31...

~ Omni Pov, A few days later... ~

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"Learning martial arts from videos practically sucks..." Alex said with frustration.

"Learning isn't even the issue anymore, but having most techniques that require someone to actually spar with and master, is holding me back..."

Having binged through hours of videos learning every martial arts he could find on the internet, and due to it being the early 2000's, there weren't a lot of them out at all.

'I wanted to avoid going to learn them at institutions, but it looks like I won't be able to...' He thought, slumping down tiredly.

'Well, I learned at least 7 new martial arts over the last couple of days, and thankfully, I got to improve the ones I already have.'

He got up from his sofa, stretching a little before getting into the southpaw stance...

Swoosh~

Swish~

Swoosh~

His punches were perfect, cutting through the air like bullets, and as much as he could perfect it that is; His jab would be flawless in the sense of technique applied and other aspects, or very close to it.

Immediately he switched out of his boxing style, and instantly fell on his right hand, he began twisting his body, swinging kicks and, and masterfully executed backflips on the ground, his technique being capoeira...

...TAP~

...TAP~

Landing on his feet, he nodded with satisfaction.

'My forms are perfect; But, perfect form means nothing without actual experience to back it up...' He thought, closing his eyes.

'Anyway, I should be getting a call ri-'

-Ring~

'-Speak of the devil...' He looked at his phone displaying Sarah's contact information. Accepting the call, he heard Sarah's voice on the other end.

"Hey, Alex! I've got some exciting news. We've finalized the purchase of the land for your new place."

"That's great news! Thanks for sorting out all this." He responded.

Sarah: Of course! I'll send you the details and coordinates. Take a look when you can.

"Alright, I'll do so, thank you again." He responded, hanging up.

'Well, that takes care of where my home will be... I just need to call the shipment company on where to carry my new stuff and I'll need to get the materials and equipment too. But those can wait, I need to stretch my legs; A nice jog should suffice...'

He grabbed some clothes he had that could be used for jogging, and headed out...

He grabbed some clothes he had that could be used for jogging and headed out into the crisp morning air. The neighborhood was quiet, with only a few early risers starting their day. As he jogged through some of the unfamiliar streets, he took in the sights and sounds of his new surroundings.

His jog took him through a nearby park, where he peaked at the greenery and the various people enjoying their morning activities. Some were walking their dogs, others were practicing yoga on the grass, and a few joggers like him passed by with a nod of acknowledgment...

After running for the last 2 hours; he nodded with satisfaction.

'Nothing beats the classic jog, I can see why people get addicted to it...' He noted.

He began slowing down to a brisk walk, allowing himself to cool down a little. As he caught his breath, he noticed a small café nearby. He took a whiff of the aroma...

'Maybe a coffee, or two wouldn't hurt...'

Deciding to treat himself, he entered the café and ordered a cup of coffee. Finding a comfortable spot by the window, he sat down and watched the world go by. It was a perfect opportunity to soak in the atmosphere of his new community.

As he sipped his coffee, he couldn't help but smile at the thought of the upcoming changes he had going on at the moment. The prospect of setting up his own home and exploring the world he was in, was oddly refreshing...

'Maybe I should buy another, this is good coffe- Huh?' His thoughts were disrupted by a familiar face entering the store.

"J-Jane!?" He said, loud enough to get her attention.

Hearing her name being called, she turned in his direction, "Alex? Hey, what a coincidence?" She quickly walked towards where he was sitting.

"Are these seats occupied?" She asked, just in case.

He thought for a moment, he responded, "Yeah, by mister and missus air."

She rolled her eyes, "HA-HA~ Very funny mister." She chided smiling.

"So... What brings you here?" Alex asked, a little curious why she was all the way out in the south, when she normally went the opposite direction...

"Well~ I actually came to check up on you," she said, her voice tinged with a shy sincerity.

'Really?' Alex thought, a hint of surprise coloring his expression, though he didn't dismiss his suspicions. 'How does she know where I live? I'm sure I never mentioned anything along those lines; hell, we hardly spoke at all...'

