Michael's rationale for his choice was quite straightforward: Psyche was easier to conceal than Physique, at least from his perspective. Advancing toward Matteo with breakneck speed, he observed the former criminal turned Agent bend his knees, arch his back, and curl his fingers like claws.
Upon reaching Matteo, Michael, untrained in combat, launched a straight punch. His fist's trajectory was precise, causing Matteo's pupils to shrink in response to his swift movement. Fortunately, Matteo, towering over Michael, proved agile, evading the punch by tilting his head back, narrowly avoiding contact with his nose.
'Got him!' Michael exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around Matteo, holding on tightly. 'Despite your skills, my Magick surpasses yours when I rely solely on my Physique!' His intention was to coerce an admission of defeat from Matteo, even willing to resort to breaking his back if necessary – or at least, that's what he contemplated.
"I understand now what they admire in you," Matteo strained to speak under the weight of Michael's imposing Build. "Your muscle strength is extraordinary for someone of your stature."
For some inexplicable reason, Michael sensed that Matteo wasn't as strained as his own efforts implied. He exerted more force, yet it seemed to have little to no effect.
"Hook Line!" Matteo shouted, swiftly raising his arms. In an instant, thin, silvery strands adorned with tiny hooks shot from his fingers, snaking around Michael's neck.
The attack was both rapid and fluid, catching Michael completely off guard. The strands wrapped around his neck in a blink of an eye, the tiny hooks digging into his skin and flesh.
The shock of being unable to breathe jolted Michael more than the pain in his neck. Instinctively, he released Matteo and grasped for his own neck. The strands were too tight and thin, offering no space for his fingers to find purchase between them and his neck.
His confidence from mere moments before swiftly gave way to fear. Memories of his strength and the exhilaration it once brought faded into the background, inaccessible amidst the panic. Then, suddenly, his feet left the ground.
Matteo, his strained expression betraying the damage inflicted by Michael's earlier maneuver, raised his hands, suspending him in the air. Finally, they were at eye level: one calm as a tranquil lake, the other gradually bloodshot with exertion.
Despite his condition, Michael's kicks were swift as wind blades. Yet, Matteo effortlessly anticipated his movements, sidestepping the attack with ease and tightening the strands around him.
"What were they thinking, sending a cub to face a full-grown wolf? The jackals would have sufficed for someone like you," Matteo remarked, his words barely registering with Michael.
Thanks to the Magick enhancing his body, Michael could hold his breath far longer than an ordinary person. However, he hadn't taken a deep breath before being ensnared by Matteo's Ability or Spell, or whatever it was. In fact, he was already exhausting himself. It was only because his Physique harbored more Magick Ions than Matteo's Mentality that he managed to endure. Yet, the drawback was evident: time was slipping away, and Matteo's Hook Line, whether an Ability, Spell, or otherwise, bolstered his Magick, overshadowing the disparity between them.
'I'm about to lose!' Michael struggled both physically and mentally, suspended midair. He hesitated to employ his Psyche, uncertain of the threshold for using Magick in such a manner without giving it away. In the throes of desperation, he ceased contemplation and simply reached for the strands above him.
His hands passed through the strands without effect, yet he persisted in his efforts. 'Why... why isn't it working?' His consciousness waned, his arms growing weaker. 'I... am weak!' The thought, teetering on the brink of finality, filled Michael with a profound sense of disgust.
String projected hatred, piercing his heart and causing his Pool of Magick Ions to surge. Magick enveloped Michael's hands just before they descended, rendering the strands tangible to his touch.
With a series of "TINGS," the strands shattered, releasing the pressure around his neck. As the final strand gave way, Michael's body collapsed onto the stage, landing on all fours.
Silently, Matteo looked down, his gaze steady and unyielding.
Michael breathed heavily, his gaze rising to meet Matteo's unwavering stance. Though power began to course through his limbs once more, the encounter lingered within him. With a clenched fist and bowed head, he uttered, "I surrender."
…
Grace observed the altercation from outside the Arena, a mixture of concern and disappointment clouding her expression. Michael's impulsive charge had startled the spectators, their astonishment palpable. While his speed surpassed that of most Agents in the Training Ground, only those intimately acquainted with Matteo, like herself and Agent Barnevich, understood the disparity. Michael's velocity and Magick were formidable, but insufficient against an opponent who had spent years facing, capturing, and vanquishing creatures of superior strength. If Michael had persisted, Matteo would have revealed more of the monster and human slayer within him.
