Chapter 17 - Overdrive

Next morning, he was startled awake by Angel banging on his door.

He looked at the clock on his desk and saw it's 4:05 am.

"It's still dark outside, geez."

"Come on boss, we need to start like this everyday."

"Ugh fine, just hang on a second. I'll just change to my sports attire."

He picked up jogging shorts from his closet and wore a black hoodie. He opened his door and walk downstairs only to find Angel waiting for him.

"Let's go."

Faust followed her outside then they started with some stretching for warm up. Her accentuated was full on display in front of him.

The joints in his body keep having a popping sounds when he tried to imitate her stretching postures.

After the warp, Angel started to jog while Faust followed along.

"Try to keep up and keep your breathing pattern. You'll last longer that way."

"Okay, I got it."

They went on in circle around the neighborhood. When it was in their third lap, Faust couldn't take it anymore. He started to walk and he was breathing heavily.

But he noticed Angel is still breathing steady and she just had a few drops of sweat on her forehead. She slowed down so that he could keep up with her and started to walk too.

"You know.. Haaa haaa.. I really need to make this a habit so I wouldn't look embarrassing like now."

"You can get to it someday.. Just take your time." Angel encouraged.

"Say.. Haaaa haaa.. what if we appoint some time on weekends to teach me self defense?" Faust suggested

"Sure, I'm fine with that. Just don't go crying and call your mother." Angel agreed but she sneered at him.

"Do you think I'm that childish?"

Angel just shrugged while she continue her jog.

"Do you have any advice in case you're busy with the enemy and I had to fight another one alone?"

Angel stopped and looked at him.

"It's possible that it might happen. Hmmm..let see. First of all pretend to be weak. When you think the enemy is unguarded, target their weak points."

"And where is that?" Faust asked.

"Eyes, throat, joints and crotch. In battle, everything is fair. As long as it helps you to win. Those martial etiquettes they called are all bullshit, just an excuse for the weak." Angel explained.

"Wow, it's the first time I heard you speak so many words. But okay, I'll keep that in mind." Faust nodded.

"How about we enroll in a boxing gym?" Faust suggested again.

Angel smirked and said, "Wait till you catch up to me first."

"Just give me some time, I can definitely do it." Faust said with determination.

--

They stopped their morning routine at 6:00 am with Faust laying at the porch floor out of breath.

"I'm starting... Haaa to think haaaaa this is... Haaaa bad idea."

Ten minutes later, Angel helped him get up and carried him on her back.

"Damn this is embarrassing. Can you put me down? I can still walk."

Angel rolled her eyes and ignoring his plea.

"I'm just trying to help you so you could cook our breakfast. I'm hungry." Angel retorted.

"And here I thought you're concerned about my well being." Faust sneered

"I'm concerned about my food."

Hearing what she said, he was hurt a little and he could almost hear uncle Roger saying in his mind, 'Emotional daaaaamage.'

"I'm going to cook rubber and let you eat it you heartless woman."

Angel just chuckled at his threat.

After resting for another five minutes. He went to the kitchen and cook some simple breakfast. Angel didn't complain and just eat her food.

Then each of them took a shower in preparation to go to school.

Faust couldn't walk straight when they arrived at school.

"I remember you also bought a mobile phone for each of us. You know, the flip one." Faust reminded her.

"Right, I almost forgot."

Angel searched her pocket and fished out a motoroal flip phone. She gave it to him after making sure it's on and ready.

"Here, contacts are already in phone book including mine and your parents." Angel explained.

"Thanks. I'm gonna stay a little bit late at the library after class. I'll

just call you when it's time to pick me up." Faust informed.

"Got it."

She started the truck and drove away.

While walking towards the classroom, someone tapped his shoulders which made him turned.

Darcy looked at him concerned, "What happened? You look disabled. Did those guys did this to you?"

"What? You really have a weird way of saying things. And No, this is something else." Faust explained.

"You oversexed?" Darcy guessed.

"Wait what? What the heck are you talking about? I just started to work out every morning because I think I'm too scrawny."

"Ohh ohh, I thought.. Nevermind. Let's go, old man." Darcy hooked up her arm around his and pulled forward.

"Fuck, don't pull me. I'm still walking like a crab."

--

Faust endured his torturous day again of listening to class. He also helped Darcy with her assignments by guiding her. Thankfully, she was also smart so she quickly coped up.

"Why does it look easy to understand if you're the one explaining it?" Darcy said amazed by him.

"Who do you think is teaching you, you lowly mortal." Faust replied with high resounding low voice.

Darcy sneered and responded with a smack on the back of his head.

"Aw, I'm already injured and you're still hitting me."

"I'm waking you up from your dream, lowly peasant." Darcy mimic his voice and they both laugh.

"By the way, I'm gonna stay at the library after class. How about you?"

"Oh there's something going on with the school club later so I need to go early."

Faust just nodded while waiting their class to end.

--

Faust went straight to the library after class. He still remember the route he and Darcy took yesterday.

The library was pretty big and the ceiling was high. He saw rows and rows of books as high as a house.

When he saw this, he became excited as all of these knowledge was for his to take.

He went to towards the library counter and asked, "Excuse me, ma'am? Can you tell me which area is the books for computers and progamming?"

"Left side at the end of the corridor, second to the last shelf." The old librarian said while her eyes still glued in the computer playing solitaire.

"Okaaaay.."

