40 Tension

As I strolled down the sidewalk, the gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of lavender, creating a moment of tranquility in my otherwise tumultuous day. 

While enjoying the calm, I suddenly thought about the 100 Stat Points I had earned from surviving the intense duel against Mason. 

Curious about how these points could further enhance my abilities, I checked my current status.

"System, my status, please."

===Info===

Name: Dominic Eñerforte

Age: 15

Title: None

===Stats===

Strength: 180.5 (D-)

Endurance: 192.5 (D-)

Agility: 183.5 (D-)

Speed: 194.5 (D-)

Mana: 0 (F) 

Luck: 402 (C+) 

Instinct: 747 (A+)

Charisma: 362 (C)

Stat Points: 100

===Manual Arts===

Basic Gun Arts (D+) – Beginner (97%)

Basic Gun Arts encompass a wide range of basic combat techniques involving the use of firearms from range to melee. This art form requires not just physical dexterity to shoot and maneuver accurately but also a deep understanding of the firearms themselves—maintenance, bullet types, and the physics of shooting. 

===============

A slight smile touched my lips as I reviewed my stats. Not only was I gradually getting stronger, but my proficiency with 'Basic Gun Arts' was nearing completion at 97%. 

I wonder, perhaps when it reached 100%, my skills with firearms would noticeably improve? 

That was certainly something to look forward to.

"System, add 25 in Strength, Endurance, Agility, and Speed."

================

Strength: 180.5 > 205.5 (D)

Endurance: 192.5 > 217.5 (D)

Agility: 183.5 > 208.5 (D)

Speed: 194.5 > 219.5 (D)

================

The moment the points were assigned, I felt an immediate change; my body felt lighter and more responsive. I was now officially ranked D in these areas—a significant milestone.

Encouraged by this improvement, I continued my walk.

***

A familiar routine played out in his mind as Dominic passed through the gates of his middle school.

'Arthur might be behind me…now!'

He turned swiftly, expecting to find Arthur there as usual, ready to drape an arm around his shoulders in their customary greeting.

But today, the space behind him remained empty.

It was strange.

Over the past week since his arrival in Sylvestria, Dominic had grown accustomed to Arthur's spontaneous displays of friendship. 

On days when he least expected it, Arthur would appear out of nowhere, his presence a reassuring constant in Dominic's new, unpredictable life. Yet, when he anticipated these moments, Arthur seemed to vanish, like today.

"Haa!" Dominic sighed profoundly and continued on his path.

As he walked through the schoolyard, he could feel the weight of stares and the murmur of whispers trailing him. 

He had become adept at ignoring them. But today, something felt off.

Dominic felt an unusual pang of loneliness, a vulnerability he wasn't familiar with.

Touching his chest, he pondered the unfamiliar sensation.

Dominic had been a loner in his previous life, and his socio-economic status isolated him from his peers. 

He was used to solitude, being judged, and being on the margins. Yet, in this new world, Arthur's friendly gesture's absence made him feel unexpectedly alone.

'Is it because of my body reacting this way?'

Logically, it didn't make sense to feel this sad. After all, he had only known Arthur for a week. But his emotions seemed to be betraying his logic.

Despite occupying Dominic's body and not having access to his memories, his emotions reacted as though they were deeply intertwined.

It was a puzzling realization. 

Dominic understood that the body and mind could hold memories and habits, responding to situations based on past experiences and relationships, even if the conscious mind couldn't recall them. 

This connection to Arthur seemed more profound than mere acquaintance; it was as though his body remembered a friendship his mind had yet to grasp fully.

'Despite being in Dominic's body and not possessing his memories, it seems his body and emotions react.'

As he mulled over these thoughts, Dominic continued walking through the school corridors, feeling his friend's absence more profoundly than ever.

***

Dominic opened the classroom door slowly, eyes scanning the room until they landed on Arthur. 

There he was, seated at his desk with his hand propping up his face, intently focused on whatever was displayed on his Commlink. 

From his furrowed brow and the severe set of his mouth, it was clear he was deep in thought.

'There he is!'

A smile crept across Dominic's face at the sight of his friend. He stepped into the classroom, going over to Arthur's desk.

"Hey, Arthur."

Arthur jolted at the sound of his name, his eyes snapping up to meet Dominic's. 

The sudden interruption pulled him from his thoughts, and he was taken aback for a moment. 

Seeing Dominic, a flash of his father's words from the previous night surged through his mind: 

"At this point, that Manaless, Dominic, is going to surpass you."

