The morning's tranquility was disrupted by the familiar chime of my Holowatch, a virtual tether to the outside world. The melodic "Tring Tring" resonated, rousing me from my slumber.
With a drowsy mind, I answered the call without considering the caller's identity.
"Mikey! Were you sleeping?" questioned a voice that carried a pitch of excitement. A week had elapsed since I'd last heard that voice.
"Yes, your call woke me up," I mumbled, my response tinged with sleepiness. The exhaustion from yesterday's hunting venture still clung to my senses, leaving me groggy and slow to fully awaken.
The caller, none other than my dear friend SUE, had embarked on a new chapter as she was chosen to join the esteemed ranks of the Crystal Knights.
Her journey had taken her to the training grounds of Vitica City, and her presence now graced my Holowatch projection.
"How's life in Vitica City treating you?" she inquired, her image donning a sleek, form-fitting training suit that accentuated her determined stance. Her once flowing hair now embraced a chic bob, a testament to her transformation.
As her holographic form materialized before me, my thoughts unwittingly traced back to a moment six months prior, one that left an indelible mark on my memory – a memory that never failed to invoke a sense of embarrassment.
Her voice, soft yet inquisitive, cut through the tendrils of my wandering thoughts. "What are you thinking about?" she inquired, her observant gaze catching the abstraction in my eyes.
Unconsciously, my lips parted, and words spilled out before my brain had a chance to filter them. "Your haircut," I answered, a truth inadvertently slipping from my lips.
Curiosity sparked in her eyes, and she inquired further, "What about my haircut? Do you think it looks good?"
Inwardly relieved that my initial response didn't carry the weight of my hidden reference, I offered her an earnest smile. "It really suits you," I replied, my words genuine and accompanied by a warmth that painted the corners of my lips.
Shifting our conversation, I inquired about her new surroundings. "How is Mayfield City treating you?" I asked, acknowledging the training attire that adorned her figure, a testament to her imminent practice session.
The excitement in her tone was palpable as she responded, "It's a mix of fun and tension, you know? But mostly fun." Mayfield City seemed to have welcomed her with open arms.
Her enthusiasm carried her further as she recounted recent events. "Just three days back, Alise leveled up to Lv. 2 Personal stage," she began, her words painting a vivid image of progression.
"And then, there was yesterday – a confrontation with a Professional stage devil at the facility. Let's just say, I didn't emerge unscathed," she admitted with a wry smile, a faint red mark on her face hinting at the fierceness of the battle.
As the focus shifted back to me, her genuine curiosity pulled me in. "But enough about me! How's Vitica City treating you?" she inquired with a warmth that mirrored my own.
A shroud of deception encased my response, a carefully woven web of lies that masked my true destination.
To my friends and family, I had painted the image of journeying to North blood for training, a convenient tale that allowed me to venture to Vitica City instead.
Known for its safety and suitability for adventurers of lower levels, Vitica City was my chosen retreat. She seemed satisfied with my evasive reply, and thankfully, she didn't probe deeper.
"It's not as interesting as yours," I said with a chuckle, steering the conversation away from my own elaborate charade, all while keeping the truth hidden in plain sight.
As the words flowed from my lips, Johnsy, my ever-watchful Pikachu companion, alighted on my shoulder with a pointed "Chu chu.." A subtle yet unmistakable reminder that my words weren't entirely truthful.
While honesty had its merits, I found myself hesitant to share the complete truth with SUE.
After all, I had made progress on my journey, and I wasn't ready to face any potential discouragement that might stem from revealing the extent of my endeavors.
Amidst our conversation, SUE's attention was captured by Johnsy's presence. "Look at you, Johnsy," she exclaimed with amusement, her gaze landing on the plump Pikachu.
"You've managed to become even chubbier," she observed, a consequence of Johnsy's insatiable appetite that rivaled a true glutton.
Johnsy, in her typical fashion, responded to the attention with a cheerful "Chu!" as if taking the observation as a compliment rather than a jest.
The shift in topic brought forth a sudden recollection. Combat styles – a pivotal aspect of our training and preparation. With a glance toward SUE, I posed my query, my voice carefully measured, "SUE, have you delved into the realm of advanced combat styles?"
This inquiry stemmed from my own aspiration to acquire a powerful combat style, one that could potentially be financed through the earnings from my devil-hunting endeavors.
"Indeed," she affirmed, her response unwavering. "They've been guiding us through advanced combat styles from day one of our training."
