"You've endured the critical points that every true fighter should know," he said, looking at Jada. "Each of what was learned here will help you dictate the flow of a battle… only if you apply it correctly."
Then he asked her what she had observed.
Gazing down at her notes, she lifted her head with excitement and answered, "Every area you targeted has substantial implications in combat! It's incredible how much understanding goes into a single engagement! I need to cross-reference this with my physical exercises!"
Arthur nodded, somewhat pleased with her observations.
Left dazed on the ground, William was still feeling the effects of that tsunami of blows he had experienced. His eyes were still trying to make things out.
"You guys talk about combat like we're in a science class," he muttered, trying to push himself back up to a seated position. "No more beating me up, okay!"
"That's all part of the lesson," Arthur stated. "Almost every teacher was once a novice laying the groundwork…"
William simply shook his head in disbelief before collapsing back onto the ground, unable to fully comprehend the knowledge and pain he had just endured.
The sight made Jada giggle.
Approaching the man, Arthur brought him back to a seating position and began treatment.
'Healing jutsu…'
His palms glowed, being only a few spaces from William's back.
As he was healing him, Jada approached. He looked toward her and found something quite suspicious.
The same Jada who once looked at him with bloodshot eyes before his departure from the village, ready to kill him, didn't seem so dangerous right now.
But Arthur was no fool.
"Jada," he said, "tell me about yourself and where you're from."
William winced at his straightforwardness. She herself hadn't expected it either.
"Umm," she hesitated, "well, you might not really understand. Let's just say it's complicated."
"Try me…"
After a moment of contemplation, she finally conceded. To make it easier on Arthur, whom she thought was an NPC, she first had to explain her culture and the land that would not be known.
He understood and allowed her to say what she could.
Jada Schmidt was born in the early 2000s in Munich, Germany.
Growing up in the lush English Garden, her family lived in a modest apartment. Her parents were two schoolteachers dedicated to nurturing creativity and knowledge. They instilled in her a love for learning and imagination, believing that education was of importance.
From a young age, she displayed an insatiable curiosity. At the age of six, she developed a fascination with stories, often imagining herself as a brave heroine escaping fantastical worlds.
As a child, she found solace in her family's extensive library, where she would spend hours curled up in a cozy corner, reading books ranging from classic fairy tales to modern adventures.
It was during these early years that she developed her vivid imagination.
As she transitioned into her teenage years, the world became a different place.
The rise of technology profoundly impacted society, and while many of her peers were enamored with things like iPhones and smartwatches, she remained tethered to physical books and storytelling.
However, she did find a unique niche where both interests intersected; she often enjoyed her electronic books and played some video games.
Attending high school in Munich presented its own set of challenges. With her naturally bright blonde hair and pale skin, she stood out among her peers, and her quirky interests in fantasy and gaming only magnified her geekiness.
So she kept that part of herself isolated due to not many understanding her interests. This developed her shy nature.
Despite the challenges, her resilience shone through. Instead of succumbing to the negativity of what other people thought of her, she channeled her emotions into her creative endeavors.
If there was one thing she enjoyed, it was originality. That being said, she kept her hair long and tidy, often wearing vibrant clothes that reflected her colorful yet shy personality.
She was determined to embrace her uniqueness instead of hiding away when it wasn't necessary.
This self-expression gave her newfound confidence among her closest peers, allowing her to forge connections with others who shared her interests, including a small but tight-knit group of friends who bonded over tabletop role-playing games.
These friends became almost like her support system, motivating her to pursue her dreams. That was until they all graduated and went on separate paths.
Jada's passion for storytelling began to converge with her fascination with animated television shows during her final years in high school. She stumbled upon all forms of cartoons, ranging from Chinese CGS shorts to Japanese animation.
But even with the release of shows like "Attack on Titan," she wasn't as much of a fanatic as the others.
"Hey, Jada," her friends would ask, "what do you think of those anime-liebhaber?"
An "anime-liebhaber" was the German word for "anime fan," which also meant otaku or "weeb," both words representing an anime fanatic.
"Oh yeah, I think anime's pretty cool!"
"Haha!" her friends playfully laughed. "You're so lame, Jada."
While she wasn't a genuine anime fanatic, she honestly didn't mind being judged. It's what made her so likable to the more popular crowd.
Jada had spent her last year of high school experimenting with coding and design. Her creation, titled "Love Knows No Bounds," allowed users to explore ancient legends and uncover forgotten stories.
Such a portfolio received praise from her teachers and peers alike, highlighting her potential.
However, the pressure of school led to many sleepless nights. Jada would often find herself reminiscing about the animated stories from her childhood, like "Neon Genesis Evangelion."
It was those whimsical characters that never faltered despite the opinions of others that she found fascinating.
During these moments of introspection, she understood that her experiences shaped her art—every failure, every triumph, and every friend contributing to her narrative.
Upon graduating from high school, she faced a crossroads. She could either head to a local university to study computer science or pursue her dreams further afield.
Being the adventurous type, she ultimately decided to move to Berlin—the heart of Germany's innovation scene.
That city promised opportunities to connect with professionals in art and technology alike. And from how she excelled academically in high school, she believed that she was ready for the challenge.
The transition marked a significant turning point in her life.
Moving from Munich, a city where she had established her identity as a shy yet imaginative woman, to Berlin, known as Germany's creative and technological hub, was daunting.
But nonetheless, with the support of her parents, she was able to take that step forward.
The city was filled with art scenes and intense competition from every business.
Initially, she struggled with feelings of isolation. Despite the city's energy, the vast crowds made her feel small and overwhelmed. This environment made her miss her friends and family back in Munich.
However, the change in setting also inspired her creativity. She began attending workshops, art exhibitions, and tech meetups, gradually building connections that encouraged her artistic expression.
Once she familiarized herself with the city's layout and began focusing on her enrollment, her anxiety began to dissipate.
Getting accepted to Humboldt University of Berlin was no easy feat. Because of her parents' educational background, she had spent a lot of time studying.
Students looking to enroll in Humboldt University of Berlin, the best university in that area, had to demonstrate proficiency in the German language with three recognized certificates in passing the Goethe-Zertifikat C1, telc C1 Hochschule, and TestDaF—the "German Language Test for Admission to Higher Education."
She also had to provide her secondary school leaving certificate. Thankfully, she didn't have to undergo a university entrance qualification assessment through "uni-assist," a program for international students.
All in all, she scored a ninety on the Goethe-Zertifikat C1, an eighty on the C1 Hochschule, and a TDN 4 on the TestDaF.
How she managed that, one might wonder? The national average passing rate in all three tests combined was approximately sixty percent. To score a TDN 4 would automatically put you in the top percentage of scholars throughout the country.
Jada managed to enroll and chose to major in interactive media.
While she might have had a shy personality, she was quite fearless when it came to challenges that came her way.
During her time in Berlin, she collaborated with fellow students to develop interactive installations for art exhibitions. They also produced compelling documentaries that illustrated the stories of local marginalized communities.
Utilizing her skills, she captured a lot of awards through storytelling, blending her passions into one cohesive vision.
As she honed her craft, she gained recognition for her work within the indie gaming scene. Her portfolio, filled with multimedia projects, caught the attention of several small game studios.
That's how she managed to land a small internship at a prominent tech company that specialized in developing immersive gaming experiences.
Despite the exciting strides she was making, she struggled with imposter syndrome, often doubting her talent. She truly didn't know where she wanted to go with life, often contemplating running away from it all and just finding a small piece of land to dwell on.
She didn't know where those thoughts stemmed from or where her lack of self-esteem went. She had a career waiting for her, her parents were well-off, and she had a couple of friends she sometimes talked to here and there.
So why wasn't she happy?
By the time she graduated from university, she hadn't really established any real name for herself.
Sure, there were some plaques engraved with her name, but they were just a few letters alongside the other hundred thousand.
At the gaming industry she was working for, she managed to gain some traction in the community—particularly with the males.
Many tried to entice her with gifts and dates disguised as business meetings, but she turned them all down. Being in a relationship wasn't on her mind, and she found purpose in being close to her friends while helping those in need.
Most of her money was even spent on charities and the poor in her country.
This almost resulted in her being recognized as a rising star. Fellow creators in her field viewed her more as a threat and an inspiration. Yet that hadn't stopped her from trying to fight passionately for those who were targeted by the strong.
With the rapid advancement of technology, she became increasingly fascinated by virtual reality's potential to reshape storytelling.
It was during this period of exploration that news broke out about Elysium's desire to select a few souls for their groundbreaking experiment, a cutting-edge device that aimed to revolutionize the virtual landscape.
Jada honestly hadn't heard too much about that company, only knowing that they had recently made international headlines.
Her English wasn't bad, and many considered her an innovative thinker.
Inspired by her childhood dreams and the stories that had shaped her, she decided to give it a shot and enter their lottery.
One fateful afternoon, while brewing tea in her studio, she received an email that would change her life: "Congratulations, Jada Schmidt! You have been selected for Elysium's prestigious virtual reality program."
With tears of joy, she understood that her real journey was coming full circle. The little girl who once lost herself in the pages of fictional books was now on the brink of being realized on a grand scale.
"And that's my story," Jada said, happily smiling at Arthur.
"I see," Arthur calmly expressed himself.
While the majority of her words were masked so as not to confuse an apparent outsider not from Earth, he had understood the majority of her background.
He hadn't expected her to be that diverse compared to the worldly individuals he'd often encounter on Earth. No, she was her own person with her own dreams.
"You should consider finding a lover," Arthur said with a monotone voice.
Both she and William reacted the same: "Eh!"
Jada's face was one for the ages—turning as red as a tomato due to not having expected Arthur's comment.
Their teasing looked like playful banter among friends, but he knew better than to befriend this lot. At the end of the day, they were players—real people—on the verge of possibly losing their minds in this simulation.
But killing them would defeat the purpose of his goals. If they truly were trapped here like him, as he believed, then all he could do was continue fighting, even if they chose to stand in his way.
Jada, having finally calmed herself down, shot a playful glance at William and said, "I can't wait to try out everything I learned!"
Before he could respond, William comically jumped to his feet, raising his hands defensively.
"Wait, no! Let's talk about this! I didn't sign up for another round!"
His protest, however, was cut short by the sound of hurried footsteps approaching them.
A woman burst onto the scene with a panicked expression as she sprinted toward Arthur, clutching her chest to catch her breath.
"Please!" she gasped in desperation. "You have to help me!"
Arthur immediately calmed her down, holding up his hands in a placating gesture, and said, "Slow down. Take a breath and tell us what's the matter."
She looked at him with teary eyes before answering, "I really need help. My husband… he couldn't pay off our loan. The loan sharks took him—and they took my little girl away too!"
"Loan sharks?" Jada wondered, her expression turning serious. "Where are they holding them?"
"I don't know! I just know that they took them away!" The woman's voice quivered as she struggled to maintain her composure. "I ran here, hoping to find someone who could help!"
Jada was ready to jump in with a reassuring 'we'll help you,' but was again eclipsed by Arthur's calm demeanor.
"Where do you live?" he asked in a soothing tone.
"Just a few paces down. Please, I don't know what I'll do if they hurt them!"
William, bypassing his previous apprehensions, blurted out, "Why don't we just go there and get them back?"
Arthur looked at him, saying, "And do you even know where they are?"
William faltered, his bravado fading as he understood that the woman had no idea where her family was being held.
"Uh… well…" he hesitated.
"We'll help you, no matter what it takes!" Jada chimed in.
Arthur regarded these players. Despite how admirable it was to help strangers, their hearts were too reckless. They were willing to risk their lives for an unknown person, pursuing a cause that, by many standards, felt utterly precarious.
Deep down, he also found himself considering the implications of their decisions. He couldn't deny this route, as it would not only tarnish their ideas of him, but it could also allow him to truly gauge their level of strength.
"Alright," he finally said. "Lead the way…"
The woman nodded, wiping her tears as they began to walk. They made their way through the village, and Arthur couldn't help but inquire, "Why didn't you go to the police or the Jōnin office for help?"
The woman frowned, feeling shameful as she answered, "I couldn't. The loan was illegal. If the authorities found out, it would only make things worse for us. I was hoping someone… anyone would help. That's why I ran."
Arthur immediately understood her plight.
"We won't alert the authorities or make this matter public after we bring back your family," he declared. "You have my word."
Jada looked at Arthur with admiration. She wasn't sure at first if he was going to come. And because he had, it made her respect him even more. His willingness to shoulder the responsibility without any hidden motives was profoundly moving.
They continued walking until they reached a modest house, the woman gesturing for them to enter.
As soon as they stepped inside, Jada reactivated her Sharingan to scan the area. Arthur sensed this would be a crucial moment for piecing together information, so he exchanged glances with William.
"Stay alert," he demanded. "We need to gather as much information as we can."
"Right," William said, nodding, although he looked slightly daunted.
"Tell us anything you think could help us," Arthur prompted the woman as they entered her home.
It was never verbally stated, but he seemed to have instantly become the leader of this suddenly formed group.
Jada looked around, her eyes darting for any clues.
"My husband was the only one who took the loan," the woman began, rubbing her temples as she tried to remember the details. "When he left the village to find them, it took him two days just to give back."
"That means it would have to be a day's journey," Arthur deduced.
"I was gonna say that," William added.
Arthur narrowed his eye in contemplation, trying to elicit more clarity.
"What do you know about them?" he began. "Are they part of a larger group, or are they more independent?"
The woman shook her head, clearly distraught as she answered, "I—I don't know much. He never spoke to me about them. Just that we needed money to help us pay our debt."
"Do you know how much he owed?" William prompted.
"One hundred thousand ryō," she said. "Plus… interest."
William's eyes widened in shock at the figure. "That's a lot of money!" he exclaimed, turning to Arthur. "Sheesh, am I right?"
Arthur chose not to comment. While the loan amount was indeed large, he remained cognizant of his own financial background—one that would laugh at the notion of a hundred thousand ryō.
Had he always thought that way? Nay. Being a multimillionaire in the realm they found themselves navigating taught him interestingly, even if it was a simulated world.
As Jada was reviewing the room, she called out, "Hey! I found something!" She held up a crumpled piece of paper, drawing everyone's attention. "It's a receipt signed by your husband."
She approached, unfolding the paper carefully, and continued, "The amount matches exactly what you said."
With keen interest, Arthur leaned in closer to inspect the document. On it, the name of the lending company stood out clearly: "Hightower Loans."
He recognized their logo and felt a strange familiarity.
"Do you know this place?" William asked, peering over Arthur's shoulder.
"I know where they're located," he admitted.
"Really?" Jada inquired. "How'd a guy like you get involved with loan sharks?"
"I said I know where they are, not who they are…"
In hindsight, he actually did know who they were but hadn't wanted to reveal that information. Little did they know that this was a company he had dealt with during his time as the feudal lord's successor.
He had once alleviated a farmer from this very company, paying off a debt to ensure the man's land and crops continued to thrive. Because of his kind act, much of the country's land went undisturbed by shady investors.
To think something from his past like this would be useful for this situation.
"That's perfect!" Jada exclaimed before looking at the woman. "With Hoshikaze-sensei leading the way, we'll definitely bring your family back!"
The woman's hope renewed as tears welled in her eyes. She bowed deeply and then dropped to her knees, saying, "Thank you! Thank you! I don't know how to repay you!"
