~ Third Person Pov, the next day... ~
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[Rise and shine. It's time to wake up host...]
Hearing Nexus' voice, Kairo slowly opened his eyes...
'I feel so, refreshed...' Kairo thought.
He went out of his meditative position, then quickly stretched his arms...
'Hmm... The weights don't feel anywhere near as bad as they were yesterday evening.' He thought, jumping up off the bed.
'Nexus, could you give me an update on all the changes that transpired since yesterday?'
[Of course... Calculating changes...
Mediation has level up 8 more times...
Physical Fitness has leveled up 4 more times...
Power level has also increased by 42.2%]
Kairo's eyes widened a little;
'That's, actually a pretty solid increase... It makes sense why the weights didn't feel as bad today...'
He slowly rolled his shoulders, testing his mobility for a moment. The armbands were still heavy, but no longer as harsh on his body. His breathing stayed relatively even now;
'But... My passives on the other hand. I feel like they should have leveled up a bit more. I must have spent half a day leveling them...'
Still, he somewhat understood that skills worked by difficulty scaling, and leveled faster as a result of when he pushes himself further and further.
Grumble~~
'I'm super hungry... I guess recovering my stamina throughout the night, and not eating anything yesterday must have really pushed me...'
He rubbed his stomach, already picturing a plate piled high with food. On Planet Vegeta, breakfast or food in general wasn't a casual affair. It was practically fuel for survival. Based on his memories, many killed over it too...
[Recommendation: I would suggest you eat immediately. Nutrient intake will help to accelerate your body's adaptation to the weights...]
Kairo smiled: 'I was already planning on it.'
He headed towards his door, however his movements stopped short...
Yesterday's events now plaguing his mind...
'...Could I even eat with that woman?' He truly wondered.
His jaw tensed...
It wasn't that he feared combat, or pain, or even the prospect of dying. But, there was something different about that specific moment. Something that told him her threat wasn't really a bluff.
[Host...?] Nexus' voice cut in, his tone oddly sympathetic in nature...
'I'm… Just thinking.' Kairo responded.
[Processing... My probability analysis suggests your hesitation now is related to yesterday's exchange... I can confirm that, based on Saiyan cultural norms, your mother's statement was not just an emotional exaggeration.]
Kairo's brows furrowed: '…So she really meant it then.' Scoffing at the idea.
He knew it himself, but hearing Nexus confirm it in his mind only solidified his opinion.
[It's best you train hard host... Remain on her good side for as long as you can. At least, until you can take care of yourself... Survival and strength determine social bonds among Saiyans of this society. Familial love heavily conditional.]
'Sounds… nice.' Kairo thought dryly, forcing a breath through his nose. His stomach had growled again, breaking his train of thoughts.
[Regardless of their social dynamics, you still require sustenance. Prolonged fasting will only slow your current growth rate.]
That, at least, was something simple. Straightforward. Food was something he could handle.
With a sharp hiss, the door slid open. Kairo stepped out, each motion a reminder of the weights still clinging to his arms and legs. He was truly thankful that they didn't feel as bad as they were yesterday.
Nexus eventually spoke up again;
[If you wish to avoid unnecessary conflict this morning, I recommend minimal interaction. Acquire your food. Eat quickly, and return to school for further training.]
'You make it sound like I'm on the run...' Kairo responded, finding his situation quite ironic.
[...In a sense, you are.]
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The smell hit him before he even reached the kitchen. A savory, heavy, and rich scent. Meat. Real meat. His pace slowed... His mouth almost drooling.
When he entered, his mother was already there, seated at the long metallic table.
She didn't look up immediately, focusing instead on the many slabs of seared flesh on her plate. Her tail swayed lazily behind her chair, a movement so calm it was almost unnerving...
Kairo stopped a few steps from the table. Yesterday's conversation still at the back of his mind.
She finally looked at him, onyx eyes piercing him: "You're up earlier than I expected you to be." She said, casually.
"Yes... I think it'd be better to start early. Maybe to train a little before the class actually start."
Her eyes narrowed slightly at his answer, but there was no edge in her tone when she replied: "Hmph… that's one thing you've gotten right. Discipline."
Kairo didn't move closer just yet. The smell of the food was making his stomach twist, but his mind still replayed her words from yesterday, you would no longer be my son, over and over. At this point, he couldn't not think about it.
'Is this what my daily life will be like going forward?' He thought, exhausted.
His mother tilted her head: "Well? Sit. Eat. Or, have you decided fasting will make you stronger...?"
[She is testing you, host.] Nexus' voice rang in his head, continuing;
[I should warn you that refusing will be likely be interpreted as a form of weakness. Accepting too eagerly will also reflect poorly...]
'Yeah, thanks for the heads up...' Kairo noted.
Kairo took the seat across from her. Not too close. Not too far. He didn't make a comment but he nodded. He didn't thank her, and started stacking food onto his plate...
For a while, the only sound was the scrape of utensils and the tearing of meat. The silence wasn't exactly hostile… but, it definitely wasn't warm either.
Finally, his mother spoke up again: "When you lost yesterday, I heard you got up every time you were knocked down..." She bit into a chunk of the meat, chewed slowly, then continued;
"That's good. But getting back up is the bare minimum. I expect you to be the one knocking them down."
