After thoroughly roughing up both Qin and Gray, Fen stopped having fun and assessed his own abilities and what kind of improvements had been made to them.
So far, his control over his Vitality constructs had been significantly improved. The constructs themselves also received some enhancements; his Vital core nourished his Vital energy passively, thus improving the strength of the constructs as well as their piercing power should Fen ever use them offensively like for his Vital blade techniques or for throwing spears.
The power had improved so much that Fen almost had no need for the Flaming Spear spellwork; he could create spear constructs with Vitality and use them instead. They were far more powerful and more versatile than the magic spellworks anyways. Still, he shouldn't give up on ever using them during training. He wasn't always going to have enough Vitality to use the 'Vitality Spears'. Every once in a while he was going to practice with them, it was good Mana manipulation practice anyways.
The recharge rate for his Vital energy also improved as his body's natural output of Vitality exploded now that he had the Vital core. It was like a natural battery for Vitality. Not to mention, the two Marks that he received from the Foundation and Dey still assimilated the natural energy around him thus aiding in his recovery rate.
Apparently, there were also some unnoticeable changes. The Vital core would strengthen his body faster than he could on his own; that was how younger and more talented Knights could surpass their seniors despite the fact that Knights grew stronger the longer they lived. Apparently, Stage Advancements aided in relieving the body of it's natural resistance towards the Class energy. So, after advancing into Stage two Fen could experience even more of Vitality's benefits than he could before because his body didn't passively resist against it as much.
Of course, he didn't discover that on his own. After sparring with his two Squad mates he went back to talk to Raisen and ask about all the changes the Vital core made to his body. For some reason though, there were several bruises on his face and some blood around his clothes, as well as several cracks on the floor and walls.
Fen had wanted to ask about them before realizing that Dey must've gotten annoyed at Raisen's personality and relieved some of his stress right then and there. So, after getting the information he needed he left with an irritating smirk on his face. Although, because of his expression he did have to sprint back to the Squad room because Raisen chased after him with multiple deadly Vital energy constructs.
Anyways, it seemed that there were also some changes within the facility while Fen was challenging his Stage Advancement.
With many of the Opfer getting used to their living quarters and their Squad mates, the VPF saw fit to increase the amount of social interaction every candidate went through each day for their 'mental states'... Did he really need to point out the hypocrisy in that, with people like Raisen and Ellora walking around in positions of high authority within the Foundation?
Anyways, in order to achieve those hypocritical goals the Foundation made the Common Ground available to the Opfer to give them the choice to socialize and maintain some semblance of normalcy while in the Program.
'Well, I say choice but they also took away the option to have our food delivered to the Squad room so it's more like they're forcing us to socialize...' Fen thought, a little sad now that he had to walk after waking up now that he couldn't just grab his food inside the Squad room. 'I already got to know three people, maybe five if you count Dey and Raisen, that's enough for me. I barely had five friends on Earth when I wasn't training with magic and Vitality to kill people in the very near future; having even more friends in a situation like this is asking a little too much from me.'
"Get your ass over here! If I'm going, you're going." Amelia yelled, practically pulled him by the ear towards the Common Grounds for lunch. Because of schedule issues, Gray and Qin were still in their Warrior Lessons. Apparently, the two of them were getting closer to gaining the qualifications for becoming a Stage one Warrior; although, Stage one Warriors were weird because there weren't any specific requirements to become one. Or maybe Fen just didn't pay as much attention as he should have when they were explaining about their Class, it could be that too.
"Can't you grab my food for me? Just the usual, five burgers and a salad, with a fruit smoothie and-"
"Hell no!" Amelia cut him off with a disgusted expression. "I don't understand HOW you can eat that much. I've seen cows eat smaller portions than you do. I won't even be able to carry that much food!"
Fen nodded his head with understanding. "I see, so you are open to it, you just physically can't carry that much food-"
Smack!
"...Understood." He stopped bringing up the topic anymore. His face wouldn't be able to take it for much longer if he did even with his amazing regenerative abilities. Amelia had long since started applying her Mana into her attacks knowing that if she didn't Fen practically wouldn't even notice her slaps.
