I need to know more about these invaders. I thought Instructor A was the evil one, but it's them? I mean, they're invading our planet and all.
"Are you okay now, Hoon? We still have time to attend the class."
Even though my body is still aching, I got plenty of rest, so I'm okay now.
"I'm fine now, Sakura. Let's go."
Sakura's face still looks worried, so I'll try to cheer her up.
"Sakura, your hair is a complete mess, you know? What even is your Gift? I bet it's trash, just like your personality."
Sakura hurriedly fixes her hair, and her eyes look like they're about to cry.
"Um… My Gift is Emphatic Heartweaver. I haven't unlocked some skills yet, but I can heal."
"You can heal me? Then why is my body still hurting, huh?"
I know well that her healing is going to be weak because it's the same case as mine. But I'm just acting right now to earn some misery, right?
"Sniff… I'm sorry, Hoon. I've been trying to heal you since earlier, but… it has no effect."
"Tsk, you're useless, Sakura. Did you know that?"
Sakura stays silent as we walk toward our classroom, but yeah, I can damn well hear her faint crying.
[Misery Gained: 1]
[Karma Gained: -15]
Sweet! I earned my first misery. Just nine more, and I can unlock my second skill.
[Misery: 1]
[Karma: -4869]
I can hear the noise coming from the classroom from a distance, which means there's no teacher yet. Hmm… Once I enter the room, I'm pretty sure I'll get a lot of compliments like, "Hoon, you were so cool back then!" or "How'd you do that, Hoon? I'm impressed." Hmph, I know I'm cool, but don't shower me with compliments, will ya?
"Oh hey, it's Hoon."
Now, I'm ready for the complimen—
"Boo! We saw everything on the TV, you cheating bastard!"
"Yeah, Mizaki told us everything. You deceived him, didn't you? Serves you right for being unconscious!"
"It seems like you can control someone's emotions, huh? PWAHAHA! What a useless skill!"
What the fuck? Where are the compliments I was anticipating? And that motherfucker Mizaki—look at him smirking at his desk. I head to mine, ignoring their insults.
"By the way, Hoon, I forgot to say something."
"What is it, Sakura?"
"Congrats on your win!"
"Congrats on your win, Hoon."
Oh, it's Yuzuki. I'm glad I was able to justify her pineapple pizza, heh.
"Thanks, both of yo—"
"Who is this girl, Hoon??"
Hm, I can smell rivals brewing. But I don't give a single shit about them, so I'll just pretend for now.
"Isn't it Yuzuki, our treasurer?"
"Do you know her, Hoon? Tell me!"
Shit, she's annoying me. I should just change the subject or something.
"Hey Sakura, how'd your fight go?"
"Oh, um, I got matched with someone I know. He's the one who's been giving me gifts every day. Here, we got our battle recorded."
There's a recording of every fight? I have to watch them all later so I can learn about their Gifts and abilities.
"Duel Start!"
Isn't this guy the timid one with glasses sitting over there?
"I… I love you, Sakura!"
Huh? Why is this mofo confessing all of a sudden? I wonder how this will go, since Sakura's ability is healing.
"I'll give you my answer if you surrender now!"
"Alright, I resign. Now, where's my answer?"
"Sorry, I already have someone I like."
[DING! The winner is Sakura Shunren!]
Pft—A live confession? What guts this dude has! Though I gotta respect him, since it must've taken a lot of courage to say that. And he let Sakura win too.
"Have you all rested now? Let's continue the Duels!"
This bitch Arienella, or whatever her name is again. Seems like the duels aren't over yet. I wonder who's going to fight next.
"Hoon, it's my turn next."
"Oh, you haven't fought yet, Yuzuki? Good luck!"
Yuzuki gets teleported to the Duel Zone and appears on the TV screen with her opponent.
[Duel Start!]
"Blade Tempest!"
Multiple ice swords are summoned, and with a command of her hands, the swords pierce the opponent in an instant. It's just like Instructor A's ability.
[Time remaining: 4:55]
[DING! The winner of this Duel is Yuzuki Akigawa!]
Bullshit. The match was over in five seconds? Her power is way too overpowered.
"Woah! How'd you do that, Yuzuki?"
Now there's a lot of noise here. Yuzuki is getting crowded by a bunch of classmates, so I have to leave this shit. As I'm walking around, I remember something important: becoming stronger! The only way is to go to the bodybuilding club, right? After all, I can find Rei there.
Swish, Swish.
There's the sound of a sword being swung. And then I see Rei again, with his gray hair, slim but muscular build, repeatedly swinging a wooden sword.
"Yo, Rei! Long time no see! Why are you swinging swords now?"
"Oh, if it isn't Hoon. I'm practicing my sword skills since my Gift involves using swords."
"Oh, gotcha! Can you teach me how to get stronger now?"
"Alright, sure. For now, let me test your stamina. Do 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups, 50 jumping jacks, and 20 squats."
Man, that's way too much. But I think I'll just stop if I get tired. After doing most of it, I can feel the world spinning.
"18… 19… Argh! 20 squats!!" I lay on the floor, completely exhausted. I can't move my body at all, gasping for air like crazy.
"Wow, you completed the warm-up, Hoon! Now let's move to the main workout."
Huh? That was only the warm-up? What the fuck—that felt like the entire workout!
"Never mind, Rei. It's evening, and I'm tired, so let's continue tomorrow. Huff, huff, I have to sleep now."
I went to my room, climbed onto the bunk bed, and lay there peacefully. Though my body aches and my muscles are sore, I was able to sleep in seconds.
Huh? Something's on my neck—it feels suffocating. I woke up, and there's someone on top of me, choking the shit out of me.
"Wh-who are yo—fugh…"
Shit, I can't speak properly. This bitch has long red hair, alright. Fuck, I'm going to murder you.
"Joyweaver!"
[Can't use Gift in Safe Zone]
Fuck, I'm screwed. B-baldy, help me!
"Die now, keke. Didn't you hear? I'm your opponent for tomorrow. I'm going to kill you now since you can't die in the Duel Space, after all."
This bitch…! Argh, at this rate, I'm going to die for sure.