Chapter 44- Day 7- Showing Promise

Chapter 44: Chapter 44- Day 7- Showing Promise

Alaric’s eyes widened and he stepped back. So that’s what that feeling was... that he was completely different, even if most people looked at him wouldn’t think much of him. But no, that explains it, and explains the students reaction when he walked up.

But what could he be doing here? Could he possibly have business with Alaric?

Zerkan turned towards the bowing student, "...Why were you fighting this boy?" He asked as the boy quickly stood up straight, "H-He was new here and looked strong... so I wanted to test him..."

The man turned back towards Alaric, "New here, hm? Yes, I could tell that."

Alaric frowned, "How so?"

Zerkan pointed, "Just based on that fight, I could tell you were new."

Alaric blinked and looked off. What the hell did that mean? The man stepped forward and past Alaric before stopping beside him.

"Walk with me for a moment, son." He whispered before walking further towards the school.

Alaric blinked and turned, looking towards the students. His eyes darted between them and the master, whispering a quick apology before rushing to catch up, whistling for Sky to follow behind with all of his items.

The pair pushed open the doors inside of school and walked further inside, Alaric trailing behind him slightly.

It was silent for the most part, aside from the faint noises of students training inside. Alaric was alone in thoughts, and his eyes were glued to the man ahead. He wondered about him.

He said he was deemed the strongest and best martial artist... though he wasn’t one to take things like that on face value. He needed proof if you were going to claim to be the strongest.

But, he didn’t claim to be the strongest. He said he was deemed... which meant the title was given by others which added to its credibility. Even so... he wanted more than just words.

"Alaric." He jumped and stared at the back of the man’s head, "...Where did you come from?"

Alaric blinked and pointed behind him, "I came from Nashi City..." he quickly answered as the man turned, "Ah, the city that neighbors Newhi?"

He nodded, "Yes sir."

The man nodded, "I see. I hope nothing caused you much trouble." Alaric paused and lowered his gaze, "..."

Zerkan folded his arms behind himself, "Anyway, you seem strong... Are you a warrior?"

Alaric slowly lifted his head and shoved his hands into his pockets, "You can say that... I’ve been in my share of battles."

He turned again, "And do you grow stronger?"

Alaric frowned slightly, and looked off to think. That was a... weird question wasn’t it? How else did anyone get stronger? "Um... through my system?"

The man was silent as they continued to walk before rounding a corner, passing by a nearby training room. "...And is that all? You fight, grow stronger, and that’s all?"

Alaric couldn’t help but reel slightly from the question... "Not really... I don’t sit and wait for fights..." He shook his head and thought back to when he used to seek out and train by himself, "No, I train. Growing my strength without fighting and relying on experience gained from just that." He explained as the man lowered his head, his face hidden. Alaric looked ahead and spotted the far end room, which had to be their destination. "I was hoping to hear that, I could tell." He quietly said before pushing open the door, revealing a nearly empty training room, with a few weights and training dummies nearby.

Alaric closed his mouth and stopped in my place as the man walked further ahead before coming to a stop. He turned and held up a hand, "I want you to battle me."

Alaric’s eyes widened.

"Forgive me, but I wish to test you my own way."

Alaric squeezed his fists and sighed. He really hadn’t planned on fighting today... but he should’ve been ready for anything, right?

He opened his hand and let his staff appear in his hands, spinning the weapon before settling into a stance.

Zerkan frowned and shook his head, "...No weapons."

Alaric blinked as his brows knitted together, standing just a little straighter.

"No weapons... or system abilities. I want you to fight me with just hand to hand combat."

The boy frowned harder and his grip on his staff loosed. What kind of conditions...? He flew himself, began to sweat a little and he swallowed.

He was only a little confident in his combat ability without his staff... but he’s also saying he can’t use his skills? This was a reoccurring trend. When he looked at his system map when he first got here, he got weird looks... and even the rule that system equipment and items weren’t allowed inside of the library... What was wrong with this town and its rules?

But... he had no choice. He stood up straight and let his staff clatter to the ground, rolling away with a push of his foot. He narrowed his eyes and got in another stance.

