Capítulo 7: 6. Clubs and Daily Life
"Strength does not come from physical ability, but from an indomitable will."
— Mahatma Gandhi
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Oreki Houtarou was in the anti-personnel training class, where the instructors made the cadets fight each other to improve their combat skills against humans or humanoid beings. However, at that moment, something out of the ordinary happened: instead of facing another cadet, Oreki was facing the combat instructor.
"Rank 934, Oreki Houtarou, get up!" the instructor ordered.
"I can't," Oreki replied, still on the ground, not moving.
It was an unusual situation. Due to the lack of firearms for training, Oreki was forced to face the instructor herself, a situation he did not see favorably. "Why don't they use a weaker firearm? There are pellets. That wouldn't even hurt these superhumans," he thought, the discomfort evident in his mind.
"What do you mean 'can't do it'?" the instructor asked impatiently.
The instructor demanded that he give it his all. However, to her surprise, it didn't take long for her to be the one who had to give it her all. Oreki's skills exceeded expectations.
"Let me take over." He shook his head, dismissing the idea as if it were a random thought.
"Get up!"
"I can't... uhaaa," Oreki found himself forced to stand up quickly to dodge a swift kick that was coming his way.
He thanked himself internally for his gift of observation and reading.
"Hey, you don't know the meaning of ho-" he began to say, but was interrupted by a quick punch.
"Let me finish talking!"
"Less talking and more th-," but before she could finish her sentence, Oreki fired a shot towards her stomach.
"Okay," he said, without thinking twice.
That was a bad idea. The instructor's expression darkened, indicating that her patience had run out.
"Fighting this instructor is going to be complicated," Oreki thought.
"So you can do something, huh?" she grumbled, now visibly irritated.
"I don't know," Oreki replied with an impenetrable expression, remembering characters who always kept an expressionless face in the most tense situations.
Deciding to stop playing around, Oreki focused on the hand-to-hand fight, adopting a defensive stance and keeping his gun in his hands, in case it was necessary. "If I can distract her, maybe I'll find an opening to attack," he planned.
I decided to use a distraction. As she advanced, I began to make sudden movements with my pistol, as if I were adjusting its position and performing some unexpected actions.
"Hey, don't come any closer!" he shouted, exaggerating his gestures. "I'm going to use specialized combat techniques now!"
The instructor hesitated for a moment, intrigued by Oreki's seemingly random movements and screams. But she soon regained her focus.
However, it was already too late. Oreki launched himself towards her with determination, aiming for vulnerable points: her neck and chest. The first blow was a direct punch to the neck, but the instructor skillfully dodged it, moving her neck subtly, and blocked the second blow with a nimble turn, redirecting the impact with her hand.
Desperately, Oreki retreated and fired a series of quick, accurate shots, his eyes focused on the instructor in front of him. He aimed at her shoulder and leg, trying to find any gap in her defense.
The bullets hit their targets, but as expected, they did not cause significant damage.
However, something unusual happened.
When the bullets hit the instructor's shoulder and leg, she recoiled slightly, her muscles contracting abruptly, as if an electric current had run through her body for an instant.
A fleeting, almost imperceptible glow of energy appeared at the point of impact, dissipating as quickly as it had appeared. Oreki, however, did not notice anything unusual.
The instructor paused for a moment, her eyes wide with surprise. She felt a slight tingling, a tingle of residual electricity. Although the impact was not strong enough to cause any real pain, the unusual sensation made her alert.
She quickly composed herself, adjusting her fighting stance. Her previously calm gaze was now sharp, a spark of interest shining in her eyes. "Interesting, cadet 934," she said, her voice carrying a tone of genuine curiosity. "It seems you really are not completely talentless."
She advanced in a fluid motion, her speed barely perceptible to the naked eye. Oreki used his gift to deduce the trajectory of the attack and braced himself for the impact. Suddenly, a swift punch hit his ribs, and intense pain spread through his torso, causing him to double over.
Trying to recover, Oreki adjusted his stance to prepare for the next defense.
