Chapter 12: Helpless Young Man
[SSS-Rank Skill Rewarded]
[(SSS) Astral Counter]
~ Type - Natural
~ Cooldown - 30 seconds
~ Perfectly predict and parry any attack you can perceive, storing its energy. Release it back, amplified by 2x, through your next strike. Works on projectiles, spells, and physical blows, regardless of the element.
[Ring of Skill Bridging Equipped]
~ Item Rank: SSS
~ Effect - Allows the user to use skills of all ranks, regardless of their own rank, as long as their body can handle the element.
...
As he appeared back on the rooftop, Kalon was immediately hit with the changes.
He took a moment to go over them.
Astral Counter... This is broken.
This was the only way he could describe it.
The System had rewarded him with a non-elemental skill, which was good. His body didn’t have the physical traits to withstand any sort of elemental power, so he was pleased with this.
It was as though the System was working around his weaknesses.
It was a true ally.
...
As for the ring, it did exactly what he thought it would. The only thing was, he hoped it would also allow him to use elemental skills.
No problem... I’ll cross that bridge soon. I just need to wait until my physical body gains an affinity to some elements.
Kalon rose to his feet. It was still nighttime, so no one else was around.
He wanted to test out his skill, but its nature didn’t allow him to. It seemed it could only be activated during battle.
Still, a skill like this is perfect for the Mock Battles. Whatever I’m hit with, I’ll be able to predict it, absorb it, and send it right back.
The only problem is that cooldown... Thirty seconds is long enough to get taken down before I can use it again.
Of course, the reason why Astral Counter was an SSS-Rank skill was simple.
It could work against any skill in existence, as long as he could perceive it.
If Kalon came up against an SSS-Rank fighter, he could even absorb one of their skills and return the energy with twice the force.
What would an SSS-Rank attack amplified by a two-times multiplier even look like...?
...
After spending some time on the rooftop, Kalon returned to his bedroom and went to sleep.
...
The next day, he woke up to the sun shining through his window.
Just like the day before, he already felt stronger.
He started the morning with a long workout, using his bullies as motivation to keep going.
He didn’t bother checking his social media profile. He already knew what to expect. He would be getting kicked for missing yet another day of school.
All he wanted to do that day was stay in his dorm and train.
He found solace in working on his weak body.
Whatever was happening outside, he shut it out completely.
...
In the cafeteria at lunchtime...
Thea Bluegale sat with her friends, enjoying a high-grade meal plan lunch. It was the most luxurious meal available at the Academy of Systems, affordable only to students from wealthy families.
As they ate, a small group approached their table.
Thea immediately recognised the tall young man leading them.
He wore a confident smile, and his black hair was slicked back neatly. His body was well built, and the goons following behind him treated him like he was a prince.
The group stopped beside the table.
"Thea Bluegale..." he said.
"Daniel Forest," she replied calmly.
Daniel was Richard’s best friend, and also a family friend of Thea’s.
The two knew each other because their parents were both high-ranking fighters within the same Organization: The True Fighters.
Unfortunately, Thea couldn’t stand him, and he couldn’t stand her either.
He was a bully, just like Richard.
And in Daniel’s eyes, Thea was a girl who thought she was better than everyone else.
Daniel casually looked around the cafeteria as though searching for someone.
After a moment, he shrugged.
"No sign of the micropenis owner." He smirked. "I heard you tried to stand up for him after your friends started laughing at his cock?"
The girls sitting with Thea quietly looked away.
They knew they were the ones who had spread the rumours.
Thea, however, didn’t react.
She brushed a loose strand of blue hair away from her beautiful blue eyes and continued eating.
Daniel’s smile slowly disappeared.
Being ignored in front of an audience wasn’t something he appreciated.
"Hey," he said, his tone becoming harsher. "What if I just beat the fuck out of him? Maybe then you’ll answer me."
He was trying to intimidate her, just as he always did.
Thea didn’t even look up from her plate.
"Go ahead," she replied flatly. "I don’t even know him."
Daniel studied her face for a few seconds before a sly grin spread across his own.
"I think I will."
He clicked his fingers, and his group followed him away.
Thea continued eating as though nothing had happened.
Fueling her body properly was far more important with the Mock Battles approaching.
Even so...
A quiet thought lingered in the back of her mind. One she would never admit to anyone.
I really do feel bad for Kalon Manchester...
The poor guy really is helpless.
She decided then that she would pay a visit to his dorm and warn him of Daniel’s plans.
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