Chapitre 7: The Debt
[Winner: Rex Vector!]
After finishing Ben off with a set of fast sword combos, as the virtual domain A. I announced the winner of the duel, Rex stood, his breath a little rapid and strained as he slowly raised his right hand to look at it.
His eyes became unfocused a bit as he recalled how easily he managed to dispatch his 2 friends compared to previous virtual duels.
"I am…, indeed special!" He declared what he never got tired of again.
For 13 years of his life, he had lived his life trying to validate the teachings of his father. Time and time again, he failed, but when all hope seemed to be lost, he finally validated that his father's teachings were indeed right.
"Dad, you were right, the principal was wrong".
"Mystic swordsmanship still has a place in this world!"
Whoosh! Whoosh!
While Rex muttered to himself, the virtual domain arena reset again as Cassandra and Ben finally appeared before Rex again.
Rex's 2 friends looked at him like he was a monster.
"Rex, you're a freak!" Ben roared.
On hearing that, Rex grinned as he turned to face his friend. "Yes, I'm a sword freak. Wanna go again?"
"Hell yeah! Let's fight another round!"
"I'm in". Cassandra added from the side as her eyes revealed a peculiar glow.
[Ding! New virtual duel has started!]
Ben gripped his sword tighter. "Let's go!"
Bam! Bam! Bam!
After familiarizing themselves with their friend's new combat power in the previous duel, Cassandra and Ben put up a lot more resistance this time as, through impeccable teamwork, they exerted considerable pressure on Rex.
In previous duels, under so much pressure, Rex would have succumbed long ago but this time, the versatility granted by mystic energy enabled him to hold on.
After a fierce duel where Cassandra's earth ability-empowered sword managed to cut his abdomen, with Ben cutting him 10 times, Rex won by the skin of his teeth due to his superior swordsmanship once again.
[Winner: Rex Vector!]
"Again!" An excited Ben roared again.
[Ding! New virtual duel has started!]
Bam! Bam!
This time, Cassandra and Ben's familiarity with their new friend grew so much that they almost defeated him, having inflicted serious injuries to his virtual avatar but their tenacious friend held on.
Cassandra and Ben's teamwork improved as they understood his strengths more, but Rex also grew stronger with time.
The more he exercised, the more he grew familiar with his newly gained strength. The experience of all the duels left him feeling so excited.
[Winner: Rex Vector!]
"Again!"
[Ding! New virtual duel has started!]
Bam! Bam!
[Winner: Rex Vector!]
"Again, freak!"
[Ding! New virtual duel has started!]
Bam! Bam!
[Winner: Rex Vector!]
"I give up, you win".
"Let's try one last time". Rex offered this time, and though Cassandra was reluctant to continue, they went on one last duel.
Boom!
[Winner: Ben Carter!]
"Holy Sh*t, I won".
"Lol, he let you win". Cassandra laughed but Ben was not having it.
"It doesn't matter, all that matters is that I won".
"I won against the freak!" Ben spread his hands wide and yelled like he just won a jackpot, making his 2 friends erupt laughing.
Though over an hour remained that was bought by the virtual training ticket, the friends decided to leave since they already achieved everything and the adrenaline rush that they sought in a duel.
After leaving the virtual arena hall, the 3 friends started going home as they had nothing else to accomplish by staying in the academy.
While they left, Rex and Cassandra had to put up with Ben's shameless boasts of how awesome he was during the duel. Without a doubt, Ben already had a nice fabricated story to boast about to his girlfriends.
Unlike Rex who was an introvert and Cassandra who had a stable and reserved personality, Ben was a hyperactive and easygoing freebie.
He had numerous friends which were mostly girls, he could make friends with any type, both the privileged and the non-privileged students. He discriminated against none so long as they didn't discriminate against him first.
Together, as soon as they left the academy grounds, Cassandra pulled slightly at Ben's shirt before leaning in and whispering into his ears.
Ben's eyes widened. "Oh, I almost forgot".
He turned to face Rex. "Bro, there's something that we have to take care of before leaving. You'll have to go without us".
Rex was confused. "Can't we go together?"
Ben sighed before pulling him closer and putting his chubby hands across his shoulders. Rex always felt amazed at Ben's chubby body, how on earth did such a chubby-looking boy awaken a wind mystic ability?
Once Rex was distracted by his chubby hands, Ben smiled.
"The thing is this, I have a new girl that caught my attention. She has this extremely beautiful face, sparkling eyes, such perky and round behind. In fact, the soft mountainous accessories of her front are…"
"Umm, don't worry, we'll meet at home".
An already red Rex glared at Ben, and briefly directed a confused glance at Cassandra before heeding their plea and going home without them.
"Phew! He left".
"Told ya". Ben smirked. "Now, let's go".
…
"What?!"
"What do you mean you can't pay me today?" The man's face turned sinister. "It seems like the both of you misers want to sleep in the cell".
"I need my pork meat and I need it now. You suckers promised to pay me today, and I won't hear anything contrary".
"When you borrowed the money, you didn't give so many excuses, pay up!"
"It's not that, we're going to pay. The thing is that it's late already, I promise that we'll provide all the pork meat you need tomorrow and even extra if you want". Ben pleaded back at the burly middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man with an ugly scar that ran through his face kept quiet for a few seconds as if he was digesting what Ben just said, then he leaned closer, placing his lips beside Ben's ears.
"I…need…my…pork meat!"
Cassandra bit her lips. "Mr. Butcher, you know how dangerous the…"
"Oh yes, I know how dangerous the beast sanctum is! But…, I don't care!"
"Bring me my pork meat or be prepared to face the consequences".
"Don't worry Mr. Butcher, we'll bring them immediately". A fourth voice interjected into the conversation.
"Huh?" The middle-aged man turned his head to see the young man who walked towards him before turning back to face the 2 defaulters. "I don't give a damn, just keep your promise!"
With that, he stormed off and Rex finally glared at his 2 friends.
"Great! So we're keeping secrets now?"
"It's not that".
"I know, I know". Rex turned to face Ben. "Beautiful-faced girl huh?"
"…"
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
GREAT
GREAT Just a random thought of mine: "I think life is an equation. We live our whole life trying to balance and keep it in equilibrium. Religion, school, work, life in general, everything has to achieve a balance, that's the life really worth remembering.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone