EXCALIBER

The city was in chaos. Glass shattered, car alarms wailed, and the streets were littered with debris from the devastation caused by the earlier shockwave.

The collective had long since cleared the area, leaving only the two figures ready to battle at the center of the intersection.

The monster was a towering abomination, its muscular frame rippled with unnatural power, and its red eyes burned with bloodlust.

Then it moved. Moving so rapidly that its claws sliced through concrete as it lunged at the man standing before it

But the man didn't flinch.

With a smirk, He sidestepped the attack with ease, the wind from the monster's claws ruffling his clothes. The beast roared in frustration, swinging again.

This time, the man reacted by blocking the attack with his forearm, the impact shaking the ground beneath them, yet he remained unfazed.

For the first few minutes, the battle seemed intense with constant collisions creating shockwaves rippling through the city, with asphalt cracking under the sheer force of their strikes.

The monster fought with the fury of a cornered predator, its speed a blur, its strength enough to crush steel beam-like twigs. Any normal person would have been dead within seconds.

And yet...something was off.

The man wasn't struggling. He was laughing.

"you thought you had me, huh?"He mused, dodging another strike as if it were nothing more than a slow breeze.

He let the monster swing, let it waste its energy, let it believe it had a chance. But honestly? He had been toying with it.

The monster hesitated for the first time.

It saw in the slight, almost mocking way the man moved, the sheer ease with which he dodged, the complete and utter control he had over the fight.

"Your finished" the man finally said, his voice losing all amusement.

He raised his hand and the air around him distorted, charged with something ancient, something powerful. 

His lips moved whispering words that made no sense.

-"@#$&@#$%^%^$#" He then paused before whispering under his breath.

"(EXCALIBER)"

A blinding light erupted from his palm, twisting into the shape of a sword. The weapon hummed with raw energy, its blade gleaming like the fury of the heavens themselves.

The monster lunged in a last, desperate attempt to stop the man, but it was already too late.

In a single motion, too fast for the eye to follow, the sword slashed through the air.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a sicking thud, the monster's head rolled across the pavement, its body collapsing soon after.

The man exhaled, shaking off the faint traces of dust from his coat as he turned away. Behind him, the city was still in ruins, but the fight was over.

It had been over long before it even started. 

*************

I couldn't believe what my eyes had just witnessed. I couldn't follow most of the fight due to the speed at which they moved, but the shockwaves sent a shiver down my spine.

After the battle which lasted for a few minutes, came to an end I noticed

the headless corpse began releasing a dark smoke from its corpse before finally disappearing as if evaporating from existence.

After that, I could feel a slight change in the atmosphere as if all normalcy had returned to the world. People started appearing from God knows were acting as if nothing ever happened.

"It's as if the battle never took place." 

All the destruction, from the moment the monster appeared to its eventual defeat, began to mend itself as if it were on replay.

"I don't know how I will get used to this," I said, admiring the miraculous power of the collective.

 While praising the collective, Mr. Alex finally approached me. He had a look of relief and pleasure on his face. It seemed he really enjoyed the fight.

"So, apprentice Lucas, did you learn anything from the demonstration?" he casually asked me.

"Demonstration? It seemed like you were more interested in toying with the monster than demonstrating anything," I thought, though I couldn't say it out loud. 

Probably because, deep down, I finally felt respect for the man who would be in charge of my training.

"Your silence proves that you didn't learn anything, but that is completely normal for a novice like you," he commented.

"But if you haven't learned anything, you should still remember this important lesson that in any life-threatening battle, power makes right. Make sure you don't forget this."

"Power makes right," I said quietly while contemplating this maxim.

"So, we're done with your induction. Starting tomorrow, we will begin your official training."

"I thought we were starting today?" I asked, confusion written all over my face.

Mr. Alex immediately smiled before saying, "You just witnessed a battle between entities that outclass you in every way. I doubt your mind will be in a good state for training."

What he said might sound offensive, but it was completely true. The aftereffects of the pressure released from the battle were still present in my body.

'I doubt I would be able to gain anything if we started training now,' I sighed, reflecting on my weakness.

"I wonder when I will reach his level. If he is this strong, I can only imagine how powerful the other agents must be." I thought silently, anticipating my future in the CDA.

"It will soon be time for the collective to go through the ejection period, so I advise you to use today to rest and regain your stamina."

"I may seem charming, but as a trainer, I'm not as kind as you might think."

I looked at him strangely before replying enthusiastically, "Okay, boss!"

