Hector and Adrian stood across from each other, as a strong wind blew the stink of the slums down the street. The vendor was still at the side, watching on unable to move, as the three of Adrian's grunts lay a short distance away.
"I'll give you one more chance Adrian," Hector said, as he began circling him. "Your dump guards are knocked out, you can go and collect some new ones from whatever trash heap you find them."
"Shut up, Ghost," Adrian snarled. He lowered his stance, gripping the cobblestone with his sandeld feet. He then exploded forward.
Hector pulled on the still lingering effect of [Quickening Brace]. The world slowed. Adrian was going to charge him, and once he was close enough he'd grab for him again. It was impressive that Adrian could think that far ahead, though he did have to control a gaggle of starving dogs, so it tracked.
But what could Hector do? His mind reeled—the effects of [Quickening Brace] would end soon and he had to do something. Though Adrian probably expected him to dodge, he could also be expecting him to attack.
Throwing caution to the wind, Hector prepared himself to deliver an Orion Leaping Strike. But this time he would not aim at Adrian's stomach. The world snapped into motion and he shot forward, sailing through the air and aiming for his chest.
Adrian crossed his arms to block. Hector smiled, as he kneed into Adrian's arms he used the force to launch himself into the air. He swivelled, then came crashing down with an Orion Fist straight to Adrian's head.
Adrian crumpled beneath Hector's fist, letting out a shout as he collapsed to the ground. Hector flipped back creating some distance between them. He watched as Adrian didn't get back up, his body lay slumped on the floor, his chest rhythmically rising and falling.
That's the second time I've laid him out flat. I hope he actually remembers next time.
Hector spared him one more glance before turning to the vendor. He made his way over and held out a hand. The man grabbed it, smiling as Hector pulled him to his feet. "Thank you, my friend, I thought I'd have more time before they came." He scratched his arm with a sad chuckle, looking at them with embarrassment on his face. "But I guess I mistimed."
"It wasn't your fault, these guys are a bunch of clowns," Hector said, gesturing to Adrian's crew laying on the floor like the trash they were. He bent over and began helping collect the vendor's wares. He then tipped his cart upright and shuffled everything in. "It's best you get going. Them I can handle, but I am not sure about anyone else."
The man chuckled. "You should give yourself more credit, I've never seen anyone do what you did. The name's Brick by the way," he said reaching a hand forward. "If you ever need any incense or ghost-warding charms. I'm your man."
"Brick," Hector said, tasting the words in his mouth as he shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you. Now get going."
The man nodded and then made his way to the front of his cart. He buckled it in place and pulled it along, making his way further down the street. Lincoln gave the man a nod as he strode past him.
Hector glanced over at Adrian. Memories of the past conflicts he'd had with him played in his mind, the constant abuse, the constant tyranny. Adrian had seemed like an insurmountable mountain before, but now after advancing mana-cultivation and gaining a few talents, he was a lot... less.
The world seemed to have moved on. Adrian still bullied the weak while Hector now had to consider bigger things. Not that robbing a bunch of people of their belongings was something to be proud of—if Hector's father found out he'd kill him. But the world did seem a lot bigger than the pond known as the Midlec dumps.
The world is a lot bigger than just the slums. I need to keep that in mind.
Hector swept his gaze around the slums. The dilapidated buildings, the open sewers running alongside the streets, the hollow-faced residents—all that served as a reminder of what he had to overcome. And one day he would.
"You handled yourself pretty well there," Lincoln said, as he strolled up clutching his brown paper bag. "I mean you could work on a few things, but I have to say you did well."
Hector playfully punched him in the shoulder. "You wish you could do what I just did."
"I know we ain't sparred in a while but, don't get too cocky."
Hector smiled, throwing his arm over his friend's shoulder. "Speaking of sparring, you really need to make sure you come to the dojo more. I know your mom's got you running errands, but with this upcoming operation everyone's gotta be at their best."
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"Yeah I know," Lincoln said with a sigh. He looked down at Adrian and his group, and his lips moved as if he had something to say but he held the words back. He then turned and looked at Hector. "What are you doing anyway, are you heading home?"
"I wasn't planning to initially but then I saw these guys," Hector gestured to the unconscious trash resting on the cobblestone. "But now I'm feeling a bit worn out." His glance stopped at the reddening sky, masked with thickening clouds, and he nodded.
It's probably going to rain and I can't get back too late. Mirae will give me an earful again.
"Shall we then?" Lincoln gestured in the direction of home.
The two of them walked, talking casually about their day. Lincoln's was mostly filled with running errands for his mother, as one of few healers in the slums she didn't have much time for housework. But even as they talked, Hector found himself distracted. He needed to find Talent fragments, and sadly talking to Lincoln wouldn't bring them any closer.
