At the end of a part of the residence he hadn't visited, they come to a trivial door that Asaria opens.
Kumail follows without thinking not realising what's on the other side…
The Infinito Mundo.
_ Continue to stand there and I'll leave you.
Kumail snaps out again, and follows her, still not used to it… He only visited this world once, and it was very fast. There they are in a hall, a sort of large building where many people circulate. And hundreds of doors leading to the real world. Asaria doesn't give him time to detail what he sees, she leads him to a huge central panel where a lot of people are busy. She activates her code and enters some data, seems to trigger a response and turns to Kumail.
_ Let's go.
She leads him to one of the doors where others keep passing, closing it each time. And when it's their turn, Kumail understands that each pass leads to a different place. They land in a projection room. When they sit down, the scenery changes, and the young man really has the impression of being in the stands of an arena at sunset.
"It's a replay from last night at the Medusa Sphere," Asaria said. Enjoy the show.
The place is barely half full. Kumail has amazing views from the VIP area where they are located.
But why ?
Kumail looks at the silent young woman, her lips pursed. He then silently waits looking at the arena he sees for the first time.
Someone walks in. The presenter.
He quickly arrives at the center of the arena using some sort of illuminated moving stage, and all the lights are converging on him.
_ Evening Medusa Arena! Ready to take your eyes off? Today's fight promises to be spec-ta-cu-lar !
The crowd doesn't seem too enamoured with the atmosphere this poor man is trying to create, but he doesn't seem to lose his enthusiasm.
And for good reason.
The scenery changes suddenly, taking on the colours of the champion who will fight tonight. He is admired and known, and the presenter knows it very well. He proceeds.
_ With the participation of the presenters' committee and the agreement of the Oath leadership, you understand, our fight today is an "Ultimatum"! One of our fighters is going to have to live up to the Oath! Tonight!
And here they are making their entrance!
A robotic female voice then announces.
"The champion of Sphere, level nineteen, H-croft!
The challenger, level sixteen, Rok-9! "
_ Take a good look, Asaria said calmly.
The presenter's voice picks up, drowning out the ambient noise.
_ You all know H-croft, he's been in this Sphere for two years now, and he wins when he chooses! Will he do us this honor tonight?
_ When he decides? Kumail whispers.
_ H-croft voluntarily loses one in five matches. Which is not against the rules. The other fighter has been trying for over a year to progress to the next Sphere, but he loses all his matches. The draw only gave him much stronger and more experienced opponents than him. Some have even argued that the leaders of the Medusa Sphere were rigging the fighting for some unknown reason.
_ And why does H-croft stay in this Sphere, then?
"Because he's the strongest here, of course," Asaria replies grimly.
_ If he levelled up, he would find himself among the weakest in his Sphere. If he wants to "finish" the game, he'll have to change it someday, but right now it helps him gain experience points. And not to end up in the position of Rok-9.
_ What ? Kumail feels a shiver running through his spine, not knowing why.
_ You will quickly understand, Asaria answers.
As Rok-9 waves to the audience, Kumail seems to notice something. He gets up to come closer.
_ Yes, you're not dreaming, it's indeed the one who attacked you in front of the residence.
_ Eh ? I thought you hadn't seen him?
_ I lied. And yes, he was there for me.
Kumail remains speechless.
_ But what are you, here, exactly? Are you fighting too?
_ You were attacked by Rok-9 who desperately wanted to gain points and some vertigo to escape this, Asaria evades. He destroyed you without your understanding how or why.
_ Alright alright ! Where are going with this ?
_ Look how he's doing against his opponent as he took you to the ground without shedding a single drop of sweat.
Disturbed by Asaria's words, Kumail was no longer following the game, which seemed to be off to a good start. A balanced match it seems.
But after a few minutes the level difference became improbable… H-croft was playing with Rok-9 like an ogre would play with a human before eating him… A sorry, sickening sight.
This is too much, Kumail can no longer ...
_ Don't look away. Respect the fight led by Rok-9.
Look, take a good look. And remember one thing ... If he wanted to, H-croft could lose this fight. It will not affect his staying in the Sphere.
