After scoring Ivan, Dr. Eugene, and Dr. Molly's arrow, I stoned myself to try and take Kyle. In order to do that, I need to attend everyday training and try to befriend him at least.
When I entered the training facility the next day, there was a huge difference compared to the other days. There were no psychics in sight, rather, awakeners who had strength and physically related abilities, were lined on two.
Commander Kyle stood at the front and shouted, "We're going to do a one-on-one training program. If you already mastered opening your SUP windows, then you must know that increasing the stats can be achieved by simply doing physical training.
"Your partners will be the ones across you. Provide your stats details with each other and follow the training program. Every team shall provide me acceptable results, meaning, help increase your partner's stats and vice versa. At the end of these schedules, you will have to prove to me that you've become stronger. Understood?!"
The crowd yelled back, "Yes, sir!"
I walked to the side with my head bowed, inconspicuously. My footsteps were light and didn't create any noise, however, the commander still noticed me.
"You, Atlas Sterne, will be doing the training with me."
I groaned inwardly. I could already see myself groveling in the mud from his intensive training regimen. But wait, isn't this exactly favorable to me? I should go and get the most out of this situation.
I nodded my head and replied, "Yes. Sir."
"Hey, that's Atlas Sterne? He's the one who discovers the system user profile!"
"Ohmygod, is that him? He looks ordinary, do you think he's powerful?"
"Maybe! Sir Kyle, the first awakener recorded in history, is asking him to train with him!"
My ears twitched, folded, and grew like an elephant's after hearing that conversation. Someone said I'm ordinary?! But more important than that, they say it was Kyle, the person Serin was talking about.
The first awakener who has incredible strength that could lift the whole ruins of a building without any difficulty. That man will be his trainer. I feel like backing out already.
Kyle stood taller than me but his physique wasn't as big as Ryder's. In fact, between the two, one will mistake Ryder as a person with strength-related ability. I looked around to find the man I mentioned and there he was, already engrossed in training. He waved at me when our eyes met.
"Focus on me, Sterne."
Ey. Being called by my last name sure feels like I'm in a military camp.
"What do I have to do?"
Kyle handed me a chart. I read the contents and my eyebrows raised, drooped, and furrowed. What the heck? Is this even called training? It's a f*cking torture! I handed the papers back to him with an aggravated look.
"Sir, with due respect, I don't think that training schedule will work for me," the commander's brows furrowed, I scratched my head and added, "My skill is more focused on enhanced speed and agility. I'd like to suggest a more effective training for me."
What I'm going to do will hurt me big time for sure, but if this training schedule goes on, the awakeners will only gain muscles and increase stamina at most. Those things won't work in the face of the monsters, they can only use them to defend and run.
What they need is to learn actual combat.
Kyle raised his chin and looked at me condescendingly. Then, he asked, "What is it?"
"I'd like to engage in physical combat."
Kyle's eyes widened a bit and he paused for a moment, then he snorted after and shook his head. He asked amusingly, "You want to fight me?"
"Yes."
And while I'm on it, I'm going to ruffle his head too. Let's see if he'll go berserk like the kid. There's also something I wanted to check.
Commander Kyle smirked, looking pleased by my suggestion. He walked closer just to stop two meters away from me, then he stood straight with his hands in his pockets.
He's obviously underestimating me. I shrugged my shoulders, ignoring his open mockery, and took a stance like a boxer. We stared at each other; Kyle waiting for my attack, while I observed him first. A tense atmosphere settled between us, while the surroundings were oblivious.
I inhaled deeply, at the same time, the heavy sound of a weight plate slipping and hitting the floor became the signal.
Tak!
I dashed and aimed at Kyle with a right hook. My right hand cuts the air with the force concentrated on my fist, directed to the commander's face. However, my attack was blocked with a mere palm.
The gust of wind that came with my punch dispersed and Kyle's disappointed face greeted me.
"That's it?"
I knew he was strong already. My fist was gripped by his hand, so without taking it back, I lifted my left foot and kicked him in a second. Still, the attack didn't harm him. My ankle was caught by his other hand.
Without waiting for his side comment, I grabbed his collar with my left hand and leaned back my head before smashing it down on his face.
Bam!
The sound of two foreheads slamming each other reverberated in the training gym. All heads turned in our direction and they gaped upon seeing us. On the other hand, I shook my head to see clearly, and thus, I saw steam on the commander's forehead.
He was motionless. I took advantage of his shocked figure and quickly jumped away. I rubbed my forehead. Damn, that stings. I managed to grab his head after our forehead hit, so I succeeded in acquiring what I wanted.
[Ting!]
[1 Supporting Character Acquired!
>11 remaining]
Man, that was easy. I was rejoicing in my little corner when I noticed a shadow loomed over me. When I looked up, a large fist was right on my face. I quickly dodged, but the other one that followed hit my stomach.
"Umph!"
F*ck! I feel like my gust were powdered inside! Did he get pissed because I headbutted him?!
There was no time to clutch my throbbing stomach as another punch was hurled my way. I folded my knees which made Kyle's fist strike the air above me, then, I stretched my legs out and kicked his shin. It wasn't too strong as my posture was weak, but because of the punch he threw, his balance was off and he staggered away.
I lunged at him with another attack but Kyle was quick to block it with his arm while sending another uppercut. I fell back in an instant and he threw a hook downwards, the gust of winds can be heard by that attack and it was fortunate that I was quick on my feet, I leaped away before his fist crashed into me.
Crack!
The floor of the gym cracked. Dust mixed with gusts of wind and surrounded the commander. His silhouette stood after that attack, and I shuddered after receiving his sharp and deadly glare.
I gulped down the lump in my throat. This all comes to me because I touched his head, why are people so sensitive these days anyway?!
Bits of the broken floor flew from his heavy steps. I retreated a few steps as the dust died down and revealed the commander once again. His face changed; from the disappointed look he gave to a competitive one.
Kyle Valdez clenched his fist as he asked, "You're still standing after receiving my punch. I guess you're not just a weakling brainy, huh."
My brow twitched. I smirked at him and folded my arms on my chest, then I answered with the same arrogance he showed me, "Isn't that because you've got puny punches? I thought a jelly hit my belly."
A sinister tone resounded in the gym, "What did you say?"
Shit. Did I go too far?