The instructor, however, threw a side kick, aiming for his waist. Oreki leaned his body to the side, not losing his balance just because of the art he created. With a movement unpredictable to the untrained eye, he attempted a direct blow to the instructor's chest, which she dodged with an agile turn, counterattacking with a well-aimed punch to Oreki's abdomen. The impact was brutal, forcing him to retreat, feeling his muscles throb with pain.
"Damn," Oreki muttered, feeling the pain reverberate in his muscles.
Despite the pain, he managed to react in time, adjusting his position.
The fight continued with the instructor demonstrating an impressive variety of techniques, her actions a combination of precision and brute force.
Oreki struggled to maintain the advantage, but the difference in strength between them was evident. The instructor seemed to be enjoying herself, a smile appearing on her lips as she pushed Oreki to the limit.
After several minutes of intense combat, Oreki realized that his body was nearing its limit. The instructor noticed this and, with a sly smile, skillfully disarmed him.
"Enough, cadet 934. You can rest," she announced, indicating that the training was over.
Oreki, exhausted and with his body aching, let out a long sigh, accepting the end of the training with a mixture of relief and frustration. With a slight nod, he thanked the instructor before heading to the nearby stairs to rest.
Despite the inevitable defeat, Oreki knew that he had gained valuable experience throughout the combat. The instructor's quick and powerful movements were almost completely engraved in his mind. Although victory was out of his reach at that moment, he was eager to use what he had learned to improve his skills.
As he sat down, Oreki mentally replayed some of the most useful movements that the instructor had used. He promised himself that he would study each of them in detail, incorporating them into his own fighting style.
"If I had to lose, at least let it be a productive defeat," he thought, trying to turn his frustration into motivation.
From his position, he began to observe the top cadets of this world, recognizing the talent and skill that each of them possessed.
Chae Nayun, for example, was in a duel with another cadet, using the bow masterfully. Her arrows cut through the air with force and accuracy, demonstrating impressive control over the weapon. "I think I should learn a little about bows," he mused, noting the dexterity with which she adjusted the tension of the strings and the precision with which she aimed.
Kim Suho, meanwhile, was engaged in a fencing match with another opponent. His movements were fast and fluid, each strike and parry fitting perfectly into a flawless sequence. "Your technique is really well developed," Oreki observed, admiring how Suho used rhythm and positioning to maintain the advantage.
Yoo Yeonha, with her characteristic elegance, fought against a cadet using a whip. She wielded the weapon with a combination of skill and grace, disarming and controlling her opponent with ease. "I've never had much interest in whips, but their effectiveness in her hands is admirable," Oreki mused, noting the effectiveness of Yeonha's strategic movements.
Shin Jonghak, in the midst of an intense fight with another cadet, demonstrated an aggressive and powerful approach, evident in every blow he delivered with his spear. The brute force of his attacks was difficult to counter. "I don't want to face him any time soon," Oreki thought, noticing how Jonghak's intensity was affecting the pace of the fight.
"I must find a way to relate to all of them," Oreki decided, watching the others train.
He felt a growing determination within himself. "They are all incredibly talented," he acknowledged, but along with this admiration, a shadow of uncertainty mixed with his desire to surpass them. "I have something that I have awakened, but I don't know how to use it yet." his mind returning to the strange power he had felt during his fight with the Stone Wolf.
The desire to match and eventually surpass these individuals grew stronger and stronger. The heat he felt now was not just a reaction to the arduous training; it was a deep, burning motivation to become better, stronger, and more capable.
"I want to reach their level. I want to surpass and defeat them. I will make that my goal," he concluded, determined.
With that thought firmly in mind, Oreki rose from the stairs and left the anti-personnel training room, deciding to buy something to drink.
***
Back in the dorm, Oreki completed his club registrations on the computer. He chose the same ones as the original: hunting, traveling, and academics. He decided not to worry about Rachel for now, believing that she would not be in danger now... or at least he hoped she would not be.
After a quick look at the bank account he had inherited from Nariyuki, Oreki concluded that he had a good balance.
"He borrowed 100 million won from Cube, but there's still 50 million left. That means I still have room for 200 million won in the loan. And I'll also have to pay back the money he borrowed," he calculated, already thinking about how to invest the remaining 35 million after opening an account with the brokerage.