By the time they reached Lincoln's house, Hector had a tight frown on his face. Not one person had a Talent fragment, let alone a talent. If they were the same level of rarity in this place, then thank goodness he had the ability to grow them. Otherwise, even with this system, his journey to amounting to much would be arduous at best.
"All right then Hector, I guess I'll see you tomorrow," Lincoln said, giving him a nod. He backed up, with his bread using his back to push his gate open. His house much like the rest of the street was dilapidated, a wooden structure held up by the mercy of an unknown power. But it was his home, and Hector wasn't exactly in a position to judge.
"I'll see you tomorrow—and make sure you come to the dojo. If not I'll come right back here and drag you there myself."
Lincoln chuckled and shook his head, kicking the gate closed with his feet. It gave a soft thump shaking the decaying wood, causing Hector to chuckle and shake his head.
I'm sure that gate probably wouldn't last much longer.
Hector turned to walk to his home but paused. The soft heat that filled the slums like a warm release of gas suddenly gave way to a light chill. In the distant horizon, amongst the darkening clouds, snakes of lightning rampaged through the sky.
Now I really need to get home.
Hector broke off into a brisk stride, his eyes still scanning the faces of those he passed. Even if it was going to rain, he needed to find Talent fragments.
The first fat droplets of rain began to fall, splattering against the cobblestones and raising a haze of dust and grime. In the distance, a fork of lightning split the sky, illuminating the slums in a brief, harsh glare.
Hector cursed, breaking into a run. His house was not too far from Lincoln's so it wouldn't take him much longer to get home. He had missed his chance today, but tomorrow he would find something.
A few minutes later, Hector pushed open the door to his house and strode into the kitchen. Water droplets peeled off him and splashed onto decaying wood, forming a small puddle around him.
"Hector, what are you doing get out of those clothes now!" Mirae said, hustling over with a bundle of rags. "You're gonna catch a cold come on hurry up. What were you even doing outside so long?"
"Mirae I—"
As he went to speak the system interrupted him.
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///: Talent fragment found, would you like to harvest?
————————————————
///: +++ [Yes] / [No] +++
————————————————
"Yes," Hector said, raising his voice as a bright smile came to his face. How could he forget that he'd already had someone with the Talent? Maybe that was it, Talent fragments came from those with talents. But then why couldn't he produce any?
"Yes?" Mirae said, squinting her eyes as her mouth fell open. "What does that even mean? I asked you what you were doing! I swear Hector sometimes I don't understand." She continued to scramble around him, dabbing him with rags and urging his clothes off.
"It's okay I've got it," Hector said taking one of the rags off of her. "I can dry myself."
"Sure you can. Now answer my question. You didn't even say goodbye earlier. What if something had happened? What if the Coller Gang—"
"I was just meeting up with Lincoln. Now can you hand me that rag?"
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Mirae's heart raced as she approached the Orion fist dojo, her fingers absent-mindedly gliding through long white hair. The familiar weight of Hector's hand on her shoulder brought her some comfort. It steadied her.
She had done this walk many times, walking to Fangdale Street to sell her flowers, but this time was different. She wasn't going to simply stand outside the dojo as her brother practiced. She would be in there, starting her journey to become a Mana-cultivator.
"You feeling nervous?" Hector asked, with a warm smile. "If you are we can head home right now. You don't need to do something you don't want to." His voice was tinged with worry.
But Mirae flashed him a bright smile and shook her head. "Are you kidding me, I was born ready. You watch, after today, instructor Kamble will be calling me his top student."
"You think so?"
"I know so," Mirae said as they rounded a corner, turning onto Fangdale Street.
Mirae sighed, looking on. The difference between this street and the rest of the slums, while not huge, was certainly unmissable. The cobblestones seemed a little straighter, the buildings, while still in disrepair, didn't look like they could collapse at any moment. And the overall smell, while not refreshing, was certainly more bearable.
And the crowning jewel of Fangdale Street was no doubt the Orion Fist dojo. The surrounding buildings, in comparison, seemed to slouch under the weight of their relative poverty and neglect, while the dojo stood as a beacon of order and purpose. Its walls, though weathered, were clean and well-maintained. The cobblestones leading to its entrance were swept clear of the usual detritus that clogged the nearby gutters.
It was almost as if the building dared her to look at it. It represented a truth known in the world—like mana cultivators in general, it was above those in its environment—even if that environment was the slums.
As Mirae approached the dojo, she took notice of the small garden out front. Nestled against the dojo's wall, a few feet from the entrance, was a garden she had helped create and work she was proud of. Bright flowers—marigolds and ruby-flowers—added splashes of colour to the otherwise drab surroundings.
"It took you two long enough, I thought I'd have to stall the instructor for you."