Chapter 5

Z9 woke up on his small bed as the sun shone through his window giving the room a warm atmosphere.

While he looked at the light, a sad expression was formed. He felt empty, like something very important has just been taken away from him, something he holds dear…

As he continued to fix his bed, he felt something warm dropped at the back of his hand and looked.

Water?…

He stopped, as it continued to drip. The warmth in his face he's feeling are tears falling through his cheeks. He wiped it off instinctively and noticed his pillow has a small part of watermarks on it.

.…. Have I been crying?

I think...

I have had a dream last night... but I don't seem to remember...

Hmmm

Oh right, I haven't gotten anything since last night.

Z9 went out to the cafeteria. It's big and bustling, and no other eye catching decorations, just a simple place where kids go to have a bite.

The 2 queues are always long in the morning as they wait to get their fill. It has many tables that can accommodate approximately up to 50 to 60 pax.

Like always, many children have been staring at him every time he is around, so he put his hood to his head as the kids avoid him like water and oil.

You can hear them whispering and some are even giving him a disgusted look with a mocking smile.

“Hey look! Isn't that guy… that guy who just fought Z107?”

“Yeah! Name is Z9 right?”

“Yeah you're right, they say he won that fight”

“No… It was clearly a draw”

“I mean look... What's with his look? Is he sick or what?”

“Lol I can beat him with just 1 move!”

“Hahaha 1 move my ***!”

“But they say he's supposed to get a direct acceptance but got cancelled”

“Is that true?”

“Hehe… No way! That's probably a hoax”

“I mean come on, if he really gotten a direct acceptance like Red Chu and Kohan, then there is no reason for it to be cancelled in the first place”

“If… he won the fight right?”

“Haha… true, true!”

“Lol… maybe they just both don't qualify”

“But we didn't get qualified either”

“Lol… but they are different, show offs lol”

“Shhh… He might hear you. Hihi”

Z9 paid no attention to any of them cause it won't do any good to him quarreling with a bunch of kids. He just minded his own business with a straight face like it's nothing new.

Aghrrr… kids!

When you grow up, you will realize how fucked up the world can be.

He grabbed his breakfast and went to a corner.

When he's about to sit, across the other tables he saw a familiar face, sitting there, eating by himself.

It was Z107.

He felt strange cause the person whom he tried to kill once, is now in front of him. Like you have carried and won the game desperately but your team still sucks.

Z107 felt a familiar presence so lit his head up, figuring out who could it be and their eyes met.

Z9's pupils shrunk a little as his face was filled with mixed emotions. The distance didn't do anything, they are connected. A sudden freeze of time erupted, cautious to every inch of their body as they slowly flowed.

What will happen?…

Will he attack?

Z107 put down his bread from his right hand showing no hostility and with a straight face, he nodded firmly like nothing has ever happened.

Z9 released a deep breath and felt relief at that point thinking this kid may not be an enemy but instead a rival!

He nodded back, with his eyes full of respect as if you have gained a companion.

Havoc Pavilion

After he ate, Z9 went back to the Havoc Pavilion and like yesterday, he saw the guy sleeping under the tree, relaxing without a care in the world.

He went inside expecting to be stopped but what welcomed him was silence, the abandoned dusty room with old books and nothing happened. He then took out the wooden tablet and stared at it.

I guess I don't need to show it to him.

Hmm...

Maybe he feels I have it… As expected to one of the persons who handles here

Anyways, I've come here to improve myself, I ain't gonna benefit for just being petty. There are still many things to do!

Z9's eyes burned with determination as his fists clenched and somehow the thing on his forehead swayed a little.

I initially wanted to tampered my physical body using spiritual energy to improve my physique or at least to lessen my greatest weakness but since it has come to this.

I just have to deal with it!

Hmm... I need to sort things out first

So basically, for my physical body I have hit a roadblock but Normal Martial Techniques is a good thing too than nothing.

I wonder if they have some sort of technique related to Muay Thai in this world, it really helps your body to become sturdy and increase your endurance. It would really be beneficial to me if there are.

But first! Let's check my Innate Ability, it is still open for possibility so I better maximize everything I have so I don't have anything to regret later.

... Hmm I read about something like ‘Mental Energy’ yesterday, I wonder what's the connection between those two.

Since I am the only one here and everyone seems to have gotten their own manuals already.

I'll just gather everything that I'll need in one place since I'm the only one who will be using this place for now.

Z9 took his time to segregate all the manuals and records he could find but since everything is a mess and there are manuals he kept finding from random places, he decided to start from a scratch and clean the entirety of Pavilion first.

It took him a whole week of cleaning from top to bottom and segregating the manuals to its respective shelves and things he wants to read.

