2 days passed and now it was a Friday. It's one day before we go on a planetary hunting trip for practice. A cycle happens where we learn in the academy for a week and then go on a trip for another then it repeats itself.
An exception to this rule is on the first days of the academy when our compact capabilities are needed to be measured. So our first 4 days were just given for us to be comfortable with our living conditions.
My life went so smoothly for 2 days that I thought it was a dream... until I realized I still had to kill myself several times to attend all the classes.
I wondered what Mac was doing, was he even trying to retaliate? My only answer was that he probably is brewing a plan for the hunting trip tomorrow. Just kidding, I already know.
These past 2 days were so genuinely smooth that I decided to spend some of my time cultivating and gathering mana...though it was a pitiful amount.
I also got ready for today, what I'm seeing in front of me is what I was preparing for.
"Worthless Prince, that is what they call you yet you still had the face to challenge me?"
"Vasco, I'm not the same as I once was! Today I'm going to use you as a stepping stone!"
"I see you're courting death!"
Here we have Lin von Shiraki who challenged Vasco Petrov to an official d-d-duel!
This caused some hype throughout the academy building since THE worthless Lin himself has challenged Vasco!
People thought that Lin, who they thought was Rank 2, challenging Vasco, who was known to be the Peak of Rank 5, is a crazy declaration!
I also doubted Lin a bit since even if he broke through Rank 3, He won't have the power to defeat someone in the peak of rank 5. That is what I thought till I saw the battle, plot armor is so biased.
An instructor was here to oversee the battle, "That battle between Lin von Shiraki and Vasco Petrov will commence!"
After seeing this battle several cycles already, I think it would be too boring just to see such a cliche again. It needs a touch of hype.
[The Score - Under The Pressure (Audio) starts playing]
Yes, Light! Cameras! Action! I'm gonna video all this and make a viral video spread throughout the Gala Empire!
Lin began walking gradually to Vasco. He shouldn't reveal his rank promotion yet.
Vasco says, "Lin! I'm gonna have fun beating you around like a ragdoll."
Vasco runs his Qi and dashed straight to Lin with a fist aiming for his shoulder.
Lin responds by running his Peak Rank 3 cultivation base and blocking with his spear.
Lin deflected the fist and aimed it straight at his eye.
Vasco was startled and dashed back. He took out his ax.
The spectators were startled and surprised.
"The worthless prince actually advanced to Rank 3! and he also reached its peak!"
"Who is playing that sound? And who is singing?"
I used a 1-star [Tuner] and changed my voice via programming. I didn't have enough time but with 2-star materials, I could bypass different processes.
I love it when I do random and useless things. Florida would love to accept me into their troop.
Vasco says, "It seems you actually advanced in rank but you still won't beat me with your small strength!"
Vasco attacked with a 3-star [Bear Feast Axe Technique]. Frontal assault and not giving the opponent any time to breathe.
Lin couldn't respond and infused his Qi into his spear. The Spear was a 3-star [Serpent Tounge]. Unlike how his hidden physique suppressed his cultivation, he could still train in his [Spear Talent].
Lin wasn't able to comprehend the [Serpent Tounge Spear Intent] because of his cultivation. Nevertheless, his [Spear Qi] is at Rank 4 unlike Vasco's Rank 2 [Axe Qi].
Vasco aimed for Lin's neck but the latter deflected it again and aimed at Vasco's tendons. Vasco directed his deflected ax into the ground and made the ground shake. Lin lost his balance and tried to step back.
Vasco didn't let him and positioned himself, "[Bear Feast: Bear Trap]". His ax made slices through the air that cornered Lin.
Lin also applied the spear qi in himself, "[Poison Rings: Hog Ring]". Deflect attack with quick and precise attacks of its own, like spikes.
"[Bear Feast: Main Bear]", The attack uses overwhelming strength on 2 consecutive slashes. Vasco aimed them at both his head.
"[Poison Rings: Scorpio Ring]", The attack used a piercing movement that destroys those in its wake. Lin aimed it at the slashes and broke through, he continued to target Vasco.
"[Bear Feast: Wasp]", The attack involves several cuts to wear down the opponent. Vasco tried wearing down Lin's attack. It worked.
"I will defeat you now! "[Bear Feast: Full Course]", While Lin has just exhausted his attack Vasco had to strike now. He had to bet all on now.
But something happened that stupefied him. Lin broke through mid-battle! He is now an early Rank 4.
"[Poison Rings: Hornet Ring]", Lin ran both his strongest attack and his Rank 4 Qi and Spear Qi.
Vasco screams, "I refuse to lose! How can I get beaten by a Worthless loser like you!"
Lin replies, "As I had said, you're just my stepping stone!"
Vasco rages, "If I can't beat you then I'm not worthy of the Petrov name!"
Both of their attacks collided against each other. The spectators held their breath.
As the dust settles, there Lin was standing with his spear raised as Vasco who was injured laying on the floor.
The spectators were silent.
