THAT'S Your Name?!

The difficulty of achieving a single blow on Fortis was a hurdle that seemed insurmountable. A finger was all that was needed to defend himself. Adam had tried using his ability, using Soul Aggression, and even magic taught by Astos. However, it was no use in the face of a finger flick.

"This is impossible for your current state." [Astos]

("Oh yeah? What makes you say that?") [Adam]

Unable to understand Adam's sarcasm, Astos answered.

"If you paid attention to my magic theory classes, you'd understand why. Look at his tattoos." [Astos]

("I don't get it. Explain in idiot terms.") [Adam]

"They give blessings. I've met a few beings of the Kaygrin race, but I've never seen one as powerful as Fortis." [Astos]

("Okay? I didn't ask for your life story. Tell me what I need to know.") [Adam]

Astos grumbled.

"Usually those of the Kaygrin lineage gain tattoos at birth. The tattoos give them random blessings like increased strength or something as strange as being good at cooking. The problem here is that normally Kaygrins have two to three blessings." [Astos]

("And I'm assuming this guy has like, ten?") [Adam]

"No. It's in the hundreds." [Astos]

Adam let out a sigh.

("Another person blessed with awesome abilities. Great. Let me guess, total invincibility or something?") [Adam]

"Close. From what I've read, he has complete immunity to poison, ambushes, magic, blades, any form of element, forced dueling, enhanced strength, enhanced durability, immortality unless he decides otherwise, and so on. The only saving grace is that he doesn't have hyper regeneration." [Astos]

("...What kind of bullshit character stats are those?! What do you mean saving grace?! He's literally immortal!") [Adam]

This was the moment Adam designated Fortis as "Cheat Character" within his mind.

"Adam, are you not going to continue?" [Fortis]

For the first time in a while, Adam felt like giving up. He had been at this for hours without getting any results. The most he had done was get Fortis to yawn.

("Should I concede? Blades don't work and it's unlikely for me to win with bare fists.") [Adam]

"I've been wondering, why haven't you done anything else with your ability?" [Fortis]

"Huh?" [Adam]

Fortis started pacing back and forth.

"There's great potential, so I thought you were just limiting yourself. Now that we've been at it for a while, I started thinking maybe you just don't know how to use it." [Fortis]

"...What do you mean?" [Adam]

"Why do you restrict yourself to only compressing air?" [Fortis]

That was a strange question. Adam had chosen it because air would always be available. It also pushes itself out in order to blast someone. In other words, it was convenient.

"...Hm." [Adam]

It felt like a new path opened before him. Adam took a handful of soil and compressed it.

("A little more…") [Adam]

He continued to compress it, until the soft dirt turned into a solid pebble.

("Now add a little air…") [Adam]

Adam applied the same method as he does with Implode, where he compresses air behind the pebble and rotates it.

("And release it.") [Adam]

The compressed air blasted the pebble, causing it to stick into a nearby tree.

"...Wow." [Adam]

Fortis nodded his head.

"You're thinking in the right direction." [Fortis]

Seeing the new path, Adam felt a newfound excitement towards his ability.

"Let's go again!" [Adam]

Casting aside Krino, Adam was fully intent on using only his ability.

"Hold on." [Fortis]

He put a hand up to signal a stop.

"It's getting late. We will continue tomorrow." [Fortis]

Fortis was right. The sun was already gone. Perhaps it was because his eyes had adjusted to the dark that he couldn't realize.

"For now, let's eat." [Fortis]

Without a moment's notice, Fortis grabbed Adam and jumped.

"Woah!" [Adam]

One second they were in the air, the next they landed.

"Brat! We're here!" [Fortis]

Fortis released his grip, causing Adam to stumble.

"The meal will be ready soon!" [???]

A high pitched voice, that of a child's spoke.

"Eh?" [Adam]

He quickly gathered his surroundings. It was still in the jungle, but he appeared to be in a clearing similar to his own makeshift home. There were solidly built tents made of some kind of green lizard skin, a rather large campfire in the center, and wooden logs placed as seats. There also appeared to be a big pot hanging over the fire.

("...How long has that been cooking?") [Adam]

Did Fortis leave the fire going during the hours of fighting?

("Wait, no. Someone else is here.") [Adam]

Adam spotted an odd child stoking the flames.

"You… You're not human?" [Adam]

His eyes were drawn to the child's head.

("Bunny ears?") [Adam]

They looked completely human, other than the ears. The white fur mixed seamlessly into their short hair, along with their blood red eyes. Surprisingly, the child wore clothing unbefitting of their environment. They equipped themselves with a frilly bright blue dress along with a small brown sack slung over their shoulder.

"...Sir?" [Bunny Child]

The child seemed nervous seeing how intently Adam was staring.

"Oh, sorry. Did you say something?" [Adam]

"Y-Yes… The meal is ready." [Bunny Child]

The child then entered one of the many tents and came out with wooden bowls and utensils.

"Adam, sit." [Fortis]

Adam watched Fortis sit on one of the wooden logs near the campfire and gesture towards another.

"Uh… Fortis? Who's the kid?" [Adam]

"You will see." [Fortis]

He waved the child over.

"Brat. Bring me food." [Fortis]

("Brat?") [Adam]

The child did as told. As soon as the bunny-eared-maybe-human child came over, Fortis placed a hand on their head.

"This is Brat. She is… how old are you again?" [Fortis]

"Eight." [Bunny Child]

"She is eight years old. She is a Cyderian. A race similar to humans." [Fortis]

Adam's eyes wandered to the child's ears.

"...Is she really called Brat?" [Adam]

"Yes, that is her name." [Fortis]

Adam met the child's eyes.

"Is that true?" [Adam]

"Yes." [Bunny Child]

Adam was perplexed.

"Where are her parents?" [Adam]

"Dead. I picked her up from… Where was it again?" [Fortis]

"Dragon's hide." [Brat]

"Ah, yes! Dragon's hide! I didn't know her name so I called her Brat." [Fortis]

"Then that's not her name!" [Adam]

Fortis raised a brow.

"Then what is it? I call her Brat, so she is Brat." [Fortis]

Adam was at a loss for words.

"B… Brat. Are you okay with this?" [Adam]

It was somewhat difficult to get himself to say the child's name.

"Yes? Why shouldn't I? Cyderian's are born to serve Kaygrins." [Brat]

"What…?" [Adam]

It was a culture shock.

"Well, I don't treat her badly. She cooks me food, cleans my clothes, wakes me up, and does a lot more. In exchange, she gets my protection." [Fortis]

"From what?" [Adam]

"Anything. If she wants to, even a king would have to bow down to her! Fuhahaha!" [Fortis]

("This guy is crazy.") [Adam]

Fortis then ruffled Brat's hair.

"You two should get along. From now on, we're all going to live together like one big family." [Fortis]

Adam's eyes met with Brat's, causing him to see something he could recognize: Resignation to one's fate.

"He does random things often, doesn't he?" [Adam]

Brat sighed.

"Yes." [Brat]