Outside the Havoc Pavilion

“Just what the hell is that damn kid doing? He just keep on coming back and even cleaned the whole damn thing” as he scratch his head with his eyes filled with curiosity as his eyes followed Z9 as he leave the place “And he still haven't picked up any manuals yet”

Then his face blackened as his eyes grinned with a huge smile “Oh well, maybe Grandpa will praise me for this hiihii”

6 months later

As Z9 was about to enter the Havoc Pavilion, the one who's always sleeping under the tree appeared before him and stopped him angrily “Stop right there you damn kid!”

Z9 flinched, surprise because he has been going in and out for a few months now and he never bothered him again since their first meeting and is now, angry at him for some reason.

“Just what the hell are you doing?!!” the guy asked while his nose's fuming

Z9 felt intimidated and stepped back then answered “I'm trying to s-study???”

After hearing Z9's answer, his eyes widened “Study what!? Do you know how many months have you been here stuuudddyiiiiiing? Huh!?” he said while pointing his index finger against Z9's forehead

Z9 shrunk himself instinctively and replied “5 months ss-sir?”

“5 months!??” the guy repeated as his head turned red and the ground begun to shake making the pebbles jump, and an immeasurable pressure from above felt like it can fall at any given time then fire glowed in his eyes “FFFiiiive months?! It's been a freaking SSSiiix months now and you still haven't choosen any anything!”

Then his brows knitted and crossed his arms “So! What kind of manuals do you want!!?”

“Then do you still have any other techniques here? I think the ones here are a little…” Z9 stopped for a second and swallowed his breath and said “…shallow?” then Z9 immediately closed his eyes to prepare in case he gets hit

“You!…” the guy said as his veins popped out in his neck then sighed “Ok kid! Everything here is just an Entry Level technique, once you enter Primordial Havoc Institute you will be getting a much higher level technique than what's in here as an Outer Disciple”

I can't believe this kid has actually noticed it! Though I do think they mentioned that it's Entry Level techniques are what they are getting but to say it's… shallow?

He really has high comprehension.

…But I wonder if will he be able to make it

“In fact! Since you have me today, I'll give you 1 of my personal techniques if ever you get in the top 10… no! Top 5! Top 5 you hear me? So you better hurry up and take 2 manuals already then get out!”

Z9 asked as he fiddled his fingers “Are all the manuals here martial techniques?”

The guy turned red and yelled “Yes you damn kid! Why the hell would we put anything in there that's not related to martial techniques?!!”

Aghrrr… this kid!

Why does he have to be so annoying!…

Z9 ran in fear into the pavilion and took the 2 manuals that he was considering then left in a hurry while the guy sat at the entrance waiting for the other kids to bring back the manuals they have borrowed.

Damn kid!

This task should have been finished already. Grandfather will surely beat me to death.

Sigh!

Open streets of Collbir

Since today was a little unexpected, Z9 felt a little lost. He don't know what to do since he's been going to the Havoc Pavilion early in the morning for the past 6 months then going out before midnight.

He look at the busy streets where many stalls at the sidewalk are placed. There are tons of people minding their own businesses buying herbal plants, medicines and weapons as well then thought.

It really is different here.

… Even weapons can be sold publicly in the open streets.

He didn't have the luxury to look around since he doesn't have any money in the first place. They have only provided him a place to stay and foods, as for the money he will have to earn it.

Then he saw 3 kinds running with their weapons and thought.

Since it's still early in the morning, I can just learn the manuals later

The kids are probably practicing now. Might as go check them while I'm on my way back.

I'm curious to see how much they have improved

Z9 went to one of the training grounds near to where he currently reside to have a look and saw the children practicing their own martial skills in the wide open ground.

It's quite noisy as you can hear the sound of metals clashing and ground stomping everywhere under the sun in a huge soccer field like with no grass. And at the center is a stage where children challenge each other or exchange pointers.

They have their own weapons from swords, spears and a few are using staffs which caught Z9's attention.

Wow! I feel like I'm in a movie right now. Hehe

Seeing kids practice martial arts this many at the same time is a spectacle.

I thought staffs are just for props but seeing it used in person is really amazing! It's like there is some grace to it!

I wonder what Z107 got?

Z9 shivered unexpectedly and muttered “I don't wanna fight that kid again”

As Z9 silently watched the others practice their skills he was still noticed.

A group of kids approach him and 1 in the middle introduced himself so proudly boasting how he defeated most of his opponents as his companions looked at Z9 like a small insect.

Z9 didn't really paid attention, as if everything the kids said all sounds like “Blah blah blah!” to him, then he stood up thinking of leaving but the kid grabbed his right shoulder and said “Wait! I wanna challenge you”

The guy let go of his hand as Z9 turned around and answered “I'll pass” with a blank expression

The kids all laughed criticizing him

“What a coward! Hahaha”

“Can't even accept a challenge! What a loser”

“Lol… Maybe he is still injured from the fight?”

“Maybe he…”

“…..” Z9 remained silent then turned around planning to head back then the kid said “Come on! Don't a wussy, let's go the arena” with a mocking tone

Z9 just continued to walk away and smirked “Yup…I'm a coward, bye!”

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