Chapter 22- Aspirations

System: Skill Development Protocol activated.

Saber doing push-ups

System: 100 Push-Ups.

Saber doing sit-ups

System: 100 Sit-Ups.

Saber doing crunches

System: 100 Crunches.

Saber running with mouth open and tongue out:

System: 10 Kilometre Run.

Tina watched Saber running through the window.

"What are you doing?" a girl asked.

"Just watching a maniac running in circles on the ground," Tina said, hand on her cheek.

Saber fell in bed. "I… am… dead…"

Even though I don't feel pain and exhaustion anymore, the fatigue really bothers me, Saber thought.

System: Maintain a positive outlook. Your initial progress indicates a promising beginning.

"What?" Saber said.

System: Translation for brain-dead players in your category—Keep your chin up, you're off to a great start.

Did the system just roast me? Saber wondered.

"By the way, when did you even start talking? I can't remember you talking before," Saber asked.

System: After the usage of Battle Mode, some functions are supposed to be disabled manually by the player.

"So, what are you exactly?" Saber questioned.

System: I'm the navigation of your path, the evidence for your truth, the archives of your pain, the reflection of your beliefs… I am…

"An AI," Saber interrupted.

System: Yes, an AI.

Is it me, or did the system just get emotional? Saber thought.

"So, do AIs have their master? Owner?" Saber inquired.

System: Yes, and the owners or perhaps 'Masters' are the players we are connected with.

"So you mean, you had a lot of players before me, correct?" Saber asked.

System: Yes, but unfortunately once I'm assigned to the next player, the records and files of my previous player's journal delete instantly.

"That's too sad," Saber said.

System: I agree with you.

"So my new 'Navigator,' show me my next plans and what should I improve," Saber requested.

System: First, you should improve your 'Dash' since your dependency on it is higher compared to the rest. Second, improve the 'Arm' to inflict damage off-guard, then 'Fire Fists' to inflict a status damage known as 'Burn,' then…

The thing created an entire workout program for me? Saber thought.

Saber in the field

"I wonder what Carlos is doing?" Saber mused.

"Who's doing what?" Carlos asked from behind.

"What!... are you doing here? Exactly?" Saber said, startled and screaming.

"I just came to check in. What about you? Long time no see. Is everything alright?" Carlos asked.

"Yes, everything is nice and easy," Saber replied, smiling with tears falling.

"Your face says otherwise," Carlos observed.

Saber and Carlos sitting on the fence

"So that's what happened. No wonder you were beaten up by that 'Gale' guy; your powers keep evolving when your level rises. No doubt your level increased in between the raid," Carlos said.

"Yes, and within a month, I'll have another match with him here," Saber confirmed.

"So you need my help once again," Carlos stated.

"Exactly," Saber replied.

"So? When are we starting?" Carlos asked.

WEEK 1

"Keep your legs bent for control," Carlos instructed as Saber fell. "Distribute the weight at the center when landing to avoid slipping." Saber's face hit the ground. "Why are you entering a rabbit's home?"

WEEK 2

Will I get shocked if I lick my own fists? Saber wondered.

"Why in the world did you think of licking it?" Carlos asked as Saber got shocked.

WEEK 3

Will I burn my own skin if I touch my own fists? Saber thought, his hair spiked with Fire Fists.

A fly sat on Saber's butt; Saber punched it.

"Were you THAT angry to set your own ass on fire?" Carlos exclaimed as Saber flew with fire on his butt.

WEEK 4

Saber fell on the ground in heavy exhaustion.

"You did a great job," Carlos said.

"Yeah?... how impressive was I?" Saber panted.

"A bit, but yes, you've finally improved," Carlos acknowledged.

"At… last… finally…" Saber said, relieved.

"Were you in a hurry to get rid of me?" Carlos teased.

"No? Not at all! All I want is to defeat that breaky guy, that's all," Saber replied, getting up.

"Breaky?" Carlos asked.

"I named him this since my happiness breaks into pieces when I think about him every time. And he also feels broken too," Saber explained.

"You and your slangs are just impossible to understand," Carlos remarked.

THE NIGHT OF THE MATCH

Saber was dirty and scratched, ready with his sword, while Orion stared at him.

"Is this how you're going to fight?" Orion asked.

"Why? Are you scared to see my beautiful face?" Saber taunted.

"Can we take a break? I want to puke so bad right now," Orion said.

"I can't physically, but even I have the urge to puke," the system added.

Whose side are you on anyway? Saber thought.

"How about I kick you first to make that come in your mouth?" Saber retorted.

"How about I release it in YOUR mouth?" Orion shot back.

"I don't like the way this is going. Want to change the topic?" the system suggested.

"Enough Chit-Chat!" Orion threw a helmet. "Wear this."

