Atlan didn't know that he had to activate his LifeSkill in order to use it. He always thought it was a passive power, something that was always active.
But now that he thought about it, those Saviors he competed against all used their LifeSkill. Their bodies glowed in a different light as they activated their powers.
This meant that he won against all of them only by his sheer physical prowess.
His muscles were the only factor in his speed.
If he was already that fast in his base form, what would happen if he used his LifeSkill?
He couldn't even imagine it.
The problem was–he didn't even know how to activate his LifeSkill.
He couldn't even ask his question out loud. How would they react if they found out that Atlan never used his LifeSkill at all during the race where he defeated two Saviors in the 3rd stage Student Realm?
They would freak out. They wouldn't believe it.
And if Atlan showed them the truth, then they would wonder and doubt if his skill was only B class.
"Lizzie. I had a little bit of trouble activating my LifeSkill a couple of times during the race. Is there a reason for that?"
Lizzie nodded. "It's normal for beginners like you to feel difficulty in using your LifeSkill for the first time.
I'm surprised that you were able to use it in the first place.
That last sprint of yours when you activated your Physique LifeSkill to overtake both Oliver and Wemby was a sight to behold.
Porters truly are a different breed. It looked like you were just running harder."
I didn't use my LifeSkill…I was just running…
"Is there a way to master that?"
"Yes. You just need to reach deep down your Soul System and…um…I don't know the right words for it, but it's sort of like turning on a switch in the dark.
At first, you'll stumble and miss the switch. But if you do it enough times, you'll hit it and know the general direction of the switch.
Do it more, and you'll be able to navigate through the darkness and turn the switch on anytime you like."
Atlan looked at his hands and frowned. "I just have to practice and hope that I'll activate it?"
"Yeah. it'll be easier for you the next time since you already got a feel for the switch during the competition."
"...yeah…"
BEEP BEEP BEEP
Suddenly Lizzie's wrist started to blink in a red light. She looked at it and saw that she was being summoned.
"What is it?"
"It's HeadQuarters. I have been selected for a mission."
"Already?" commented Neumann. "You just completed a mission last week and just came back from the Unclaimed Lands."
Lizzie helplessly smiled. "It can't be helped. That Solar Event upped the frequency of missions."
She looked towards Atlan and apologized. "Sorry, I'm going to have to leave you in their care while I finish this mission."
"You don't have to feel sorry for him. We'll take good care of him," Wemby said as he held Atlan by the shoulders.
"Should I go home?"
"No. It'll be beneficial for you to stay here and watch more competitions among other Saviors."
"Yes. You'll get to see your very first Canzer. Some of our damage dealers are having a little competition to see who can defeat the most Canzers," Neumann added.
Canzers? I'll finally get to see what they are?
BZZ BZZ
Lizzie's wrist buzzed again as it warned her to prepare for her upcoming mission. "I have to go now. Congrats again, Atlan!"
She walked up the stairs and back towards the elevator that led back to the real world. She waved everyone goodbye before entering the door of the HeadQuarters.
"Want to spar?" Wemby asked Atlan.
"Stop it, Wemby. Let the newbie rest."
"Can you tell me more about Canzers?"
"Oh, what's this? Is our newbie getting excited to see those sweet, sweet experiences? You want to go on a mission that badly?" Wemby poked his ribs and teased him.
Atlan waved his hands trying to solve the misunderstanding. "No, no. I'm just a little bit curious."
"Don't worry, kid. All of us have felt the same way before. It's fine. I'll teach you everything you need to know on how to kill a Canzer."
Neumann lightly punched Wemby's head. "He's a Porter. It's not his job to kill Canzers. That's ours."
"Hehe, but the newbie seemed like he wanted to know."
"I don't need to know how to kill Canzers. I want to know if there are different kinds of Canzers and all that. Are they all the same?"
Wemby raised his chin all proudly. "If you want to know that, then I can tell you."
Neumann had to intervene quickly before Wemby spread more misinformation. "Wemby, you don't know anything about Canzers."
"You don't?" Atlan asked. How can they kill Canzers if they don't even know anything about them?
"Others don't like to admit this, but in truth, we Vanguards don't have to know anything about Canzers. All we have to do is kill them.
As for knowing what kind of Canzers we're facing and how to deal with them, that's the Operators' job.
Lizzie told you about the two different specialties, right?"
Atlan nodded. Vanguards fought in the Remedium, on the frontlines. Operators stayed in the real world.
"Well, the Operator's job is to find the Canzer's location, find out what type of Canzer they are, and know how to deal with them.
Then, once they figure all that out, they send out an order in the HeadQuarters and they find suitable Saviors to finish the job.
You saw Lizzie get a mission, right? That means that a group of Operators found her unique set of skills suitable to defeat the Canzers.
It's a well-oiled machine where every Savior, whether they are Operators or Vanguards, contributes equally to keeping the City safe."
Wemby felt that Neumann's explanation was a little bit too unbiased.
"The only thing you have to know about Operators is that they're standoffish, arrogant, and think they're better than everyone else."