MM - Chapter 132 - THE FIRST OF MANY

Angel of PsyCore

- Carter City - 

Angel put one foot in front of the other, trudging down the cramped, barren hallway. The walls were too close, the ceiling short, built for people not yet fully grown. She was not a large person by any metric, yet she felt oversized now and did not like it one bit. She had only been in Carter Middle School for a few minutes and already dreaded spending the next month here.

“As instructed, the gymnasium has been prepared to the usual specifications,” the obnoxious droning of the school's principal didn't help.

Angel couldn't hold in her sigh any longer. It escaped as a low moan. 

This sucks! Why does my first mission have to be talent scouting? 

Johnathon heard her thoughts loud and clear. Personally, he did not abide whining. As a team leader and knowing how fresh Angel was, there was room for a modicum of slack. His psychic ability allowed his thoughts to tumble into her mind. “Believe it or not, this will be good for you. You'll understand by the end. For now, focus on doing your job to the best of your ability, or the boredom will consume you.”

That's exactly the problem! This is going to be so boring! I can't restrict either of you for obvious reasons. I'm supposed to what? Stand here looking threatening while hoping someone attacks us? Angel glanced at their third companion—Vicky. The bulky, ever-silent enforcer moved with the grace of a highly trained martial. His face was set in its usual scowl. A glance from him was typically sufficient to send people fleeing in terror. Angel sighed again. Nope, looking threatening is out. Wouldn't want to take Vicky's job…

Johnathon understood to a degree. Utilizing and training psychic abilities was addicting, especially for a restrictor like Angel. From what he knew, dampening the psychic and mental abilities of those around them was an almost euphoric experience, which is why most restrictors tended to be a bit emotionally unstable. Going from constant day-in-and-out training to being unable to practice at all was bound to be a shock for the young woman's system.

With her personality, Johnathon determined neither the carrot nor stick would be particularly effective, which meant getting creative. “Apparently, there's going to be a big event this weekend. The city champion is hosting a training seminar while recruiting for his guild in the new game in everyone's mind.”

Angel's lack of enthusiasm was evident from her disgusted lip curl. His thoughts pressed on before she could voice any disapproval. “He's going to demonstrate a martial technique and instruct everyone who shows up on its fundamentals. At least, that's what he claimed.”

Vicky glanced his way. It was only the briefest of glances, yet from the stalwart man, the little movement was akin to a child jumping up and down, waving their arms while begging. Johnathon nodded just as subtly. There was a reason he broadcast the thought to both of them. Vicky proved what that reason was when his arm vanished, knuckles appearing above Angel's head and rapping on her skull.

“Ouch!” Angel's exclamation frightened the school's principal, who spun on a dime, though not fast enough to see Vicky move his arm back to his side.

“Ignore her,” Johnathon advised in a tone that brooked no arguments, “Please, continue the tour.”

“It appears Vicky wants to go. Of course, it all depends on you, Angel. If you're cooperative and diligent, we can go. If not, I'll let you practice your abilities on Vicky.” Johnathon's threat was clear. While Angel could restrict Vicky's psychic ability, she had no defense against his vastly superior physique and training.

Fine! I get it. I'll do a good job... so long as you let me restrict you while we're on breaks.

Johnathon transferred her thought to Vicky. The large man narrowed his eyes at the skinny girl, then nodded.

Raine KongRu

- Carter City - 

Raine drove. After all, he was too young to die. Celeste's fury was thick in the crowded vehicle. Mel's few attempts to lift her spirits were met with stony silence or a guttural growl. She gave up, assaulting Raine with a steady barrage of chit-chat that he thoroughly enjoyed.

In the past, pleasant female ‘companionship’ had been basically nonexistent. For sure, the torturous hell Vaneese put him through could never have been called that. If any girl made the attempt to be his friend, she ensured they suffered for it. Raine was fairly confident Vaneese had something to do with Mel eventually being transferred out of his department, too.

This life… is so much more worthy of protecting. I can’t lose this. They’ll come for it, and we have to be ready.

He shook off the morbid thoughts, answering her most recent question about the two rewards he promised, “Not telling. Some things are better left a surprise. Just know you earned them with your efforts, and there'll be much more to come if you keep it up.”

Entirely misunderstanding his last few words, Mel purred, flashing her eyebrows, “I sure hope so.”

Raine turned to the side, flexing his diaphragm to hold in a laugh. While directing the autopilot to the parking spot he wanted, Raine mentally bumped the conversation up from enjoyed to savored, “All right, you. It's time to get your energy out before you get yourself in trouble.”

“Don’t you know by now that I like being in trouble? Or, what comes after anyways,” Mel snickered, a hand covering her mouth. From the backseat, Celeste groaned. She used the manual unlock to override the car’s safety features and jumped out before it pulled to a complete stop. She walked toward the entrance of Gallant’s Gym at a furious pace.

Mel let the younger girl pull ahead of them, her voice turning serious as she walked in step with Raine, “Am I helping? I thought I caught her smiling a couple times, but she still doesn’t look good.”

