In the parking lot of the Martial Arts Trainee Center...The president of the martial arts training center stood outside in the front park with Harrison. It was around ten am in the morning and their faces looked a little unpleasant, they had been standing there for a long time while waiting for Derrick. Till now there was no sign of him." That Derrick is really strange, isn't he? For two weeks he has not smelt this place, even though we left full use of the Dixt tree for him. What's more, is that he even has the nerve to keep us waiting for two hours!. Harrison, did you not text him yesterday to remind him of the time?". The president complained bitterly." I did text him yesterday. He told me he would be here. And If I remember correctly, I think he said that the energy around the Dixt tree was exhausted. What's this about letting him have full access to it? Maybe I heard wrongly." Harrison replied as he looked at the president with a strange gaze." Cough... Cough... Nevermind t
" Hahaha! Starlight City baby!". Derrick carried his backpack out of the airport's gate and greedily inhaled the fresh airFinally, he was out of Burrin. It was so refreshing. "Phoo! This place is chilly!". Derrick rubbed his shoulders as he shivered. He wore skimpy clothes while traveling. It was not that he did not know that Starlight City had by far a lower degree than Burrin. He knew perfectly well, but Derrick had presumed that since he had become a martial artist he could be immune from the cold. Now it seemed like he was a little naive in his thinking. His body was only stronger than a normal person's own, and he could endure harsh weather better. But that did not mean that he was immune to cold.However, it was not a problem. He just had to circulate a bit of energy and he could get rid of the cold.He circulated his internal energy to get rid of the cold before activating his meditation state while praying strongly that the spiritual energy in Starlight City was not scar
Derrick picked up the manual Edgar had given him. The man had emphasized it so much that it would be a little foolish not to read it.And Derrick needed to know what was going to happen from here. Edgar did not behave like a guide at all and just left him with vague guidance. Derrick himself was too lazy to ask the man anything. Since there was a handy book here that did not require him to associate with anybody, why not?He started reading the manual. Its content was pretty easy to understand. Derrick had just found out that this organization was called the Martial Arts Training Academy. Not headquarters. He had Harrison and the president to blame for that. The first few lines consisted of the rules of the academy which were, to be honest, a little too few. The rules were just saying; that you can have all the freedom you want. Just don't cause any trouble outside the academy or you'll face the consequences yourself while the academy looks on with arms folded. The rules also sa
Jason looked at the state of Derrick's belongings, shook his head, and sighed. He closed the door behind himself and walked to his corner." Wait for me. I'll be out in a minute". He told Derrick as he entered the bathroom.Derrick furrowed his brows " Why should I wait for you?". He asked loudly." Just wait. There are some things you need to know". Jason's voice called out from the bathroom.Derrick was a little puzzled by Jason's request, but he waited anyway. He was unfamiliar with this place and would appreciate any new information.After some minutes, Jason came out of the bathroom with white steam rising from his body. He picked up some new clothes and wore them before turning to Derrick." You just arrived at the academy and you don't know much, but it's a rule for the roommate of the newcomer or the nearest person around to show them how things are run in the academy". " But, a guide already showed me around when I arrived". Derrick pointed out.Jason dismissively waved his
Outside the fighting hall.The two men had already walked some meters away when Jason turned to Derrick. An apologetic look on his face." Uhm, about what just happened. I'm sorry I got you involved. If I knew he was still in there I would not have brought you here". Derrick continued walking forward without answering and Jason eventually followed. After some minutes of silent walking, Derrick looked at the young boy at his side whose bored expression made it really hard to know his true emotions. " Did you challenge him or did he challenge you?". Derrick asked suddenly."Huh?". Jason was startled. " Oh, right. He challenged me. Until this morning I was higher than him in the rankings. Since he learned a spear art he has been moving upwards steadily. The guy you saw him defeat was just above me".Derrick raised his eyebrows slightly, " What spear art?"." I was going to tell you about that later. It's a martial technique. You can find martial techniques in the library. There's a se
Very early the next day, Derrick climbed up the stairs of the library with bright eyes. He had been dreaming of the library throughout the whole night. He could not wait to read all the books there. The guards were the same ones as the day before and they only glanced at Derrick perfunctorily as he passed through the doors of the library.The expected scene of towering shelves filled with ancient books and a mystical air was not what greeted Derrick as he entered. Instead, there was a small plain room with a high desk at the end. At the sides of the desk were two doors. One was closed while the other revealed a spiral staircase leading upwards. A middle-aged man sat at the desk. His face was sallow and he had a pale complexion. His ragged brown hair hid behind his high crown which made him look like he was balding.The man looked at Derrick drowsily and asked in a tired voice." What level are you?"" First Stage apprentice".The man dragged his right hand across the desk so it was p
Ring!...Ring!...Ring! An arm shot out suddenly and knocked off the alarm clock jerking violently on a bedside desk. The alarm clock fell on the rugged floor and continued ringing loudly. A pair of red eyes opened wide and stared at the white intricate ceiling. As the blares from the alarm continued from the floor, a dark figure rose from the bed to a sitting posture. The figure reached for a phone that sat on the table. It opened up the phone and scrolled through for a few seconds. Soon after a sigh escaped its lips then it stepped down from the bed and walked to a corner of the room. Flip!The formerly dark room brightened up. A man in dark pajamas appeared in the bright light. His pale white skin formed a contrast with the pajamas he was wearing. His hair was full and black. He had a handsome profile with a pair of emotionless eyes." Another monotonous day of work". He murmured as he entered the bathroom door. As he brushed his teeth in front of the sink mirror, past memor
The next day Derrick opened his eyes and saw himself on a white bed. A small stream of tears flowed from his eyes uncontrollably and he became confused. Why was he crying?And why did he have a dull ache in his heart? He sat up on the bed and looked around him. " What am I doing in a hospital?". He wondered.From nowhere, he could feel the ache in his heart get stronger and stronger with each passing second. A large wave of sadness washed over him and the stream of tears turned turned into a raging torrent. Suddenly, his memories of the events of the previous day flashed through his mind. Immediately, the force of reality hit him hard in the face.He now remembered. He had lost everything. In the next instant, a large swarm of lingering memories sped through his mind like a rushing wave.Sonia's loving smile and her hearty laughter. His mother's tired but sweet smile coupled with her caring gaze. His dear siblings and their mischievous smiles. The happy smiles on the full f