DEADLY ENCOUNTER

Memory can be classified as either Declarative or Procedural. Declarative memory involves facts and events that can be recalled consciously, which is kind of a short-term cache. While Procedural memory is something that cannot be recalled consciously. It is frequently made up of skills, procedures, or actions that we do on a regular basis. For instance, some abilities like walking, running, and reading is something that no one forgets once they learn it at an early age. These become embedded in our long-term memory and can be performed without consciously giving it much attention.

Muscle memory is a type of Procedural memory. Though it refers to muscle, in actuality it is the brain that transfers the short-term memory to long-term storage. Our brain is more actively engaged to do the activity, but when we practice or repeat it, our brain requires less attention to complete the task properly and it would seem like the muscles know what to do.

Sometimes, Muscle memory can be developed merely by observing the task being performed. Basically, it varies from individual to individual depending on their brain capability and processing ability. In the case of Noah, several segments of information have been encoded in his brain during the transmission from the future. Even though ORCO took hours to process a small part of the information when compared it can be said that the human brain is more powerful than a supercomputer. It had already processed certain parts and encoded some for later use.

These being stored in the Procedural or Long-Term memory, came to Noah naturally as if he had known it for ages. As for example, in the case of Solomon Glass, it was as if he knew that individual personally and could state all his details. Similarly, certain martial techniques and fight tactics also got stored in his Procedural Memory or rather Muscle memory. The brain could easily replicate those moves and it would seem like the muscles were moving on their own. The street fight in the back alley was the first time it triggered.

Now as Noah's level increased a bit, it was like he could process it faster and access them more frequently. This was abundantly evident from the training fight with Marty. Though Noah was not aware of all this brain processing and all, he could derive that his Muscle memory was acting out on the data he had received from the future. He intended to use it fully and reach his goals.

He was agile and swift, but his power was still lacking. Though he had traded some blows to Marty, if it was an actual fight he would have been knocked out several times. His blows lacked the strength to finish the job. "How can I increase my muscle and bone strength?" Noah thought all night. He needed to figure it out quickly.

The next morning, the sun was almost up and Noah was ready for another day of workout as he adjusted his G-Tek device to 3.5x again and started running.

"It is easier than yesterday", said Noah as he felt the difference. His body was adapting. He ran 7 miles that day and also came back earlier. He had quite some time before academy hours so he decided to hit the gym in the morning.

Noah started with Squat. He could perform 2 sets of 20 faster than last night. But the last set was very tough for him. He grinned his teeth and persevered. Squats are all done now. Finally, he could finish all 3 sets.

Now he went for a Barbell Deadlift. Squats and deadlifts are considered the king of all strength-building movements. They help strengthen nearly every muscle in the back of the body, from head to toe, including the back, glutes, hips, hamstrings and more. He picked up the digitized barbell and regulated its settings to fit his requirement. "Not too light… not too heavy… this is okay", as he started with the Barbell Deadlift.

He exhausted almost all his strength performing the first set of 20. He was panting badly as he sat on the ground. Looking at the clock he uttered, "Only an hour left before official hours start. Need to hurry."

He grinned his teeth again and carried on with the last 2 sets. He went on to perform 3 sets of Overhead and Flat Bench press each. These are pushing exercises that stimulate the shoulders, chest, back and arms.

"Done…" he shouted in joy as he completed all he had planned for the first workout session.

Noah was sweating badly after all his hard workouts in 3.5x. There was still some time before the official hours began. So he thought of using the gym's washroom and taking a shower. It was a common washroom just adjacent to the gym at the side of the special training rooms.

He was totally exhausted from all this training and badly needed a shower. He was smelling so bad. Noah took off his sweaty topwear as he went towards the shower.

Suddenly he felt a murderous intent brewing behind him. His body grew numb. It was like a demonic presence standing behind him and was about to deal a death blow. He slowly turned his head against the will of his body. "Bang!!"

He could only see a fist and before he could make out anything as to what happened, he found himself on the floor. He tried to open his eyes but it hurt. His left eye did not open properly. But from what he saw from his blurry vision was something that made him feel like he shouldn't have turned at all.

There was someone standing there wrapped in a white cloth. With hands on the waist, the face was all red and had long flowing hair. "Angel..?" he thought, but with such a demonic aura, it can't be an Angel. "Wait… it's a Demon… Help, there is a demon here", he shouted.

"Help, someone… the demon is going to eat me." Noah kept on shouting.

"Pavo Moro Dong Pavo", Noah heard certain sounds coming from the demon like a violent windstorm. "What language is that? Might be something they speak in Hell..." thought Noah.

"Pavo Moro Dong Pavo Pavo Kealu Edo Basta..." the words kept getting repeated.

"It wants to eat me for sure. Help help..I don't want to get eaten by a demon." Noah shouted so that someone would come and help him. But what he got was a splash of water. Fully drenched he gasped for air to breathe as he came to his senses and heard properly this time.

"Who's the demon huh… Pervert Moron Donkey...?" Noah heard an animated female voice.

"Wait female..." he looked up as he could see properly this time. It was not an Angel or a Demon but a girl in white towels. The girl was athletic and tanned, and to Noah, she didn't have a bad bone in her body. It was thoroughly sculpted as if she was some amazon warrior ready for battle.

"What are you looking at, Pervert?" she shouted and disrupted Noah's gaze.

"Coming to the shower room to peek, you perverted moron. I will report you at once."

Noah waved his hands, "No no, listen to me. It was a mistake. I thought there was no one."

Actually, Noah was so exhausted he didn't even check if anybody was there. Also while working out he didn't notice anyone walking in, so he assumed it was vacant.

"I was working out and came for a shower. I didn't see anyone so I thought.."

"You thought? No one should be here at this time. As if I would believe that crap..." the girl cut him midway. "I will kill you, you pervert…" she kept on cursing. Noah saw that it was hard to reason with her. So he apologized every way he could and ran from there. He ran like his life depended on it. He didn't even turn around to check if she was chasing him.

"Any minute more and I would have ended crippled." Noah cursed his luck.

Whereas the girl shouted at Noah for a while as he ran. She then noticed his topwear on the sides and went to check if she could find his identity. "Whew…" she threw it as soon as she picked it up. "Smells so sweaty.." But she then suddenly realized that such perspiration can only result from over-exercising, she herself being a martial artist knew it quite clearly.

She was practicing her martial techniques in one of the training rooms way before Noah had arrived. This was her daily regime, coming early in the morning and she never saw anyone at this time in the Star-Gym exclusive to Alpha Class. Thus when Noah arrived she was already there in the separate room, which Noah was unaware of and they both came to shower at the same place. Hence led to the incident.

"So he was telling the truth..." she paused a bit.

"But still, he is a pervert..." she left as she shouted loudly.

Noah reached his room and shut the door hard. It seemed like he returned from the Gates of Hell. Any longer and he was doomed, enslaved to burn in the fires of Hell.

It took him longer to calm down. He sat on the floor and began to carry out the breathing exercises. It was not that he was doing it improperly, only that his mind was too diverted. Escape from death and also the guilt that he did not check the shower room before entering. Though he cursed his luck for it, he thought of apologizing to her later under normal circumstances. "But is it possible to have a normal conversation with a demoness?" he thought.

Some time had passed since the incident and Noah was ready for his classes to start. It was 9 in the morning. An hour left for the Fire Sale of mPure Pharma to start. He met Melv in the hallway, who had instructed an agent the whole process to buy the stocks anonymously. Highlighting their identities might cause an issue as they were still academy freshmen students.

Noah had also handed the money he earned from Marty to be used as well. They only need to wait patiently and see what happens.

There was an urgent assembly announced at a quarter before 10. The Principal had come himself. After a brief moment, he started. "RedRock Academy has always produced the best talents. The Alpha and Beta Classes every year have dominated other academies in various tournaments. They have made us proud over the years. But it has come to my notice that the same amount of dedication is not being shown to raise the talents in Gamma and Delta Classes. So I have made some significant changes in faculty, staff and teaching process."

The face of Professor Hicks was pale as white. He heard the news this morning that he has been transferred to the StoreRoom department as Manager.

Principal Beck continued, "To develop talents in the Gamma and Delta classes, we have asked 2 of our best students in Alpha Class to lead a bootcamp session. They will spar with students in the assigned classes and share their battle knowledge and tactics. This is a good opportunity for you all in these 2 classes. So learn well and rise up. Now, let me introduce these 2 brilliant students - The one assigned to Gamma Class in James McPherson."

A loud roar was heard as James walked on stage. He was a prince charming for all girls in the academy. But he was not only handsome but quite a powerful student with EQ-26.

"As for Delta Class, the one assigned is Angelika-Rose Frost. Now that will be all." Principal Beck concluded as a girl walked on stage. The girl had red hair braided neatly. She had blue eyes and a fairer complexion, while dressed impeccably in her school uniform. Every guy poured their heart out shouting for Angelika. She was like a war goddess to them. Melv was also among them. But he suddenly saw Noah giving an awkward jaw-dropping expression. It took some time for Noah to process that she was the same girl earlier in the shower room.

"It's her…. she is not Angelika… she is a Demoness…!!!"

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