Her words held a ring of truth, confirming what I had heard from fellow adventurers who treaded this path before me.
The curriculum of most organizations seemed to prioritize arming their members with advanced combat techniques.
A training regimen spanning a year culminated in the dispersal of these skilled individuals across the republic's various branches, and sometimes even beyond its borders.
Seeking deeper insight, my next inquiry was laced with caution, "And to which Mark have you been assigned?"
This question, seemingly innocuous, harbored a multitude of inquiries that had long lingered within me. Organizational dynamics, progression routes, and the very essence of the adventurer's journey – all encapsulated in these quiet words.
The courage to ask these questions had eluded me thus far, but now, in the presence of SUE, a trusted confidante, I felt a renewed determination to uncover the answers.
However, as the question left my lips, I observed a shift in SUE's expression. A transformation rippled across her features, one that shifted from a hint of disappointment to a newfound resolve.
The subtle metamorphosis didn't escape my notice, leaving me wondering about the reasons concealed behind her guarded countenance.
Amidst the gentle rhythm of our conversation, SUE's words flowed forth, illuminating a hidden facet of the organization's intricate structure. "The youths drawn from smaller towns, like me, are slotted into the 'D' group by default.
However, there's an avenue for ascent – a three-day examination that can propel one into the 'C' group."
I was no stranger to this hierarchical arrangement within the organization. It had been an underlying reality for as long as I could remember, with the strata ranging from the esteemed 'A' group down to the foundation of the 'D' group.
The promise of elevated training and access to advanced techniques beckoned those who aimed higher, creating a ladder of aspiration.
Recent events added a layer of intrigue to this understanding. Magdalon, a fellow adventurer, had also found her place within the esteemed ranks of the Crystal Knights.
However, unlike SUE, she was admitted directly to the 'B' class. I held this fact close to my chest, recognizing its potential to evoke unwarranted comparisons or feelings of inadequacy.
SUE's resolve shone in her words, her eyes alight with determination. "I've taken and successfully cleared the advancement examination. Now, I stand as a 'C' class trainee, but my sights are set on Class A," she declared, the spark of her ambition palpable.
In that moment, I glimpsed the fire that burned within her – a fierce determination to ascend the ranks and claim her place among the elite.
Knowing SUE as I did, I had no doubt that she would pour her heart and soul into this pursuit, leaving no stone unturned in her quest for excellence. Who's to say she wouldn't eventually succeed in achieving her goal of entering Class A?
"SUE, let's go!" The distant voice sliced through the background, a reminder of the world beyond our conversation, heralding a new chapter of her day.
As SUE's attention shifted, I found myself absorbing the weight of our exchange. The unspoken hopes, dreams, and ambitions that had woven their way into our dialogue left a sense of camaraderie lingering in the air – a shared understanding of the paths we tread, each with its unique twists and turns.
Interrupted by a distant call, SUE's voice gained a touch of haste. "I have to go, Mikey. We will talk later."
"I'll call you later," I replied, a note of understanding in my tone as our conversation reached a natural pause.
Watching her depart from our interaction, a sigh escaped my lips. Observing her rapid progress, I was reminded of the undeniable disparity in our journeys. My own elevation had been hard-won, forged through trials that tested the boundaries of life and death.
Yet, here stood SUE, a testament to the distinction in devil strains. Her ascent had been propelled by diligent training, swiftly narrowing the chasm that had initially separated us.
The divergence lay in the nature of our respective devils. SUE's creature may have exhibited lower inherent talent, but its strain was high.
Fate had bestowed upon her Glass Spider a lineage that hailed from a powerful ancestry, bestowing the advantage of an accelerated progression.
As I reflected upon her strides, a sense of inevitability seeped into my thoughts. While I might manage to match her pace through the Professional stage, the uncharted territory beyond that remained a looming question mark. The shadows of uncertainty shrouded my path, obscuring the future that awaited me.
In contrast, my steadfast companion Johnsy boasted a Class 2 strain, granting her access to the Professional stage. However, realizing her full potential rested on tapping into every fiber of her being, a challenge that held the key to her continued evolution.
If she succeeded, her journey would remain unhindered until the constraints of her bloodline reached their zenith.
Drawing a line under these contemplations, I chose to shift my focus. Dwelling on the unknowns served little purpose, especially in the present moment. With renewed determination, I decided to refresh myself and then proceed to the training facility, poised to embrace the rigors of practice once again.