Chapter 5 - Weapon Mastery [Rewrite]

Unlike any other day, this morning Taufik woke up unusually early. No, In fact, it felt like he hadn't slept at all, which was difficult to explain.

It was as though he was both asleep and awake at the same time; it was an unsettling and beyond-weird experience that he couldn't quite comprehend.

Whenever he lay down and closed his eyes, his sense of hearing sharpened significantly beyond that of human hearing. He could perceive the smallest sounds around him clearly like the sound source was right beside his ears.

Just like that, for the few hours he was 'asleep' his eyes remained closed, but his ears stayed acutely aware of his surroundings, capturing every little noise that night.

Strangely enough, despite this peculiar, weird state he was in, Taufik didn't feel tired or sleepy at all; it was as though his body no longer needed rest.

Perhaps it was because he had changed from a human into a vampire, a realization that was harder to ignore and accept as a former human.

After all, this change seemed to have altered fundamental aspects of him as a whole (Ex) human being. No, it's not only his desire to rest that his 'body and mind' forgot, but it seems he also didn't feel hungry.

Yesterday, Taufik remembered that he only ate Breakfast and ate something at the school canteen; after that, he had eaten nothing but the fried chicken his mother brought home, yet he felt perfectly fine, without even the faintest pangs of hunger.

However, this newfound condition didn't make Taufik excited. Instead, Taufik began to feel worry.

'... In the vampire movies, they're always portrayed as blood-hungry monsters. Am I going to turn into one of those?'

The mere thought sent shivers down his spine. Taufik couldn't imagine himself becoming like the vampires he'd seen in Movies he once watched with his Friends.

"... System, am I going to become one of those bloodthirsty monsters from the movies?"

Taufik asked, his voice contained a sense of fear. Fear of the possibility of losing control and harming those around him, especially his mother, that thought alone terrified him.

[Master, you don't need to worry. You are not like the blood-dependent vampires often depicted in films. Those are the lowest-tier species known as blood slaves. They require constant blood consumption to survive because their hearts lose the ability to produce blood after they transform. Master, however, is a progenitor vampire, a higher-level species. Your heart still functions as it did before, producing blood naturally. For you, blood is more of a delicacy rather than a necessity. Drinking blood may be enjoyable, but it is entirely optional for Master. You can eat normal human food to satisfy hunger like usual]

The system's explanation eased Taufik's fears.

"Huft~ That's a relief"

Taufik muttered after exhaling deeply.

'The thought of attacking my mother or anyone else uncontrollably out of hunger, makes my heart ache…'

Taufik said to himself then shook his head, trying to dispel that nightmare scenario from his mind.

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Later, Taufik decided to step out of his room and head to the kitchen.

His mother was still busy preparing breakfast. As he entered, he pulled out a chair at the dining table and sat down, waiting for her to finish.

The sound of the chair scratching against the floor caught his mother's attention. She turned around, surprised to see her son awake so early. Which was an unusual sight for her.

"Huh? Fik? What's wrong? That's unusual"

She said, glancing at the clock on the wall. She wondered if she had overslept and was late to make breakfast, but the time was still showing (5:47 AM) which confirmed she was not.

"Nothing much"

Taufik replied casually, knowing with his newfound power, he couldn't 'fully' sleep like a human anymore, then added.

"I just woke up early... And I think it will be like this from now on"

His mother raised an eyebrow at what her son just said, slightly amused but also pleased.

"Well, that's some good news to hear. No more yelling to wake you up every morning... Wait, breakfast will be ready in a minute"

She said then turning back to her cooking.

Taufik watched her quietly for a moment, then decided to call the system.

'System, LOGIN!'

[Yes, Master.]

As before, the familiar box appeared in front of him, shimmering with a spectrum of colors before settling on orange.

'Hmm? Orange? What does this represent?'

[Congratulations, Master, for obtaining a rare-level item: Weapon Mastery (Skill)]

'Hmm~ so orange represents a Rare-level item, I see, but... Weapon Mastery? Is it the same kind of skill I'm thinking about?'

Taufik said inwardly then eagerly opened the skill description:

[Weapon mastery-pasif skill.

Weapon mastery is a Skills that allow the user to master the art of fighting with a particular type of cold weapon and raise the attack power and speed of any weapon is worn]

[your speed in learning the basics Increasing by 100%]

[ learning any skill related to cold weapons is Increasing by 50%]

"..."

After Reading that description, Taufik was silent for a while, then glancing at his Mother, seeing her still preparing the breakfast, Taufik looked back at the Interface before him with a wide and weird grin.

'This... this is so f*cking COOL!!'

Taufik said excitedly. Every boy dreams of wielding swords, katanas, or spears like the heroes in stories, and Taufik is no different.

He had always been fascinated by martial arts and weaponry he always saw in comics or Anime, and now he had a skill that allowed him to do something like that.

Satisfied with his new ability, he closed the system interface.

'With the gifts I've gained these past two days, I might really become invincible. Maybe I can even learn the sword techniques I've read about in light novels...'

He mused, already formulating a plan to start training. Taufik had read a lot of manga and light novels, So he knew some of the sword techniques the fictional characters use, and some explained clearly how they practice, so if he could replicate how they practice, maybe he could master the technique.

One technique in particular came to mind is 'Issen' or 'The Way of the Flash' from a light novel he recently read, the skill involved precise and rapid strikes, something that seemed achievable now with his new ability and enhanced vampire senses.

While Taufik was lost in thought, his mother had finished preparing the breakfast. She placed the food on the table and sat down to eat with him then said.

"... Hurry up and eat. I've got an important client visiting the boutique today, so I'll be leaving early"

"... Hmm~... Oh, Mom"

"What? Just eat your breakfast already"

"Nothing, I just want to ask... Will you be back at the usual time, today?"

"Hmm, maybe a little later than usual... Why do you ask? Hee~ Don't tell me... Are you planning to bring someone home?"

She teased while smirking playfully at her son, then said again.

"If that's the case, maybe I should stay at a friend's house tonight?"

Taufik sighed, unbothered by her usual teasing. He was used to his Mother's remarks about his lack of a girlfriend, it was like a daily dose of her.

It wasn't that he didn't want a girlfriend, he just hadn't found the right person yet. Despite being fairly popular at school, with many girls showing interest in him, Taufik had turned them all down.

Taufik believed that dating without genuine feelings was pointless and a waste of time. Which made him single since birth.

'... Just you wait! Once I find someone I truly love, I'll give you a dozen grandchildren to look after... At least, I know that she will be home late today... Hehe~'

He thought with a smirk, already planning to use his mother's late return to practice honing his newfound abilities.

And just like that, after finishing breakfast, Taufik excused himself to take a shower and get ready for school.

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