In the dimly lit training room, the rough and withered gray mat bore the scars of countless battles, its surface marked by scuffs and stains. The room echoed with the rhythmic thud of fists and the occasional slap of skin on skin as combatants engaged in sparring matches. Among the fighters, Silas, a seasoned boxer with a strong build and a determined expression, readied himself for a match against a young woman.
She was a familiar face and formidable opponent, her lithe form exuding confidence and grace. It was the same aquanot from before which Silas had watched and observed her kill her opponent.
As the match began, the two fighters circled each other, their bare feet moving stealthily on the mat. Silas raised his fists, the wraps around his knuckles providing support and protection, and adopted a classic boxing stance. The young woman mirrored him, her gloves tapping against each other as she showcased her boxing prowess.
The room was filled with the hushed anticipation of onlookers, their voices muffled by the tension in the air. The fight commenced with a swift jab from Silas, his gloved fist piercing the space between them, aiming for his opponent's chin. The young woman deftly ducked beneath the blow, her movements fluid, and responded with a sharp left hook that grazed Silas's cheek, eliciting a murmur from the spectators.
Silas reeled for a moment but quickly regained his composure, adjusting his strategy. He unleashed a series of rapid jabs and crosses, landing clean hits on the woman's gloves and shoulders, while she gracefully danced around the mat. Her kicks came into play as she executed a quick, controlled leg sweep, knocking Silas to the not-so-soft mat.
"God dammit… this floor is so easy to trip on," Silas clicked his tongue before swiftly shuffling to his feet.
The fight continued, Silas utilizing his boxing skills to weave and bob, blocking and parrying punches while launching counterattacks. The woman showcased her versatility, delivering a swift kick to Silas's ribs, her shin connecting with a thudding impact.
The spectators watched in awe as the two combatants showcased their skills. Silas's footwork and boxing technique contrasted beautifully with the young woman's agility and the dynamic incorporation of kicks into her fighting style. The room reverberated with the symphony of their movements—the shuffle of their feet, the swish of punches, and the resounding thud of kicks landing on flesh or being blocked by gloves.
As the match neared its end, both fighters were marked by sweat and exertion. Silas knew he had encountered a formidable adversary, and the young woman had felt the impact of his boxing prowess. In the final moments of their sparring session, they exchanged a mutual nod of respect before disengaging and returning to their corners, the rough and withered mat beneath them bearing witness to their intense and memorable bout.
"That was fun. I'd be down to spar again sometime…" The woman tapped the top of Silas's head with her glove, took a swig of water, and walked off.
"Why are you using that stupid fighting style?" A voice suddenly whispered into his left ear.
"Because I'd rather not use my own," Silas replied, taking a swig of water before handing the bottle over to Emily.
She was training as well and even though she wasn't the best at fighting, a bare minimum amount of experience was necessary for her job. If she ever got into a scuffle and nobody was there to back her up, she needed to at least be able to defend herself until she got a chance to run. She may even be able to survive until assistance comes.
"Why?"
The main reason was that his own style drew way too much attention. Learning other styles and using them in combat was the best way to keep a low-key profile… and obviously, this meant Silas had already made up his mind about the offer Glover had granted.
"Just thought it'd be fun."
"Mhm… Your style is crazy good. I've never seen something like it before."
"It's uhhhhh… a family tradition I guess."
"So you remember your family?"
A pause broke through the upbeat vibe between the two. Silas stared at the rough and sweaty mat below him, his eyes growing colder by the second. His heart thumped with a bucket of hatred and a drop of fear.
"Unfortunately."
…
(A couple of days later…)
'Yes? Oh, Silas. You got your answer?' Glover's voice trickled through Silas' own System Connector.
"I'll take up your offer. But, I need help training. Once I'm in the academy, I doubt I can leave whenever I want."
'Don't worry, they have personal training facilities in there. Just don't go too overboard and you'll be fine.'
"Okay, that seems fine I guess. Oh, how old am I by the way…"
'Thirteen… any other questions?'
"Nope. See ya around."
'Still studying?' Glover intercepted just before Silas could end the call.
"It's a bit more active learning, but yeah… see ya."
'See ya later kid. Don't get into too much trouble.'
The hologram emitting from the boy's forearm powered down, withdrawing under his baggy sleeve. He glanced down at the endless space beneath his feet. He felt the wind rush through his hair, carrying the separate scents of rust and fresh bronze material all at the same time.
"Yonchen? You there?" Silas whispered into the sky. Seeing how there was no response, he cringed at his own words and let out a long sigh.
『Status』
[Name: Silas von Sterling]
[Race: Modded Human]
[Class: None]
[Sub-Class: Entertainer]
[Level: 7/10] (14/25) XP Needed
[HP: 25/25 | MP: 10/10 | SP: 10/10] - Normal Human
[Strength: 1] - Sub Human
[Defense: 1] - Sub Human
[Magic: 2] - Sub Human
[Speed: 1] - Sub Human
[Magic Path: [Runestone Needed]
[Sentinel Skills: [None]
[Body Modifications: [System Connector III] [Steam-Powered Heart] [Steelon Eyes (Analysis)]
[Equipment: [Simple Clothing] [Inherited Earrings]
.
"Sentinel skills… they definitely found me. Must've been that injection… meaning…" Silas raised his right arm into the endless empty sky in front of him. He took in a deep breath and then licked his dry lips. "O' Eternal Sky, grant me the particles of your excellence."
His hand muscles tensed, sparks flickered at the palm of his hand, a convergence of a foreign material began to take shape, and then-
"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON THE ROOF! GET THE HELL OFF!"
"Oh shit," Silas cursed before looking back at the cops running towards his position. "Found me already? Damn."
His mouth cracked into a small smirk that traveled down his neck, to his torso, and then to his legs, fueling him with enough confidence to…
"DON'T JUMP! SURRENDER YOURSELF!" Silas stepped back, his body drifting off the edge of the building. "WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT! AH! CALL THE MEN AT THE BOTTOM! TELL HIM HE JUMPED!"
Weightlessness enveloped him, his smirk taunting.