Arthur's fists clenched tightly under the desk, a surge of complex emotions welling inside him. 

Jealousy, frustration, and rivalry instigated by his father's harsh words stirred within him. 

However, as he looked into Dominic's friendly, unsuspecting face, he forced himself to push those feelings aside. 

This was Dominic, not the rival his father painted him to be.

Taking a slow, deliberate breath, Arthur relaxed his fists. He attempted to smooth the creases of his expression into a semblance of normalcy. 

His smile, however, was strained. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly as he struggled to keep it in place.

It was a mask, poorly fitted and barely hiding the turmoil underneath.

"Hey...Doms."

Unaware of the inner conflict his presence had sparked, Dominic nodded and pulled up a chair beside Arthur.

"What were you reading?" 

Dominic asked, settling in. Arthur's earlier focus piqued his curiosity.

"Oh...I was just..." 

Arthur paused, his mind scrambling for a plausible diversion.

He hadn't actually been reading anything; his Commlink had merely been a prop, a barrier to keep others at bay while he wrestled with his thoughts.

"Just?" 

Dominic prompted, leaning in slightly, an encouraging smile on his face.

"I was just reading some novels," Arthur said, finally settling on a harmless lie. 

It was easier than explaining the true reason for his preoccupation—easier than admitting to the doubts and fears instilled by his father's harsh expectations.

"Oh, I see." Dominic nodded, accepting the explanation without further questioning. " Is there Anything interesting? Maybe something I should check out?" 

His tone was light, friendly, and unaware of Arthur's weight.

Arthur appreciated Dominic's effortless camaraderie, which made him feel both grateful and guilty at the same time. 

Here was his friend, unaware of Arthur's conflicted feelings, showing concern and interest in the most ordinary things.

"Yeah, I'll send you the names later," Arthur replied, stabilizing his voice. "They're quite engaging."

Dominic smiled, pleased. "Cool, I look forward to it."

"Greetings, Dominic and…Arthur."

The unexpected sound of Lumi's voice caused both boys to turn. There she was, her expression as impassive as ever, betraying none of the underlying dynamics.

Dominic offered a nod and a polite smile in response. "Hello, Lumi."

Arthur's reaction was less welcoming. 

A soft grumble escaped him as he muttered, "Looks like someone finally noticed me." 

His words dripped with a mixture of sarcasm and genuine annoyance.

Lumi, seemingly unfazed by Arthur's tone, shrugged and sat beside Dominic. 

Arthur found himself struggling even more now.

Not only were his feelings toward Dominic tangled in a web of jealousy and rivalry, intensified by his father's harsh words, but now Lumi, a direct rival and someone he disliked had joined them.

The situation was quickly becoming a test of his ability to maintain composure.

Under the weight of these emotions, Arthur took a silent, deep breath and exhaled slowly, focusing on regaining his calm. 

He needed to keep his emotions under control, especially in front of Lumi. 

His pride wouldn't allow him to show weakness or emotional turbulence in her presence.

As Lumi settled in, the dynamic at the table shifted sensibly. 

Arthur's jaw tightened slightly at her proximity. 

Seeing Lumi join them only compounded the complex emotions he was already grappling with. 

Not only were his feelings toward Dominic becoming increasingly complicated due to his father's comments, but now Lumi, a person he considered both a rival and someone he genuinely disliked, was inserting herself into his immediate circle.

Internally, Arthur felt the urge to react, to lash out or put up walls. 

Yet, he knew that wouldn't solve Anything or help him maintain the facade of composure he was barely holding together.

He took a deep, almost invisible breath in and let it out slowly, silently coaching himself to remain calm. 

He needed to manage his emotions, especially here, in the classroom's public and potentially judgmental eye.

Arthur returned to the moment, resolving to keep his personal feelings from spilling over. 

He adjusted his posture slightly, straightening up as if aligning his spine could help fortify his resolve. 

With a glance at Dominic, then at Lumi, he prepared himself to engage in the conversation, no matter how much he wished to be elsewhere.

Poof!

A cloud of white smoke suddenly filled the front of the classroom, and as it cleared, Maurice appeared.

The class, now accustomed to his dramatic entrances, didn't seem as surprised as they once might have been.

"Okay, class! Let's start Homeroom!" 

=========

Author's Note:

I'm interested in your perspective. What do you think will happen to Arthur in future chapters?

A) He will become a villain.

B) Insecurity will consumer him and will try to kill Dominic.

C) He and Dominic will have an honest talk and fix their relationship.