Chapter 14: Second attempt

Chapter 14: Second attempt

Date 16 January 2557

Planet Earth, Astellas continent, Hunter state, sector 9, High Cliffs High School.

First-person POV: Samuel

It has been a few days since I failed the Celestial Academy entrance exams. It was a hard pill to swallow but I had to keep training. I still have one final chance. I have to get better. I have improved a lot and can now sense objects a touch perfectly. I can also sense people around me for 6 hours before I need rest, the once vague human figures I saw now had a proper and Solid form. I could make out their clothes and hair. Although facial features and color are missing it's good progress.

I walked into the martial arts club and only a few people had arrived. I was early so it was expected. My focus landed on the familiar aura of Sasha. "Hey there Sasha ready to get your ass whooped," I said towards hers. "look who it is. Since you're back here that means the exam didn't go so well" Sasha's voice reached my ears. "Yeah, it sucked that the opponent was a robot. They are much harder to sense in comparison to people so my reaction was slowed." I said.

She then stood up and went to the center of the mat. I remembered its location so I knew she was on it. "So have you given up are you still going to do this?" She asked. I followed her to the mat and got into a stance " Of course I won't give up. I still have one chance and I'm going to make it count." as I said that. She rushed at me. A punch was aimed at my head, I easily blocked it. Then followed by another to my chest that I also blocked "If that's the case then I don't think sparing with me will help you anymore " she said as her attacks got more aggressive. She was skilled and her strikes were thrown with a scary level of accuracy. She knew how to use faints to confuse her opponent and was relentless.

I jumped as she attempted to swipe me off my feet with a kick. She got up fast but it was too late. I punched her left side which she blocked. Then I kicked her left leg getting her off balance. "I don't think so. We still have work to do. This ain't over till I make it to Celestial Academy." I through multiple punches.

Each taking advantage of the gaps in her defense. Till I landed a kick on her stomach and she fell. "I guess that's my win," I said as I reached my hand out to her. She grabbed it and I lifted her. We then went for a small rest. "You know this is a waste of time right? You have beaten everyone in the club. I haven't won a single match in 3 months." Sasha said. I smiled slightly and said "It's not useless, at the end of the day I know that my lack of sight is the reason for my loss at the academy. So any form of practice is still good. Besides that, I want to help a friend get into Celestial Academy".

"Oh who's this friend?" she asked. I only faced her and smiled. " Wait me, why?" I heard you when we last spared. You whispered it but I heard you say you wished to give it a try, the exam I mean" I said. "What? That's crazy you must have imagined it," she said as she stood up to leave for the mat. "I might be blind but my ears work really well. Why don't you give it a try." I followed her while talking.

"Dude leave it. I don't want to talk about it" Sasha said. But I was not going to stop. We started fighting again. This time she was far more aggressive and angry with me. "I've fought the combat robots in the tests. They aren't as skilled as you. Just give it a try. You won't lose anything " I said to her "Bang!" a punch landed on my face right after my words. It was particularly strong causing me to take a few steps back.

"Let it go, man. It's none of your business and we aren't friends" She said and left the club room. But I didn't stop trying. Day after day I would train to sense inanimate objects and people. While also fighting at the martial arts club. Months went by like this. I would always try to convince Sasha while training. I would also stay in contact with my friends at the academy. Before I knew it the time for the exam had arrived and this time, I was ready.

…

15 January 2558

Planet Solomon, Celestine continent, Celestial academy, examination hall.

3rd person POV

The examination hall was once again taken by the seen of young Samuel attempting to pass the test and be admitted to the academy. Many felt that it was foolish of a 1-star blind Karna user to try. Yet many also respected him for not giving up and wished him the best. But one thing was for sure they all wanted to see how his attempt would play out.

Inside the exam combat room, Samuel stood over the body of the level 1 robot. He had no injuries only showing slight signs of tiredness. "Level 2 of the combat exam will automatically begin in 10 seconds. Would you like to end your attempt" a voice came from the room's speakers. It was from the teacher in charge of his room.