The host enthusiastically resumes, as Kumail feels a lump form in his stomach.
_ Here is that H-croft shows us his fetish catch! He has grabbed his opponent by the throat and holds him up with one hand! He will again make us wonder! Is he going to end it? Will he show mercy ?
"No"… Kumail whispers. "No, no, no, no, no… spare him, please, come on…".
He who only felt contempt and resentment for the one who had almost killed him a few days before, now finds himself begging to keep him alive.
No one is this cruel, right ?
Kumail watches in horror as the crowd begins cheering H-croft. "Finish it! Finish it! "
The arena mics barely catch the words of Rock-9, who tries to claw the other fighter's metal gloves tight around his throat.
_ P… Pl… ea… se….
H-croft raises his left arm in victory. The crowd stands up and cheers the gesture, Kumail watches, horrifying.
In a second, the gloved hand crushes the frail throat, spurting blood all around them. Rock-9's body convulses, still trapped, before being released to the ground like rubbish, limp and lifeless.
Kumail can't take his eyes off, all bulging. Tears bead without his noticing. A man has just been killed. No. A boy. He was barely his age. And he was killed under the laughter and applause of a crowd. And no one stopped that. No one.
Amidst the crowd's bestial cries and sickening jokes from the host, Kumail grips the protective bar in front of his seat until his knuckles turn white. He barely hears Asaria talking to him.
_ This is the Infinito Mundo.
He made his breakfast on the floor of the screening room. Asaria didn't say a word.
And all the way back, in the silence of their walk, Kumail saw himself in the place of Rock-9. And worst of all, he knew that to make it out alive he would have to be in H-croft's place.
Once at the residence, Asaria lets him go to her room. Lili and Maddy look worried, but they also know. It was a step Kumail had to take.
Asaria eats alone that night, he doesn't answer when Lili knocks on his door.
He does not answer either the next day to come and have breakfast. Nor for training.
The girls forced their way in but Kumail's body was unresponsive. He had red eyes, he was like a prisoner of his own thoughts. The shock had been too strong.
_ Leave it for a bit, Asaria said with a sigh. He needs time. He will have to get used to it, if he is to survive. He has what it takes to overcome that.
Kumail looks at the ceiling of his bedroom. He then understands the reality of his own life. From Asaria's. This luxury, this food, the power to go to another world. Everything had a price and to be in this place right now was too much for him. He didn't want it… He didn't want to find himself begging, feeling H_croft's iron fingers tighten on his flesh, finding himself begging under a screaming crowd, before his body found itself on the ground, lifeless.
He didn't want to have to look another teenager in the eye, and know he would have to drive his blade into his body, seeing him lose his life to keep his own. He did not want that.If this whole concept had been abstract, and even interesting so far, it is nothing but horror to him now.
He looks at the window, his hands and arms shaking without realizing it. He has already vomited too much, nothing can come out of his emaciated body.
He asks for mercy, he doesn't want to continue, it must stop. Now.
He wants to choose his own ending.
...
_ It has been a week.
_ He does not answer, answers Lili. He only ate once or twice, at most.
_ It's time to go get him. He has to get over this shock, now, Asaria said.
After several long minutes, the maids return accompanied by Pune.
_ Mistress, he's not in her room! We looked for it, but we didn't find it!
_ The door ! The door is open, Lisa cries from across the hall.
The Moon is already full. A cool wind lifts her long, loose hair. The city lights make the landscape shine with magical reflections. Kumail chuckles from the top of the roof where he is sitting. How can such a beautiful world be so archaic and cruel? He believed himself strong, he believed himself invincible. He is like all of his missing people. A pacifist who was out of place, who did not know how to defend himself, and who will end up in the anonymity of a grave. It might be better this way. The sharks will only have to devour each other.
He doesn't hear the cry of the girls who have finally found him.
He doesn't see Lisa take off before the others.
He sees only the void calling him, saving. His problems will end here. He doesn't want to continue. He doesn't want to face this.
His body twists as he falls, narrowly escaping Lisa's grip. He doesn't see her. He only has eyes for this artificial Moon. Kumail smiles. The ground is no longer very far.
