Humiliation (1)

Even after Elvin was carted off to the hospital, training didn't stop. His excellent assistant—and punching bag, no, coach—might have left, but the real punching bag was still there. Normally you'd hit the bag after mitt work, but given the circumstances here, there was no choice.

Thud!Thwack!Thwack!

I hammered the punching bag with combos just like Kara had taught me. Using my waist and shoulders naturally, and putting my legs into it for those power shots. At first, it felt like everything was working separately, and I struggled. But after pounding away diligently, it clicked at some point.

"Good. Just like that. Finish with everything you've got!"

Boom!

Following Kara's cue from behind, I slammed in the final blow. The bag—stuffed full of sand and way tougher than usual—folded completely in half from my fist and flew backward. Ting! The sturdy mounting hook snapped, sending it sailing far off. It ended up sprawled pitifully on the floor.

I stared at the bag, its center burst open and sand spilling out in streams, then scratched my cheek.

'Should've hit it lighter.'

Elvin's hospital trip had made me try controlling my strength—at least by my standards, anyway. With a Strength stat of 143, though, what did that even mean? I could swing most weapons around one-handed like toys. And having grown up wild, I'd never bothered with holding back anyway. Never felt the need.

"Nice work. Just work on that power control from now on. Cleaning up bags every time is a pain."

Kara shoved the leaking sandbag aside and spoke to me. For accident prevention alone, control was essential. Bursting bags every session would draw eyes, too.

Unlike the clock, you didn't have to pay for broken training gear. It got smashed so often anyway.

'Still, break too many and you'd probably get warnings.'

Warnings piled up and deducted points, so smashing gear to vent wasn't smart.

While I mulled that over, Kara hauled over a fresh bag. Even filled with sand and heavy as hell, she hooked it up effortlessly.

"Alright, again. Fists always flow legs-waist-shoulders. Like I said earlier, unless it's a sure shot, stick to waist and shoulders."

Legs—meaning a running start—rarely landed unless you went all-out. Otherwise, you'd eat a counter.

Thud!Thump!

Dialing back the power from before changed the sound right away. My fists didn't hurt. This level seemed perfect for future bag work.

"Once more, using your legs!"

Wham!

My running straight drilled dead-center into the bag. It folded in half again, whooshing away. The hook held this time, thankfully. But sand poured out like a sieve—ruined beyond repair. Who knew how many this made.

I carefully unhooked the bag and set it down. One more and I might eat a warning.

Whoa. The message popped up right after I set the bag down. First one in ages—and a skill acquisition, no less. All I'd gotten so far were Throwing and Ambush. I eyed the new skill eagerly.

Damn, great description. I smirked reading it. Seemed curt, but it nailed boxing's essence. Add ground work and it'd evolve into Fighting, probably. Long road ahead, but at least Kara was a solid teacher.

What the...? I flinched at the Wild Instinct message. It didn't trigger like this—purely on gut feel.

"..."

Fucking awesome. No clue how, but Boxing shot up like crazy. Normally, grinding a single rank took forever. But I just got it and it skyrocketed. Sweet as hell.

'Hope it's not all flash, no substance.'

Not without worries. What if it looked good but sucked in a real fight? Needed live testing, obviously.

"Training's done for today. You good?"

While I checked messages, Kara approached and called it. Couldn't see the clock anymore, but instinct said we'd gone long. She'd probably train me every session from now on. Felt a bit guilty just receiving.

"Hours on the bag and not a drop of sweat? Stamina's nuts, huh?"

Kara marveled at my unflappable state after nonstop pounding. She was fit too, but mine neared 150. No easy tiring for me.

'Luna... ah, she's done.'

Luna sat resting, sword down. Looked like she'd pushed hard—uniform soaked through. Shirt long gone, exposing her slender frame. Ignored that.

"Hm? Sivar? Done already?"

She noticed me and asked, glancing back at Kara. I nodded to her question and silently offered my hand.

She blinked confusedly, then placed hers lightly on it.

"Shit."

No, not that. I shook my head and gestured—pantomiming sucking on something, chewing.

Luna got it then. "Ah, candy? You want candy?"

I nodded as she named it. I'd caused a little(?) chaos earlier, but trained quietly after. She pondered my request, then rummaged in her pocket.

"Here. You caused trouble, but it was mostly my fault, so take it."

She placed a scorched rice candy on my palm, as always. I didn't pop it in my mouth. Instead, I turned to Kara and offered it carefully.

Kara eyed the candy, then my face, then pointed at herself. "You saying this is for me?"

Incredulous tone and look. Caught her off guard.

She'd taught me today—and likely after spars too. Meaning less training time for her. Training mattered; with nothing else to give, candy was best.

"...Thanks. I'll enjoy it."

