Chapter 120 - Overdrive

Bodin blinked at the screen wildly. Doctor A could do nothing but grin as she wrote down notes of the events that had just unfolded.

Bodin: No way… That speed and power were insane!

Doctor A: Of course. As you are a doctor in a more medically focused field, you aren't sure how these things work. I've evolved my cybernetic technology so far that even those bastards at Orga Cybernetics can't mimic it.

Bodin: That cybernetics company? Either way, you really made a piece of art there. Quintin's speed is at least four times above what he was doing before.

Doctor A: The vents he used to enhance his footwork and attacks earlier were only able to do so much. Overdrive is something that can send electricity through not only his legs but also his entire body. It forces every part of it to enhance.

Bodin: But the drawbacks of that will be awful!

Doctor A: I am well aware. Quintin is also more than well aware enough that he is a test subject of my technology. He needs to moderate himself if he wishes to survive.

Bodin's thoughts: She's as insane as ever… Can't say I'm much better since I do the same to help advance the Arachna…

Quintin's hair began to slowly stand on end. His hands twitched as he watched Lorisian slowly pick himself up. He smiled before disappearing from the audience's eyes once again. Lorisian was sent flying back once more, a new dent forming on his chest plate.

Zachary: What the hell is going on right now?!

Zenzo: Quintin's entered a level of speed similar to Jason, Vector, and Shun! Is this even possible?

Lorisian raised his guard, taking several attacks which he could hardly see. Each hit was heavy, each hit was agonizing. The knight stood his ground against his invisible enemy. His guard was quickly broken as Quintin grabbed Lorisian's arms and threw a kick between Lorisian's legs. The knight grunted from the blow, falling to one knee.

Quintin: This the best you got, old man?

Magnus and Shun stared at the screen in their room with nervous smiles on their faces.

Magnus: Quintin is nothing like he was before!

Shun: Zenzo wasn't lying. Quintin has a good chance against us now.

Daymond: So you can see that as well? But it seems that's coming at a great price.

Shun: Why's that?

Daymond: The fact his hair is standing on end means that electricity is flowing through his body at a rapid rate. Similar to those presentations professors do in schools. But Quintin's is coming entirely from his legs.

Magnus: If we assume the electric output is above what his legs do normally… he could kill himself!

Daymond: Exactly. He won't feel it right away, but he is capable of frying himself. Let's see if Quintin here is smart enough to end the match soon.

Lorisian: Little nephew, hark to me.

Quintin: Shut up.

One kick to the side of Lorisian's helmet sent the knight sliding across the ground. Mason grabbed onto the seats in front of him, leaning forward with large eyes.

Mason: Even I couldn't hurt him like that! This guy is crazy!

Vector: He has speed like mine…

Ryan: And the torque of his blows could place him close to me and Cero.

Mason: What the hell did he do to himself?

Quintin: This is only a fraction of the pain you inflicted to those knights, to the village. That family was foolish to let you live.

Lorisian pushed himself up, finally returning to his feet. Quintin stood in front of him with a smile that truly seemed hollow. Blood dripped from Quintin's nose, but he didn't notice it. Lorisian looked up and down Quintin, noticing the new state he was in.

Lorisian: Thee has't changed, little nephew. Thy father wouldn't approve of this.

Quintin: Why do you care about what he would approve of? You're nothing but a lying piece of shit. I'm going to kill you and put an end to this miserable knight charade.

Lorisian: I shall not alloweth thee tarnish what thy father hast madeth.

Lorisian sheathed his sword, clenching his fists. Quintin entered a Yaw-Yan stance once more, his brain flushing with information. Quintin disappeared in a flash, only to reappear as his head flew back. Lorisian's arm was fully extended, his fist outstretched. Quintin slid back before changing tactics. Lorisian spun around and grabbed onto Quintin's throat, throwing him to the side.

Quintin's thoughts: How the fuck is he catching me?!

Moll watched the match from the monitor in his room. He laughed, Midori standing over him.

Midori: What's so funny?

Moll: Oh, just Quintin's reactions. He's shocked that he's getting caught, not realizing he's been pretty obvious with his patterns. And the man he's up against is no pushover. When I was practicing as a knight, I could tell that guy put any knighthood I had to shame.

Midori: Are you acquainted with him?

Moll: Let's just say that I'm surprised he wasn't the Shadow's Champion.

Quintin hopped onto his feet, charging at Lorisian with fluid kicks. Lorisian blocked every one of the attacks. His armor was banged up, his breathing was heavy, and he was bleeding underneath the armor. Despite all the pain, the knight refused to back down. Quintin gritted his teeth, clenching his fists as he unleashed several quick punches onto Lorisian's armor.

Quintin: You and this whole knight shit are stupid! You, the village, and my dad were stupid to believe it for a moment! So just die!