Raine shook his head sadly, “I have no idea. Don’t know her well enough yet. All I can do is give her what she asked for: something to take her anger out on. After that, she’ll probably be a bit more receptive. Try your best to keep up with her in there. She’ll probably appreciate that effort more than the jokes.”

“J-jokes? I wasn’t… Right. The jokes,” Mel laughed awkwardly, and Raine cleared up the misunderstanding by pinching her ass.

She jumped half a meter, holding her rump with a gaping jaw that turned into a mischievous, wide-mouthed smile. She looked around to see if anyone noticed, and her expression turned to horror. Crowding the front doors were dozens of people clustered together. Several professional vodcaster drones hovered nearby, and they were all pointed directly at her.

To be accurate, they were trained on Raine, but there was no way they missed the interaction. Raine noticed them when he pulled into the lot. Their purpose was obvious, and he didn’t mind giving the viewers something else to gossip about amidst the scandal he was about to unleash.

The most obnoxious vodsters charged him. One even did an admittedly impressive flip, landing and throwing a few punches to psych up his viewers, “It’s the man himself! He really came! Are you prepared to hear his first recorded words?”

“We’re doing this live, goonsies!”

“Mr. KongRu, Mr. KongRu! Are the rumors true, or is it all a coup?”

Raine had been the face of more vodbriefs than he could count. With a cocky grin, he raised one hand high, the other coming around Mel’s shoulders and pulling her into his side, “Greetings, Carter City. It’s all true, every word.” He cupped a hand over his mouth, turning toward the first woman to reach him, and whispered loudly, “Wait, what are we talking about again?”

The vodsters immediately relaxed from his approachable attitude. They made way for him and Mel, circling close, “The rumors that you’re the new unofficial champion! And way more salacious, that you’ll teach actual martial techniques to anyone who shows up to your event this weekend, obviously!”

“Oh, that!” Raine laughed boisterously, “Nope, wildly inaccurate. I’ll teach stances, internal force, marital techniques, mental ability principles, and…” Raine let his voice carry, stretching out their anticipation. Already, their jaws were on the ground, the vodsters completely silent, not daring to make a peep and interrupt him. “We only require a five-year contract.”

The one from before who did the flip and punches wasn’t expecting Raine’s dashstep. He suddenly vanished and appeared in the man’s face, gently patting his cheek. Then, Raine’s voice turned deadly serious. It was a well-known fact that people instinctively turned to distrust when something sounded too good to be true.

“Don’t come if you aren’t prepared to die. My martial path is for those brave enough to sprint down the line between life and death. Other than that, there are no requirements. Rich, destitute, injured, healthy, none of that matters. Come... and take your first or hundredth step down the martial path. Or, stay home comfortably on your couch and wither away into nothing.”

Raine knew exactly what he was doing by goading the audience. Like Celeste, the most talented martials had strong personalities. Insulting them was often the best way to get them to take action. The man he belittled with his slaps was a perfect example. Even if he knew for an absolute fact that Raine could trounce him, he couldn’t allow his viewers to see him humiliated. His livelihood would come to a screeching halt as they abandoned him in droves.

Face corrupted with rage, the young man launched a well-executed elbow at point-blank range. Raine leaned back just enough his jaw wouldn't be crushed. His hand caught the sailing elbow. Instead of stopping it cold, he used its force to turn his torso. The knuckles of Raine's other hand connected with the base of the vodster's skull, and he folded like wet tissue paper. Raine caught him, gently lowering the unconscious fighter to the ground, “Hush now, sweet prince. It’s time for a nap.” He faced the man’s drone, flashing a thumbs-up that the man would see when he woke up, “That was a well-executed elbow strike! Maybe pick your targets better, though.”

With a wink, he was heading for the door again, Mel’s hand grasped firmly in his.

“W-wait! Mr. KongRu, how old are you? Are you from Carter? How many wives do you plan on taking?”

The questions didn’t stop there; they flew in such rapid succession that it would be impossible to hear them all, let alone answer. Raine barreled ahead, not stopping until his hand was on the door. He turned back, brows high like he remembered something important, “Oh yeah, I forgot the most important part. Those who show up and make the cut ’ll be joining a guild in ZionLine called Astra Infernum. This is the first and last time my master’s guild will be recruiting for local disciples.”

“What’s Astra Infernum? I’ve never heard of that name!”

“Wait, Mr. KongRu!” The doors shut behind him and Mel, cutting off the vodsters' words. They didn’t dare follow with the five burly guards standing just inside. The men respectfully made space for Raine and Mel, smoothly flowing back into position after they passed.

“I'm starting to wonder if there's anything you do normally,” Mel glanced around suspiciously, expecting more vodsters to jump out at them.

“Nope. Boring,” Raine chortled, heading toward the free weights, completely relaxed with his hands in his pockets.

Mel lost her enthusiasm when she realized his destination, “Uhh, shouldn't we start with cardio? Or stretching? Or anything else, really?”

“Nope. First rule of exercise: always start with the thing you want to do least because you won't have the drive or energy to do it when you're wiped from the stuff you enjoy.”

“Oh. That makes sense…” Despite agreeing, Mel's feet didn't move any faster.