In the dark alley, a few meters above the ground, wings of pure white lit up the walls for a moment. A scarlet cloud retrieved Kumail, unconscious, before he smashed his skull to the ground ...
Asaria has never activated her Nexus, her virtual protection, before. Never, not even for herself.
She sits down gently and looks at her student's emaciated face.
Lili, Maddy, Pune and Lisa are upstairs. With a push, she joins them with the sleeping body in her arms.
"We're going home," she said simply, deactivating her Nexus.
...
He opens his golden eyes.
_ Kumail! Are you crazy ! Scaring us like that ! Asshole ! Lili exclaims panicked.
_ For once, I'm on his side, what an asshole you are ! Really ... never do that again, please ...
Lili's hair wrapped around him, Maddy's hands on his. It is dark, the moon lights up the young man's room.
_ Sorry, I… I won't do it again ...
_ A real coward!
_ Lisa…!
"No, it's true she's right," Kumail said, smiling sadly. A real coward. If someone had told me that before today, I would never have believed it. With everything I went through, I thought I was made up and ready for anything. Like that ... We never know what life has in store for us ...
The girls look at him with pained eyes, finding nothing to say.
_ In any case… Thank you girls for…
_ Leave us, cut Asaria sharply.
The three employees didn't say a word, and left Kumail with an apologetic look, and smiles.
Once again, the two of them are alone with the Moon as their only companion.
Kumail feels like entering hostile territory. The hunter, Kumail, and the bear, Asaria. She seems to want to hit him. Kill him with his own hands.
In fact, worse than that, Kumail thought to himself as he saw the lightning in his eyes. He disappointed her.
He understands why, but what else could he do? He doesn't have the strength. He just can't be like her and weather all storms. He couldn't stay cold in the face of the fight. She didn't blink.
_ So… Wha… What's going on now?
Asaria does not respond. She doesn't even look at him. A leaden silence sets in. Kumail knows what he's done. He didn't want to talk about it, and at the same time ... The point was not to have to explain himself.
His voice sounds hoarse, awkward when he speaks.
_ I know my reaction was disappointing ... I always grew up feeling like I was trapped in a life I didn't choose, in a world I didn't want to be a part of. I thought I would find an escape in the Infinito Mundo, I thought to myself that this was finally the place where I would be at home… But it was wrong… I am just another pawn, and I am far from being the most gifted. I am not a chosen one or a privileged one. I'm just cannon fodder to entertain a crowd craving violence. I have no chance of winning. I don't want to end up like Rock-9 begging and suffering. I don't have the strength to kill, either.
_ And what was your goal, Kumail ? Whether I find your dead body or have the police call me to identify it? That I feel guilty for the rest of my life? What do you think ? That I don't want to leave this world, too? How fun would it be to find myself having to kill? To kill you?
The young man looks at her, amazed. Kill him ... She is angry, and yet she is crying.
Kumail's heart, so far hard and heavy, suddenly began to melt, letting all the weight inside him fly away ...
Asaria is not as strong as he thought. She suffers, she crumbles and sometimes, she breaks. But she has no other choice. For some reason that escapes him, she does not choose his death, not like him, earlier.
She too is a prisoner of her life, in circumstances he does not know, she too puts her life on the line with the hope of getting out of it.
He gets up with difficulty, and goes up to her.
"I'm sorry," he said in a broken voice.
He understands now. Many reasons pushed the young woman to save him, and to keep him at home. One of them was not to be alone. To know that someone else would weather the storm with her, and hold out to help her do the same. He had failed, failed her. But he vowed that would never happen again. They started together, they will finish it together.
_ What if we start training ...?
_ Now ?
_ We have to catch up, don't we ? I'm not going to be number one by snapping my fingers right coach !
_ Two things, Asaria said, resuming her confident tone. First, I want you to make me a promise ...
_ Which ?
_ Whatever happens, however you are treated ... Never use your power, the Nexus, for revenge. Whether here or there ...
He looks at her, and understands. It's such a simple, easy solution, a line to cross that would make him a coward, yet ideal against his enemies. The hardest part, in fact, wasn't killing. The more time passed, the more his dark side would develop, and would want to break the limits of his strongest principles in order to survive. He was not to accept it.
_ I promise, he said simply.
Silence sets in before she was smiling again, with her eyes freshly wet.
_ The second is to fill you up. You will eat, and look like something other than a long chopstick !
A smile escaped his lips. She was right, seen as he was, he wouldn't beat anyone.
For several days, he eats whatever is given to him, meals calculated by Pune to help him get back to where he left off. He does not gain weight all of a sudden, but regains his strength, and becomes fit to train again. Asaria then puts all her anger into it so that he assimilates his lessons.
It starts with the basics, its personal mode. A dimension of the Nexus where he can train, observe his progress, meditate. A universe where he is the master.
He learns to access a shared mode, for training with others. Fairly quickly he integrates what Asaria explains to him and tries new techniques. He realizes that the limits are not fixed, he can do anything if he feels like it, by combining his will to create virtually and his physical strength ... In return, he is exhausted, migraines start him, and he has to deal with his frustration at having to train.
In comparison, you could do a hundred pull-ups with a horizontal bar, if you wanted to. Still you would need to have sufficient musculature for it.
But Kumail isn't giving up. He got the push, the goal he needed, much stronger than finding his place, much stronger than just surviving. So he resists, he undergoes the pressure, and gets up again with each failure.
He has to get there.
_ You remember everything we worked together, eh?
_ Yes mom !
_ Kumail ...
_ Asaria ... You're just cleaning my face by licking your thumb right now ...
_ Tch!
The young man can't help but smile, however. Asaria keeps a slightly pouting pout, but before he walks away, she calls out to him.
_ Kumail ...
_ I know, no recklessness, he said with a wink.
The two share a look and a smile that says more than anything they could have said.
Kumail makes his first entry against… "Kim-X3".
From what he had read, "Kim-X1" and "Kim-X2" got released four and two years ago, respectively, but a pseudonym could not be repeated. Few were those who did not have letters.
They are of the same sphere, but Kim-X3, with his longsword, is stronger than Kumail by five levels. The famous random choices of fights.
His heart is still beating hard in his chest. The gong gives him an adrenaline rush. His hands adjust a little more on his two sabers. He is sweating lightly. It will be fine.
Unlike virtual, Kumail does not rush. He takes the time to gauge his opponent under the proud gaze of Asaria.
His brain is heating up, it's not training, and he has to try very hard not to get caught up in anxiety. He refuses to lose because of doubt, hesitation. He absolutely has to concentrate.
A sword slash through the air, he feels a burn in his body, and only realizes after his ankles have rotated, that he has managed to avoid it. A foot tries a second later to reach it, it moves without even thinking about it. He can't control his smile, half satisfied, half astonished. He does not think of staying on his guard, in confidence ... and finds himself on the ground, his nose bleeding. The pain shoots the bridge of his nose, then his skull. This time Kim-X3 got it and smiled.
The other rushes at him, jumps, Kumail avoids him, seeing in horror his opponent's knee and fist fall heavily to the ground, while his other hand wields the huge sword in an attempt to reach him in a fluid movement. If that had been his face ... He rolls, dodges, pars. This time he takes off, kicks, does it again exactly as in training, he is touched, but whatever, the adrenaline keeps him from hurting. He waits for the rift, enters the dance, and strikes in turn. It is not easy, but the more the fight progresses, the more it finds its rhythm.
He doesn't realize his Kim is on the ground until he stares at the modest crowd applauding him. He looks at his slightly shaking hands.
It's him. He won. He passed the test, he defeated an opponent of a higher level than him. And it was… simple?
A light astonished laugh comes out of his throat. The drunkenness of victory. Pride, while the sphere presenter screams.
"First victory for Hyorinmaru 733 ! Easily acquired ! "
He doesn't remember what happened to him next. They celebrated that first victory at the Vasilissa Residence, he believes. He felt like he was on amphetamines, he felt like he could take over the world. Asaria left him with the taste of his success for the evening, he had deserved it, after all these efforts.