Besides, he planned to take the Aether and go to the hunting grounds to meet Park Soohyuk, who would be important for when he needed favors in the future.
"Ahhh, this feeling of responsibility is annoying," he muttered to himself, as the memory of the confrontation with the Stone Wolf surfaced in his mind.
"I felt something different in that fight," he reflected, still unsure of what had happened. Something had awakened inside him, something he couldn't control, but which had given him a crucial advantage.
"Ah, I haven't checked my stats since that fight..." he suddenly remembered, realizing it was time to check if there had been any changes.
[Oreki Houtarou]
▷ Stats
* Variable Stats
[Strength 1,856]
[Stamina 1,820]
[Speed 1,784]
[Perception 2,358]
[Vitality 1,821]
[Magic Power 1.8]
* Unchangeable Stats
[Intelligence – 5,608 / 10]
[Perseverance – 7,500 / 10]
[Luck – 3.5 / 10]
[Charm – 6.5 / 10]
▷ Gift (2/2)
「Observation and Reading」
[Null Attribute]
—Observation
This skill grants the user the ability to observe details. detailed information about characters in their line of sight, providing valuable insights during interactions or confrontations.
—Reading
Through the "Settings Book", the user can access detailed information about objects, locations, and living beings, partially revealing hidden secrets and special characteristics.
「Arcanolement」
[Rank: Beginner] [Attribute: Spirit] [Evolution – Rank 10] [EXP 0%]
— Elemental Mastery
- The user can infuse their weapons with arcane and elemental energy, granting them magical powers and special natural properties to enhance their performance in combat. (The strength of the infusion will be decided by the amount of magical power the user injects into the weapon or object.)
— Basic Versatility:
- Allows the user to choose from a limited selection of magical and elemental effects to infuse into their weapons, offering some simple options such as burning flames or gusts of wind.
— Elemental Connection:
- The user develops a deeper connection with the elements around them, allowing them to sense and understand elemental energies on a more intimate level. This provides heightened awareness of their opponents' elemental attacks and abilities.
▷ Arts (1/2)
[Corporeality] [Proficiency 85%]
[Low Rank]
— Enhanced coordination, providing more precise movements.
— Refined balance, reducing the risk of falls and improving posture.
— Accelerated muscle recovery, minimizing fatigue and preventing injuries.
— Deep mind-body connection, unlocking physical and mental potential.
— Allows you to feel and adjust movements, organs, posture and muscle tension.
▷ Physical (???/1)
=========
"Arcanolement..." Oreki read, staring at that word. "This wasn't here before. So, that's it. What I felt in the fight against the Stone Wolf was the manifestation of this ability," he concluded, feeling that the strange power that had emerged was starting to make more sense.
"Maybe, with this power, I can finally reach those guys. But, more importantly, I need to learn to control this new ability," he determined, with his mind now focused on his new goal.
Wiing—
At the same moment, he felt a vibration on his wrist. It was a message.
[Travel Club Announcement]
—There will be a short trip on Sunday that will serve as an orientation for the freshmen.
"…Oh, right."
He didn't remember that, but he immediately recalled the information about the club. His Smartwatch vibrated again.
[Academic Club Announcement]
—There will be an orientation on Friday for the freshmen.
"And then there's this," he sighed. "...if it weren't for my preoccupation with history, I definitely would have chosen not to join any club." Resigned, Oreki concluded that the academic club would be next on his agenda, since orientation was the next day.
"What a pain."
***
Oreki was on his way to the academic club, silently wondering: "I wonder if I can imitate Darth Vader's voice?"
From afar, he spotted Yoo Yeonha, stunning as always. Upon entering the room, he noticed that it was full of people enchanted by the club president. Looking for a place to sit, he noticed that there were only two chairs available. He chose the one behind him, while Yoo Yeonha ended up sitting in front of him.
He smelled a faint scent of perfume coming from her and thought she had good taste. He decided to greet her: "Good morning, my lady." He said politely, without waiting for a response.
To his surprise, she glanced back slightly and hesitantly replied, "Good morning."
Oreki was taken aback. "Interesting, I expected her to not even look at my face," he thought.