Then Quad started cheering. Did I ever tell you that both Quad and Lin just became sworn brothers after just drinking together? Why can't I get the same treatment?
The Instructor then announces, "The winner is Lin von Shiraki!"
Lin smiles and stands proudly then shouts, "I am Lin von Shiraki, I will beat down those you once ridiculed me!"
Of course, the people went into an uproar. Whether it was out of admiration, anger, excitement or surprise was unknown.
[Song End]
I on the other hand have materials for making a video. Maybe I should make a video channel and become famous in the Gala Empire?
I still need to get stronger though, fame could kill me. Then I'll just make an anonymous account for now.
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Now unto the real problem, tomorrow. Did you know that I would die tomorrow? not surprised? Oh, surprised that I am aware that I'll die tomorrow?
Well you see, I can go back more than one day.
This is how my power works. Every time I die I go back to 5:55 AM. A new day is at 6:00 AM so if I ever kill myself before 6:00 AM then I return to 5:55 AM yesterday.
Not clear? ok so if it were Tuesday at 6:01 AM and then I died then I would go back to Tuesday at 5:55 AM. If I were to die Tuesday at 5:99 AM then I would go back to Monday at 5:55 AM. Sounds clear enough?
Tomorrow was so horrifying as I had just died lots and lots of times. I admit I was careless a lot of time but the monsters just come out of nowhere.
Once I bleed and they smell my blood, they will chase me till I'm dead. There were many [Spike Grass] monsters that lie in wait for me to step on. I was horrified.
Only then did I realize that there was something really wrong with me. I'm very unlucky. I coincidentally got targeted by Mac and then the misfortune of poisoning got to me.
Everywhere I go on the planetary hunting trip there would be either a strong monster or a sneaking monster that would bleed me and expose my location.
I tried using the monsters' weaknesses but they were too high profile so I would attract bigger monsters for killing the smaller ones.
I asked myself why didn't the other students die and so I tried observing them. Their rate of encountering trap monsters was lesser and stronger monsters appearing are rare.
Even so they always luckily escape with their expensive artifacts. those rich nobles!! wait, I'm a rich noble...
I feel so poor now. No! don't bring your standards up to them!
I have to make the laser gun, night goggles, and portable hoverbike.
I went through my room and found my space pouch. I didn't have Qi back then so it was quite useless to buy a space ring.
Although I did say that, dying over and over again still gave me the benefit of finding several opportunities...that I lost after dying of a tree that loves growing seeds the inside of your body...
Why do these monsters even exist? I mean, I've never seen a monster that paralyzes you and forces you to watch as your body is being eaten alive by wandering monsters...
It's ok, It's just one week, right?
It's hard to stay sane, even the music I sang this morning is just to psyche myself up for tomorrow.
I take out a headphone from the pouch. If I can't defeat these monsters with my cultivation and magic then I'll just have to make something to kill them.
[Teflon Sega - Paralyzed starts playing]
I'll need a generator made of 2-star materials...then a power source like 3-star [Star Crystal]. I'll also have to draw a blueprint for the hoverbike. maybe also a hoverboard.
The night goggles will be easy so I'll do that first.
"Hey, are you just ignoring the elephant in the room", A voice says.
"Well, whoever you are you are probably just my nightmarish insanity or just an extension to my return by death ability.", I reply
The voice came from a Shinji that was standing at the back of the lab.
"Yeah, I'm both. do you mind pausing your work for a while?"
"Look, I can listen while working. I don't think what I'm doing affects anything except for the dramatic effect."
"Why are you so chill about this? I'm literally another you standing in front of you!"
I turn on the 3d printer and look at 'myself', "You are quite a cliche. If you are my insanity then I should fix the problem which is the monster in the hunting trip."
"If you are an extension of my ability then that means you're here to help me so I don't think I have to worry so much."
"Your thinking is very logical but you didn't think of one possibility."
I look at 'myself' confused. I also took out a sword since 'I' just told myself that there was a chance 'I' am dangerous.
"And what is that?"
"It's that your ability may not actually be on your side."
"Oh? how so?"
"What kind of powerful immortal or some reincarnation sage would do this to you?"
"Uh... the merciful kind?"
"And the chances of there being one?"
"Ok, I get it. Someone gave me the power for me to suffer. So now what? Do I just give up?", I roll my eyes.
"You're ability is evolving!"
"Great so now you're telling me that I'm gonna suffer more! Thanks for your input."
"You can't handle this, can you? I mean, look at you shaking.", 'I' smile at myself
"You're quite sadistic."
"That's how I am. I will accompany you from now on. I can't just let you give up until the one you gave you your power is satisfied."
"...seems like isekai lied to me."
"Oh don't be so down. I'll help you survive the hunting trip!"
"But I thought I was supposed to suffer?"
"Well it would be very boring if you kept dying from the same opponent so I'm here just to help you get out of that gutter."
"I don't think something's right..."
"Correct! I'll just teach you how to operate your evolving power! Also, make a mental note that this includes extra suffering."
"Guess I'll die?"
