It has been a week since the incident at the Venar street.
I heard that the entire street has been evacuated due to a 'security' problem. It's amazing how just a few days ago people were still going around the street before and now there's barely anyone there. Tatsuki told me it's a relatively normal things in this line of work and that even cities could be moved if necessary. Crazy.
About myself there's nothing much different from before. I have been following a training routine created by Tatsuki for the purpose of making a foundation for a vessel. What's a vessel you ask? Here's what he said to me.
"A vessel is what allows you to use Karma. Having Karma without a vessel will simply increase your life span and physique instead. However there'll be serious side effects if you take in pure Karma so don't even try to do that until you get stronger." [Tatsuki]
The training routine is harsh to say the least. Waking up I'll do 3 hours of body exercise and then 2 hours of meditation afterward is 2 hours of running and another 2 hours of meditation.
It's not like I get to rest in the evening either because Tatsuki will comes to teach me about the basic of the supernatural world. There weren't anything interesting in the first few lessons though as he only explains the structure of the world, things that Plush has already told me about before.
Almost a week has passed by now and my body hurts like hell. I was originally not that fit anyway so this was extra hard for me. If not for [Athlete's boost] I might have fainted on the 3 days.
How did they expect a normal person to do this everyday?
Curious, I ask Tatsuki the question when evening comes.
"Normally we would give out physical recovery pills. However since you seemed fine I didn't give you it. The pills are great and all but it makes your muscle build slower thus should only be use when absolutely necessary." [Tatsuki]
That's fine I guess. However... it's still something I could use.
"Can you still gives me the pill?"
"Is it too much for you?" [Tatsuki]
"Why do you think I'm fine anyway? What if I'm just pretending."
"You remember what I said before right? About how Karma without a vessel help increase their life span and physique. I also told you that the Sage of Light has already shared you some of his own." [Tatsuki]
Oh now that he has mentioned it I could see his point. Normally I would have given up doing this training on the first day. Since I decided to follow through, does that means my body has already been improved and I subconsciously accepted the change?
"Can I still have he pills though?"
"Alright alright. But only 5 okay? Anymore than that and it would be harmful for your progress. I'll bring it tomorrow." [Tatsuki]
I wonder how much points I will get if I sell those?
"Also, how long do I have to train like this again?"
"One month minimum. Afterward you can reduce the training time down to one hour each day beside the running." [Tatsuki]
... I want to do magic not being a body builder!!!
It's sad, even though I have joined the supernatural world I haven't got the chance to see any superpower.
As for my abilities? It doesn't feel like one ok? I want to physical see it! After all seeing is believing!
Hmm? Isn't this a good chance?
"Tatsuki, since you are an Extraordinary you should have supernatural abilities right? Can you show me?"
Tatsuki didn't seem very happy with my request.
"Mr Lavender, I'll give you an advice to not ask people to show you their abilities so blatantly. In this world people only normally have one or two main abilities they focus on, asking them to show it is the same as asking them to show their trump card. Unless you're good friends with them they'll think badly of you." [Tatsuki]
I didn't expect it to be so serious. Are abilities that rare in this world. Looking at my abilities I realized something.
It's not that abilities are rare but that useful ones are. It's fine if people known that I can hear slightly better or blend into the crowd like an extra but if people knew my [Athlete's boost] I would lose a powerful trick.
"Sorry. It's just that I haven't seen anything supernatural like so I'm a bit curious."
Tatsuki expression relaxed and no longer look as serious as before. It seems like he wasn't mad at me.
"It's fine I was also the same as you before. Although I can't show you my main abilities, I can show you some random ones." [Tatsuki]
Tatsuki raises his arm and close tight as he said that making the air around him tremble. Winds started flowing in his direction and when he opened his arm a small grey ball could be seen. The ball seems to be constantly moving with it's surface being covered in a thin layer of light.
"This is a ball of air. I added some Karma into the air and control it to trap the air inside. It's not that useful though since the amount of air I could trap is rather small." [Tatsuki]
"You can control winds with Karma?"
"You can control lots of stuff with Karma. However it's fundamentally a waste of Karma as it takes about 6 times as much Karma to control basic elements without an abilities related to it." [Tatsuki]
"And what does abilities do to help reduce the cost?"
Tatsuki was rather surprised by my question. From his reaction it doesn't seem to be a normal question to ask. Soon he seemed rather embarrassed too.
"Haha.. actually I don't understand why either. I only know that it's like a shortcut. If you're interested you could join the Dreamers organization later." [Tatsuki]
"Dreamers organization? Can you tell me more about these organizations?"
I felt like it's something important that I should know about. Tatsuki didn't seem to mind either.
"There's 6 main organizations operating the supernatural world. The Dreamers organization, the Information Tower, the Protectors, the Anomalous, Galen's trading company and the Church alliance. They each focus on one aspect of interest.