********************

**In Reality**

I groggily open my eyes and reach under my pillow to grab my phone and check the time. 

"One minute after three. Guess leaving my home didn't cause any changes," I silently say before switching off my phone and going back to sleep. It was easy to drift off again because my mind was exhausted.

Later that morning, I'm awakened by the familiar scent of fried rice and chicken, with hints of soy sauce and garlic sizzling in the pan.

It's the kind of aroma that makes a house feel like home.

I stretch, allowing the smell to pull me fully into the morning. From downstairs, I hear the soft clatter of plates, the shuffle of feet, and my little sister's excited chatter.

She often puts on a cold front, but that melts away when she's in the kitchen. 

Smiling, I push back my blankets, making sure to take it easy this time before getting out of bed. "I wouldn't want a repeat of what happened on Friday," I think to myself.

After sitting on my bed for a few minutes and processing all the information Mr. Alex had given me via resonance, I finally stood up, letting the aroma guide me.

The wooden stairs creak under my feet as I make my way to the kitchen. By the time I step inside, the warmth from the stove and the golden glow of the morning sun embrace me.

"You finally decided to wake up?" my mother asks while transferring the food from the pot to a large flask.

"I was just about to send your sister up to wake you," she adds. 

Emily is busy setting the table for breakfast. She has a crazy obsession with detail, so she takes her time arranging everything.

"Well, the 'interview' was stressful, but I still got the job," I say while trying to snatch a piece of chicken from the plate.

My mother quickly slaps my hand away, saying, "That's good to hear, dear! At least now you won't have to stress yourself working multiple jobs."

I gently massage my hand, thinking, "Mom, if you knew what the actual work is, you wouldn't say that." I laugh inwardly at my sense of humor.

I slide into my usual chair as Mom sets a steaming plate in front of me. The fried rice is speckled with eggs and green onions, and the chicken glistens, perfectly golden.

For a moment, I just sit there, taking it all in—the smell and the warmth.

In a world constantly at risk of annihilation, with uncertainties about whether I would see the next day, mornings like this remind me of what matters most.

"Mom, Emily, I will do everything in my power to make sure nothing happens to you," I think silently.

"Dig in before it gets cold," Mom says, and I do, savoring every bite.

Breakfast isn't just food; it's home, I think while proceeding to enjoy the delicious meal.

*******************

After breakfast Mom and Emily had a program in church rushing out immediately after breakfast leaving me home alone.

I was busy scrolling through my phone when I saw an unread message.

I immediately knew what it was without opening it but I opened it regardless it read.

"Dear Mr.Lucas Douglas, a credit of [$10,000] was deposited into your account on Saturday [xx-xx-xx] with reference number [0000000000] your new balance is [$10,040]"

My mind was instantly blown away by the astronomical figure I was seeing on my phone.

I was nearly tempted to move away with my family while we opened up a little family restaurant with the money Mom could run the kitchen Emily could be a waiter and I would become the young successful and handsome manager.

"For Christ's sake, I think some of Mr.Alexe's craziness had rubbed off on me"

Since that idea is out of the window for obvious reasons what can I do to celebrate my first salary

I instantly had an idea.

I quickly went up to my room to freshen up before heading out to achieve what I planned.

*********************

I run my fingers over the smooth hood of a smooth sleek, dark blue sedan, the scent of leather and new car polish thick in the air.

The dealership's bright lights reflect off the spotless surfaces of vehicles I never thought I'd be able to afford.

But here I am 10 thousand dollars in my account, fresh from my first real job, and ready to make my first big purchase.

I won't spend it all of course. I am thinking seven thousand at most. It's fine. My paycheck comes in weekly. I can afford this.

The salesman, a guy in his forties with a practiced smile, watches me closely"Nice choice. Good mileage, smooth handling, and within your budget."

Budget. I smirk.Technically.I have the money, but that's not the real problem.

The real problem is explaining the new car to Mom and Emily.

Apart from being scared and afraid that my new job is something illegal

if they should accept it and finally come around they would go on and on about the value of savings.

'I will leave future me to handle that'

The dealer suddenly woke me from my thoughts.

"want to take it for a test drive?" the salesman asks, jingling the keys.

I nod, sliding into the driver's seat. The engine hums to life, smooth and confident.

Yeah, this feels right. I can already picture myself driving home, windows down, music up.

The only thing I can't picture? Is how I will explain it when I pull into the driveway.

"Sorry for the headache future me"