Chapter 7 - Evolve

It was the morning of the next day. I was still processing what happened last night. It's not like I wasn't hoping for that outcome but hearing a beautiful girl saying 'let's get married' is still a little bit shocking. At that moment, Lala suddenly disappeared and went to find her spaceship in order to collect her stuff. I signed and decided to put my mind elsewhere and message Kenichi if he was awake and set a place to meet up.

Now being a battle junkie, it would make it a lot easier for me to exercise and get excited from making my body as sore as possible. In actual scientific experiments, through an intense workout where it completely exhausts your muscle it would have an explosive result.

'I've gotten a lot since yesterday, the [ Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist(D) ] would be extremely useful against strong fighters as it focuses on redirecting attacks and using them against an opponent.'

From what I remember from the new memories, the martial art came from a story called One Punch Man and was created by an old master, simply named Bang. This style involves understanding and re-creating within one's body the flows of torrential and undulating forces, putting this into the user's fists.

When used by a skilled fighter, this martial art is very effective and powerful, especially against humanoid opponents,[ and as long as the opponents are of a certain size that martial arts can still affect them. When in use, a blue aura can be seen around the user's extremities that resembles the flow of water.

They describe this style as "leading enemies around the nose by moving like a calm stream, only to finish them off with a punch strong enough to smash great rocks like a raging river", implying that Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist parallels real-life Tai Chi.

In addition, they also describe it as "the perfect blend of offense and defense". Users of this martial art can repel the attacks of their opponents or redirect them with twice the power.

'It's only at the D Rank meaning it's still far from the same level as Bang.' To be fair, I'm not some prodigy and only started yesterday and today. I arrived at the meeting place with Kenichi, who hadn't arrived but it was fun since I had time.

'It's fortunate my body recovered quickly but the [ Surpass Limits ] takes a real toll on both physical and mental aspects.' I thought to myself noticing how rapidly my body became stronger. However, my stats are only at Level 8 E ranks still enough to fight D Rank or higher.

'I have 2,050 QP…..alright let me buy a ticket.' I don't know what [ Lv.1 Concealed Presence(E) ] would be like but another skill wouldn't hurt. I opened the [ Gacha ] and went to buy another bronze Ticket.

[ You have gained "Lv.1 Status Effect Resistance(D)" ]

[ Description: Status Effect Resistance is a skill that provides resistance against any status effects that cause its possessor to not be in peak form. It's effective against several conditions that cause negative status: Everything from poison, illnesses, curses, but also fatigue, stress, sleep, hunger, asphyxia, pain, altitude sickness, etc. The skill is not effective against conditions such as mana depletion or wounds caused by taking damage. In general, it could be said that it works against non-combative status effects.

Those with a high level in this skill can always be in peak form despite any negative effects they may be under. However, it does not nullify the negative effects, so there is a limit to this skill's effect. ]

[ Concealed Presence ]

[ Description: The user possesses remarkable skill in hiding/concealing their presence, evading detection, and getting the drop on opponents. They possess the ability to blend in the background unless that person is perceptive or the user initiates an action that can alarm a person. It does not make you invisible and simply makes you lack presence. ]

Oh, this will be useful in my training! Having resistance and lessening my presence would provide me more advantage against my opponent. I still have a thousand Points….

'I need to buy another Martial art.' I realize how I was fixated on hitting and didn't have a counter when taking a person down. I should find a balance in hit, take-down, and defense. The [ Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist ], [ Kickboxing ], and [ Karate ] gave me offense and defense but what if I don't want to hit someone and simply take them down? Yeah, I don't have that kind of skill and I believe I'll get more points later anyway.

[ Quest Created! ]

[ Task: Buy a Martial art ]

[ Reward: 1x Recovery Potion(D) ]

I see, I don't know how good this recovery potion is but better than nothing. Now, I need to buy a martial art that would provide me with quick takedowns like Judo but I have karate…

[ You Have gained "Lv.1 Kudo(E)." ]

Kudo, from the name, allows one to see that it is a mixture of Karate and Judo. Separately they have their own style and system therefore it didn't mix with my karate since even karate has different teachings. I know this because martial arts provide it for me. What I have is Full Contact Karate. There is also the Soryu style and Shotokan style karate.

'Good thing I bought a similar martial arts.'

The principles of the martial arts are fundamentally similar enough that I can confidently say that they would level up alongside each other. Hmmm? I heard footsteps and turned to see Kenichi panting heavily.

'I need to train Kenichi.'

[ Quest Created! ]

[ Task: Train Kenichi ]

[ Reward: 50 QP ]

If I train at the same level as him then I would have 100 QP daily! That's a great thing and maybe I can get a quest if I also train Rito but let's put that aside for now.

"Sorry I'm late, I just saw your message." Kenichi is clearly still tired and intently stares at him.

"You were reading that book again didn't you?" My question caused him to tense up and that made me sigh.

"It's fine, I didn't wait that long. Anyway, do some stretching first to not cause you to pass out." I instructed and did as told doing some light stretches to loosen up his muscles that are stiff and tense. His body was warm enough from the running and after we did some stretching went around the neighborhood.

