2025-02-23 19:12:58In that moment, as his fists and feet met every challenge, the heavens themselves might have echoed his name, for Tiyaga had arrived.
The training continued, each trainee testing their limits, raw instinct guiding them where experience failed.
Bodies clashed and moved in fluid synchrony as they learned the brutal, unforgiving rhythm of combat.
The field became a blur of strikes, blocks, and the occasional glint of wide-eyed fear as some realized they'd never fought like this before.
Some trainees gave in, retreating or surrendering when the onslaught became too overwhelming, while others grew fiercer, their resolve hardening with each blow.
Among them, five figures stood out.
These five warriors moved with a natural aptitude, as if born to the chaos.
They struck decisively, their stances grounded, their bodies aware of every potential threat.
The late arrival Luna had noticed was particularly remarkable;
his movements were sharp and precise, his eyes scanning the field with a steely determination that seemed out of place for a newcomer.
Huh… Those ones are good, Rico thought, his eyes tracking the five standouts as they dodged and countered effortlessly, clearly unfazed by their opponents.
Suddenly, his gaze shifted, and a wave of clarity washed over him.
Gauge activated, a system notification blinked in his vision, names and ranks appearing faintly above each of the five exceptional trainees:
Talia of Helikon - Rank: Warrior [Advanced]
Omarion, the Fierce - Rank: Warrior [Intermediate]
Soraya of Shadows - Rank: Warrior [Intermediate]
Kano, Blade of Helikon- Rank: Warrior [Advanced]
Lycus - Rank: Warrior [Novice]
!!!
Rico's brow furrowed in concentration, but his focus was abruptly shattered by the sharp force of a roundhouse kick landing squarely on his back.
He stumbled forward, hitting the ground with a rough thud.
Pain prickled up his spine, yet his HP meter barely dropped, showing only a 5-point deduction.
Still strong enough to keep me down, he thought, pushing himself to his feet slowly, testing his balance as he rose.
He's so scrawny—that was supposed to knock him flat, his ambusher muttered, approaching with a raised kick, clearly intent on finishing Rico off.
The foot sailed toward his chest just as Rico leaned forward, bracing his weight on his hands and allowing the impact to help him pivot smoothly back onto his feet.
Rico's eyes locked onto the ambusher's, a spark of determination flaring.
A name appeared above the ambusher's head, flickering into view:
Lysander, the Brute - Rank: Warrior [Intermediate]
Wow, Rico thought, his heart racing with newfound clarity. I didn't even activate Gauge, but it's on. So, Luna can do that…
[You are blessed by Ares. Show it.]
Luna's voice rang out, filling him with fresh resolve.
"You're not bad for an ascender," Lysander taunted, a smirk tugging at his lips as he circled Rico, moving with a casual confidence.
What does he mean by that? Rico thought, his eyes narrowing in confusion.
[He means you ascended from another realm. Him, and most of the trainees here, were born here, unlike you.]
People can be born here? Rico asked Luna in amazement.
[Finish the training, and I'll explain more. You inherited the wisdom of the worlds, didn't you?]
Luna's tone was almost annoyed.
[Stop circling and move already!]
With a final push of determination, Rico lunged toward Lysander, his stance lowered, and his fists raised.
Their fists collided in a furious exchange, each blow dodged, each countered, in a dance of focused precision and strength.
"That all you got, 'ascender'?" Lysander sneered, striking toward Rico's head, only to have his punch deflected with a swift flick of Rico's forearm.
Rico smirked back, breathing heavily, feeling the thrill of his body's newfound agility.
"You'll have to do better than that, native."
They moved in a relentless rhythm, neither giving an inch.
The crowd around them watched in hushed awe, some cheering, some gasping at each near miss or powerful hit.
Demetrius, overseeing from a distance, observed Rico's performance with a keen eye, nodding subtly as he noticed the ease with which Rico adapted to each strike.
Lysander lunged forward with an uppercut, but Rico sidestepped, his movements instinctual.
He threw his weight into a counter-punch that landed squarely on Lysander's ribs, sending him stumbling back.
"Not bad for a first-timer, huh?" Rico taunted, feeling a surge of confidence.
Lysander snarled, his face twisted in defiance, his fists clenched tighter.
"That's it, then. Let's see if you can keep up," he muttered, charging at Rico once more.
The fight continued, each taunt traded, each hit escalating their intensity.
Rico's fists flew faster, his stance grew stronger, and for the first time, he felt truly alive in this realm.
The dormant power within Rico buzzed at the edge of his consciousness, a vibrant thrill pulsing through him with each punch.
For every blow exchanged, he felt his body acclimate, his instinct sharpening as he kept pace with Lysander, whose gaze was now tinged with frustration.
I'm an intermediate warrior, yet this guy is still matching me! Lysander thought, gritting his teeth as he started to feel his pride take a hit.
Dammit, Commander Demetrius said no weapons… but he never said anything about not using divine power.
He shot a glance at Talia of Helikon, who was dispatching her own opponents with refined precision, her face calm and focused.
Lysander smirked, his gaze returning to Rico, whose fighting style was rough and unpolished yet unnervingly effective.