Five minutes later, the club president finally appeared. "Nice to meet you. I'm Yun Hyuk. Welcome to our academic club, Veritas."
Oreki remained expressionless, but his thoughts were filled with irritation: "Shitty little Djinn." Using his 'reading' gift, he pulled up information about Yun Hyuk.
He discovered that he was the president of the Academic Club and a Djinn hired by Lilith, the Devil of Enchantment. Yun Hyuk had an attractive appearance, obtained by selling his soul, and possessed enchantment skills that made him an eloquent and charming speaker.
Yun Hyuk began explaining about a monster, and Oreki paid attention, comparing the information with what he had acquired through his 'reading'. Although he found the topic interesting, he couldn't help but yawn in the cold environment. He tried hard not to notice, but the Djinn seemed to notice, without pausing his explanation.
Oreki 'thanked' the Djinn internally, not wanting to draw the attention of yanderes.
As he listened, Oreki thought nostalgically about 'yanderes'.
"I wonder if they're okay?" he thought, before being interrupted by Yun Hyuk, who coughed dryly before continuing.
After 40 minutes, the orientation ended. Oreki was about to leave when he saw Yun Hyuk approaching Yoo Yeonha. He stopped to watch.
"Cadet Yeonha," Yun Hyuk called out.
"Yes?" she replied.
"You forgot this," he said, handing her a paper she had apparently left behind. Oreki, wanting to confirm, watched the two to see if Yun Hyuk had removed the paper with his magic power.
"Ah, yes, thank you," Yoo Yeonha replied, taking the paper with a smile.
After leaving the clubroom, Oreki walked over to a nearby vending machine and grabbed a Coke and a Sprite. He laughed when he saw the names, 'Coin Cola' and 'Spring Sprite'. "This world has a good sense of humor," he thought. With the cans in hand, he decided to use the Kim Hajin method to form a connection with Yoo Yeonha.
As Yoo Yeonha left the clubroom, Oreki intercepted her, blocking her path and offering her the Coin Cola. "Here. You dropped it," he said casually.
Yoo Yeonha looked at him disdainfully, her brows furrowed. "Do you think I'm going to drink something like that?" he asked, revealing his displeasure.
Despite her reaction, Oreki realized the truth behind her mask, thanks to his gift.
His gift 'Observation' was stronger than his original. He could read her face and body language easily. "I think I should start calling this part of the gift 'reading the environment' or 'LOA', after Tadano Hitohito's ability."
"Come on, take it. I just bought it from the vending machine. Don't worry, it's not sticky."
"It's cold," she added with a smile.
"I'm fine. You can keep it. Besides…"
Oreki could sense hostility from the look she was giving him.
"Don't talk to me so casually. This is the first warning," she said, walking past Oreki without waiting for a response.
As she walked away with her impeccable posture, she opened the Sprite can with a snap and took a sip.
Psssh—Sip, sip.
To make up for the pitiful scene he had given her, she tossed the can of Coke into her luxurious designer bag. The can made a clean arc and landed inside the bag.
"If you're feeling generous, perhaps you could carry me again, leader." The remark was made with a slight hint of sarcasm, but not overdone.
With those words, Yoo Yeonha glanced back. Then, she walked away, muttering softly to herself. However, Oreki could hear her voice very well.
"Crazy."
***
Yoo Yeonha's heightened senses soon noticed the slight shift in her bag. The water on the surface of the Coke can made the textbook in her bag wet.
"… That troublemaker…"
Yoo Yeonha took out the Coke can with a frown.
"When did he put this here? That 'light-handed' guy."
After a deep sigh, Yoo Yeonha released her magic power. Digging through the paper, her magic power separated the moisture from the book and sent it into the air. When she retracted her magic power, the collected moisture fell to the ground.
"This."
Feeling proud of her skill but irritated with Oreki, she muttered to herself, "That troublemaker…" Nevertheless, she put the can back in her bag, wrapped in a handkerchief.
"Chae Nayun told me about him, but this is…"
Yoo Yeonha thought as she pursed her lips, "That talkative bum, I need to ask the guys to educate him…"
But that thought only lasted for a moment. Fiddling with the can of Coke in her bag, she looked around. There was no one around.