Zerkan nodded and his expression relaxed as Alaric’s expression remained focused. He exhaled and remained still, wondering who would make the first move...

The two remained still before Alaric lost patience and launched into a sprint, closing the gap. He lowered his body and launched out a punch towards the master’s face. Just when it seemed like it would connect, suddenly Zerkan was gone! Alaric had swung at the air. He looked around as a punch cracked against his cheek. Another strike slammed into his ribs before Zerkan’s foot stomped Alaric’s. Alaric fell forward and Zerkan punched him straight in the gut. Alaric’s eyes shot wide and saliva came gushing out of his mouth. Zerkan stepped back as Alaric struggled to recover. He lifted his head and with mounting force, rushed him again. He began to alternate between left and right hooks, but each was parried. He tried a hidden kick, but was blocked by the man’s knee.

He frowned and clenched his teeth as he aimed a jab at his face, but with a little movement, a tilt of his shoulder, the strike missed. He twisted his body and aimed a kick to his side, but it was blocked. As Alaric continued his spin, Zerkan aimed an open plan strike to his chest, the wind being knocked out of him as he fell back against the ground. As he crashed against the ground, his eyes shot wide as a fist was coming right down on him, but stopped short of connecting. His heavy breath was the only thing filling the silence, sweat dripping down his nose.

Zerkan stared down at him as he pulled back and stood over him, "That’s good enough."

Alaric frowned and moved to stand, "That was... hardly anything!" He shouted as he staggered to his feet.

Zerkan looked forward and folded his arms behind his back, "Yes, but it was more than enough for me to test your capabilities." He walked forward into his personal space. "You aren’t bad at all... but I could tell you weren’t confident in your own abilities." He looked off towards the weights and dummies nearby, "You know... we have a policy around here."

Alaric frowned and listened closely.

"We don’t believe in systems." Alaric’s eyes widened and stepped forward, "What does that mean?"

He held up a hand, cutting him off, "Relax, I don’t mean we don’t believe in systems themselves." He walked past Alaric, seemingly wanting him to follow, again... Alaric sighed and quickly walked behind, making sure Sky was there as well.

"What I mean is, we don’t believe a system should make up a person’s strength." He glanced back, "We don’t believe in relying on systems."

Alaric was listening, but in all honesty, he didn’t really understand. How do you fight aliens without a system? "So, you guys don’t use systems at all?"

"No. We do. We just don’t believe a system is a replacement for a person’s strength." He lowered his gaze and stared at his own feet. "A system’s magic should only be there to enhance a person’s strength, not completely make up their strength." Alaric’s eyes widened slightly, and blinked as he looked down towards his hand.

It was a long shot, but... he sort of understands. "So, you use systems, but they aren’t the reasons for your strength?" He asked as he walked side by side with the man, "It’s only there to boost your strength beyond what you can achieve by yourself?"

Zerkan nodded, smiling faintly, "You catch on quick. That’s exactly right." He looked ahead, "That’s what we believe, anyway." He shook his head and looked towards the boy, "We don’t believe we’re better than those that do rely on systems."

The staff user nodded. They didn’t believe they were better, because to be frank... there was only so much you could do with just your hands and feet, right? But he couldn’t help but see where they were coming from.

"Say, Alaric... do you have anywhere you need to be?"

Alaric snapped out of his thoughts and looked towards his system map. He pressed his lips thin, but shook his head, "Not really."

Zerkan nodded and the pair reached the exit of the school, "That’s good. Because I would like you to come and see me in my dojo."

Alaric’s gaze snapped towards him at the offer. At his Dojo? There’s no way he was...

"At what time?" He asked softly as the man walked ahead, "Tomorrow at the latest." He glanced towards him, "If you’re worried about where you’ll stay... That’s not a worry. Anyone that comes to my dojo is allowed to stay for as long as I’m training them."

"T-Then I can come today!" He said eagerly as the man nodded. "Perfect. Then if you don’t mind." He looked off and towards the higher peaks of the mountain, "My dojo is up on the higher side of the mountain. That’s not an issue is it?"

Alaric shook his head, "Not at all."

"Good, shall we go?"