Both of Quintin's fists came to a stop, Lorisian holding them tightly in his own hands. Quintin couldn't budge them, struggling to release himself from the knight's grasp. The air around Lorisian changed, Quintin felt a shiver go down his spine.

Lorisian: Taketh back what thee hath said about the family.

Quintin: I ain't taking back shit!

Lorisian released one hand, punching Quintin's face back. Quintin stumbled back before feeling a hand grasp onto his face. The sudden throw pushed Quintin to the ground in a dramatic fashion. Before he could fall completely, Lorisian grabbed onto Quintin's leg. He flung the man over his shoulder, feeling his entire body well up.

Lorisian: YOU LITTLE BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTT!!

With speed and power unexpected from the knight, he threw Quintin towards the ground at terrifying speed. The impact felt like that of a meteorite striking the earth. Quintin coughed up blood, his eyes shot open with pain. He sprawled out across the ground, a crater surrounding his body.

Lorisian: Thy father would beest so asham'd if 't be true he hath heard thee.

Quintin's memory wavered as heard the knight's words.

Quintin: Dad…

…

Quintin – born Lance – was raised in a small rustic village. The village continued to praise knighthood and the ways of the medieval times far into the 20th century. He was raised by two parents that loved him and everything he did. His father – known as Laurence – was one of the leaders of the village. The small village with a population of no more than two hundred people was home to the mysterious yet powerful group known as The Shadows of the Round Table. Quintin had heard of the Round Table in his classes, about how it housed some of the most famous people in history. He didn't see The Shadows as anything lesser, knowing that they held the world's best interest at heart.

Along with the parents he held so dearly, he had an uncle that lived with them. The man was most attuned with knighthood. He wore his helmet every waking moment, with it only coming off when it was time to rest. He refused to take off his helmet even during meals, taking it to his private quarters to eat in silence. Quintin could never understand why his uncle would never show his face, but his parents reassured him that it was something personal that Ser Lorisian had to do. What tragedy had he faced? That was all a young Quintin could think, but he never dwelled on it for long.

After turning the age of ten, his father and uncle brought news of a new Shadow's Champion having been elected. The Shadow's Champion was a title given to the strongest and most honorable knight. The ones chose to represent the village. His family was delighted at the news, and his young mind could do nothing but smile at this joy. To him, life was perfect. The following night would be when the Champion was crowned, so he went to bed to witness it the following night.

The day came and left, and the young Quintin was at home with his mother preparing for the new Champion to be crowned.

Isabella: Oh Lance, aren't you excited?

Quintin: Yeah, mama! Mister Pierre is strong! Papa and Lorisian sounded so excited!

Isabella: We're all very excited. The Shadow's Champion is considered the best of us, and I hope when you're older, you'll be one too.

Quintin: I'll be the best knight ever, mama! I promise!

Isabella patted her son's head before taking him by the hand and heading towards the main hall of The Shadows. The walk there was eerily quiet, but the guards didn't seem quite disturbed.

Isabella: Has Lorisian passed by here? I just hope I'm not too late.

Guard: Yes ma'am. He headed up not too long ago. I assume it must be big news if the bride and child of one of The Shadows is appearing.

Isabella: It sure is! It'll be announced in the morning for all to hear!

Quintin felt nothing but joy in his heart. He was learning something before anyone else, hearing about it before anyone else. He was the most excited he had ever been. He and his mother made their way up the stairs before eventually coming to the main hall where the doors were wide open. Quintin's and Isabella's eyes shot open with horror, looking at the horror show in front of them. Every member of The Shadows of the Round Table had been slaughtered, with only one man in the middle. The man kneeled there, holding Laurence's pierced corpse in his arms. Blood was smeared on the knight's armor. Isabella let out a gasp, which made the knight's helmet move to face them. Quintin could hardly accept the situation in front of him.

Quintin: Papa…

Tears welled up in his eyes, his little hand pointing at the man in the hall.

Quintin: You killed papa!

His young cries filled the empty night air. His young mind and heart were darkened that day. A hatred brewed from the sight that he saw. When he reached the age of sixteen, Quintin left the village and moved to the modern city, cutting off all connections with his family. His mother and the man he believed to be the murderer remained in the village, and Quintin hoped to never see them again. He could not believe that the village allowed Lorisian to be free and not accused of any murder. He refused to hear anything about it from his mother and refused to be near Lorisian. His hatred burned for not only Lorisian but knighthood as a whole.

Quintin: Why should I believe a group that allows murder like that? They treat him like one of their own, as if nothing happened.

Quintin's anger grew and grew, until one day he buried the hatred and the memory of the village in his mind. His life would forever change the day he met a woman wearing glasses and a lab coat in college. The day that cemented his future in cybernetics.