This is a Japanese-style helmet? I think it's a Kendo helmet, but the question is, how? How did a Japanese helmet, a helmet from a completely different world, end up here? Saber wondered, picking it up.

"Are you scared to wear that now?" Orion taunted.

"Yeah! I'm so scared that I might even make you pee your pants!" Saber smirked, wearing the helmet.

He sure likes to trash-talk a lot, Orion thought.

"We'll get one chance each. Anyone who lands the first hit on the other's head wins. If I win, you're coming with me," Orion proposed.

"And if I win, you're gonna kneel and ask for my forgiveness," Saber countered.

"Fine by me," Orion agreed.

That kid is the wild card that'll make you regret underestimating them, Glenn's voice echoed in Orion's mind.

Both dashed at each other.

CLASH!

Saber quickly kicked at Orion's head; Orion blocked it with his hand.

"Nice move… but not enough… to hit me!" Orion grabbed Saber's leg and slammed him.

Saber grabbed Orion's hand, folded his leg around his neck, and rotated himself. Orion struggled, locked.

The kid is smart, I'll give him that, Orion thought.

Orion swung his hand and threw Saber. Saber stood up and balanced himself, Orion in front of him. Saber's eyes dulled; he swung his sword fast. Orion dodged it closely.

How did he do that? Was that a reflex? His speed was faster just now, Orion wondered, confused.

Saber dashed, came behind Orion, and used Fire Fists. Something invisible blocked it.

"We're not going to cheat now, are we?" Orion taunted.

The invisible air slapped Saber. Saber quickly got behind Orion again. He thrust his sword; the air stopped again near Orion's face.

The distance between the blade and me is impressive. I think Glenn was right about him, Orion thought.

The sword started to shake; Orion's eyes widened. The blade covered in purple aura. The sword passed through the air. Orion ducked with a close call. Orion threw Saber at the rock wall. Saber dashed at him. Orion swung; Saber slid under, sliding through the gap of Orion's legs. Saber got behind Orion.

This kid is able to keep up with me, Orion thought.

Orion hit Saber with his elbow. Saber rotated and swung his hand.

He's able to quickly think of holes in my pattern, Orion realized.

Orion stepped back, and the air swung Saber down with momentum.

He's able to adapt to the situation this quickly? Orion thought.

Saber flipped and landed a kick on Orion. Saber's eyes shone.

"It's over now," Saber declared.

"It would've been if you had HIT me," Orion replied, kneeling.

"Are you blind?" Saber asked.

"Are you?" Orion retorted.

Come to think of it, why am I still in the air? Saber's eyes widened.

Orion grabbed Saber's neck. Saber struggled to breathe. Orion slowly put him down. Saber was confused.

What… just happened? Saber thought.

"I lost," Orion said, making Saber happy. "But I won't apologize. Listen, you're wasting your talent here. So, fill out the application form and make use of it. I'll be your guidance till then. Enroll in the Aspire Academy with us. What do you think?"

"Of course not. To find crooked people like you there would be a pain in the ass," Saber replied, walking away. "Just don't meet me anymore."

This kid is precious, I can't lose him. I didn't want to use it, but… Orion thought, blushing.

"Th-There are lots of cute girls in that school and-and they also offer a lot of money for tasks," Orion stammered.

Saber dashed close to Orion.

"I'll sign in," Saber said.

"G-Great," Orion replied.

Saber walked away. Glenn jumped down.

Orion stood with tears in his eyes. "I-I m-made him a-a-a-accept th-the o-o-o-offer," he stammered.

"Oh, great! By the way, what do you think about this?" Glenn asked, showing a video on his phone. "Cute, right?"

"I'll kill you if you send that video to anyone," Orion threatened.

"And sent. What? No! Of course not! By the way, are you sure about this?" Glenn asked.

"Yes," Orion confirmed.

"But you hate him, right?" Glenn questioned.

"Yes, but he's an exception," Orion replied.

"I think you're already attached to him now," Glenn observed.

"I think so not," Orion disagreed.

"Oh? I'm not going to send this video too!" Glenn teased.

I'm going to die in embarrassment tomorrow, Orion thought.

"By the way, how are we going to do it?" Orion asked.

"Sent! Aw, don't worry, tomorrow I'll send the recommendation for him. I think you started to take aspirations from him too. To be honest, I took a liking to him too. I want to see how far he'll go. What do you think?" Glenn inquired.

"I don't have that kind of vision. Only you possess that kind of vision," Orion said, as Glenn swiped down his glasses.

"You think so? Let's see," Glenn replied.

Saber was filling out the form.

"b e r, Done!" he said.

"So you've finally decided to move on?" Tina asked.

"Yes, she wanted to check that academy too, right?" Saber responded sadly.