"C'mon it's not such a big deal. You still have your inventions to finish!"
"Ah? Ah! y-yes...", I'm very horrified about my future.
I rummage through for some more power sources for the hoverboard. I'm forgetting about that suffering stuff. I'm really gonna break down...
I realized that the song on my headphones already stopped... I put it back in the pouch.
Why was transported here, just to suffer? And it was a literal yes.
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[A few hours later]
[POV: Dongmei von Shiraki]
I never knew I would have such eagerness to complete this thing. I have tweaked all of the pages to make them livelier and every page seemed alive.
I arrived at Shinji's lab so that he could show me what he is going to do with them.
I open the door to find Shinji of course but... he doesn't seem quite well.
"Shinji? Are you ok?"
Shinji's are were bloodshot and he was heaving very heavily. His hair is a mess and his eyes were blank and unfocused though he was expertly creating the project at hand.
"Hm? Oh! Dongmei you're here! Did you finish everything?", He looks very elated. too elated.
"Yes, I did. So what are you going to do with this?"
Shinji eagerly took the papers and put them inside a machine. There was a light passing through each page. I didn't know enough engineering to know what happened.
"Call Lin and Quad, I want them to see the first holographic animation in this world."
I went to get them. It took a while but I knew where to find them.
"Ah! you guys are finally here! Let me show you something!", Shinji took out a cylindrical object and threw it accurately at the button of the holographic projector.
"As long as you make the drawing paint it in and define the details then it would look beautiful. Now see it if you add in effects and is being projected as a holograph!"
The light turned off as our attention focused on the floating video. It was once unmoving pictures but then they started moving very lifelike.
A while ago I tried flipping the pages to see how it went but it wasn't as fluid and clean as in the holograph. It even had effects. If it weren't for the papers to be 2d then I would say that they were real.
I glanced at the projector to see a sweating Shinji who was double casting a 1-star [Darken] and 1-star [Shine]. Wait, Double Casting!!
Once again I was amazed at how he was able to do such things. I would have needed to practice this a lot and only these 2 specific spells. Why would he waste his days on double casting those?
I really couldn't understand him. He was always very odd. Always knowing what to do and yet doesn't seem to have the same common sense as us.
Quad says dumbfoundedly, "Shinji, how did you do that? I've never seen anything like that!"
Lin also says, "I have never seen a drawing come to life like that. I would have understood if it were a video that was recording but everything was definitely flat if I think about it twice. It looked 3d for a second there."
Shinji laughs as he boasts in front of me, "See? I told you it was worthwhile!"
I chuckle as I say, "Of course it was amazing, you made it after all."
Shinji freezes as he looks at me, "No no no, you also had a hand in doing this. Details and Lighting are important! You contributed to this!"
I actually forgot what this was for. It was for me to relax and enjoy a hobby. Yeah, I did help in this. I did it together with Shinji.
"Thank you, Shinji."
"No problem, I got to do one of the things I wanted to do while you got to vent off some of those tense nerves. (No need for those perverted protagonists with their massage techniques).", He says but I didn't quite understand what he whispered. protagonists?
Shinji changes the topic, "Tomorrow will be the hunting trip in Shamrock Planet. (Ironic.) So I think it would be best if we hunt together as a team!"
Lin agrees, "Sure, I think with you on our side we'll breeze through the week!"
Shinji's eyebrow twitched.
Quad also agrees, "I don't have that many friends so I'll team up!"
I also thought about it and said, "Although I should act separately since you guys will hunt in a lower-ranked zone, I find it necessary to help my brother who has provoked a lot of people this morning."
Shinji replies, "If you wouldn't mind, Mac Rider targeted me on the first day of the academy but it didn't end well for him. I think he is planning to attack me on the trip."
Mac Rider, I rejected him very bluntly because of how he looked like a scumbag. I wonder why he tried to attack Shinji.
Well, I did see since the start of the academy that Shinji looked quite innocent though quite tired. His visage then derailed to what it was now. Maybe Mac compared himself to him? How petty.
Lin then said, "I'm gonna go back first, I need to comprehend the [Serpent Tongue Spear Intent] if I want to be sure of my safety on this trip."
Quad follows, "I will too. I'm about to reach a new level in my martial technique."
We were then left alone.
Shinji looks around the lab and nods, "Everything is almost set. I'll get some sleep and finish everything early in the morning. You should too unless you also breaking through like the others."
He really looks tired. I once thought that maybe his disinterest in everything was him being arrogant but now it just seems that he feels tired of everything.
"Shinji, are you really ok?", I was really worried
He looks at me and smirks. He walked towards me until we were face to face.
He then says, "You don't need to worry about me. Ignorance is bliss as they all say. It's something I know all too well. Good night.", Shinji left the lab
I stand here alone, very confused. What is wrong with Shinji and why am I not allowed to know.
Well, I was just being concerned anyway. If he doesn't want me to know then I'll leave him alone.
Keep your secrets Shinji! It's not like your friend is concerned about your well-being!