'His one saving grace—no pun intended,' Grace mused with a sense of satisfaction for her Partner. 'He knows when to yield. Now, the challenge lies in preserving his resolve.'
…
As Michael gathered himself, the stage was engulfed in a crimson haze. Emerging from the cloud, the Arena returned to its original dimensions, spectators reappearing around it.
Matteo exited the Arena without a word.
"Well? Which room will it be?" Agent Barnevich inquired, his expression serious.
"11-02-03B," Matteo replied.
"Seriously?" Grace interjected. "What was the point, then?" She knew Michael's motives for fighting didn't revolve around housing, unlike Matteo's.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Agent Barnevich, however, appeared indifferent. He nodded and departed, recognizing that no official declaration was necessary for a decision unlikely to change.
Matteo followed along, leaving the Arena, while the spectators resumed their routines.
"Would you like to talk?" Grace asked delicately, refraining from offering direct consolation.
"No," Michael responded promptly, then reconsidered. "Not yet."
"When you're ready. Shall we proceed with the original plan for the day?"
"Please."
…
In room 11-02-03B, Matteo sat at his desk, his gaze fixed on the individual displayed on the tablet screen during the video call.
"Are you satisfied?" he inquired sharply.
"Thank you for your cooperation," Department Manager Tamara sidestepped his question. "What's your assessment of him?"
Matteo grunted, his dissatisfaction evident. "The power he exhibited was predominantly Build-based, yet it contained more Magick Ions than I possess. While this could be attributed to a degree of purity, after reviewing the redacted version of his report, I doubt he adheres to such principles. In fact, I'm uncertain if he adheres to anything or knows what he wants to become."
"And his potential?" Department Manager Tamara pressed on.
"Drawing conclusions from a single bout? I'll refrain from commenting, unless you insist on being entertained," Matteo replied dryly.
"I've reviewed the Arena's recording, Agent Salivan. I'm not solely referring to that," Department Manager Tamara clarified, unamused.
"Then you'll need to provide the complete report, Department Manager, for an accurate assessment," Matteo retorted.
"That's not possible. Let's set aside his potential. What about his personality?" Department Manager Tamara redirected.
"He surrendered; I'll concede that much," Matteo shrugged.
"It's his response to this defeat that worries me," Department Manager Tamara remarked.
"He hasn't undergone the training program. His demeanor resembles that of an ordinary individual. We'll need to observe how his character evolves to determine if it aligns with the demands of our profession."
"In the report, his involvement in a barfight initially showcased nothing exceptional in terms of power. Yet, within a matter of days, it's apparent he's rapidly filling his Pool of Magick Ions. In another week or so, it's possible his Pool might overflow. Allowing such rapid accumulation of power in a seemingly weak individual raises concerns about control and potential consequences."
"You could opt to wait for him to undergo the First Metamorphosis and then expel him from this Dimension, or consider termination," Matteo suggested, though he knew such actions would contravene Bureau directives.
"This would violate Bureau directives. I won't entertain that suggestion again, Agent Salivan," Department Manager Tamara responded sternly, emphasizing his surname to highlight the potential consequences of his proposal.
"Department Manager Tamara, you're the one who involved me. As an Agent of the Bureau now, instead of testing me further, state your concerns and explain why they should matter to me," Matteo challenged, his tone firm.
There followed a prolonged silence, so extended that Matteo would have suspected the video call had frozen if he didn't know better.
"I want you to expedite his 'personality growth period', so to speak," Department Manager Tamara motioned, her intent clear. "In other words, mentor him. The method is at your discretion, as long as it yields both short-term and long-term benefits."
"And my compensation?" Matteo inquired.
"The Bureau will support your candidacy to enter the Dark Place, offer you a hundred Merit Points, and grant temporary low Rank 1 clearance," Jully replied.
"All for reeducating an ordinary kid?" Matteo prodded.
"Do you agree?" Department Manager Tamara countered.
"How much time do I have with him before the next expedition to the Dark Place?" Matteo asked.
