped eleven points of Human Purity in three days." The ancient aberrant studied the assessment data with golden eyes that revealed nothing. "That's either recklessness or desperation."
"The hunger demanded growth. I provided it."
"The hunger demands many things. Satisfying every demand is how aberrants become feral." The Alpha set aside the data. "You're approaching the transformation threshold. Below 50%, your combat instincts will operate independently of conscious control. You understand what that means?"
"I become less predictable."
"You become dangerous. Not to enemies — to everyone. Including allies, bystanders, anyone who happens to be present when your instincts decide something is a threat." The Alpha's voice carried weight. "The Sanctuary can't have a member who might attack their own people."
"Are you asking me to leave?"
"I'm asking you to be careful. The development you're pursuing is powerful, but it's also risky." The Alpha rose, moving toward the displays that showed the network's current status. "We're rebuilding, slowly. The Association is consolidating their gains from the hub assault. A period of relative calm is approaching — one we can use to strengthen our position."
"And you want me to be part of that strengthening."
"I want you to be controllable enough to participate. Your abilities are too valuable to lose, but they're also too dangerous to deploy if you can't guarantee your own behavior."
It was, Raze recognized, a reasonable concern. The Alpha wasn't being manipulative — it was being practical. An aberrant who couldn't control their combat instincts was a liability regardless of how powerful they were.
"What do you suggest?"
"Training focused on instinct management. The Sanctuary has protocols for aberrants approaching the threshold — techniques for maintaining conscious control even when beast drives activate." The Alpha returned to its seat. "It won't prevent the instincts from operating. But it can help you direct them instead of being directed by them."
"And if the training doesn't work?"
"Then we'll discuss alternatives when that becomes relevant." The Alpha's smile was thin. "For now, participate in the protocols. Demonstrate that you're still capable of operating as part of this community. And avoid independent expeditions that accelerate your transformation without corresponding control development."
It wasn't a command — Raze had never accepted The Alpha's authority as absolute. But it was good advice, offered by someone with decades of experience managing aberrant populations.
"I'll participate," he said.
"Good. Training begins tomorrow. Bring your companion — she'll benefit from understanding your limitations."
---
The instinct management protocols were brutal.
They involved deliberate provocation — trainers attacking Raze with increasing intensity while monitoring his response patterns. The goal was to identify the point where conscious control gave way to beast reaction, then practice extending that boundary.
Kira observed from designated safe zones, her psychic abilities tracking his mental state throughout.
"Your threshold is around 62% intensity," she reported after the first session. "Below that, you're fully in control. Above it, the instincts start taking over."
"That's not much margin."
"It's better than some. I've been reading the training records — some aberrants at your purity level have thresholds below 40%. You've maintained more control than expected." She hesitated. "But your threshold dropped during the session. By the end, you were losing control at 58% intensity."
"It degrades under stress."
"It degrades with use. The more you activate combat instincts, the more space they take up in your response patterns." Kira's expression was troubled. "The protocols are designed to help you manage the instincts, but they're also documenting how close you are to losing them entirely."
Raze processed this. The Alpha's interest in his development wasn't purely altruistic — it was also surveillance. Every training session provided data about his capabilities and limitations.
"They're preparing contingencies."
"They're being practical. You're powerful enough to be a significant threat if you go feral. The Sanctuary can't ignore that possibility just because you're currently an ally."
It was the same logic Raze applied to his own relationships. Trust, but verify. Plan for failure even while hoping for success.
"What does your reading say about my control?"
"That you're holding on through willpower more than natural stability. The integration cascade disrupted your normal equilibrium. You're rebuilding, but the foundation is less solid than it was." Kira put a hand on his arm. "You need to be careful. Not just for the community — for yourself. If you lose control..."
"I know." Raze covered her hand with his. "I'll be careful. But I can't stop developing. The threats we face require power I don't have yet."
"Then we develop carefully. Choose targets that provide growth without pushing you past your limits." Kira's expression firmed. "Together. Partners, remember?"
"Partners."
They continued the training, session after session, mapping the boundaries of Raze's control and pushing them incrementally outward.
It wasn't enough. But it was all they had.
---
Three weeks of protocols produced measurable improvement.
Raze's control threshold had extended to 70% intensity — enough margin to handle most combat situations without losing himself. His response patterns were better integrated, beast instincts channeled rather than suppressed.
But the improvement came with costs.
**[CURRENT STATUS: RAZE ASHEN]**
**[Consumed Cores: 32]**
**[Human Purity: 54%]**
**[Skills: 38 (14 combined)]**
**[System Classification: Hybrid (Aberrant) — THRESHOLD IMMINENT]**
The training itself was draining purity. Constant activation of combat instincts, repeated stress on his consciousness — the protocols preserved control but accelerated transformation.
Two percent lost to training. Another two would put him at the 50% threshold.
"We need to stop the intensive sessions," the lead trainer said during an assessment. "You're improving, but the cost is unsustainable. At this rate, you'll cross the threshold within the month."
"What alternative do we have?"
"Maintenance protocols instead of development protocols. Preserve what you've gained without pushing for more." The trainer consulted his notes. "Or field deployment. Combat experience is different from controlled training — real threats produce different stress patterns."
Field deployment. Missions that would let him practice control against actual enemies rather than staged provocations.
"What kind of missions?"
"We're planning a disruption operation against the replication program. Intelligence suggests a new procurement center has been established — we want to shut it down before it feeds more subjects to Daejeon."
The Alpha was still pursuing the war. Still striking at the Association's aberrant-harvesting infrastructure.
"When?"
"Two days. You'll be part of the assault team — not leadership, but heavy support. Your abilities are useful for breaking through fortified positions."
It was exactly what Raze needed. Real combat, real stakes, real opportunity to practice instinct management under genuine pressure.
"I'll be ready."
"Good. Briefing tonight. Don't be late."
The mission would test everything he'd learned. If he could maintain control through actual combat, his chances of preserving his humanity improved significantly.
If he couldn't...
He'd deal with that when it happened.