And like an unwavering rock in the middle of a raging ocean, routine had taken hold. Kumail had to fit this new life into the old one. Work, continue to justify his scholarship, concentrate on his classes, in this high school where he is left alone, because Asaria refuses to bring him more problems by being around him.
And every night, compartmentalizing his problems for the day, forgetting the theory and training like hell, chain punches, straining his body into hours that even Asaria found extreme.
She often watched him continue as she went to bed, torn between pride and worry. His muscles were taking shape, his strength was showing, he would end up sweating and hitting the training models, bruises and scars appearing as he made mistakes and fights.
In the dampness of the shower room, Maddy part her long hair to sew, clean, disinfect. Sometimes put a dislocated bone back in place. The silence is sometimes broken by the sound of the scissors, or a weak growl from the young man. She had tried to moderate it, at the beginning, a simple sentence. But his reaction could not have been more explicit. She still remembered his wrist in her hand, and that look. A deep sadness mixed with an unwavering determination. Kumail didn't want to become this instinct-driven creature. But that was the only way he would have to survive. So she had shut up, and was continuing to mend as best she could.
The fighting, the lessons followed, and he had to use the residence's intensive care room two more times. It required extremely scarce resources, and could not be used for simple broken bones. Lisa would never forget the feel of the blood-soaked dead weight in her hands, the severed arm she had laid next to the young man in the restorative stasis cell. Kumail would keep the scar… and the memory.
...
The Medusa sphere. Final fight. His opponent is called Hammad, or rather "Yusuke23".
Both are determined to move up to level twenty and access the next Sphere.
_ Welcome to the Colosseum! Tonight we will attend the Final Fight of two fighters from the new promotion: Hyorinmaru733 and Yusuke23! You already know, they are very promising! But only one will come out with a ticket for the Magellan Sphere. Prepare your bets, get comfortable, and bring, in, the fighters!
The Colosseum, the Sphere arena reserved only for the final combat of a Sphere seems immense. This arena, Kumail has been watching it for two months. His day has finally arrived.
He takes a deep breath, and rereads the message he received a few minutes earlier, "Go to level thirty. A. ".
A smile appears to his lips. A familiar and welcome feeling of combativeness sets his senses ablaze.
There is a lot of people.
The first tier fights are generally poorly followed, compared to those of the Upper Spheres, due to the lack of technique of the fighters. But switching from one Sphere to another is no trivial matter, only a handful do in a whole month. It's not just about winning a fight, it's about proving your superiority over all opponents in the Sphere, to finally advance to the arena selections.
Kumail and Hammad have largely proven their abilities, and in recent days, their prowess has attracted people.
_ Well. Are you ready ?! Exclaims the presenter.
The crowd cheers them.
Kumail has been increasing his level dramatically for months, but so has Hammad. Sometimes fighters experience a meteoric surge, and in these cases, they become favorites for a while. Some even get fan favours, guns, money, or other more ... concrete things.
As far as he knows, Hammad is reserved, and is as determined to win as Kumail.
The two young men activate their nexuses. Holograms present themselves to them, their appearance changing to match that of the permanent avatar they have chosen and protect them to the extent of their training technique. Kumail hasn't chosen Predator Mode yet, so his Nexus will be at full capacity.
Hammad chooses a fighting style that combines melee and ranged combat. He materializes a protection at the level of his points and his chest, then a bow on his back. Kumail only has a sword and light armor : a midnight blue tunic and a large black yukata on his shoulders. The fabric is thick, impregnated, and deflects certain strokes. But the armor is still very light and loose, allowing it speed and wide, hidden movement.
Kumail stares at his opponent's orbs.
The gong.
The adrenaline.
_ Let the battle begin !
The two rush forward, using their weapons to jump, dodge, parry, and counterattack in a second. The blows fuse, their muscles are tensed to their maximum, soon, they are both sweaty, injured, hair down for Kumail. Their speed is great, more than that of fighters of this level. You can feel the force of their blows, the dust in the arena lifts, they don't waste a moment, and use every move to try to gain the advantage.
The minutes go by, they struggle, their voices are hoarse with screams, several times the victory seemed granted, several times the other managed to free himself from his opponent, to prevent his throat from being pierced or slit.
