January 30, 2028
Alliance of South East Asian Nations(ASEAN)
P-Base Sanctuary
ASEAN Senior High, Sector-2
•••••
After 2 years.
The sky is still the same before the apocalypse, a beautiful sky; azure color, white clouds, and a sun that seemed like a huge fireball. Using the sun's position, one could estimate it was around 4:00 pm.
[DING!]~~[DING!]~~[DING!]~~
As the loud bell spread across the entire campus, the campus suddenly arose with commotion and ruckus.
Each building poured with students, laughing in groups toward the school gate.
"Brother Larry! Brother Larry wait!" a thick voice said.
"Larry, someone's calling for you."
In the midst of the group of student, a teenager who was holding a bookmark walked along with other students, He was wearing a regular blue sports uniform and was around 175 cm, with a well-built body. At this time, he hesitently turned his head. The person who was calling for him was a guy around 190 cm with a bear like body(bulky). His biceps were even more exaggerated.
"What do you want?" Larry hesitantly watched his approach, afraid that his friend will borrow some money.
These two people: one bulky and was like a brown bear, while 'Brother Larry' was like a regular person.
And the height...
The difference was immensely large. However, this broad shouldered, large waisted guy, seemed to be close to Larry. He carefully looked at his idol 'Brother Larry'.
"Don't worry brother Larry, I'm not going to borrow some money, I... I have something else that I need your help with."
"What is it?" Larry laughed, he felt that he completely misjudge the man.
"While I was training my breathing technique, I felt like there was something wrong when I inhale. I was wondering if brother had any time to give me pointers"
The burly guy continued,
"According to the dojo teachers, with my breathing pattern, I should be able to last longer in a fight. However, I felt suffocated when I try the breathing technique."
The bulky guy looked expectantly at Larry.
"Oh... I see." Larry paused for a moment, nodding his head.
"Okay, this friday during noon, find me at the dojo."
"Thank you brother. Thank you brother"
The burly guy repeatedly thanked.
"Be sure to remember the time, Arnold" Larry laughed a bit and then left with his other friend.
Seeing that Larry has left, Arnold displayed his excitement. He clenched his fist, and as his bicep's veins were bursting, he excitely shouted out:
"Success!!"
"Wow! you can really depend on brother Larry?!" A boy wearing a school uniform exclaimed.
"The rumors you are hearing are all true; Brother Larry is easy to talk to and is a good person" Arnold grinned.
"But... that's not right. In our Senior-Highschool, in the 5,000 graduating students, only three are able to achieve the title of 'Martial Warrior'. In those three students, the other two are 'Bruce' and 'jack', but they are too prideful and aren't willing to use their time to guide us." The boy wearing the school uniform said doubtfully."But, is brother Larry that kind?"
At this moment, around the entire world on each Alliance bases, virtually every high school student, while receiving a basic education, joins a martial arts dojo to help them make the probability of awakening higher. Every humans have a sleeping Runic seed within their body.
"Seeing is believing. Heh heh,see that? Brother Larry is different from the other two." Arnold smirk.
"Bruce and Jack, their families are one of the wealthiest in the Sanctuary. The reason why they have too much pride is ever since they were young, their families spoiled them to much, but having pride and money does not make them an evil person. It is just that brother Larry is completely different, he is just to humble." Arnold explained.
The boy wearing the school uniform nodded in agreement. "I also heard that brother Larry's family is having difficult times. He even eats in a street food for lunch."
"Yes, for brother Larry to get to where he is today, was entirely out of bitter training. Relying on his fists and brain to work hard."
Arnold clenched his fist and took a deep breath. "My goal is brother Larry, and before I graduate from high school within these four years, I will achieve the 'martial warrior'!"
.....
At this moment, the brother Larry they are talking about is just following the stream of people headed towards the third gate with another friend.
"Larry, when that big blockhead who was asking for tips walked away, he was praising you" The boy wearing the sports uniform started laughing.
"Praising what a great person you are and how you're so easy to talk to."
Larry laughed, "What, are you jealous that I have a fan?"
"Jealous of you?" Bruce showed and touched his muscles and laughed. "In your dreams. I was sighing that the blockhead doesn't even know their 'Brother Larry's' true side. But I remember in vivid details....
"At that time at the dojos' many against one practice, the 'Brother Larry' he praises fought and viciously beat up his three co-disciples. We cant even climb back up again"
Larry laughed.
Indeed, that match was his rise to fame.
Larry hit Bruce in the shoulder, "Let's go home now."
Bruces' shoulder made an exaggerated shake, "Larry, lighter please. With that one hit, my shoulder is about to shatter."
"This again!"
Bruce and Larry's families were close. When Larry decided to continue his study, he met Bruce in school and since then, they were now great friends. Even though they aren't brothers by blood, the feeling is close enough.
School,dojo, and Home.
Looking back at those 2 years, these two indeed share a deep bond.
"Eh?"
"Larry, look, it's the one you have a crush on!"
"Hm?" Larry also looks, and only sees the girl with bangs wearing Jeans and a polo T-shirt, standing in the middle of the crowd.
Larry's heart skips a beat.
A name swept across his heart——Musika!
Larrys' crush Musika: Those who knows of this secret are small in number, but the good bro Bruce naturally knew ages ago.
During his first day of school, Larry met Musika, it was lust at first sight. The first time he met Musika, he already knows that she is the one.
That said, during his school years, the only thing that eases his pain from hellish training is her smile. Seeing her, will always make his day complete.
Just looking silently at her makes him happy.
(a total creep)
«There is only one month left until the Runic test and then the military academy entrance exam.» Larry whispered to himself.
"I had no courage and no time for romance in the past. In the final month, everyone is frantically reviewing, and Musika wants to better herself. How can she distract herself with romance? It is the same for me, if ever I failed the Runic Tests, the military academy entrance exam will be my final ticket to a better future. I cannot lose focus, or I will regret it for the rest of my life."
"Whatever, this love... I'll just make it a memory"
Romance...
It is bitter. The Flower hasn't even bloomed and yet has already withered.
Larry just want to silently put all of this at the bottom of his heart.
"Now that there's only one month left, this is your last chance to go after her." Bruce shakes his head. "Im afraid you'll never see her again in the future, then it'll be to late to even regret."
"Bruce" Larry shakes his head, "Stop! Without achieving the title of 'Elite Warrior', I will not distract myself with romance."
"Bro, you're quite cruel to yourself! An 'Elite Warrior'?! In our entire school of 10,000 people, not one was able to achieve that rank. You dare say that if you don't achieve the rank of 'Elite Warrior', you won't 'distract yourself with romance?'."
Then Bruce gave him a mocking face. "Huhh! If you don't man up, you will be forever single!"
"Hm?" Larry glances at a group of five in the crowd outside the gate. «Han Chen?»
....
* («»If you see these signs, it means the character is talking inside his mind or just talking to himself.)