Yet Another System Function and an Unexpected Friendship?

Shay looked at the diminishing teachers' backs, students swarming around them. Flint stood right beside him without moving a muscle, still stunned by their success. "Hey, partner, I believe it's time to move before the rumors swarm us." He said, throwing his palm on Flint's shoulder.

After agreeing with a simple nod, they slipped through the student barricades, heading towards their assigned dorm rooms. Amid the silent walk, they had to part ways, as they both lived in a separate building.

'I forgot to ask him about the other guy. Well, whatever. I wonder why he didn't intervene in the fight.'

He stared at the sky, contemplating the pair. There wavered some unsolved puzzle pieces, which misaligned his desire. Their energy was spent on focused training, not being able to piss off his classmates. At least, that was his belief. Just by running around for several consecutive days brought unwanted—or dream-like?—attention.

While staring at the darkening heights, a familiar structure obscured his vision. The multi-story building where he lived on the highest floor. Finally, he reached his habitat.

Click. Clack.

He closed the doorway, then succumbed to exhaustion, slumping to the ground, resting against the entryway.

[Quest completed. Reward granted.]

'What a satisfying view.'

Nothing could surpass the satisfaction of accomplishment. He swung his hand, although meaninglessly, to close the first prompt.

[Power Builder: A system feature that keeps track of user's statistics and allows strength accumulation through excessive training.]

[Strength: 7 (74%)] - 4x

[Endurance: 5 (89%)]

[Agility: 6 (96%)] - 4x

[Dexterity: 10 (21%)]

[Intelligence: 8 (55%)]

While the utter exhaustion streamed through every muscle, every limb, and every nerve of his body, he did another pointless swipe.

Multiple interfaces swarmed his vision, each of them held a sentimental value connected to his progress. A while ago, he had been aware he was a loser with a crimson red crystal tied to him. Deep down, he felt jealousy each time he saw Kelly's gorgeous flames, which suited her visage.

His thoughts of her revealed the strength of their bond, leaving him with a bitter taste.

'Why did she even hang out with me? I have nothing to give her, and I have never been of any help to her. Still, I want to see her in person right now.' He let out a sorrowful sigh and slapped his cheek.

'Later, we can meet up. I should focus on tomorrow for now.'

Although Blarken showed no signs of trouble, doubt crept into Shay's mind. At least he achieved yet an additional invaluable system function. In just a few weeks, he had built a tough foundation for the future. The potential that opened multiple paths to an ultimate triumph, overlapping with one another, was rather simple. However, fate could change his course of actions to obstacles way more difficult to be overcome.

As he drained more and more of his energy reserves, darkness swallowed his mind, almost killing all of his perception. Before he fell into slumber, he had gotten, although half of himself sticking out, into his bed.

******

Since the day before was so tiring, his whole body felt sore. Not only did a simple movement, like getting up, took an entire minute, but he trembled. Shay knew he would stumble the moment he would try to rise. Thus, he crawled using his arms towards the fridge. There were a few reserve bottles of water. He opened a lid of one and squished it, liquid thrusting at him, enabling the Root Regeneration skill.

Warmth radiated through his veins as he regained the ability to stand. After that, he continued his usual routine, albeit a bit rushed, and went directly to the academy.

On his way, those who were up early watched him the whole time. The rumors had spread at a lightning speed, photos of him circling through the countless number of messages.

He sighed, still walking straight, and showed an indifferent expression. 'I truly am in a peculiar situation,' he thought as he followed his nose, not looking around to avoid clashing gazes.

Shay could already see the door to Blarken's office. Before he reached them, they flung wide open, when a nobleman, fury blazing through his monocle, walked straight past him. Although he wanted to retort at him, a large palm grasped his shoulder.

"Don't. He was here because of you. If I had let you say anything to him, you would sign your own death sentence." Blarken said with a serious face. "Let's talk inside the office. It's way safer to speak freely there."

So, they proceeded into the office. Upon entering, he noticed that a cushion with gems embedded in it overlapped the inner side of the door.

"Those are anti-eavesdropping magic stones. That's why I had suggested having a conversation here."

Concluding his statement, he motioned Shay toward a seat before heading for the coffee machine.

"Do you want some, too?"

Shay's silence showed his surprise at the other's casual demeanor, as he could only nod.

"You don't have to be so tense here. Let's say, me and you are buddies already, at least inside this room."

'?????' Several questions filled his mind. Did he hear correctly? Student and a teacher, friends?

"May I ask you why?"

Before he could answer his question, the machine made loud rumbling noises. While cleaning, the cup was accumulating dirty water.

"Well, I sense some familiarity from you. I know you didn't enrage him directly, but after you defeated him, I sensed another intention in your fists—something more than self-defense. Tell me, although others would kill you for telling the truth, do you resent the hierarchical system?" He remarked, shifting his focus to Shay as he switched the cups and clicked another button.

"em, I—"

Vrrr.

Milk and foam flowed from the two thin tubes, being followed by the coffee blend.

"Sorry for that," he said as he brought the cappuccino cup in front of Shay.

"It's fine. Thank you for the hospitality." An appreciative look crossed his face. He continued after taking a sip. "I hate the fact the society is based on strength only. My fight yesterday has been a significant example." A sign of dwelling resentment lingering around him.

"That's what I think too. However, you can't imply this to everyone. Humanity would have died without individuals like me, who manage businesses thoughtfully. But, I am a part of a minor group. Whereas, over 90% of people are egotistical fuckers."

Deathly quiet filled the room; the topic occupied both minds.

"So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about? I don't believe you only wished to chat." As he finished saying his view of it, he tilted back his cup, leaving a trail of foam on his lip, which he licked off, finishing his drink in one gulp.

"You've got the point right."

He sat in his comfortable chair behind the desk and pulled out a black, sturdy suitcase.

"This, here, although expensive, should help you. Consider it as our sign of friendship."

Blarken faced the case in Shay's direction, so he could get a sneak-peek at its contents. This turn of events was unforeseen, leaving him flabbergasted as he stared at the item before him.

"Go on, look inside."

Even though he was encouraged to open it, he shook slightly before doing so.

"Do you know how to use those?"

Shay nodded to ensure him. This object would be helpful throughout the entire year, which would help him dominate the nobles.

"Also, one last thing, before we part ways. This year, the academy is planning to implement a ranking system, which is to apply for the outing you will attend with your classmates. It is going to display your power level, which will be measured by killing certain monsters or defeating any students above your rank."

"I appreciate your help, really."

While he showed his gratitude, he got off the chair and walked toward the exit. They both waved at each other as he headed back to his dorm room.

******

He threw the suitcase, light as a feather, on the bed. Upon opening it, six weight discs covered in multiple purple magic stones were surrounded by two extensible gartium bars.

"This should assist me with faster growth, ha ha!"

The weights were filled with gravitational magic stones, which allowed the user to change the force of each plate. Even if people needed magic to use most of the gems, these had glyphs resembling numbers on them. If he had said 100kg, it would adjust its allocated pressure to a hundred kilograms with no magical connection.

Their limit was somewhere around a ton per disc, which would suffice for a lot longer than he had firstly guessed.

The time he had left was just enough for him to get to the class. Before exiting his room, though, he threw one of the weights in his backpack, which was filled with studying materials, and said the number '50.'

At first, he staggered in place, trying to get used to carrying another 50 kilograms on him. After another five to six tries, he got the hang of it and headed back to the academy, this time going straight to his class.