"The sooner you complete your task with Agent Michael Mir, the better. The date for the upcoming expedition is not yet finalized, but Director Strange insists it won't be later than seven months. Should I consider this confirmation?" Department Manager Tamara replied.
Matteo pressed for the keyboard of his phone to appear and began typing. "I need your approval for these," he said before hitting "SEND."
"They'll likely reject it. I'll arrange for Director Strange's approval," Department Manager Tamara stated.
Matteo nodded and ended the video call, remaining seated deep in thought. 'Kid, what exactly are you for even the Director to view you as a valuable investment?'
…
The 41st, Risk Management Department.
Michael and Grace departed from the department after a brief visit. During their time there, Michael received a code to activate his finance account on his Bureau-approved device.
\\\
MMB's Profile
Rank: 0.
Department: Risk Management.
Bureau's Bank: Account Number – 0058138409
Magick Ions: 340.
Missons: »
* Active: 0.
* Completed: 1.
«
Demonic Contract: »
* Missing Information.
* Grace Period: 03.09.2023-03.09.2025.
«
Partner: Grace Vasquez.
///
\\\
Exchange Center
Clearance Level: Low Rank 1.
Merit Points: 0.
Wallet: 1000$.
Purchases: »
*
«
Search: ▭
View Lists: »
Caution! The Material Magick Bureau does not take responsibility for any purchase once it has been delivered to the recipient! Disciplinary actions will be taken against those who misuse their purchases!
* Items:…»
* Ingredients:…»
* Abilities:…»
* Runes:…»
* Paths:…»
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«
Merit Conversion: Choose Currency…»
Trade In: ▭
Special: »
* 3 Tickets for Advanced Courses – can sign up to any Advanced Course for free up to three Courses.
«
///
Two significant changes appeared in Michael's MMB's Profile and Exchange Center. Firstly, the addition of the "Bureau's Bank" with his unique account number, followed by his first mission's remuneration of a thousand dollars. This sum didn't include the base salary of a Rank 0 Agent, which he anticipated receiving by month's end—an additional ten thousand dollars to his account.
"You sure you don't want to take a break?" Grace broached the subject once more.
The sight of Michael's neck prompted grimaces from Department Manager Tamara's three secretaries, who hastened to usher him away.
Michael charged his Condition Rune.
Name: Michael Mir
Age: 23
Race: Human
Status: Under Demonic Contract, Symbiosis (OFF)
Health: 2735 (-665)
Magick: 3376 (-24)
Magick Ions: 338 (-2)
Physique: 274 (-66)
Psyche: 330 (-10)
Insights:
Worm: Sight (Second Stage)
Abilities:
Worm: ???
"What's on your mind?" Grace squeezed his cheeks to draw his attention. "That distant look... You're checking your Condition Rune, aren't you? So, spill it. How bad is it?"
Michael brushed her hands away with a self-deprecating grin. "Yeah, not great. Since you brought it up, there's something we overlooked regarding my Status Window..."
It wasn't the increase in Magic Ions that altered the rest of his stats; that change occurred after he underwent measurements at the Testing Laboratory, leading Michael to suspect the test somehow fine-tuned the Condition Rune.
"It's not part of the training program curriculum, but I've done some research on my own. Shoot your questions, and I'll do my best to answer. Or we can head to the Testing Lab and find someone who understands these things better than I do. If you really don't want to take a break."
"Stop fretting, Grace. If I felt like I wasn't recovering, I'd let you know. Understand?"
"Fair enough. Should we dive into the power of Metamorphosis or discuss the Condition Rune?" Grace asked.
"Let's head to the Testing Lab-" Michael began, but was interrupted by a notification on his phone.
\\\
Contacts
* HQ Announcement: New Message 1: »
Agent Michael Mir (MM2Y0GP-DCA1-HQRM), you have been challenged for a Discourse. Your opponent, Matteo Salivan (MS-31TPG-40-KS7-HQRM), will be waiting for you at Arena at 12:00, 06.09.2023.
* Subject of Discourse: Residence displacement.
* Conclusion: Winner may pick between residence 11-02-03B and residence 15-14-27A.
«
///
"You're fucking shitting me!" Grace blurted.