"Haaa….How long…haaa…will we run?" Kenichi said panting heavily from running. Dude it hasn't been a few minutes and you are already tired!? Then again without my abilities, how fair would I be with the same regime?

"10 km, but take your time and breath. Don't stress yourself since worry expands energy with no purpose. Remember, When you're scared, that's all the more reason to move forward." I use some quotes from Gurren Lagann. Those words of wisdom were enough for them to fight gods! Kenichi was affected by this and nodded, making me wonder if I started to become like Kamina? Nah, he's the G.O.A.T and can't compare.

"Now let's keep running forward to a future that we decide for ourselves!" I shouted into the sky and ran, having better control over my body. I made sure to adjust myself with Kenichi to motivate him to keep going.

"Fight on! Don't tell me this is your limit!?" I said, looking down at Kenichi on the ground, having been far too exhausted. It's only been 10 minutes and he was already exhausted.

"Kenichi-chan, are you going to keep holding back and stay weak or will you do the impossible!?" I shouted looking down at him who struggled and gritted his teeth standing back up.

"Haaa…I'm not…done." Kenichi managed to keep on moving as I smiled and continued running until we finished the 10 km run arriving at the playground.

"Rest, for now, when you feel like you continue then do 100 pushups, 100 sit ups, and 100 squats. But even if you can't do it, that's fine, just keep moving." I said but he was too tired to even hear me and I simply let him be.

"Alright, Kenichi-chan, watch closely." My words caught his attention as I took a stance taking deep breaths and Kenichi's eyes lit up seeing me show some movement.

"To tell you the truth, I recently discovered that I'm able to copy martial arts techniques. Though, it is only a copy and I lacked the body for it. To put it simply, I had the software package downloaded while I lacked the current hardware for it." I explained since a copy is still a copy, a mere imitation. Though it doesn't lack in execution, it still can't beat someone who is truly a master of it.

"And to tell you the truth, you lack both, Kenichi-chan. That's why I want your mindset to change and build our way up in making that hardware and uploading that software. Until you can do this." My foot smoothly kicks nearby causing it to take violently as I slightly wince at the pain.

Sure the devilukean can split the tree with theirs and I was able to withstand the blow but that was when I used [ Surpass Limits ] and was in [ Heat mode ]. Not to mention being empowered by [ Spiral Energy ]. This is the best my base strength can do.

"A few things you need to get stronger, Kenichi-chan, first is courage to fight, meaning eventually you find yourself the need to fight, be it in protecting yourself or others. You can't always run in a fight. Even with all the teaching you learn would be useless if you're too scared to fight back." I said as I already had the mindset of not backing down even if I failed. His face hesitated and fear was clear but I ignored and continued.

"Second is building your core strength that doesn't necessarily focus on your muscle as professional fighters don't need to be bulky like bodybuilders. It does help but often not those who are lighter can be more devastating. There is a reason for their different divisions in combat sports." Indeed, there are many muscle groups that have specific tasks and a muscle bound beast doesn't always mean they're stronger.

"Finally is flexibility, it is important to have better control in your muscle groups and give you more range. You can't do a high kick without stretching your body, right?" It was already ripping my muscle between my legs. It was painful when I kicked but I ignored it.

"Anyway, join me when you're ready. Still need to do my regime before I train my martial art." I said as I began doing some push ups while Kenichi watched in utter disbelief at how I was able to keep going. Eventually, he joined me and I started laughing as we pushed ourselves.

I can't believe it's only been a day yet I was improving faster than normal. However, my martial arts are at a crawl considering I'm not in a fight, and only through the scenario can it grow further.

"How long have you been training, Haruto-Nii?" Kenichi's chest was heaving exhausted from the training while kept on going.

"Hehehe I'll let you find that out for yourself. But you don't have to do the same thing as I do and focus on doing what you can. Even with how small your progress is, it's still progress." I said while he nodded and eventually finished our training for the day. I helped him get up and get home knowing that Kenichi is a lot tougher than he seems.

"Well, see you at school, Kenichi-chan."

"Haaa....same here…haa.. "

We parted ways as I got home doing the same thing as I normally do and Mikan grew suspicious of what I've been doing but didn't ask anything. We ate some breakfast and headed to our school. Everything was as usual and I was happy to see Miu getting along with everyone but noticed her expression sometimes faltered. I've gotten more perceptive haven't I? Probably because of [ Foresight ].

I should talk to her about it the next time I get the chance since it's likely the star of Aerobatics feels envious of her skills. At least she has Haruna who gets along with people. I glance at my brother and simply sigh. Good luck brother, I also have some woman problems to deal with.

The day was like usual where we are having lunch with our friend. When I say friends this includes Miu, Kenichi, and Haruna. My brother was a blushing mess when he was around Haruna and it was quite fun, to be honest.

Afterward, we were all about to head home when the Karate Club called me after school. Rito and Kenichi were worried but reassured them it was fine. Soon enough, I found myself at the back of the school where no one would see the fight.

"You actually came! Today is your funeral, Brat!" They weren't that heavily beaten by me yesterday since I was still weak. But now I am tougher and have more skills in my arsenal.

"Guess you all haven't had enough huh? But I must thank you….I evolve." I said taking a stance and showing a massive grin that made them step back. They didn't realize how Fucked they were, right now.