"Why can't you be less physical like you were in the beginning?" Fen complained while rubbing the rapidly forming bruise on his face. "You were still aggressive but you weren't that violent..."
"Think of it as training your tolerance for pain. You're still doing that, right? So I'm just helping you out. If anything, you should be thanking me." Amelia smiled complacently, pleased with herself for coming up with such a bullshit argument.
"Hmm."
It was their first time going to the Common Ground. Gray, being the kind kid that he was brought back food for them after going to his Lesson but he was too busy today, resulting in this pair having to come together.
"You're more social than me, so go in front." Fen unceremoniously pulled Amelia in front of him like a protection charm.
"Wha- you're bigger than me! Just make a scary face and nobody will mess with you. I'm small, delicate and pretty; if I go first I'll get devoured-"
Fen cut her off with his laughing. "Fuu, I always thought you were a little strange but delusional on top of that? I never expected that, haha." Amelia turned red with embarrassment. Oh, neverminded, that's anger not embarrassment-
Smack!
At this point there were multiple other Opfer in the corridor walking in the same direction towards the Common Ground, so Fen had to control himself not to poke any more fun at her so they wouldn't draw any attention to themselves. That's what he told himself, but in reality he just didn't wanna get hit again.
Although Fen would never admit it, spending so much time with Amelia resulted in him becoming much more talkative. In the beginning of the Program, all he knew how to do was glare at people and hope that they wouldn't bother him but now he could even laugh and have conversations. Well, only with people that he was comfortable with. Still, progress was progress even if Fen refused to admit it.
The corridor ended and the pair walked into a massive open space much bigger than they thought would be possible inside such a facility. The room had massive windows on the ceiling, exposing the candidates inside to the now-familiar sight of the Void.
To the right was a large garden with benches, tables, and fountains meant to destress anybody willing to go inside. There were even Mana constructs that mimicked small animals that were commonly found on Earth, to better simulate a planetary environment.
To his left was the much-desired 'restaurant', with all the food being given out there. There was a short line forming already, but the building was so efficient with delivering food that the wait was unsubstantial. All somebody had to do was input what they wanted into the interface, and the order would immediately pop out the food plus some healthy side choices if the individual didn't specify their interests.
Not knowing that the line didn't mean anything, Fen and Amelia rushed over as fast as they could without using their abilities to get a place. Others who had already experienced the waiting times, or rather, the lack thereof got a good laugh seeing them do this.
"Uh. Why are so many people laughing?" Fen narrowed his eyes as his enhanced perception picked up sounds of faint snorting around them.
"Who cares? We got a place in line." She didn't even bother looking around to see who was laughing.
"Hmm."
They quickly realized why however when the line kept moving faster than they could notice, causing them to lag behind the more experienced food-getters. The pair quickly got their food and left the area before they were laughed at any more. While Fen's feet pointed towards the exit however, Amelia dragged him towards the artificial garden.
"But, why though?" He grumbled. "Can't we just eat in the Squad room like usual? It's the same thing if you think about it."
She made a noise of disgust and wrinkled her nose at him after listening to his complaint.
"Don't you get tired of doing the same thing everyday? There's more to life than constant training." She argued.
"Yeah, sure. But I'll only get to experience that if I survive past the Program, and the only way to do that is with...?"
"Damn you."
"My reasoning is flawless and my logic is perfect." Fen said with a smirk on his face.
Smack!
"Why must you solve everything with violence?" Fen clutched at his cheek with a new bruise forming on it. Ignoring the question, Amelia continued dragging him towards the forest while still maintaining her grip on her food with a single hand.
"See? Isn't this a nice change of scenery?" She pet a Mana construct that resembled a squirrel with one hand while somehow keeping enough food out of her mouth to maintain her voice. "Reminds me of back Earth."
"Yeah, 'cause you can always pet squirrels on Earth." He snorted, before his expression softened. "I guess it is similar to home. I hate to admit it, but... it's getting difficult to remember stuff like this. The trees, the plants, they're all getting blurry inside my mind."
Amelia thought about what he said for a moment before responding.
"It's only been a little over a month, Fen. What'll happen later on when it's been six months, or close to a year? Wait, is that why you didn't want to come here, because it reminded you of Earth?" Fen flinched; her guess struck too close to the mark.