His head shifted slightly, his curiosity getting the better of him, "Wait, did I ever tell you-"

"-Before you say; just, stop," she interrupted, a shy and delicate smile on her face. "I know this might sound a little creepy, but I've actually known for a little while. I asked the principal around a month ago, and I've been coming ever since, just in case." She finished, brushing her hair behind her ear...

The revelation hung in the air for a moment, creating a subtle tension between them. Alex's initial surprise turned into a mixture of curiosity, and appreciation for the lengths she had gone to keep tabs on him...

'This, hit harder than it should have.' He contemplated to himself.

He thought of how his life was initially here in marvel. He practically had no one to help him, he only had himself, and this is the first time anyone had actually gone out of there way to even see him...

"Thanks for doing this Jane; Really, I appreciate the gesture, I'm glad that you came to check up on me..."

"Well, sure; It isn't a big deal, I didn't come by often either. Though, I reported it to the principal, and never really heard from him again, but I still came around and checked, just in case" She finished.

'People like her are rare... Literally a mythical type friend.' Alex thought, genuinely touched, in both of his lives; No one had ever gone this far for him, or at least checked on him like she had. He shook his head at how adult a kid like her was.

'And she's around my age?' he pondered, practically marveling at the maturity and compassion she was displaying for someone she doesn't interact with much. However, Alex's thoughts quickly drifted to the principal...

'I had spoken with him a couple days, he even acknowledged that I was missing for a month as well. Given his tone during the entire exchange, I doubt that asshole even cared... Now I really know that my decision was good. I feel like an idiot for killing myself for going to school...' He mentally sighed at himself.

"Well, since you're already here, let me buy you a cup of coffee." Alex offered.

"Oh! Thanks, I'll take an expresso since you're offering, and thank you very much." She smiled.

With a raised eyebrow and small grin, Alex chuckled. "An expresso? Pretty cliche~ really... Trying to be an adult?" He sarcastically asked. Jane in response lightly tapped his shoulders with mock force.

"Ouch!~ At least you're strong" He chided.

"Once again, very funny mister." She said, quickly laughing quietly to herself.

Alex began ordering her drink, however as he did so, he caught her at staring at himself with his side-eye.

"You know, you really changed Alex, seriously... You practically transformed." She said. Alex smiled. "Is that a bad thing?" 

"What is?" She asked

"You know, the change?" He added with a teasing tone. Looking her straight in the eyes.

Her expression shifted into confusion, but quickly turned to embarrassment, however she calmed herself, asking, 'She catches on fast, no wonder she's the school genius, or maybe this was just her female intuition... Perhaps both.' Alex thought, sipping his coffee....

"...You caught me, didn't you?" However, her tone gave no leeway's for his response even being a question.

"Don't blame me, you gave it away when you said and I quote, 'changed'." He said laughing.

She looked at him, with an mock anger expression...

"Still, it isn't that I didn't look either. You're, also y'know..." He slightly admitted.

Hearing this, she smiled.

"C'mon, you can say it~ Don't be shy now..." Her smile was more evident than before, feeling as if she had the upper hand.

"Well, y'know-"

RUMBLE~

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'Huh?' Alex thought, feeling a weird vibration out of nowhere...

"Did... Did you feel that?" Alex asked.

Slightly annoyed she responded, "You aren't getting out of this one Alex, admit it, it isn-"

RUUUUMMMMBLEEE~

The sudden interruption shifted both their and everyone else's attention from the playful banter to the mysterious rumbling they were now feeling... They looked at each other before they looked outside.

"What in the world was that?" she questioned, her mock-anger replaced by clear nervousness.

With slight annoyance he replied, "I have no idea, but it doesn't sound or feel like the usual neighborhood noise," Alex replied, he ran out of the store, quickly scanning the area for any signs of an explanation...

He found it, and it didn't take long to spot...

'Ah, Shit...'

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END