Chapter 42 - Luca Ricci

Ludovica's disbelief lingered in the air as she continued to take in the opulent surroundings of the apartment. "Do you really own all this?" she asked, her voice tinged with awe.

"Yes," Matteo replied simply, his expression amused as he observed her reaction.

"How did you manage to pull off this construction?" Ludovica inquired, her curiosity piqued by the mysterious origins of the luxurious safehouse.

"I have my ways," Matteo answered cryptically as usual, offering no further explanation.

"It's no use asking you, is there?" Ludovica remarked with a wry smile, realizing the futility of probing further into Matteo's secrets.

"No," Matteo agreed, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Now, you can stay here until we are done with the things in Verbindung."

As they exchanged small talk about the apartment—admiring its sleek design and luxurious amenities—Matteo checked his watch and sighed. With a nod of farewell, Ludovica bid Matteo goodbye.

Matteo made his way back to his own home, pausing to grab lunch before getting there.

Settling in at his desk. Retrieving his notebook from the drawer, he flipped through its pages, his thoughts consumed by the tasks that lay ahead.

After a moment's contemplation, Matteo dialed Lysander's number-

"Hello?" came a crisp and clear voice from the other side.

"Hello, Lysander."

"Matteo?"

"Yes, indeed. I am back from Vinopolis. So, have you decided on my offer?"

"If I were to join you, Matteo, I require clarity on my responsibilities and tasks. What, precisely, will you expect me to do?"

"You will be doing what you do best, Lysander. Intelligence and Espionage."

"And nothing else?"

"Nothing else!" Matteo confirmed, "Unless," he paused, "You harbor other ambitions," he added his tone cryptic.

There was a silence of the line for a moment as Lysander contemplated.

"You don't have to answer right now. I will be visiting the Pilgrim tomorrow. I expect definite answer by then."

Silence.

"Have a good day Lysander." Matteo hung up and went back to his plans.

Suddenly between the pages of his notebook Matteo found a familiar piece of paper. It was the address of combat gym named 'BattleFit Arena' near the small market. I also had a name of a person - 'Luca Ricci'.

"Oh! I guess I should visit it tomorrow. End the saga of Matthew Marshall once and for all." *sigh*

Matteo reclined in his chair, allowing his thoughts to drift without concern.

After some time had passed, he glanced at his phone - June 9th, 2009, 06:57 pm. With a leisurely stretch, Matteo rose from his seat and proceeded toward the shower.

He got dressed and came out in the backyard again. Then he opened the system interface -

[ System Augment : Psionic Augmentation - System Augment to control Psionic Powers easily ]

"Now, let's see how this works, shall we?"

Matteo had seen how dangerous was a psionic compared to a normal Viable during the fight with Leandro. If Ludovica had not been experienced the needles would have pierced her vitals and it would have been game over.

So he wanted to become a Psionic too. Thankfully Body Modification had given him the perfect body 'and with the System Augment this should be easy, Right?' Matteo thought.

Matteo focused intently on the small rock before him, his brow furrowed in concentration. With a determined exhale, he attempted to lift it using only the power of his mind.

"Here goes nothing," he muttered.

He fixed his gaze on the rock and attempted to exert his will upon it. "Huppppppp! Yahhhh!" he grunted, his efforts resembling those of someone who is constipated straining to push out a stubborn object.

Despite his best efforts, the rock remained stubbornly stationary, unmoved by his mental commands. However, Matteo could sense a faint, almost imperceptible assistance guiding his movements and concentration kind of semi-autonomously, akin to an aim assist in a video game.

However, despite the augmentation provided by the System, his strength proved insufficient to move the stubborn mass. Almost immediately, a wave of mental fatigue washed over him, leaving him drained within mere moments.

"Whoa!" he exclaimed as he struggled to maintain his balance. Despite his efforts, he stumbled backward and fell onto his back, his vision becoming hazy as sweat formed on his forehead.

After some time had passed, Matteo managed to regain his senses. Recognizing his limitations, he decided to take a moment to collect himself through meditation.

Closing his eyes, Matteo focused on his breath, allowing himself to relax and restore his energy. When he eventually opened his eyes, he found himself drenched in sweat.

Matteo couldn't see it himself but he had faint dark circles under his eyes. He looked exhausted and exhausted he was. 

"I must have done something VERY wrong," Matteo muttered to himself with a sigh. "I need guidance, I guess."

Matteo resolved to set aside his attempts at mastering psionics for the time being.

"Let's eat first and complete the daily training," he decided. "I can revisit the topic of psionics later."

/////////////

The gym doors swung open with a metallic creak as Matteo stepped inside. The scent of sweat and iron filled the air, a familiar and nostalgic aroma that stirred something deep within him.

Rows of exercise equipment lined the room, and the rhythmic sounds of weights clinking and the murmur of conversations echoed through the space.

At the far end of the gym, Matteo spotted a figure tirelessly guiding a client through a set of intense exercises. The trainer was focused and disciplined.

The trainer glanced up from his client, his expression shifting from concentration to curiosity. "Can I help you?" he asked, wiping sweat from his brow with a towel.

"I'm looking for Luca, Luca Ricci" Matteo replied. "I was told he might know me."

Luca's brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing as he studied Matteo. "Luca Ricci? That's me. What do you want?" (character art here)

Matteo hesitated, searching for the right words. *oh* "Hello, I'm Matteo Marchesi. I was told you might remember me." he said thrusting his hand forward as a gesture of handshake.

Luca took a moment to process Matteo's words, his eyes widening in a moment of recognition. "Matteo? Are you the Matteo I'm thinking of?"

"If you're thinking of Matteo from St. Maria Orphanage, then yes, I'm the one."

Shock flickered across Luca's face. "That's impossible. Matteo... was declared dead years ago."