The Dreamers organization focuses on research and inventing technologies." [Tatsuki]
Doesn't this sounds like a total monopoly.
"Are there any other organizations beside them?"
"There are many but half of them are unofficial organization." [Tatsuki]
"And what's the differences?"
"Official organizations are companies approved by the 6 main organizations. They need to be relatively clean with good or neutral intentions. Officials get help from 6 main ones while unofficial is often ignored. They will be hunted down if they overstepped their boundaries however."
I see. It's a lot more organized then I originally expected.
While we were discussing my door bell rang.
Outside the door stood a beautiful man with red hair and red eyes. An appearance so striking that it would be impossible for one to forget.
"Anderson?"
"The Sage of Light?!" [Tatsuki]
We were both equally surprised by the visitors. Anderson didn't wait for us and invite himself inside, sitting comfortably on my sofa.
...? This feels a bit strange. I was at the door just now, wasn't I? With a friendly smile, Anderson gracefully explained us the reason for his visit.
"I'm here to take responsibility." [Anderson]
With a face so beautiful that countless would fight for and a voice so sweet that makes people fall into a trance. A sentence that would make misunderstandings arose was casually said.
I'm not a girl though. No misunderstanding would actually happen.
Right?
Looking at Tatsuki outrageous face my thoughts weren't so sure anymore. Hey what's with that bitter face? Why are you gritting your teeth?!
Could it be? I'm secretly a gir— NO!
Anderson lightly laughed at our banter while I was having an existential crisis. Both Tatsuki and I were released from the strange atmosphere.
"Sorry, it's a bad hobby of mine." [Anderson]
Please never do that again, I don't want to question my sexuality a second time.
"I'm here to help you with your Karma control." [Anderson]
So it's that? But isn't this too soon?
"Is that ok? I haven't finished learning how to absorb Karma though."
"It's fine. I'll teach you both while I'm at it. You there, you can go home now. I'll teach this boy for you so you'll only have to bring him to the school later." [Anderson]
Tatsuki looked sadden being treated like an useless person. I'm sorry, I'll make sure to get you some fried chicken later.
After Tatsuki leaves Anderson told me to lie down and close my eyes. After following through, I was quickly back at the 'sea'. This time it was completely different from the last time.
Instead of being overwhelmed and helpless at the sea, I could felt a giant force helping me. It became my body, my armor and I could bring back a giant amount of 'water'. The water wasn't absorbed by my river but instead my armor and body. It was absorbed by this force.
Soon I wake up from my meditation, greeted by a smiling Anderson. His face seemed to ask me 'how was it' confidently. Checking the time I noticed not even 5 minutes has passed, hours faster then when Tatsuki helped me with greater efficiency.
"What was that?"
I couldn't help but ask. The feeling was wonderful like enjoying the best meal in the world.
"I made an artificial vessel for you. The vessel will temporary act as a real vessel, letting you control Karma albeit with slightly less efficiency. After you create your real vessel it'll automatically fuse together." [Anderson]
I was understandably very excited. I could start training much earlier!
"Now for the main dish." [Anderson]
I could feel the Karma within started to awaken. It resonated with the Karma in the space around me. In this small dome, I feel like I'm able to control everything in it. From the floor to the air, everything was in my hands.
When I tried to move the air a problem occurred. I could hardly life even a single dust on the floor. It felt like trying to life a 10 ton weight. The Karma around me was constantly resisting, refusing to move a single step.
Then, someone else grabbed my 'hands' giving me a comfortable feeling. Moving Karma around feels much more natural and the resistance I felt was close to non. I moved the air up and down creating a small wind. It was quite fun.
The fun was short lived and soon I ran out of breath, lying back down on the couch.
"Was it fun?" [Anderson]
"It was incredible!"
I said loudly. Such excitement was something I have never experienced in my 19 years of life.
"Did your instructor gave you a training routine? You'll continue to follow it and I'll train your control in the evening. Since I'm not very busy right now let's train for 5 hours per day. This will stop until you get the basic down ok?" [Anderson]
I nodded my head with all strength I could muster. This was the start of my 2 weeks training which I would later call the hell training.
* * * * * * * *
Day 14th of July.
It was time for me to go to school. My entire screamed in pain. I should have expected that extensive training for a long period of time would place a burden on my body and kept some of those pills I got from Tatsuki... What can I do, they sold for 60 points each. It was a free 300 points!
Anderson said that I only needed some clothes and personal belongings as all other necessities will be prepared by the school itself so I decided to bring a backpack full of clothes. It was to hide what I actually wanted to bring, my shotgun.
Bringing weapon is allowed but they won't be too happy with it. Speaking of the shotgun I haven't been able to contact my parents since I found it. I wanted to ask them some questions but the opportunity never presented itself.
I'll do it later. For now, Tatsuki is waiting for me in his car. It was time to go to school.
A land of new opportunities!