Samuel remained silent and waited for the next combat robot to come. It soon walked in from another door in the opposite direction from the entrance of the room. They soon got into fighting stances. Then " Swoosh!" with a fast speed the robot approached Samuel. He could only vaguely sense its presence. But thanks to the sounds it made, he knew an attack was coming.

The robot leaped into the air with a kick aiming for Samuel's chest. He was able to cross his arms and block the strike but was sent rolling backward. 'Shit it's so strong' Samuel thought to himself. This robot was 4 times stronger than a human. Making the force of its blows very heavy.

But a smile appeared on Samuel's face after he got hit. Unlike last time were he constantly needed to get hit to re-sense the robot, after a year of practice he could gain a full image of any inanimate object that came in contact with him. The image was very clear, it was like he could see it with normal eyes. It lasted for as long as he kept his ability active.

He could do the same to people. The robot then continued his attack by throwing a right hook. Samuel ducked and threw a punch of his own " Bang!" It landed but the robot took the opportunity to grab Samuels armed and pull him in for a new strike. He blocked it by redirecting the strike and made some distance. The robot was stronger and faster than he was.

So this fight wouldn't be easy. With a grin on his face. "I wonder if Sasha ever came to take the test," he said to himself as he and the robot clashed again and again. The battle was intense and there were many moments when the people watching thought Samuel would lose. Everyone was impressed by him lasting this long. But they couldn't see him winning. The robot was that much stronger than him.

That was until with a quick maneuver Samuel latched onto the robot's right leg. He moved fast for a guy of his size. By using his sudden movement and body weight he made the robot lose balance and fall. By locking its foot he twisted it with full force "Crack!" it broke. But then the robot punched him on his left leg.

Samuel let go and made some distance the hits were painful but he could still walk, nothing was broken. The robot tried to stand up but lost balance. Samuel rushed in at top speed and struck it with a knee to the head. It fell and Samuel proceeded to pummel it.

The battle was over with his victory. He was injured but victorious. He soon left the room and was welcomed by stunned gazes. " Yeeesssss!" "You did it man" his friends welcomed him with hugs and cheers as they brought him to the infirmary.

This time they were all hopeful. Samuel had to make it through. He performed excellently and they were all happy for him. After a few hours, the results arrived. Samuel read the notification he got and was stunned for a few seconds. He then showed his friends and they all had looks of surprise " What BS is this" Jennifer said in anger. " I guess it was just not meant to be," Samuel said. " No this isn't over," Blessed said and the group of friends walked out to go talk to the teachers.

Samuel stayed in the infirmary for a while. He covered his face as tears streamed down from his eyes. It hurt, much more than the first failure. This time he actually had hope. He saw light at the end of the tunnel. But it was too far away. He sensed his friends coming back so he wiped his tears and waited. They soon entered with a sad and frustrated expression. Samuel couldn't see their expressions but their silence was enough.

"I guess that means I won't be joining you guys. It's fine I tried my best and so did you guys" Samuel said with a forced smile. The others gritted their teeth "They said that although your performance was good your Karna is just too weak. They said that a karna that makes its user blind to give them a new perception isn't good enough." Rick said with sadness in his voice

The room then fell into silence. " Well, I guess since I won't be stepping foot back here again. How about you guys show me around one last time." Samuel said to cheer them up. The others agreed and they went out to tour some of the accessible facilities to visitors.

Time kept flying by. A few weeks later Jennifer and Tina graduated and were taken to a special team focused on exploring Nexus. They came to visit whenever they could and Samuel kept in contact with them all. He tried to be strong but he felt lost not knowing what to do from here.

Then a thought crossed his mind. If I can't train with an academy in the federation. What about one in Nexus? The federation had encountered many civilizations in Nexus all with different powers. Learning from one of them wouldn't hurt.