Chapter 8
The shy woman had been silently observing the fight between Ray and Xiaobai for quite some time. Despite the impressive display of the two youths, her face remained devoid of any expression of amusement. The shy woman continued to wear a kind smile, reminiscent of a robot lacking genuine emotions to interact with humans.
Ray's hand movements persisted, only to be deflected by Xiaobai's sturdy arms. A clash ensued between the two, but this time, the resulting momentum didn't produce a loud, booming sound. Instead, it was a muffled sound that indicated both sides properly absorbed the impact of the collision.
Ray and Xiaobai were forcefully propelled into the air, their movements no longer resembling those of mischievous children. Ray, who was knocked off his feet, struggled to regain his footing.
"Ahhh, it truly befits a disciple with an awakened A-rank talent," Ray sighed helplessly.
Despite appearing frustrated, Ray felt a sense of joy within him. Today marked his first attempt at utilizing a rare S-rank passive talent! Not everyone possessed a passive talent, so he considered himself fortunate to have encountered and employed an S-rank talent, which was exceptionally rare.
"Alright, Ray and Xiaobai can no longer continue the fight. This match is declared a draw!" declared Teacher Jasmin swiftly.
Following her announcement, Teacher Jasmin instructed the two weary youths to proceed to the school health unit before resuming the sparring session with the rest of the class.
As Ray trudged forward, a group of onlookers stared at him in disbelief. They remained dazed, still awestruck by the astounding performance they had just witnessed. The class's perception of Ray had undergone a significant shift. No longer disgusted or indifferent, many now observed him with genuine interest, particularly the shy female figure whom Teacher Jasmin had invited.
Sensing the woman's gaze upon him, Ray could only bow his head in embarrassment. He recognized the impropriety of taking advantage of her in their initial encounter.
...
Within the familiar white room, Ray lay weakly, deep in contemplation. The unassuming youth reflected on the recent match he had participated in, allowing his thoughts to settle.
"It seems I should continue challenging that upperclassman..." Ray sighed helplessly.
With this realization, the ordinary young man's mind wandered to the graceful woman whose face remained vivid in his memory. Despite her elegance, she exuded no signs of weakness. Ray was especially astonished by her well-proportioned muscles, which harmonized seamlessly with her feminine physique.
The upperclassman's passive talent proved to be immensely valuable to Ray. He christened it "[A-rank Martial Genius]," recognizing its potential to synchronize body, mind, and spirit during activation. When utilized effectively, this passive talent held great utility for someone aspiring to excel in martial arts.
Besides that, Ray also pondered about the level of passivity, particularly the first S-rank talent he had encountered earlier.
As an individual from Earth who had consumed numerous stories, Ray subconsciously regarded this world as his narrative. He would habitually observe his surroundings and compare them to the tales he had read in novels.
With this mindset, Ray unexpectedly perceived the shy woman from before as someone with a profound background. Without hesitation, he extended his hand to her, intending to test her passive ability.
Ray had merely hoped that the woman would possess an A-rank passive talent at best, but to his astonishment, a surprise awaited him. She possessed an S-rank passive talent of tremendous usefulness. Ray named this passive talent "[S-rank Muscle Explosion]."
Recalling his recent fight, Ray couldn't help but feel a tinge of bitterness. Had he not copied an S-rank talent in the end, he would have likely been incapacitated for several days due to severe injuries.
S-rank passive talents were undeniably advantageous, but they were not like resources that Ray, as the guest, could rely on to sustain himself. After all, his abilities didn't allow for the storage of copied talents beyond a day, making it impossible for him to "stockpile" passive talents for future use.
"If only my talent were ranked A or B, perhaps I wouldn't have encountered this trouble," Ray complained ungratefully.
Regretting his complaints, Ray let out a helpless sigh. "Sigh, it seems like I'm overthinking again!"
"Ray, remember, there is still a long way to go! Take one step at a time!" a voice echoed in his mind, offering words of encouragement.
"Yes, one step at a time!" Ray repeated to himself as if trying to hypnotize his thoughts.
With this determination, the resolute voices transformed into a peculiar chant within the monotonous white room.
...
In the afternoon, Ray sought permission from the teacher to leave school early, citing illness as the reason. This was quite ridiculous, considering the exceptional healing abilities of the school's health unit staff. Even in Ray's recollection, there was a case of a student falling from the second floor, but after receiving care from the health unit, the individual was able to resume normal activities within a few hours. At most, only scars remained after such active treatment.
Ray added that he was mentally exhausted from overusing his abilities and needed some rest. Hearing his explanation, Teacher Jasmin didn't make things difficult for him. The experienced woman easily granted Ray the necessary permission, perhaps due to her satisfaction with his previous outstanding performance.
When Ray sought permission to go home, he noticed his three friends giving him concerned looks. However, after a brief discussion, Ray was able to easily convince the teenagers with just a few words.
Upon arriving home, Ray was warmly greeted by his enthusiastic younger sister. He spent some time coaxing and playing with his adorable sibling before heading to his room to tidy up. Although the room couldn't be described as tidy, as all of Ray's belongings were stored in the spatial ring he had purchased some time ago.
Once he felt prepared, Ray descended to the first floor, filled with anticipation. In the living room, he saw his mother and two younger siblings playing on the sofa. Ray felt a slight reluctance in his heart to ask for something that might worry his small family.
"Nervously, he approached his mother and said, "Can I talk to you?"
Confused by Ray's nervousness, his mother replied, "Uh, sure..."
"Um, actually, I'd like to ask for permission to go camping for the next two days..." Ray said, almost unable to believe it himself.
Upon hearing this, Ray's mother immediately changed her expression from confusion to concern, a look Ray didn't want to see.
"Oh, is this a school activity? Will a teacher be supervising?" she asked.
"N-no, it's entirely my own decision..." Ray stammered.
"Eh..." His mother seemed momentarily stunned after hearing his response.
"Are you sure you want to go camping alone? Aren't you scared? What if there's danger? The real world isn't like the movies you watch, Ray," she expressed her worries, bombarding Ray with a series of questions and statements.