A week had passed since the incident outside the barrier. After the event and the revelation about the reason why the Crystal Cross Gang was searching for Erik, it was clear that his friends were a little bit scared that something like that could happen again but tried to stay positive and focus on their training.
Despite everything, the kids were generally chill toward the young man since they knew it wasn't Erik's fault and they were safe inside the Red Palace.
However, all of that made Erik realize many things, which made him change his approach to events. After he was attacked by the five Crystal Cross Gang members and nearly killed because of Nathaniel, the awakener decided he had enough and concluded that all of this happened because he was still weak and needed to train more if he wanted to protect himself and his friends.
His hatred for the Frantians only grew due to the incident. Aside from his friends and the people who directly showed affection or care, Erik basically despised everyone else, especially Nathaniel.
Since the day his thaids attacked him, he has increased the intensity and length of his training regimen several times. Erik gained another neural link in the sharpening power, finally becoming an officially RHO1-ranked individual and several stat points as a result. He also saw significant improvements in his swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat skills.
Aside from that, he started setting his plan in motion and spreading nasty rumors about Nathaniel. It was petty but effective since most people stayed away from him, almost wholly isolating him. Not that it was hard, given his personality, yet things sped up because of this. Now Erik was only waiting for the right opportunity to connect to his phone, computer, and whatnot and release whatever nasty thing was on that.
However, there were other things he was currently doing. The young man spent the entire week challenging people in much higher ranks than him to improve his position, and the young man jumped to rank 943 in the peasant field. That was the fastest inner-rank ascension in the history of the Red Palace institution; even master Rook had to reconsider Erik after he proved he was a good fighter.
Erik almost reached even Amber and Anderson, who, instead, took a more relaxed approach to the inner-ranking climbing. However, what he did was possible only due to his stats, which were now superior to his friends. He wasn't as skilled as them since they were martial monsters, but thanks to his dexterity, he could keep up with their moves and, thanks to his strength, could overpower them if the right opportunity arose.
Obviously, all of this would happen if they didn't use their powers; if that happened, it was clear that Erik wouldn't have it easy with his sharpening power alone since this, to be really effective, needed a fast and strong warrior. Though they weren't his targets, it was Nathaniel who, in the meantime, went from rank 500 to 370. If Erik defeated two opponents approximately 150–200 ranks above him, he would be able to challenge the motherfucker and take his position if he won.
However, climbing the inner ranks had not been easy at all, and Erik had even lost several times; besides, he could fight people who were at most 200 ranks above him, meaning that, in that short week, he fought and defeated 14 people—fighting two people every day to achieve that goal.
The fights lasted only a short time, usually around ten minutes each, but Erik had to fight without resting if he wanted to optimize his training time. After that, it was training, training, and training.
It was now Saturday, and Erik was with his sword teacher, Master Nieminen, training with the sword. They went past the basics, and she was now trying to instill in the young man some battle instincts. He wanted him to understand how to strike, what was the best attack he could make in certain circumstances, and stuff like that.
"I want you to imagine your blade is an extension of yourself," said the woman as her eyes narrowed.
"You must know where its limits are." She attacked Erik with her wooden sword, hitting him on the right shoulder.
"You see? You would not have been able to use your arm anymore if that was a real attack."
"Yeah... but it is not like I can replicate what you did in just a week... Most people I know learned all of this after several years..." Erik said.
"That's true. I myself had to spend a lot of time, but you are in an advantageous situation since you are very talented with this weapon. The choice the other masters made by assigning you to me was very good. You are a natural-born talent regarding this weapon." Master Nieminen stated.
He was surprised by her praise and accepted his words humbly, but to be honest, Erik disagreed, as he didn't believe in talent. Only in efforts, patience, and focus; what Erik was pouring in during his training.
"So, you have another match today, right?" Master Niemine asked.
"Yes, with a guy named Zak Ricketts." Erik only had to fight against this guy and another to gain enough rank to challenge Nathaniel.
"Don't disappoint me, all right?" Master Nieminen said.
"I'll try, master..."
Like that, the training continued, and Erik went to the other classes once he finished. He did weightlifting, obstacle courses, hand-to-hand combat, and other activities. Things were going smoothly, but Erik was a little nervous; if he failed, things would become complicated.
In all of this, Erik had another, but a not less important, goal. He could obtain a brain-stimulating serum if he advanced to the squire rank. He wanted to do this before the military school started since that would give him a considerable advantage.
However, things wouldn't be that simple since most people in the highest inner ranks of the peasant grade were around the RHO3 level, which was around Amber's and Anderson's levels.
After finishing his daily lessons, Erik headed to the Blue Palace, where the fight was going to be held. He took one of the many buses provided by the institution and quickly arrived there. After he stepped inside the Blue Palace, a notification arrived on his phone.
__________________________________________
ERIK ROMANO (RANK 943, FIRST YEAR) VERSUS ZAK RICKETTS (RANK 790, SECOND YEAR).
7TH FLOOR, ROOM 783
HEALER: DACRE HOLLAND
__________________________________________
<It looks like I got the same healer as when I fought Alissa Kerr...> Erik thought. He then observed his surroundings again; the place was like the last time he had been there.
A vast hall was divided into several distinct sections by doors that could be entered at various points along the room, with benches along the wall and sofas positioned in various locations in the middle of the hall.
There were even some vending machines at the entrance that sold a variety of food and beverages. The young man bought some fruit juice and a snack he planned to eat after his match. Today, though, Erik planned on fighting only this guy since the young man was tough. He wasn't stronger than him in terms of stats, but his technique was very good, and that was a problem.
He had observed him train and fight over the past few days, so he knew he was not a simple individual. Besides, he needed to rest since his current training regime was rigorous and demanding.
The young man went toward the elevator, and once he reached the seventh floor, he headed to room 783. Zak and the healer, Holland, looked at him when he walked in.
"You took your time, uh?" Once he saw him enter, the healer said.
"Sorry about that. But classes just ended..." Erik replied.
Zak was already here since he was pretty nervous about the fight. Once Erik challenged him, he spent time researching his opponent and was clearly frightened by him. He was an RHO1-ranked individual, but being an awakener, he was unusually strong. His technique was still average, but knowing that he had recently awakened and started training not even two months before—put a lot of pressure on him. The young man in front of him was basically a monster in terms of talent, but despite the pressure, he was confident enough in his abilities to think he could win.
"Ok, you should know the rules already, but let me refresh your memory: No deadly moves are allowed; you can use your powers and weapons. You can even make specific rules to win this competition, such as limiting combat to only martial arts or weapons, and so on. Yell out that you surrender or tap the ground five times if you want to give up and conclude the match."
Once everyone was settled, Erik looked at his opponent. He was indeed a tall, muscular guy a year older than him. He had black hair and brown eyes. He wore the usual Red Palace uniform and seemed quite intimidating.
He also sported a pair of white gloves with the same design as the uniform. In addition, he was carrying a katana that was sheathed at his side.
"Alright! Let's get this show started!" A voice came from the speakers above them as the healer entered the usual room to watch the match. "Begin!"
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