Chapter 19 - The Winning Side

[All notifications turned off for combat]

[-7 Health]

[-12 Health]

[-6 Health]

[-9 Health]

[-9 Health]

[-9 Health]

[-9 Health]

[-9 Health]

[-19 Health]

[-100 Energy/Min]

[Healing Power temporarily increased]

[Aspect switched]

[Strength temporarily increased]

[-27 Health]

[Opponent Defeated]

[Notifications turned on]

[+10 Experience]

[Quest Completed]

[+10 Experience]

[Combat Tab Unlocked]

[Palm Skills Sub-tab Unlocked]

[Fast Nerve Palm Skill Unlocked]

Daron lies on a stretcher as he stares upwards and looks at the notifications. He had actually won the competition, pushing his progression far further than it should have by this point in time. But with the system he had acquired, his progress was astonishing. Yet, he couldn't help but want to stay unknown. Attention would soon be on him, a lot of attention, of which he didn't want any. He didn't want to be on the winning side right now.

Daron clicked into the combat tab and viewed the skill he had acquired.

[Combat]

[Palm Skills]

[Fast Nerve Palm]

[Level 1]

[Strike with a quick palm on an opponent and inflict extreme pain on them by projecting your physique energy into a needle that strikes their nervous system]

[Cost: 10 Energy Per Strike/Varies]

Looking at the skill, Daron realized it was a combination of Julian and Rylen's ability domains, but to fit with a physique. He knew that it wouldn't be able to compare to an ability domain in its current state, but any advantage that Daron could get was a blessing. It wasn't a skill that seemed to do damage, but just inflict pain. Still, if it was even a fifth of the pain he felt from Julian's chains, the opponent would be wary to fight Daron.

With his body healed, he stood up and walked towards Mr. Gail. The man held a smile that crinkled his entire face.

"Daron! I can't believe it! You actually won!" Mr. Gail laughed. "Now, let's go fetch your prizes!"

"Prizes?"

"What? You didn't think you'd get nothing for winning, did you? You've seen the previous winners get their prizes, right?" Mr. Gail asked.

"Ah, I never cared much for the competition. After all, it'd basically just be people like me being beaten down," Daron said.

Mr. Gail sighed. "I guess I can understand that. Well, you've changed that this year, at least."

"So, what are the prizes I won?"

"The first is obviously some money. But the second and third prizes are much better. The second prize is a guaranteed scholarship to one of the five top colleges in Ritan. The third is a power artifact, though it has a condition to unlock. These have been the prizes every year. Most don't care for the last one as they typically already have an ability domain, but if someone in their family doesn't, they could give it to them to try and unlock. Of course, it's perfect for you, as you can try to unlock it for yourself!" Mr. Gail explained.

"Ah, wait..." Daron paused.

He'd said to himself that he wasn't going to tell anyone about his system before college, but he hesitated now. It would be fine to tell Mr. Gail, would it not? The system identifies him as a proficient researcher, not to mention the technique he developed with Director Aaron.

It's obvious Mr. Gail is excited for him to get an ability domain, but what if the ability domain he gets from the power artifact turns out to be useless? But, Daron has a skill to check beforehand what power an artifact has; a skill which Mr. Gail had helped him obtain. It wouldn't feel right if he didn't tell him.

"Yes, Daron?" Mr. Gail asked.

"Ah, can we talk after getting and sorting out my prizes?" Daron asked.

"Of course, you know I'm always available to talk," Mr. Gail smiled.

Arriving at the main office of the school, Mr. Gail and Daron entered and started the procedure to get his prizes. The prize money was immediately given to him in cash, an amount of 10,000 Astros.

Next, he was handed the list of the five top colleges in Ritan to choose from.

They were Urobouris, the first ranking college; Ellant Height, the second ranking college; Tribune Olympia, the third ranking college; Ultima Reo, the fourth ranking college, and; Id Anima Eidolon, the fifth ranking college.

Daron put the fifth ranking college as his choice as he felt like the other colleges, even if just the fourth ranking, would look down on him more for getting to this point with just a physique.

After that, Daron was handed a box, which he presumed had the power artifact in it, and he walked out of the office with Mr. Gail.

The walk to Mr. Gail's classroom felt longer than normal, perhaps due to the thoughts running through his mind about how he was going to tell Mr. Gail about the system power he had gained.

Nevertheless, they soon arrived at the classroom and entered into it.

"So, what did you want to talk about, Daron?"

"You are aware of my parents' profession, yes?" he asked.

"Archeologists, I believe? I think they know one of my friends and colleagues as well," Mr. Gail said.

"Director Aaron?"

"Hmm? Yes, that's... right. How'd you...?"

"Aaron Nilan, right? The one who you made the technique you gave me with?" He asked.

"... I've never given my first name to students, and I'm pretty damn sure Director Aaron has not given his last name out for a very, very long time. So... how do you know that?" Mr. Gail asked, more intrigue in his voice than anything else.

"My parents and Director Aaron had sent a power artifact to me. One that had a special condition," he said.

"Director Aaron... still the same as ever, I see. Sending a power artifact with a special condition to someone. Hell, not even giving it to be part of a competition like the one you were just in."

"Right, you said it was difficult to get your hands on unused power artifacts with special conditions."

"Yes, it is. Mostly because a lot of them go to the government to be used and given away in competitions. But as you were saying?"

"Well, I unlocked that power artifact, but it didn't have an ability domain, but another power entirely," he said.