--
"Dude, are you okay? What happened? You look like shit!" Sieg fussed over TJ worriedly.
He couldn't help it; TJ just looked miserable today. He's got dark eyebags and a pale face; his shoulders were slumped forward as he walked, and his eyes were dull. He's like a zombie, actually. His current state was enough for Sieg to nearly dial the Medical Saint himself.
Taking a deep breath, TJ patted his concerned friend's shoulders and said, "I'll be fine. I just didn't sleep well."
"I don't think so, buddy. Most people usually don't end up looking like a zombie just because they didn't sleep well for a single night. I'd understand it if it had been weeks, but no, you were all good yesterday."
"Well, we both know I'm not 'most people.' Thanks for your concern, I really appreciate it, but really, I'll be fine."
TJ tried to smile to comfort him, completely forgetting that he doesn't know how, and ended up giving Sieg a creepy grin instead, which looked worse because of his current state.
"Well, if it becomes unbearable, don't hold your breath. You can tell me anytime." Sieg didn't mind the creepiness of TJ's grin; he understood that his friend was trying.
Knowing TJ for years now, Sieg knows that he won't say anything unless there are no other options. TJ can be stubborn like that. He couldn't force him either; not even Lily can, so all he could do was to tell him that he'd be there if he needed him.
TJ nodded and rested his back on the chair. He closed his eyes and fought the urge to not just lie down and sleep.
His current state was the result of last night's battle.
He overestimated himself and suffered a disastrous defeat at the hands of the unnamed fusion class dream echo.
TJ could still feel the phantom pains on his body. Physically, he's fine. He's got no bruises, no wounds, nothing that will indicate that he'd been in a fight the night prior. His soul, on the other hand, was in pain.
This was the price of overestimating oneself. His curiosity got the better of him, and he was taught a very painful lesson.
TJ never expected that the consequences of defeat in the Dream Echo Battlefield could turn out to be so great that they'd affect the waking world. It wasn't his fault either; after all, the boon didn't state any of this in its description.
But in hindsight, he should've expected something, at least. He got a reward for defeating a Dream Echo, so it would make sense that he'd be punished if he was defeated by them instead.
Despite being in a horrible state, though, TJ forced himself to attend the camp. Staying in bed felt much worse than moving around; to him, it looked like he was allowing his injuries to defeat him if he stayed still.
If there's anything good that came out of this disastrous defeat, it would reflect on the progress of his skills...
**
[Skills]:
• Basic Breathing Technique (Perfect 5/1000)
• Basic Fighting Technique (Perfect 5/1000)
• Basic Footwork Technique (Perfect 10/1000)
• Fencing (Major 20/500)
**
His three basic skills have reached the perfection stage of mastery; just a couple hundred points left and he'd be able to take them to the next level, which is something to be excited about.
In particular, his footwork shot up because he kept running away from the relentless pursuit of that dream echo. He's pretty sure that he's as fast as that dream echo now.
Of course, his fencing was also catching up to the rest.
Alas, TJ couldn't really bring himself to be happy about this. He just can't forget how miserable he was in that fight.
Just as he was starting to build some confidence...
That maybe his efforts were making a difference, and he's starting to look forward to his future career as a combat professional...
Reality just had to slap him in the face with the reality that his efforts weren't near enough. At least, nowhere near enough to bridge the gap between the Warrior Class and the Fusion Class.
Sure, he could just say that it was an honest mistake and losing was to be expected due to the natural disparity between him and his enemy.
But staying in that mindset is dangerous, and somewhere TJ didn't want to be. His standards for himself were too high to easily accept something like this. He's been blessed with two unique ranked boons, for crying out loud!
So no, TJ wasn't happy at all.
'I panicked,' he mused to himself as he recalled the fight. 'I was not expecting the enemy to be much faster than me.'
'I have grown too confident, it seems. So much so that I started thinking that nobody would be better than me within the same rank when that's just not true at all. There will always be someone better. I can't afford to underestimate everyone else just because they weren't as lucky as me.'
He opened his eyes and stared at the rapier hanging by his waist. He touched it and thought to himself:
'Maybe I should've gone with something more solid and hefty instead of this? '
'...'
'...'
'No. One defeat doesn't mean that my choice was wrong. I just didn't get the chance to actually do something relevant in that fight other than staying alive longer than I probably should have.'
His doubts stemmed from the fact that his enemy essentially disabled all of his progress in fencing by destroying his weapon. TJ had no other backupaside from his bare fists and legs. Obviously, against a fusion class that specializes in punches and kicks, he was no match.
'It's too early to switch to another weapon. I haven't exhausted every possibility of it yet. Hell, I haven't even scratched the surface.'
'But maybe I should think about keeping a spare.'
'Maybe an estoc instead of another rapier. The latter for poking and stabbing, and the former for slashing.'
'More importantly, I should really start practicing shooting soon.'
Aside from choosing needle-type swords, TJ also picked the bow for his ranged option. It's just that he'd been so busy and occupied by his current skill set that he had neglected his practice with the bow.
He knows that adding another skill to grind will slow down the progress of the rest, but he can afford that since he has other sources of mastery points.
The camp has a shooting range, which he should be taking advantage of, and maybe he will once he starts feeling better.
For now though, he should focus on returning to his peak state.
**
'This might be my chance! '
At some corner of the camp, William stood hidden. His eyes were locked on TJ's face and body with barely concealed determination, grim resolve, and ill intent.
It's been days since his defeat, yet even now, shame still burned him from within. He hasn't had a good sleep ever since; he threw himself into harsh training, and frustration ate him from within as he tried searching for ways to get revenge for what has happened.
Today, it seems that Lady Luck finally smiled upon him. He saw TJ looking pale and exhausted even before the class started. This gave him an idea that he could use to reclaim his honor and his pride.
Unable to wait any longer, he strode towards where TJ was. His footsteps were firm, loud, and deliberate, catching the attention of his fellow warriors.
The big guy that often hangs out of TJ saw him approaching and gave him a reproachful look. William ignored it, his attention only being for TJ and his desires.
"What are you up to, hmm?" Sieg used his large body, placing himself in between William and his friend.
"Step aside, I have no business with you," William coldly uttered.
"Why you—!"
Sieg was about to tell him to fuck off when TJ's hand patted his back, and he said, "It's alright. I want to hear what he wants to say."
Despite his unwillingness, Sieg made way.
It was here that William finally met gazes with TJ, and as soon as it happened, he nearly felt his resolve melting. The dull and empty look in TJ's eyes was simply unnerving. It's like his eyes hid the abyss itself behind his eyelids.
"What can I do for you?" TJ asked.
His rough voice was yet another indication that he isn't in the best state right now. And that's exactly why William pushed through.
"Spar with me again! I'll defeat you this time."
"Bah! Shameless, kid! It's obvious that TJ's nowhere near in the state to fight right now, yet you're still insisting. If you're so brave, challenge him when he's fine and healthy; maybe we'll take your words seriously."
William glared at the big guy because his voice was too loud.
As expected, people are now paying attention, and it's too late for him to back down now.
"Relax, Sieg. I got this."
To Sieg and William's surprise, TJ accepted. Sieg was about to complain, but TJ gave him a look that said,
'Don't worry, this won't take long.'
William felt offended by that somehow.
But not even a minute later after they sparred, he found himself staring at the bright blue skies, wincing as he felt pain wracking all over his body.
He could hear Sieg's mockery as he and TJ walked away; he could also hear the scandalous whispers of his fellow warriors.
Through this, William just couldn't understand how he still failed. Just what exactly was he doing wrong?
How is that commoner stronger than him?