"Okay, Zack. Is there any other strange things available in his possession?" Uncle James asked me. He is tone was rather solemn.
I shook my head in denial. Other than affinity stones and some herbs. There is nothing valuable.
Even in those herbs, I didn't find any high spiritual energy. So, I assume they were low grade herbs. Then Uncle James asked me not use those stolen items for the time being. He told me that, he will do back ground check about their items. If the result were nothing objectionable.
Then, I can use fire affinity stones to convert into credit points.
So, I simply agree with his arrangement. Later, we talked about other things before. We went to our room.
…
One day later,
I woke up early and begin my practice diligently. After yesterday's exhaustion today I feel rather relax and fresh. Half an hour later, I filled my dantian with lightning Energy. It is half full. Seeing the situation in my dantian. I really want to pay a visit to Mountain Liz. As per Uncle's words, the curfew will be over by next week.
Then I can make arrangements for the travel. Though it won't be easy. I have to participate in Life or death duel in every week. It's hard to imagine, what shape I would-be in after that duel. I let out a sigh, thinking that. I put those depressing thoughts back off my mind. I stood up the meditation mat.
A few minutes later, I left the home after having breakfast. Today, there is going to be as usual routine. I'm going to train further and sharpen my skills. The only good thing I'm hoping to receive my Uncle's news about the stolen items. Keeping that in my mind. I board the train to Hansen training Centre.
A few hours later, I reached the Hansen building. I can see so many people sizing up me. "Looks line yesterday effect hasn't faded yet."I commented in my mind. As I was walking towards the training chamber.
"Zack…Zack" someone called out Zack.
Hearing that, I have my footsteps. I turned around to see that person.
"Maria" I muttered. Seeing her came towards me. I knitted my eyebrows in confusion. "what happened?" I asked her. She won't bother me. Unless, there is important. Hearing Zack's question. Maria took a moment to reply. "Congrats for yesterday winning." Hearing that I simply nodded at her, "Anything else" I commented. To that, Maria said, "Candace left the Hansen training Centre." She said in a solemn tone.
"What do you mean by left? Is she quit?" I'm surprised hearing that. I don't have much impression of her. Except being Mysterious. I couldn't see through her so far. If she really quit from this training Centre. Then, It will be my regret not to have good battle with her. I sighed thinking that.
"Candace is not native. She gone back to her family few weeks ago. Later, she sent a message stating she wouldn't come again" Maria replied in a solemn tone. I really don't know what to say to her. I told Maria, may be Candace have her own problems to deal with.
Hearing my explanation she became relaxed. Even though we both don't have much contact with Candace. At least she is our classmates. Her disappearance obviously raised questions in our heart. Having said that to her. We both parted our ways to training room.
…
Meanwhile, Mr. Arthur Emerson was resting in his room. He looked dispirited. He constantly muttering to himself. How that old coot reacted that day.
Later that evening of life or death duel match.
Mr. Arthur Emerson after conversing with Zack. He went to meet elders. He immediately told the conversation transpired between him and Zack. He precisely told about the corpse preserver matter.
Hearing that faces of couple of elders changed except Elder Thornton. Especially, Elder Jensen expression become darkened. He really didn't agree with Corpse preserver idea. He demanded to see Daniel's corpse. He acted as an upright elder.
He lectured that, Hansen Centre should handover Daniel's corpse. Hearing his speech that day. Everyone dumbfounded. Elder Thornton reprimanded him. Elder Thornton quickly exposed Elder Jensen idea to inspect Daniel corpse.
Elder Jensen doing everything behind the scenes to help his grandson. His action is open to everyone. But, there is actually a limit. How much he can do. Elder Thornton obviously won't let him do as he please. Elder Thornton approved idea of using corpse preserver.
Which left Elder Jensen rejected. He quickly left that place. Everyone that day understood. It's not going to be simple life or death duel. There is going to be some inevitable politics. Because, ever since Elder Grandson registered his name.
Elder Jensen already asking backing off the other elders. From that day, the elders divided into two teams. One supporting Elder Jensen and other supporting Elder Thornton.
Because of those situations. He is feeling stressed lately. He thought he is helping Zack. But, it ended up going against him. Even he himself didn't expect that brat Philip would register his name. He slammed his table in frustration.
…
On the other hand, Mr. James began his investigating about Daniel's family background. With his intelligence team effort. He quickly gathered some report. From that reports he confirms that. Daniel and his parents involvement in shady activities. With this he can pressure those. Couples.
He believes they won't act rashly once they learn about the situation. Then, after sorting out everything. Mr. James send his report to Sir. Lowell McClain in an encrypted message. He hopes when the times comes he will help Zack. It will be difficult for him to handle Elder Jensen.
From Arthur he knows about some inside situation. Which is not good to Zack. He knows Elder Thornton. He has few chats with him couple of years ago. Still, he feels how deep is the support is going to be. So, he hopes for Zack's teacher's timely support.
…
On the other hand, Zack entered training room.
I'm going to try close combat test. When fighting with Daniel. I encountered my current fatal weakness. Without my perception I couldn't fight well in close counter situations. So, after entering the chamber I intend to fight with practice dummy in close combat.
I turned on the settings in A.I monitor screen. Soon, an advanced dummy appeared above the battle platform. I stepped forwards to face it. The timer I set it for 15 minutes. I hope I can hold on for fifteen minutes. The dummy strength also at Peak level Trainee Apprentice. Instead of human brain it has Artificial Intelligence. It can exhibit movements better than average warriors.
Suddenly, timer turned on.
The dummy instantly disappear from his location and dashed towards me. Seeing that, I gripped my black sword to defend it. The dummy when it reached me. It twist its fists to punch me. I didn't want to use my perception. I'm too much relying on it. Seeing the fist came to my face.
I try to dodge it. But, the dummy with its artificial intelligence quickly analyzed my movement. It immediately changed its aim in midway. It attacked my abdomen. Seeing its fist punched my abdomen. I immediately stepped back. Even though, I didn't feel aginizing pain. Its still feels numb. Luckily, there is no elemental dummy. I didn't heard such a thing so far.
Seeing the dummy quickly made another movement. I decided to go for offensive. I leaped forward and made a horizontal slash. Yet when my blade cut across the air. The dummy quickly avoided the attack in an effortless manner. Seeing that I squinted my eyes. I had a deep sigh in my heart. Without perception I really couldn't judge the movements.
Time went on, I failed to land a successful hits. On the other hand I'm getting bruised. I'm really frustrated by the scenario. Soon, 15 minutes passed. After the battle time. I took a break. I intend to assimilate some of the insights. So, took out mediate mat and began to reflect on myself.
So, far I exhibit movements of hand to hand combat technique same as battle dummy. It also loaded with same combat technique as mine. Intentionally made some changes in the setting. Still, its hard to believe I couldn't land a successful hit. Even I stopped using my black sword and continued with hand to hand combat technique.
I sighed realizing that. But, still, I didn't feel down. I got up and continued the next round. Time went on, the battle dummy with its artificial intelligence continually put pressure on Zack. At first, Zack couldn't do much better like previous round. But at last few minutes. He grasped certain things and made successful hit.
Though it left him with numerous bruises on his body. After the second round was over. Zack took out some pill. He swallowed it. Its a low grade healing pill. Few minutes later, few bruises faded away. Even though he decided to continue. Time went on, till the evening. After twenty rounds at the end of the day. Zack trained well. He landed multiple hits successfully in close counter.. With that he left the training centre.