"Fuu, more like it reminds me of what I've already forgotten." Fen had a bitter expression on his face. "I didn't cherish what I had, the freedom that every day gave me and what I could've done with that, and the days that I did take advantage of the time I had... I've already forgotten them. I miss my girlfriend, and I'm terrified that I'll forget about her while I'm in here."
She was quiet as she listened, taking a bite out of her food every now and then while she payed attention.
"...You have a girlfriend?" Her question completely ruined the somber mood that Fen created with his worries and made him laugh at the ridiculousness of her question.
"What? It's a legitimate concern. You don't have to laugh at me..." Amelia pouted while Fen wiped the tears out of his eyes from laughing so hard. "You just didn't seem like someone that had one."
"Ha, and what's that supposed to mean? Am I too antisocial or something, 'cause it can't be my looks. I don't look half bad if I'm forced to admit it, even if I am a little biased. And what the hell does a person with a girlfriend seem like?"
Amelia shrugged in response. "I just can't imagine the kind of girl who'd be satisfied with a grumpy guy like you. You were a mess in the beginning of the Program, you know? Sure, you had your moments where I thought you were kind of cool, but that doesn't change the fact that you're a major ass."
"Haha, you're right about something. Miko definitely is a saint to be with someone like me." Just talking about her brought a smile to his face, the brightest that he's ever had inside the Void. His smile was so earnest that Amelia covered her eyes with her hands in mock horror.
"Heavens, give a warning next time! I thought you were having a seizure for a second; I've never seen you smile like that." Amelia a little jealous. "Must be nice, having someone like that."
Fen looked at her with wide eyes.
"Don't tell me you've never had a boyfriend! Someone as kind as you are! I can't imagine how people don't fall head over heels just by coming into contact with you when they hear your gentle personality and words!" Amelia blushed at his words until she realized that Fen was making fun of her. She raised her hand to punch him again before lowering it with a "oh" as she realized why he said that.
"Oh come on. I'm not THAT violent." Amelia looked confident in her words for about three seconds before remembering the events of the past half hour. "Wait..."
He looked at her with an expectant look on his face, making her feel uncomfortable. This continued for a few moments before she finally caved in. "Jeez, I'm sorry! I'll try to control myself next time."
"Haha, nah it's alright." Fen had enough fun for the day. "I don't mind it. In a way, you kind of remind me of my sister Alex. She's just like you, a brat."
Smack!
"..."
A few minutes later, all the other Opfer had funny looks on their faces from watching a youthful girl doing a simple dogeza in front of a guy who for some reason had a large bruise on his face. If they payed close attention they could hear a mumbled apology constantly being said by the kneeling girl.
"Ahem, anyways. I wanted to say thanks." Fen said while helping her up from her kneeling position.
"Thanks for what? I didn't do anything."
"Well, y'know... You brought me out here, and stuff, and uh, I appreciate you doing that..." Fen looked clearly uncomfortable, bringing a smirk to Amelia's face. "So I just wanted to say thank you. It was good to be out here..."
"Huh? But I really didn't do anything though~?" She said innocently. Fen's face twitched after seeing the flash of mischief hidden behind her innocent façade. "Jeez, look at this guy. Being grateful just from me taking him to a garden..."
"...How could I not be grateful? Having a beautiful girl eat lunch with me is a dream come true." Fen's fake smile started shaking mere seconds after finishing his statement. He thought that going along with Amelia's act would be a good way to get out of the situation but somehow ended up dealing damage to himself instead.
The slight red on her face proved that his method had some effects however. Steeling himself, Fen forced himself to relax and act more naturally until he made her back down.
"W-well when you say it like that I guess you should be grateful."
'That's not how you should take that, you egotistical-' Fen stopped his thoughts before they leaked out his mouth.
"Exactly." His fake smile became much more genuine as Fen approached what he thought was victory. She had tried to make him feel embarrassed, but two could play that game! "Y'know, I always though you were pret- Urgh!"
He tried, but saying something like that to somebody like Amelia was... It was enough to make him gag. Although he quickly tried to hide his adverse reaction to his own words, she was too smart to fall for it and immediately realized his plan. With a slightly red face, she raised her hand.
Smack!