Not seeing Celeste, Raine used his watch's AR interface to ping her Ncode, “Get your ass to the free weights.” Beckoning with a finger, he called Mel to a bench. While they waited for Celeste, he guided her through a few light stretches from Resplendence—complex martial movements he'd already taught her in ZionLine. Celeste showed up with an understandably sour frown, arms crossed beneath her chest.

As if nothing were out of the ordinary, Raine continued, “Second and third rule: max loading a few reps produces all the wonderful little hormones that keep you looking and feeling young. Also tears the crap out of your muscle fibers, so all the targeted stuff we do after gets the most results for the least effort.”

Pointedly ignoring the gossiping, pointing, and excited chattering around them, Raine grabbed some weights that the girls wouldn't be capable of lifting more than a few times. Dropping them at their feet, he snatched their skinny limbs one after the other, repositioning them in the right poses, then guided them through the exact movements. A few practice reps without the weights, and they were ready. He tilted his chin at the heavy dumbells, then found a significantly heftier set so they could lift in unison.

Both girls eyed the weights like live serpents, poised to bite. Mel's voice caught in her throat as she glanced at the people watching, “H-how many of these rules do you have?” 

Raine's devilish smile had her regretting the question, “I'm glad you asked.”

Within minutes, Mel and Celeste were dead on their feet. Raine was relentless, poking, prodding, and milking out more effort than either realized they were capable of. As his first real workout since taking ReGen, he struggled to find his own limits, reveling in his newfound power with every set and rep. The phenomenal eye candy provided by his companions was the icing on the cake. Several times, they were politely interrupted with respectful questions, everyone curious to confirm the rumors about Sunday. Raine wore a smile, repeating himself as many times as necessary.

Done with the first segment, Raine led the way to an enclosed studio, the girls limping and groaning behind him. Shutting the door, he clapped loudly, the sound accompanied by a burst of bloodlust. Both dropped into their ZionLine fighting stances, expressions containing naught but the intensity one discovers at the edge of death.

Raine smirked, impressed as usual by their reactions, “Great. Time for that cardio you wanted. Celeste, don't break any of her bones.”

“What?” She tilted her head, red hair sticking to her scalp, wet with sweat.

Raine launched himself at her with a flying knee and another burst of bloodlust, “I said fight!” He roared. Celeste dove to the side, and Mel was there by the time she rolled to her feet, delivering a wicked kick toward her friend's head. “Don't drop your guard when you kick! Celeste, relax your shoulders! Mel, bend your knees and protect your head! I don't care how tired your limbs are! Every move should have the mentality of life and death behind it! Faster!”

On and on it went, Raine drilling them relentlessly. Each time they were on the verge of collapse, he called a stop and guided them through slower, controlled techniques to sharpen their form and relax their muscles. With repetition and fear, he laid the foundation of the fighting styles that fit their specific bodies and sensibilities. Mel was speed itself, in and out like lightning, while Celeste personified aggression.

An hour later, Raine led them through a set of Qigong perfect for finishing off the hard to reach muscles. They looked like wet noodles by the end, twitching on the floor. Yet Raine wasn't done with them yet, “Sit up. Remember the way you're feeling right now; this is the best time to learn internal force. We'll start with the feet. Backs straight! Good. Feel every muscle, every ache, every pain, focus on each one individually, and tell your mind to force that specific location to move; even if you can't, that's fine. This is about finding all the little parts of you that you didn't know existed. Dive into them, connect with them, demand your brain begins forming the connections that will someday allow you to move them.”

“What about the limiters?” Celeste wondered, earlier melancholy wiped clean well over an hour ago. Now, she was ruled by the copious endorphins flooding her system.

"We practice removing your limiters every time you spar under the effects of my mental ability. The fear of death is perfect for tricking the brain into pushing too far. When I'm not around, do your best to convince yourself you're about to die. That will naturally condition your brain to loosen its defensive locks on your muscles.”

Mel released a drawn-out groan as she tried to trigger a muscle deep in her abdomen. Panting from the effort, she gave Raine a droopy-eyed, exhausted frown, “I didn't know. Thought you were being mean for the fun of it.”

“Just because I enjoy pushing people to their limits and watching them grow doesn't mean I'm a sadist… probably,” he chuckled at his own joke, then poked her lower back hard enough for his finger to reach into where the next muscle was. She groaned, miserable but invigorated unlike ever before, and certainly not about to quit.

***

Three hours later, Raine finally called an end to their torture. He led the way to the individual shower rooms he'd spotted earlier. Celeste had nothing left in her, unable to offer a wave as she flopped against one of the rooms’ doors to open it. She left a wet outline of her body imprinted on it, entirely unable to care.

Raine picked his own room and walked inside, brows lifting as Mel followed him in. She shut the door behind her; the lock sliding into place was loud in both their ears.

Raine found the sight of her gathering her courage both adorable and frighteningly arousing. She swallowed hard, voice barely cracking, “I... don't know what rewards you had in mind, but I'm t-taking my first one now.” Her eyes were glued to a particular spot at his waist as she hungrily licked her lips.

As an upstanding gentleman, Raine didn't have a single reason to refuse such a polite request.