Challenger Training II

[Combat system unlocked]

[Mode 1: Counter Combat]

[Explanation: Analysis of a specific combat style for guided countermeasures]

[Recorded Styles]

[Shin: 100%]

[Victoria: 6%]

[Douglas: 1%]

[Mode 2: Combat Styles]

[Explanation: Data acquisition used to generate core combat styles]

[Agility Style. Current stage: Beginner. Progress: 0%]

[Strength Style. Current stage: Inept. Progress: 13%]

[Endurance Style. Current stage: Inept. Progress: 29%]

[Dexterity Style. Current stage: Inept. Progress: 54%]

Jacob stood there in shock for a moment, a little bewildered by the complexity of his new system.

Overcoming his shock, he attempted to better understand what exactly these modes did.

From what he could tell the first mode was based on analysing a single person's method of fighting. After that, it would somehow give him 'guided countermeasures' whatever that meant.

The weakness of this was obvious, Shin was the quickest person he could analyse in a fight so far and even he took nearly 5 minutes. Currently, Jacob could last maybe 5 seconds in a fight making the ability useless in the short term. Not to mention that the analysis of his teacher still hadn't breached 2% meaning stronger enemies would take even longer.

His only hope was that, like the other parts aspect of his ability, enough related data would speed up the analysis time. But that was probably still a long way off.

The second mode seemed to be of much more immediate use. From what he could tell it used any combat data he had to generate 'styles' for him to use. He had no idea what the specific differences were, but he could make some vague guesses based on their names.

He assumed strength would focus on overpowering enemies while endurance would focus on a more defensive method.

He wasn't sure what exactly the difference between Dexterity and agility was just yet, but he decided not to overthink it since he had plenty of time to learn later.

If Jacob was perfectly honest, he was almost disappointed. He had imagined being able to analyse an enemy's combat style and then replicate it with ease using his system. Sadly, his system seemed more realistic. This made sense since even if he could theoretically copy their technique he wouldn't be able to copy their abilities.

Although Shin had lost the fight and demonstrated the totality of his fighting style, he hadn't used his ability.

Unless his ability could somehow replicate the abilities of others, he wouldn't be able to perfectly copy their style anyway.

From that perspective, his ability to automatically come up with countermeasures was indeed preferable. Especially since he currently lacked the skills or experience to do so on his own.

By the time he had finished studying his new ability two more out of the five people in the class had already been worn out by their teacher.

"Come on lad, your up" His teacher said, pointing at him.

Before he could finish walking towards him, however…

"Hey sir, any chance I could test this one out?" Came a snide voice.

Vincent walked casually up to the instructor with a sinister grin as he feigned casualness.

"… alright, but go easy will ya? He seems ta be the weakest of the bunch" Douglas said after some thought.

"Course sir, I promise to give him exactly what he deserves" Vincent replied, winning the most sinister expression of the year award in an instant.

A long sigh escaped Jacob's lips before he readied himself, activating his ability as he got ready.

[Combat style analysis in progress]

[Vincent: 0%]

[Agility Style: Beginner. Activated]

[Mana consumption 10% per minute]

He had chosen the agility style since it was the only one that wasn't listed as inept.

Luckily it seemed like his second ability didn't use too much mana. It wasn't exactly cheap but 10 minutes wasn't half bad.

But what really caught Jaocb's attention was how his combat style manifested.

It was a yellowish hologram, the same yellow that the rest of his ability was displayed in.

He could see it in a first-person view, guiding him in how he should move, how he should punch.

But it was more than that, he could 'feel' it.

His brain could almost put his body into 3rd person and generate an image of how it should move, how he should tense his muscles and what movements would give the most momentum. 

Guidance was the best word for it, probably why the system used it to describe the system's effects.

The problem was that the assistance ended there, he still had to move and manipulate his body according to these instructions, which while possible would take some getting used to.

Without further ado, Jacob moved, following the trajectory of his yellow guide and struck quickly, aiming to disorientate Vincent with a quick jab before making some distance.

The first part of the plan went well, he certainly threw a good punch. The part that went poorly was when Vicent deflected the blow.

Right before striking Jacob in the face, sending him stumbling back.

He was stunned, not from the punch, but because of his ability.

He hadn't seen anything to help him deal with the punch after his own was deflected.