The fact that Rico, an apparent newcomer, was holding his ground only fueled Lysander's frustration.
Meanwhile, across the training field, Kano, another exceptional warrior, noticed the skirmish and stole a glance at Rico.
That one's holding his own against Lysander. He's definitely not from Olympus. He resumed his focus but kept the thought in the back of his mind.
The air grew heavier with tension as the training wore on, and more trainees were knocked to the ground.
Rico and Lysander remained locked in close combat, trading blows with increasing intensity.
Despite his stamina draining rapidly, Rico felt a strange satisfaction—a realization that he had been starving for this fight.
Each punch was an awakening, a test of his limits and newfound power.
Dammit, I have no choice. I'll use my divine power, Lysander thought, finally relenting to his frustration.
He leapt back, readying himself as his energy started to coalesce—
"Training is concluded!" Demetrius's voice rang out across the field, instantly halting the session.
Rico stumbled back, chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.
Sweat glistened on his face, and he fought to steady his breathing, a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction evident in his expression.
Lysander, on the other hand, clenched his jaw, visibly frustrated.
He looked at Rico with a glare that showed his irritation at having his plan cut short.
Around them, the training field was littered with bodies of fallen trainees, some sprawled on the ground, others struggling to rise, and a few surrendering in frustration.
Only ten remained standing, including Rico and the five exceptional warriors.
With a flash, Rico's Gauge skill activated, and he saw the ranks and names of the final ten:
Rico Tiyaga Santos - Rank: Warrior [Novice]
Lysander, the Brute - Rank: Warrior [Intermediate]
Talia of Helikon - Rank: Warrior [Advanced]
Omarion, the Fierce - Rank: Warrior [Intermediate]
Soraya of Shadows - Rank: Warrior [Intermediate]
Kano, Blade of Ares - Rank: Warrior [Advanced]
Others…
Demetrius's commanding voice drew everyone's attention.
"Thus concludes the first training."
He surveyed the field with a critical eye.
"Some of you surrendered with barely a pinch. That is a disgrace to the warriors of Ares."
A murmur rippled through the crowd, and Demetrius continued, his tone turning stern.
"Others showed resilience, pushing beyond their limits. In battle, even the tiniest hint of weakness will lead to your eternal erasure."
His gaze sharpened as he addressed the remaining trainees.
"A warrior of Ares does not cower. If you cannot protect yourself, who will protect those you love?"
A sense of pride swelled within the trainees. Demetrius pointed to the ten still standing.
"Out of 110 trainees, only ten of you remain. Each of you will now lead a group of ten, chosen from those you defeated."
Gasps and whispers erupted as the trainees processed this unexpected twist.
Rico's eyes widened slightly, unsure of how to feel about this sudden responsibility.
"The ten of you, step forward," Demetrius commanded.
Rico, Lysander, and the other remaining warriors moved to the front, forming a line.
Those who had fallen to them began forming lines behind each victor.
A few hesitant trainees shuffled forward first, standing in single file behind their conquerors.
As the lines grew longer,
Demetrius added, "If the line you belong in has more than ten, move to another line. Order will be respected here."
Slowly, the defeated trainees arranged themselves.
Some who had fallen to the more formidable fighters hesitated, looking around and choosing a line with reluctance.
Rico glanced over his shoulder as his line grew steadily, a mix of familiar faces he'd sparred with and others who had simply chosen his line.
There was an air of reluctant respect in their expressions, and he felt a surge of responsibility settle onto his shoulders.
His first day had barely begun, yet he was already taking his place as a leader, however unexpected.
Demetrius stepped forward, his gaze passing over each of the ten remaining trainees with an approving nod.
"I hereby bestow upon the ten of you the title Novice Commander," he declared, raising his hand in a gesture of authority.
Rico felt a sudden warmth, a faint pulse of energy, as a chime echoed in his mind.
Ding!