The audience is impressed, including fighters from other Spheres, and Asaria.
They take a few seconds to breathe, to gauge themselves. They are no more than two wounds held upright by their own will. Kumail has a dislocated arm, one eye closed with blood, and an arrow stuck in his shoulder. Hammad has an open wound on his leg and groin, his face swollen and his right hand broken. They have almost no energy left, they know it, whatever they have left will be injected into this last blow.
They take off.
The fight ends before the bewildered eyes of the spectators ... Kumail resumes his appearance before collapsing into Asaria's arms. Hammad is taken to the hospital wing and a few minutes later Kumail regains consciousness.
The music of the passing ceremony begins to the cheers of the public and the looks of some of his future opponents who have come to witness the fight ...
…
_ Ter ... Mas ... Mast ... Master ... Master
_ Hmm ...!
_ Master.
_ Hmm what ...
_ Master, is the time to get up.
_ Huh ... What ... Pune? But what is it ... Oh… fuck ...
Once again, he wakes up at home without really remembering how.
He stands up growling. He won his fight. It means that he was given premium care. He's still in some pain, but at least he won't die from the bleeding.
The shower is good for him as much as his breakfast, however frugal. The same routine he's always had. But today it's different. Yes, today he is smiling, today he is pleasant and in a good mood.
Yes, today will be different.
He happily takes the road and arrives at school.
He smiles at the world and the world smiles at him.
A stampede.
No. Everything has to be different. He feels the wind on his face, the sun is there… He must… Another stampede.
They insist. Their insults eventually cover the calm and the bubble he had finally built for himself.
As usual, none of the other students in the yard reacted.
As usual, they won't let go.
Kumail's fists clench. He could make them eat their teeth, he has the capacity, he knows it.
But as usual, Asaria is there, discreet. She's still waiting for him, looking at him.
Her full lips are adorned with a smile of confidence, and maybe, something more.
He answers, he looks back at her.
Then let his fists relax, and, without seeming to touch it, simply dodges the final stampede, bringing down his stalker.
Yeah.
This day will be different.
It's class time but Kumail is not focused : it's history.
They learn what happened, Naidvar and what the ancients did to protect mankind. But throughout this narrative there is not a single reference to the Garvets, his people, or their disappearance. He struggles to cope with his feelings and frustration, when he receives a message from Asaria thanking him for not giving in this morning and arranges to meet him on the roof over the lunch break.
Again, in a good mood but impatient, Kumail fixes the time by counting the remaining minutes.
At the bell, he rushes up to the roof, looking cheerful, which surprises some of his "comrades".
He comes to the end of the stairs and stops at the door. Sudden pressure seizes him, his heart skips a beat, stomach cramps. The stress, the uncertainty… The ideas crossing his mind. He smiles like an idiot.
He takes a deep breath and pushes the door open. A gust and wind whips him in the face and the sun's rays dazzle him.
But when he finally lifts his head, his heart soothes and his eyes are charmed.
His lips want to speak, but the words jostle in his mind without leaving it.
_ You ... Have you been waiting a long time?
_ No, she said smiling, I just arrived.
_ O.. OK good.
The embarrassment then disappears, and gives way to smiles.
_ I made an appointment to meet you here to reward you for your effort this morning. She said excitedly.
She resumes when she sees his questioning gaze.
_ We're going shopping ! To reward you haha !
_ To reward "me"? You're sure we're not talking about an excu...
_ Shht! Come on, come on, now! Sais she laughing.
_ Eh ? What do you mean now we're going back in an hour!
She climbs onto the edge of the roof and reaches out her hand to him.
_ Do you trust me ?
His gaze plunged into hers. Kumail doesn't think and grabs her hand.
_ Above all relax and don't panic ok?
_ Yes, on the edge of a roof, a hundred meters above the ground, what could go wrong right ? Are you insane woman !
_ Roh just shut up and follow okay.
She pulls on his hand as she jumps. Kumail can't hold back a scream, which turns into surprise when he sees Asaria laughing, her hair blowing in the wind, just next to him.While his heart speeds up as he sees the ground approaching, they enter the Shooting Star Sphere.