Mock Battle - Part 1

[Huh? Sorry about that, Master, I didn't think you could hear me… but from the looks of things, you gained a lot from this experience.]

"It's alright and yes, I did, Artemis," Rin said with glee as he exhaled and opened his eyes, which flashed with a mesmerizing purplish glow as a pleasurable sensation flowed throughout his body.

Following the absorption of the remaining purple qi mixed with the qi flame, leading to the end of this spectacle and the start of breakfast just as the clock tower chimed twice.

Marking the start of a new day filled with anxiety and excitement as everyone got ready for the week ahead, following the recent leak of Project X's advancement and the postponement of the National Dive.

However, for Rin, this announcement marked the beginning of something wonderful and worth waking up to every day—even though he too would soon be swept away by the hurricane known as Project X, something that the school tried to keep quiet about.

Yet it would seem someone just had to spill the tea, and with that, we now know that the school will soon have mock battles for each year to see who would be eligible to go.

However, for now, let us return to the conversation at hand...

[So would you mind sharing what you gained with the class, Mister Kurama?]

"Sadly, I'd rather not, Professor Artemis. However, I can tell you that my body feels lighter and more in harmony," Rin replied as he stood up and stretched before taking out his phone.

'Huh? So, Artemis was right after all as it did only last a few minutes,' I thought as it was only seven [7:05 am] and I remembered arriving around [6:59 am] in the morning.

[That's good to hear, now, we just need to make this into a routine, and in no time, we should be prepared to begin forging a Varick Star Body.]

"Finally! So now what, considering, that while my body cultivation is starting to get better; my actual cultivation is still quite low?" Rin asked as he leaped off the clock tower and landed gracefully on the ground with a thud.

Without drawing attention to himself, surprisingly, before swiftly making his way to the cafeteria to get breakfast.

[Well, for one if you want to get technical, first overcome the hurdle of surpassing Level 100 of the gravity chamber. Along with waking up every day around 6:30 am and heading to the clock tower before 7 am to mediate and absorb purple qi. And then we finally tackle the problem known as Star Body Creation.]

"Okay, I can do that, Artemis. But still, how will that lead to a better outcome when we begin the creation of my star body throughout the opening of the Seven Celestial Stars?" I asked as I began to walk toward the cafeteria to get something to eat.

[Well, through the continual absorption of purple qi for a month, your soul and physique should be strong enough to withstand the pressure of 49 stars. Additionally, as you train in the gravity chamber your body's internal and external defenses will undergo a profound transformation that will massively strengthen chances of not dying midway through the process.]

Sometime later...

"Noted. Now just what should I get for breakfast?" Rin wondered after getting the clarification he needed from Artemis as he stepped into the cafeteria.

"Well, if I could help, I would say, you should try a full English Breakfast which consists of bacon, sausages, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, toast, and beans. Along with traditional, black pudding, if you're willing to try something new, even though most foreigners aren't fond of it." Someone from behind Rin said as she tapped his shoulder.

"Hmm, while it sounds interesting, I'm more curious about when a beautiful snow elf started attending our school," I smiled while stretching out my hand as I turned around. "Oh, and by the way, I'm Rin."

I said while examining the short white haired snow elf behind me in school uniform with a matching skirt, who had red eyes with a mole beneath her left eye, pinkish-red succulent lips, and a translucent ice crown hovering above her head.

"You're a weird one, Rin, but I guess some guys just can't resist this princess' beauty." She giggled as she shook my hand, "Also, you can call Sofia Frost, and it's a pleasure to meet the elusive, Otaku of the Kurama family."

"Sigh, it appears my reputation precedes me," I lamented with a mutter, "Why must watching anime be such a stain on a person's reputation in this world."

Before shaking my head and making my way toward the England section of the cafeteria to try Sofia's suggestion.

"It surely does. However, I do not think someone of your status or caliber should be worried about that, for it is but a title at the end of the day end, Rin. Plus, while anime is a childish show, I believe it can be very enlightening and funny if you're willing to give it a chance."

"Hmm, who would've thought the Icy Princess of Icicle would be a fan of Anime." I chuckled without realizing the consequences of my actions.

"Shh, what is wrong with you?" exclaimed Sofia with a tomato face as she lightly punched Rin.

"Relax, it's not like anyone is even listening to our conversation, Sofia," I replied with a shrug, considering, it was only us here along with a few upper-class students and the cafeteria servers.

"But still! I don't need everyone to know, I watch anime and am friends with an Otaku," she said with embarrassment and panic as she kept swerving her head back and forth as if to be on guard against jumping down from the second floor to clown her.

"Damn, I didn't realize I was already your friend, Sofia. But on a serious note, what brought you to Forbidden Blood?"

"None, of your business," Sofia said slowly with emphasis as if I was intruding on a global secret, "Also, I believe it's your turn to order."

"Thanks for the heads up, and I'm sorry for just trying to learn more about the precious daughter of a growing international organization," I said as I told the server my order, followed by Sofia who ordered the same thing, but with blood pudding and Earl Grey tea to compliment the meal.

As compared to me, who just wanted orange juice and a side of barbecue sauce for some added flavor. But anywho, after they both ordered their food, Rin and Sofia went to a nearby booth and chatted for a while longer.

Until someone brought their food over and they both went to town, before going their separate ways as class was soon going start. Nevertheless, while her spotlight was short, in time she will shine...