William beamed, feeling prideful for being recognized as heroes. Yet, in a moment that caught Jada off guard, Arthur lowered himself to the woman's level, meeting her gaze with sincerity.
"Never worship us like that," he announced. "This service is an obligation—helping those in need is just the right thing to do."
The woman lifted her head in surprise and stammered, "You… you're different."
Jada observed the entire exchange, her heart swelling with emotion. For the first time, she truly saw the light within Arthur. To her, he wasn't just an adventurer or a combatant driven by power; he was righteous and willing to step into the abyss to save others.
"Alright," he said, standing tall. "Let's move…"
With hopeful spirits, they set out on foot.
By the time they made it to the shady complex located in another village, Jada marveled at the structure before them. It was flanked by tall, uninviting walls and solid iron gates.
Arthur stood at the forefront, assessing their surroundings. His voice was measured as he said, "We don't want to disturb this village."
William, glancing at the building, furrowed his brow in confusion and asked, "What do you mean? All we have to do is bust open the door and rescue the family, right?"
Arthur turned to him and corrected, "Quite the opposite… Jada and you are Leaf ninjas, which means if word gets out about this, it could tarnish your village's reputation. Some might even twist the news to fit their own agendas. We'll need to resolve this quietly."
Jada had never considered those implications before, regarding how their actions could impact their village's image. In truth, Arthur simply didn't want the name "Hoshikaze" to continue spreading where it ought not.
"You're right," she admitted. "What's the plan, then?"
"There are security cameras and traps set up to alert any intruders," he revealed. "We'll have to be cautious if we want to avoid detection."
William looked around, his eyes flaring with surprise.
"Security cameras?" he wondered in disbelief. He took a moment to truly look at the building and finally spotted one in the corner. "Hey! How are you able to see all of this with that blindfold on?"
"I'll disrupt their security first," Arthur stated, ignoring the question. "You two will sneak in through the back entrance. Once I've verified that you're safely inside, I'll create a diversion by raising the alarm. That should gather the armed men in the main room."
William turned to look at the building again. Incredulity got the better of him once more as he interjected, "Armed men? Just how do you know all of this?!"
But by the time he turned back to seek an answer, Arthur had already vanished. Jada herself was already walking away, determined to scout out an entry point.
"Hey, wait for me, Jada!" he yelled after her.
The two stealthily walked around the complex, keeping low to the ground. Jada's Sharingan activated, scanning for any signs of security measures.
"Hoshikaze-sensei was right," she reminded him, glancing back. "There are far too many cameras... This really is a shady operation."
"Right, but I mean—armed men?" William sighed. "Think they're shinobi or just mercenaries?"
"Beats me," Jada urged. "But stick close to me."
As they rounded the side of the building, they spotted a narrow alley that hugged the structure. Jada motioned for William to follow closely as they used the shadows and approached an unguarded back door.
William peered nervously at it and asked, "What do we do if it's locked?" Jada looked at him with doubt before rolling her eyes. "Sorry, I forgot."
Using her Sharingan, she plucked a bobby pin from her hair and inserted it through the keyhole.
"Just give me one…" Her fingers cautiously moved at the most subtle mechanics before she exclaimed, "Got it!" The lock clicked open, and the door creaked ajar.
"Nice work!" William exclaimed, impressed. "Was the Sharingan always able to let you do that?"
Jada reminded him with a grin that she was full of surprises.
With that, they slipped inside, closing the door quietly behind them.
The room they entered was fully lit, filled with boxes and crates, each marked with labels indicating various illicit goods. Her Sharingan scanned the area, perusing each corner.
"We should be able to hide here," she whispered, moving slowly as she assessed their surroundings.
William nodded. He glanced around, attempting to catalog any potential threats.
"What now?" he wondered.
"We wait, of course," she answered. "At least until Hoshikaze-sensei sets off the alarm."
William was starting to become weary of her calling Arthur that.
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