Kairo swallowed his bite before answering: "...That's the goal."
Her tail gave the faintest flick, but she said nothing more, going back to her food. Nexus was silent now too, and somehow, that made the tension worse...
When the meal was finished, she stood and left without a word. No parting glances between the two, and no gesture of approval.
[She is… pleased.] Nexus finally said after a bit.
Kairo stared at the empty chair: 'You could have fooled me.'
He thought to himself. Then he stood, ready to start the day.
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Eventually, Kairo had finally made his way to the academy, however, he was visibly exhausted when he had somewhat reached;
'Damn... my muscles are fried.' He huffed tiredly.
PING!
[Physical Fitness has leveled up twice...]
'Ah, great. I'd be surprised if it didn't.' Kairo thought;
'Thanks to this passive alone, I nearly have twice as much stamina compared to most people. Which means, I would be a whole lot more worn down without it. Heck, I don't even wanna imagine it.'
Kairo dragged practically himself toward the academy entrance, each step making the weights feel just a little heavier again. His legs continued burning, and his shoulders ached from the constant pull of the armbands...
Students were already gathering in small groups outside, talking and laughing, or boasting about whatever fights they'd had yesterday. A few glanced his way, eyes narrowing, likely at the sight of how oddly he was moving.
Of course, he ignored them all.
The academy's massive training yard loomed ahead, its open space already occupied by sparring pairs and solo drills...
'I don't see any of my teammates yet... But, it is quite early. Regardless, I might as well try something else while I have the time.'
He looked around for a moment, seeing some of what seemed like the older children doing what he wanted to do...
Use Ki.
'I remember in my last stand. I managed to draw it out of myself when fighting that girl, Aka... I just need to remember that feeling once again...' Kairo huffed, then sat calmly. Slowly closing his eyes...
He chanted within his mind: 'Focus... Remember the feeling...'
After some minutes passing. He could slowly begin to feel a warm, yet comforting sensation spreading throughout his body...
'I... I think I can feel it... It's moving really well too... Is it because of my meditation skill?' His felt as if his Ki was moving extremely well throughout his body. Although he had no one to compare to, he doesn't think it should be moving this well.
'Alright... Now, slowly channel it though my arm.'
Kairo inhaled slowly, letting the warmth flow down from his chest, through his shoulder, and into his arm. The sensation almost felt like a second heartbeat under his skin...
[Hmm... You're doing quite well, host. That is rare for your age.] Nexus commented.
Kairo narrowed his focus, visualizing the energy collecting in his palm... The warmth condensed, pressure building until a faint shimmer of light appeared just above his skin.
His breath hitched for a bit: '...I see it.' He thought to himself.
Sweat started to form: 'Still, this is only the first step. I need to push myself a but more, and actually move it.'
Focusing even more, attempting to move the ball of energy within his palm. However, this gained the attention of some of the instructors present...
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'What the...?' The instructor thought.
He made sure to rub his eyes properly: 'Isn't that Kairo? Kaina's son?' The instructors thought once more, now confused;
'He's supposed to be new... So, how the hell is he using Ki when we didn't even teach him?'
The instructor continued watching, now hinting his colleague as well, saying;
"Uh... Brodak... You might wanna see this."
The man in question turned: "Palmas? See what?"
Palmas pointed: "It's Kaina'skid... You might want to take a look."
Hearing the Saiyan's name, the man turned, looking ahead, his eyes widening in the process;
"Hmm? He's using a Ki ball, he's managed to get in the air too... What's so impressive?"
Palmas dead panned: "It isn't, but guess what. The kid started coming here yesterday."
Brodak looked at his comrade as if he was pranking him, quickly answered;
"No way... He must have gotten taught before. It's not impossible. After all, he's a Super-Elite's kid."
Palmas shook his head: "Not according to the info we've got about him. His mother sparred with him sparingly, and that was that. Plus, I don't think she's lying. It's not like it's looked down upon."
Brodak hearing this sighed... Then responded: "If that's really the case here. You'll just have to confirm that yourself."
Palmas sighed as well: "I know... I'll be right back..."
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On the other hand, the shimmering ball in Kairo's palm pulsed faintly, flickering as his focus wavered for just a second. He grit his teeth...
'No… keep it steady. Hold it!' Kairo commanded himself.
His arm trembled from the strain. He could literally feel it wanting to disperse, slip back into the rest of his body... However, the ball was now hovering off of his palm, keeping both it's size and powers...
PING!
[(NEW) Ki Control-I: Increases the host's ability to control, shape and manifest Ki, by [10%]]
Kairo instantly dispersed the ball of energy. That had taken a lot out of him to do.
'I did it...!' He thought, tiredly, yet happily.
Somewhere nearby, he heard footsteps. A shadow fell across his body...
"Kairo!"
The voice was sharp and snappy. Authority wrapped in a single word. Kairo turned just enough to see an instructor standing there, arms folded, expression that made him seem inquisitive.
"Alright... I'll only ask you this once." The instructor said, now pointing towards Kairo's Palm;
"Tell me... Where did you learn how to do that?"
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END