Payday!

[New Skill Learned: (D-Tier) Analyze!] ⓘ

Even during the crowd of students going nuts over the huge upset in the duel, Mako just stared at the last notification that was being displayed in front of his eyes.

Mako immediately opened the system interface and quickly went over the Skills tab to find that Analyze was also under the unique skill tabs, and it was shaded blue in color as it represented that it was a D-tier skill which was huge for Mako.

Wasting no time, Mako quickly opened the information on this particular skill.

(NEW!) [(D-Tier) Analyze] ⓘ (Level 1)

[Upgradable!] ⓘ

[Analyze is an ocular type skill that upon activating, turns the user's eyes a faint red color. While active, the user's eyes become special as they can bring up and read the information regarding any object as long as it is within the range of the user's knowledge, and the profile chart and vitals of any person as long as that person is weaker or equal to the user in terms of power.]

An amazing skill that would allow Mako to be always one step ahead of his enemies as he could now find out their information before the fight even began.

There was, however; a new icon under the analyze skill that read out 'Upgradable'. Mako didn't really understand whether this was literal or maybe it would evolve into a new skill, so the only logical thing to do was to read its information.

[Upgradable!] ⓘ

[The skill assigned to this icon indicates that it can be evolved further in quality, from F to A tier; as the skill can progress to the maximum point that it can. Each skill has a different beginning tier and can be evolved up to a certain limit before, it is maxed out.]

'WOW! That would be really helpful, but I wonder what will be the upgrade requirements for the Analyze skill.' Mako still had many questions about how much had occurred in the past ten minutes, but at least the system helped him out with this one.

[(D-Tier) Analyze] ⓘ (Level 1)

[Upgrade requirements: Upgrade Analyze Level to a certain level (unknown), Continuous usage to a certain point (unknown), Acquire Player Status Level to Level 8]

[Evolution benefits: Unknown]

Not impressed by the system's answer, Mako sighed as he said to himself, 'Not much to go off of, but I get a general idea. I will just use Analyze any time I get and try to reach Level 8 as soon as possible.'

Mako wanted to give the Analyze skill a shot as he looked over to where Bill was laying on the floor unconscious. Mako's pupils started glowing with a slight tint of red as he cast his new skill.

[Analyze]

[Profile: Bill Johnson] (Unconscious)

[Ability: Earth (Level 3)] ⓘ

[Health: 67/140] ⓘ

[Energy: 18/200] ⓘ

[Strength: 25] ⓘ

[Agility: 9] ⓘ

[Perception: 3] ⓘ

[Intelligence: 3] ⓘ

[Mentality: 4] ⓘ

[Stamina: 10] ⓘ

[Charisma: 9] ⓘ

[Fortitude: 15] ⓘ

Mako was shocked to see that Bill had significantly greater attributes than him, and the only reason that he had won against him was that Bill had low perception so he couldn't see through his Phantom Skills, and Bill had also underestimated him which led to his defeat.

*SWOOSH!*

Mako was brought back to reality by one of the bio-degradable plastic water bottles thrown by the raging students that were headed straight for Mako's head.

Mako's perception kicked in just in the nick of time, alerting him about the incoming projectile, and Mako was able to successfully dodge the attack.

Another boost from the quest to defeat Bill was that he not only leveled up, but his level-up came with its own rewards as one of the rewards was a random increase in attribute points for any of Mako's attributes.

By pure chance, Mako's Perception was increased to 7; which helped him sense small changes in the wind pressure from a simple attack such as a water bottle projectile.

"Mako for sure cheated, he couldn't have won against Bill fairly!"

Many students were shouting similar complaints and taunts, but before they could act; the boy with the long hair shouted to get everyone's attention while running to the middle of the ring.

"People, please! Try to be civil! Multiple cameras were recording the whole event, and after carefully observing the footage it is confirmed that Mako Grey did not cheat in any way!"

The announcement was like a stab in many people's hearts as they had bet a lot of money and now they had lost all of it.