'Was it because the system couldn't come up with a countermeasure due to lack of data? Or maybe Vincent's so strong it didn't matter?' Jacob's mind raced, attempting to sort through the possibilities.

"Don't you know in a real fight…" Vincent's voice came from across the makeshift arena.

"You gotta follow up!" The man ended in a shout, charging Jacob.

Luckily Jacob's ability was working once again, showing off a solid dodge roll that he mimicked to avoid the kick that was headed for his guts.

What's more, it even suggested a counterattack in the form of a kick.

Seeing the guidance, Jacob once again put his trust in his ability and kicked.

Only to be disappointed as Vincent mercilessly grabbed his leg and used it to pull him close for a solid punch to the solar plexus.

Jacob spent the next few seconds getting up from the ground, gasping as he held his lower body.

The good news was that the had figured out the problem with his ability, or rather him.

The bad news was that it didn't matter much.

The problem had nothing to do with the combat system it properly guided him at all times.

It lay with Jacob, in the moment that Vincent grabbed his leg he had seen his guidance change abruptly, showing a solid manoeuvre that would have gotten him away scot-free.

But he didn't act on it.

Or more accurately he couldn't act on it.

The guidance had changed so quickly that he barely had time to register the change before the attack came, leading him to miss his chance.

The reason he was screwed wasn't because of his ability, it was his reaction speed.

Maybe he could have made up for it with good instincts, talent or training but for the sake of this fight in particular he was probably screwed.

There was a silver lining, albeit a small one.

[Vincent: 37%]

It seemed like fighting the target of his analysis personally quickened the processes.

'The more you know I gue-' Jacob's thoughts were cut off as Vincent came at him again leading him to dodge at the last second.

The next few hours were some of the worst Jacob had endured, barring his experience in the mansion.

Of course, it wasn't actually hours, barely two minutes had probably passed but it felt like a lot longer. Jacob repeated the cycle of dodging, trying to attempt an attack, a manoeuvre, a feint, anything to try and turn the tables really.

Only to be stopped in his tracks by Vincent's merciless hands.

'He kept hitting me- ugh. In the stomach and chest so that the prof doesn't stop- ugh. The fight.' Jacob thought in between blows.

It was true, Vincent was deliberately targeting areas that would show a minimal amount of damage so that their professor wouldn't be able to clearly see the damage he was doing.

So it kept going.

Jacob would dodge or attempt to hit, and be hit in return. All while Vincent wore the same arrogant smile.

He was enjoying it.

Beating the crap out of someone, no not someone beating the crap out of him.

He wasn't doing it to survive, to get stronger or even to achieve some grand ambition.

He was pummelling Jacob just because he wanted to.

And Jacob couldn't do shit to stop him.

'Mother fucker, I just- ughhh that one really hurt… I just need to be faster one time. Just one hit on that arrogant piece of shit's face' Jacob swore internally.

Unfortunately, the world is cruel and that goes double for the worlds of dreamers.

Another minute went by and even Jacob's thoughts were slowing, no easy feat considering even the mansion had failed to slow his thinking other than when he was at the brink of death.

Another failed counter, another fist about to strike his chest.

'Just need…. Little… faster… think…. Quicker…'

And suddenly everything slowed.

[Query accepted: Overclock unlocked]

[Overclock activated at MAX]

[Mana usage: 5% per second]

The whole world was… still.

Well not completely still but moving very slowly.

More importantly…

He could see it.

The guidance was showcasing itself in full glory.

Better than that.

[Vincent: 100%]

[Activating Counter Combat mode]

The guidance was showing itself, not just the agility style but the 'Vincent Counter' style.

A small smile broke out on Jacob's face as he repositioned himself according to the brilliant yellow.

And sent his fist straight into Vincent's nose.

Or at least he would have, if not for his body moving unbearably slowly.

In fact, it was moving at the exact same pace as everything else.

It seemed the only thing capable of moving normally in the slow world where his thoughts.

And just as he thought that.

[Mana reserves critical. Deactivating Overclock]

And the world sped up.

But that was fine.

*THUMP*

A solid sound rang out.

Vincent's eyes widened as his head recoiled from the fist that had landed squarely on his nose.

A shit-eating grin nearly split Jacob's head in two as he stared straight into Vincent's shocked eyes, glad to finally see a different expression on his face.

"What's wrong fucknuckkle, can't take a hit?" Was the taunt he decided to go with, flipping him off for good measure.

Then he blacked out.