He shrugged and went towards the corner of the corridor. He was able to find the shelf containing all types of books regarding computers.

He picked up basic computer books for beginners first and he skimmed through it page by page. Then he opened the next book.

If someone saw him doing this, he or she might think that he is just playing.

Only Faust knew that after he saw the entirety of the page, he already memorized its contents. He had a strong photographic memory so he took advantage of his ability.

An hour later, he already skimmed through 52 computer related books. At this rate, he will be able to finish the entire isle in one week.

After closing the 53rd book, he decided to stop. He was already feeling tired so he decided to go home and rest. He picked up his flip phone, searched the phone book and choose Angel's number.

"Hello Boss."

"I'm done here."

"Got it, I'll be right there."

He hung up the phone and return the books to their places.

After returning the books, he left the library and walk on his own towards his locker.

When he arrived, he noticed something unusual. He was alone. He shrugged it off and just ignored it.

He opened his locker and grab his bag. After closing his locker, something or someone pushed his back and his face slammed directly towards the hard steel locker.

'Bang!'

"Ughh, Fucking hell, that hurt."

He looked at over his shoulder and saw Billy and his cronies.

"Sorry, Little shit, I misstep." He said while laughing at him.

He touched his forehead where the pain was concentrated before looking at his fingers. He saw his own blood.

His patience finally snapped.

He wasn't the type of MC who will endure this kind of thing and wait. That's just plain stupid. He needs to teach these little shits a lesson. Even if it means getting hurt in return. He'll let this fuckers pay for touching him.

"What are you gonna do about it, huh? Stare at us until we're knocked out?" Billy said mockingly.

His cronies laughed at his remarks.

He stared intensely at them as adrenaline started wash over him, his brain is now functioning in super high speed that time seems to flow slowly. Or rather, it was his thoughts that running faster and faster.

He remember the time when Angel told him some weaknesses he could exploit.

'Throat? Hmmm that's too lethal. Eyes? I might get kicked out of school for that. Crotch and joints then.'

He looked at them calmly like he was observing a human anatomy.

Seeing his taunt didn't work, Billy was finally pissed.

He shoved Faust back to the locker while holding his shirt.

Faust on the other hand, was looking at his movements in slow motion. His mind overtook his emotions.

He moved his knee and positioned it between Billy's leg. Then he strike without holding back.

Billy who suddenly felt unimaginable pain couldn't help but crouch down but that was within Faust expectation. He slapped him hard near his ears causing Billy to lose his sense of hearing temporarily.

When the cronies saw this, they lurched forward to help. Blake who was the right hand man of Billy went forward for a punch. Faust tilted his head slightly avoiding the knuckles, he grabbed the wrist and punched the elbow with all his might causing it to bend in peculiar angle.

Crack!

A crisp sound echoes the Hall. One of the cronies took this opportunity to kick him in the chest which launches him backward and he was slammed again towards the locker.

Bang!

Seeing that kicking was effective, he tried again but Faust caught his leg and locked it with his hand. He moved in a different direction which causes the crony to loose his balance. Faust took this opportunity to kick the wide open crotch presented before him.

Billy on the other hand, manage to recover and tried to punch again but Faust already saw the incoming fist in the corner of his eye. He pulled the crony in front of him which made him take the punch on his behalf.

Billy lurched forward to grab him which he managed to do so. But then Faust kicked his knee that bend it backward.

Crack!

Billy shouted in pain and stumbled backward before falling.

At this time, Faust was the only one standing. He was panting heavily and he was so tired so leaned against the wall to rest while Billy and his cronies was groaning painfully on the floor.

After resting a bit, he began to leave the premise but he heard Billy shouting behind.

"We're not done yet, Faust! You'll pay for this!!!"

Faust rolled his eyes on the typical villain lines.

"Fuck you, can you at least say a different threat, you don't even have an originality you fucking crybabies." Faust scoffed and continued his way.

Along the way, he covered his head full blood with his hoodie. He finally calmed down and remembered the special state he was in during the fight.

He became excited that finally, he had some ace hidden up his sleeve. Though, it wasn't overly powerful. At least, he can fight without getting beaten up badly. He decided to call it 'Overdrive'. A name perfectly fit for the skill.

As he analyze, he discovered a flaw which would become fatal to him. The flaw was none other than his own body. He enters a weakened state after Overdrive and his body couldn't keep up with his reaction. Good thing that Billy and his cronies are just simple bullies. If they are trained fighters, although he can see it, his body wouldn't be able to react before he was hit. Thinking of this, He couldn't help but feel a chill run through his spine.

Determination filled his eyes in getting his physique get stronger. He didn't noticed that he was already walking the parking lot when he heard a shout.

"Boss! What happened to you?" Angel exclaimed and become alert. He scanned the surroundings for immediate threat.

"Nothing much, just bullies in school. By the way, your advice works!"

"What advice? Do you want me to..."

"Nope, leave them to me. They're suited as a good whetstone."

Then he pondered more.

"But in case there are other enemies.. You know what to do."

"Got it, it's not fair that you're the only one who got the fun." Angel said.

Fust laughed while wincing in pain.

"Let's go to a drive thru and order a lot. I swear I could eat a whole cow right now."

"Got it, Boss. At least clean your face before we go. There's a lot of blood."

Angel gave him a handkerchief which smelled nice. Then they drove towards the nearest fast food restaurant.