The boy with the long hair raised Mako's bruised arm, and said loudly," MAKO GRAY WINS!"

***********

[4:03 PM]

Mako was seen smiling as he slowly walked back home from his school.

He was stuffing his face with some snacks he bought from the cafeteria to get his energy back up which was dangerously close to zero again. 

He had just finished all his dealings in school and was finally able to leave. Many boys who had bullied Mako were coming up with the proposal of friendships, while multiple girls were asking for Mako's contact info.

Of course, Mako had denied every single one, because he knew that after the shock of losing their bets was settled down, they would realize that he was stronger than Bill and would be a good person to befriend.

This time, however; Mako's intelligence points kicked in, and he made his decision that he would never show any sign of friendship to those who never cared for him when he was just a weak boy.

Making his way back home, Mako made an unusual stop as he first visited the bakery. The bakery was supposed to be closed as it was located on the main street which was only busy during the morning and evening hours while the workers and chefs prepared everything in the afternoon and night shifts.

Mako always worked the night shift, but before he left for school today; Sir Derek stopped him and asked him to visit the bakery on his way back.

Mako was confused about the unusual request, but he decided to comply because Sir Derek had been treating him very nicely the entire previous night shift.

************

*RING!*

The backdoor bell rang as Mako entered through the worker's entrance as the main entrance was obviously locked. Mako made his way to the main counter where Sir Derek was mostly working.

Arriving at the counter, Mako noticed that Sir Derek was calmly napping on his big retractable leather chair.

'It is indeed difficult to run a 24/7 bakery as a person should always take a nap whenever they get the chance.' Mako thought.

He pulled up a chair and decided to wait till Sir Derek woke up so that he wouldn't disturb his precious sleep.

As soon as Mako pulled up the chair, the chair sliding on the marble tile floor made a giant screeching sound which was enough to wake up Sir Derek.

"Huh? My boy, am I dreaming?" Sir Derek asked in a very unusual tone which comes when one is grieving.

"What happened Sir Derek? I'm right here! this is real." Mako replied in a soft and calming manner.

Before any more words were exchanged, Sir Derek started crying his eyes out and also grabbed Mako tightly and wrapped him around himself while continuously chanting," THANK GOD!".

After calming down, Sir Derek explained that he learned of Mako's fight against Bill from some students who were discussing their bets while stopping for breakfast at his cafe yesterday.

Mako explained to Sir Derek what had happened and that he ended up winning in the end which shocked him more than the students that witnessed that event.

After another half an hour of conversations and praise, Mako decided that it was time; he headed home and rested. Sir Derek acknowledged the fact and before his departure gave him an envelope.

"It is a gift for my little champion!" These were the last words he said before resuming his work.

Today was the day that Mako realized how much Sir Derek cared for him, and his worry for Mako's well-being. He saw Sir Derek in a new light as he continued his journey back home.

On the way, Mako decided to open the envelope that he was given. After opening it, Mako stopped right in his tracks as his hands started trembling.

There was a card inside the envelope that had 100 credits loaded into it. In contrast, Mako earned around 250-300 credits a month, so it was like getting almost half a month's worth of money all at once.

Mako was beyond happy as this opened a lot of new paths for him that were previously closed due to being tight on money such as a gym membership or a proper diet.

Mako decided that he would cash this into his own bank account on the way back home as there was an ATM right next to the Pharmacy from where Mako purchased the healing pill last time.

After a few minutes of walking, he arrived at the ATM and booted up his account. Taking out the card from the envelope, Mako inserted it inside the machine to transfer the money to his main bank account.

{User: Mako Grey}

{Received 100 Credits from account name: Derek Hilton}

{Current Balance: 167,450 Credits}

Withdrawing his card from the machine, Mako was about to leave the ATM when he suddenly realized something.

He rushed back to the ATM and booted up his account again, hoping that maybe his eyes were playing tricks on him.

{User: Mako Grey}

{Current Balance: 167,450 Credits}

"WHAT!!!"

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