After initial shock, Kara smiled warmly and took it. Felt Luna's stare from behind but ignored it. Probably complicated expression.

"You're way better than those self-proclaimed civilized folk, man. So many act worse than wild-raised guys like you."

Kara subtly dissed rude civilized types while popping the candy, savoring the scorched rice flavor.

"..."

Her face soured, though. Glancing sideways at me while chewing slowly.

I just stared blankly.

"...Unique taste."

Didn't she like sweets? Or was scorched rice candy weird? Whatever—she accepted my gesture. We'd keep good relations going.

"This from her teaching you too?"

Kara chewed and asked Luna, who'd approached.

Luna glanced between us, face showing inner turmoil, then spoke flatly. "Probably the president or Ellie. Not me."

"Taught you well, that's for sure."

Ellie did teach enthusiastically. Sometimes too much. Lord watched from a step back but shared plenty. Especially without Ellie, reading me fairy tales or poems—total grandpa vibe.

"So, what's Sivar's skill like?"

"Jealousy-inducing. Body's solid yet flexible, absorbs everything I teach. No gaps."

Kara's praise embarrassed me. From her, of all people. She rarely buttered anyone up. Even lies got caught.

"Stands out how natural he is. Stuff that takes thousands reps to flow? He nails it instantly. Fun to teach."

"He'll pick up other skills fast too, then?"

"Gotta see. If you want, you could..."

"Pass."

Learn a bit, geez. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠You'll get wrecked at this rate. Luna flatly refused Kara's invite—subtly prideful. Kara just shrugged; she held the advantage anyway.

"Gonna wash up. See ya tomorrow."

"Take care."

"What's to take care of? Oh, before I go—Sivar."

"?"

I faced her, expectant. She smiled softly, then advised emphatically.

"I've said it a ton, but fighting only barehanded is dumb. Fighting's just a tool in battle. Remember that. Got it?"

My eyes widened. In Soul World, Kara said exactly that once friendly enough. Had to build affinity steady. We'd known each other a day, yet already close. Candy probably helped.

"Argh. Shouldn't say this to someone who'll go ham in fights later."

She scratched her head, realizing the issue now that we were tight. Affinity aside, she was dead serious in combat. Why folks called her barbaric—but that's Tatar culture. Unavoidable.

"Ground game's just defense for now. Attacks need experts, and they're in no shape."

"Ah, right. Hey, Sivar? Let's visit Elvin soon. Gotta apologize."

"..."

Tedious. But affinity-building, so I nodded without fuss. Sure, why care about a guy's favor? But in Soul World, he was prime sponsor. Fetched fairy tale books or vocab lists on Lord's request—versatile. Story progressed, money needs piled up; Elvin eased worries.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

'Grace is more... other stuff.'

Kara headed to wash; Luna and I went to Elvin's hospital. Doc said the clean dislocating made re-setting easy. But no intense exercise awhile, and no upcoming spars.

"Luna."

"Yes, Elvin."

"Today I learned what it's like teaching an ogre to fight."

"..."

Arm popped and his head's gone funny, apparently.

What a hectic day, Luna thought. Bringing Sivar from Chaos Forest was fine, even watching his duel with Elvin. She'd stayed distant as guardian then.

But post-guardianship, she realized how irresponsible that was. Blink or misspeak, and boom—disaster.

Not total loss, though. Cave murals revealed demons raiding the academy. Bought prep time.

Alone? Not enough against demons. Needed allies.

"Good work. Any incidents today?"

"Nothing major... broke some equipment. Elvin's shoulder dislocated."

"Former's whatever; latter intrigues."

"Well..."

All classes done, she reported at Lord's residence. He was in, saving a trip.

"Sivar. What'd you learn today? Write it here."

Ellie had arrived first, Ratatosk at her side as usual. Luna glanced at Sivar scribbling answers for Ellie, then faced Lord sipping his herbal tea.

"Kara, right? Student wants to teach Sivar and be his guardian."

"Yes."

"Bring her this weekend? Want a chat."

Luna inwardly wry-smiled. Kara joining as guardian, huh. Good she was hot-blooded but kind-hearted. Just block bad influences.

"Got it. I'll tell her."

"Anything else?"

"Well..."

Luna trailed off, glancing at Sivar. Inappropriate with him learning language nearby. But Lord... tough topic.

Snap!

Lord flicked his fingers lightly. Luna startled, looking over. He sipped tea, then explained calmly.

"Sound's blocked—tough topic ahead. Won't reach them, so relax."

She nodded. Sword Saint stuff; easy for him. Glanced at Sivar chatting busily with Ellie, then broached seriously.

"President... believe demons raid the academy?"

"Demons?"

Lord raised a brow, utterly surprised. Expected counseling; demons out of nowhere. Raiding ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠academy.

While he paused, Luna mentioned the magic circle.

"Yes. Found one on something Sivar broke. Colorless Magic Circle."

"Hm..."

"Demons lost color, so all colorless. Black-and-white forms only; rest unusable."

Lord nodded. Colorless fit demons.

"Right. Demons can't use or hold color beyond black-white. Half-right, half-wrong, though."

"Sounds like they can have color..."

"Rainbow tiers: red lowest, purple highest."

"Why rainbow?"

"Dunno. Legend says rainbows first at world's birth. Related, probably."

Need books later, Luna resolved. Meanwhile, Lord tugged his mustache thoughtfully.

Demons—not plague—were why United Academy existed, faded in meaning over time. Sudden raid? Hard to buy.

"Met a colored demon in my wild days. Blue one."

"Strong?"

"Very, back then. Thirty years ago. Demons at academy, though..."

If true, no easy win. But why? What gain? Risk public enemy status, total crush.

"Hm..."

Lord tugged mustache, eyed Luna's steadfast blue gaze. No liar there. Just too outlandish.

"That circle?"

"Trashed in dumpster. Direct incinerator seemed suspicious."

"Cautious. How'd you know demon circle?"

"..."

Luna clammed up. Not secret, but would he believe? Innate special eyes—origin unknown.

Lord noted her troubled face, nodded insightfully.

"Everyone's got secrets. I trust you."

"Then..."

"Not fully."

She brightened prematurely. Lord crossed legs, explained.

"Too far-fetched. Need proof from you."

"Proof like..."

"That colorless circle today. Or demon links. Enough."

Tough. Luna wry-smiled. This find was luck—Sivar's clock toss revealed it.

Now solo hunt. Grueling adventure ahead.

"Convince me, and I'll lend all reachable aid."

"No telling others? Or you investigate personally..."

"Demons might notice, delay or scrap. Or opposite. Not why—when matters."

Purpose irrelevant. Timing key. Prep useless without it.

'Sivar...'

Luna eyed him at timing mention. Mural painter—might know schedule? Speculation, but ask alone later.

Cough! Cough!

Lord hacked dryly. Luna jumped. He coughed often with age, but worse today.

"You okay?"

"Khum. Fine."

He waved her calm, lifted cup to lips. Or tried.

Thud.

Sivar snatched it soundlessly. Luna and Lord gaped briefly at his stealth, then at the act.

Crash!

Sivar swiped the cup and hurled it wallward. It shattered; contents streamed down.

So sudden even Lord fumbled. And despite grip, snatched away. Cough weakened him, but still impressive.

"What the hell, Sivar! Why?!"

Ellie panicked most—mid-lesson when he snapped.

No one got it. Sivar scribbled on his notebook, showed all.

Still dismal sentence power. But progress. Luna narrowed eyes, baffled.

"Drinking medicine hurts? What?"

"Explain well. Hope I don't punish."

Lord scolded sternly next. Once okay; more needed reasons. Sivar blinked at reactions, checked notebook.

"Shit?"

Realized mistake late, eyes bulging. Erased, rewrote, showed again.

Just "medicine" to "poison"; rest same. Luna eyed Lord. His brew—he'd know.

But he forehead-palmed, troubled.

"Sigh... Sivar. Bitter ain't always poison. Bitter meds are good for you."

"..."

"Didn't block smell, looks like. Technique's limits..."

Sound yes, scent no. Sivar smelled "poison," chucked cup.

Unlike Lord, Luna worried. What if poison for real?

She asked cautiously—herb source.

"Where'd those herbs come from?"

"Dan's Pharmacy. Hospital internist, skilled healer."

Trustworthy. Academy staff were top nationals. Demon puppet? Academy would've fallen long ago.

"Shit..."

Sivar scratched head as it seemed brushed off. Frustrated. About to write more...

"Hey. This is poison."

Unfamiliar voice pierced ears. Raspy but ordinary male. Not Lord's deep timbre. Not Sivar's.

Who, then?

Munch munch. "Yep. Poison. Looks herbal, but can't fool my mouth."

"...?"

Voice from cup-wall. Eyes turned; familiar giant squirrel.

"...Ratatosk?"

Porori—Ratatosk—munched wilted herb like kelp. Chewed, ptoo! spat, wiped mouth with paws.

"Don't eat if you wanna live. Strong human, so held out long."

Ratatosk spoke. Animal talking. All stunned; one spoke.

"...Shit?"

Sivar. His blank face twisted pricelessly—pure disbelief. Ratatosk did what he couldn't.

"Yeah, dummy. I talk."

He strutted forward confidently, asked earnestly.

"But why can't you? Took me days."

Today, Sivar lost to Ratatosk—Porori—in a new way.

"You ain't braindead, right?"

Tasted humiliation like his forest drop. Same old.