[New Title Acquired: Novice Commander]
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In that moment, as his fists and feet met every challenge, the heavens themselves might have echoed his name, for Tiyaga had arrived.The training continued, each trainee testing their limits, raw instinct guiding them where experience failed.Bodies clashed and moved in fluid synchrony as they learned the brutal, unforgiving rhythm of combat.The field became a blur of strikes, blocks, and the occasional glint of wide-eyed fear as some realized they'd never fought like this before.Some trainees gave in, retreating or surrendering when the onslaught became too overwhelming, while others grew fiercer, their resolve hardening with each blow.Among them, five figures stood out.These five warriors moved with a natural aptitude, as if born to the chaos.They struck decisively, their stances grounded, their bodies aware of every potential threat.The late arrival Luna had noticed was particularly remarkable;his movements were sharp and precise, his eyes scanning the field with a steely d
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As Rico lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling, he felt anticipation and a bit of nervousness bubbling up inside.He had an eagerness to explore the new abilities and powers he had received in this realm.Determined to access his stats, he tried speaking aloud:"Open," he murmured, but nothing appeared."System open," he repeated, with no luck.Finally, he muttered, "Luna open," and with a soft chime, a translucent blue window materialized before him.Glowing softly in the dim light, it displayed neatly arranged options that he scanned eagerly: • [Quests] • [Inventory] • [Stats] • [Skills]Rico focused on Stats, and the display shifted smoothly, bringing up his current attributes in a structured layout.---[Name]: Rico Tiyaga Santos [Rank]: Warrior(Novice)[Occupation]: Trainee of Ares [Trait]: Favour of the Gods [Title]: none---STATS • HP: 200 • Stamina: 80 • Divine Energy: 20 Strength: 22 (+20) Agility: 12 (+10) Intelligence: 70 (+40) Endurance: 23 (+20)
Camaraderie
Rico stuttered, feeling the weight of Thalor's intimidating presence as he walked to the chair.It felt like sitting before a king, and he instinctively respected the authority the overseer held."I can tell you come from the Heaven of the Righteous Faithful, Tiyaga," Thalor said, his voice steady and commanding."It is rare to find beings from there coming here. Most end up living as ordinary, while those who ascend join Archangel Michael's crusade." Rico listened intently, aware of the significance of his arrival."But I was surprised when you fell here and exhibit the energy from the Heaven of Righteous…" Thalor continued, pausing to study him."And I can sense that you have the blessing of our lord Ares.""So, Tiyaga, I will ask again: What is your purpose here?" Thalor's question hung in the air, and Rico felt the pressure mounting. "Huh?" Rico thought, deep in reflection.It dawned on him that he didn't have a purpose for being in Helikon; it all felt like a whirlwind of emoti
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Eila's fingers snapped, and four scrolls appeared before Rico, each one floating and slowly unfurling, their text glowing with divine light.A system chime echoed in his mind, mirroring the options displayed on the scrolls.Ting![Main Quest Generated][Description: Choose Your Destiny][Option 1: Archangel Michael's Crusade]Trait: The Holy OneDescription: Holy magic is enhanced, and the wielder gains the ability to summon one of Archangel Michael's swords. Weaker opponents perish in its presence, while equal beings are greatly weakened and stronger beings are slightly diminished.---[Option 2: Halls of Valhalla]Trait: Warrior of OdinDescription: Favored by the god Odin, any wielder who takes up arms in battle will never lose the will to fight. All stats increase by 1.5x during combat, making them a formidable warrior with Viking resilience.---[Option 3: Mount Olympus]Trait: Favor of the GodsDescription: Blessed by the gods of Olympus, the wielder receives a random blessing f
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Heavenly Guide.
Rico's eyes widened as he saw the glowing text appear before him, floating in the air.This was no dream. His life, as he knew it, was about to change forever. The being holding the scroll waved his fingers once more.Suddenly, Rico's body shimmered, glowing faintly before disappearing from the spot.All around him, the scenery shifted, and soon everything was consumed by a vast expanse of white clouds.!!!"What now?" Rico muttered to himself, looking around in confusion."Where am I? What is this place?"Ting!A soft chime echoed in the void, followed by a voice in his head.[System integrating with Tiyaga...]Huh? What's with this system? Rico thought, bewildered by the sudden intrusion of the voice.[Integration complete!][Congratulations on making it to heaven, Rico Tiyaga Santos.][I am called Luna, your heavenly guide.][I was your monitoring spirit or let's say, your guardian angel—while you were in the Earth realm.][I shall be your guide from now on.]What?! Rico's mind ra
Fall and Ascension.
Huff! Huff! Huff!"Not... not... no... not Reyna," Rico panted, his breath ragged as he forced himself onward. His legs burned, his breath ragged from exhaustion.He had been running for what felt like hours, dragging himself across the streets toward the abandoned construction site around Dominga Street, where he knew Reyna and her friends were.His body screamed for rest, but the thought of what they might do to her pushed him onward.He had to warn her.Finally, the towering unfinished building came into view. Rico saw the cars parked outside, his heart sinking.They're here.Desperation fueled his legs as he charged forward, calling her name with every ounce of strength left in him."Reyna!! Reyna!!" His voice echoed through the half-built structure, his throat raw.He darted inside, climbing the rough concrete stairs two at a time.At the rooftopLaughter and music filled the rooftop.Six of them—Mateo, his friends, and the girls—lounged around with music playing from a portabl
A Toad's Struggle: The Beginning
"Look at yourself and look at me. A toad like you wants this?"Reyna's voice dripped with disdain as she gestured at her body, her short skirt swaying with every move, and her shirt struggling to hold her chest.The crowd of Manila High School, a high school in Manila, gathered quickly, drawn to the commotion."I... I..." Rico stuttered, feeling the weight of their stares like stones pressing down on him in the hallway just outside the classroom.He was 'Rico Santos', an orphan forever branded the 'loser' of the school.His tattered uniform was a constant reminder of his struggles, his trousers barely brushing his scuffed shoes—an echo of a life he could never afford.Laughter erupted around him."Haha, hilarious, Rico!" Mateo pushed through the crowd, his sneering face a symbol of Rico's humiliation."Look at her closely, Rico. That's the closest you'll ever get to my goddess," Mateo taunted, flanked by his friends, their laughter sharp and cruel.It cut deeper than any punch ever co