Kuhum. With a dry cough, she took out a handkerchief from her pocket and wrapped the can of Coke with it before putting it back in the bag.
"Hmm."
Then, as if nothing had happened, she quickened her pace towards her room.
"So this is mana up close."
She was right in thinking that there was no one around. Oreki was still at the vending machine, using his phone's camera to see further and his newly self-appointed 'LOA' to know what she said.
Oreki, watching from a distance, smiled to himself. "I'll read more about mana in the library and use my 'reading' to check the information." With that, he headed to the academy to train.
After walking for a few seconds...
"HOUTAROU-SAN"
Hazuki Sakurai called out to Oreki excitedly, the familiarity in her voice catching his attention. He turned to see her running towards him, her steps agile and quick, reaching him in a matter of seconds. Her speed was remarkable, reflecting her position among the five fastest first-year cadets.
"Sakurai... san." Oreki thought, watching her as she approached, her energy infectious that he couldn't understand.
"Where are you going?" She asked, excitement evident in her voice.
"I was going to the academy to train," Oreki replied, keeping his tone neutral.
"Oh, I was going there too. Can I come with you?" She asked, her enthusiasm seemingly unwavering. Oreki, intrigued by the extroverts' constant excitement, simply nodded in agreement.
"Sure," he replied, and the two began walking together in silence. The gym wasn't far away, so the walk would be short.
"So, Houtarou-san, how was your training yesterday?" Hazuki broke the silence, his natural curiosity shining in his eyes.
"Hmm, it was good. I practiced shooting and did some physical exercises," he replied, keeping his answer short and to the point.
"It seems intensive! I'm still getting used to everything here, you know? There's so much new stuff to experience," Hazuki said enthusiastically, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Yes, that's true. This place is quite unique." Oreki nodded in acknowledgement, remembering how different everything here was from what he was used to.
Finally, they arrived at the gym, where the sounds of training and conversation filled the air. Hazuki seemed eager to get started.
"Good luck with your training, Houtarou-san," she said, bidding him farewell with a smile.
"Likewise," Oreki replied, and the two parted ways to focus on their respective training sessions. As he prepared to begin, he muttered to himself, "Time for some muscle fiber destruction."
***
At 3:25 p.m., in the Cubo library, Oreki was immersed in his studies. With a book in hand titled Mana Control: An Elemental Symphony, he reviewed the information contained within. The book, written by a renowned author, was one of the most basic texts on mana control, covering the fundamentals that Oreki was eager to master.
The content was clear. First, there were various mana affinities, such as fire, water, and ice, among others. Second, controlling mana required natural talent and early training, although Oreki knew he could defy these 'laws' with his new gift. Third, mana was normally released by the body, and in order to control it, one needed to feel it and adapt it to one's own bodily flow. Finally, finding an experienced mentor would be ideal for efficient learning.
After summarizing the contents of the book for himself, Oreki decided to test these theories later. He put the book away and picked up others on magical creatures, modern alchemy, gifts, and magical combat arts, planning to deepen his knowledge.
***
At 7:20 p.m., already in his room, Oreki was sitting with his eyes closed, focusing on his breathing as he tried to feel the mana circulating through his body. To his surprise, the task was easier than he had imagined. With his CC (Corporeality) activated, he began to detect any abnormalities, honing his concentration and familiarizing himself with the flow of mana.
Time passed slowly as he meditated, allowing the mana to flow and move within him until he became accustomed to its rhythm. Not satisfied, he continued for another two hours, practicing exercises gleaned through his 'Reading' gift, further honing his control over this new energy.
When he finally finished, he let out a long sigh, feeling physically and mentally tired. His body was drenched in sweat, and his mind was exhausted. "This is tiring," he thought, fighting the urge to lie down.
However, the effort was worth it.
[Your Mana mysteriously merges into your muscle fibers! Your strength, stamina, and vitality increase by 0.02!]
[Oreki's Mana expands. Magic Power increased by 0.05.]
Oreki felt the fruits of his training when his abilities increased, indicating substantial progress.
Lower stats allow for faster strengthening.
After training, he decided to take a bath before going to bed, satisfied with the progress he had made.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder