Chapter 22:

Lee vs Akira..

Regressor's Guide To Fix Your Life

I'm surprised by Sensei's challenge.

But, deep down, I expected this coming from him.

In my past life, Lee sensei was the only person who truly believed in my ability at this school.

And he saw through my ‘act'. He knew that I was hiding my strengths from others.

Back then, I was used to acting 'weak' to avoid the attention of my classmates.

That choice had backfired. I regret it.

I never learned any new skills, past the basic ones that anyone with simple mana control could use.

Like Fast step. Conceal... They're rudimentary.

I stuck with only ‘Fast-step,’ for attacks.

I didn't want to improve my mana control. I hid my Magic affinity from everyone.

And eventually, I broke under pressure. I performed poorly in tests. I had no friends. Everyone made me an easy target. Like a punching bag.

But, I wanted to become someone useful. I dreamed of becoming a mage. I thought, if i got through the school, I could become stronger at my own pace.

It was a foolish dream.

The final stone that hit my glass castle was losing my family.

I dropped out.

At that time, Lee Sensei and some other people advised me to stay.

'It'll get better.'

'It's not your fault.'

But, my guilt didn't allow me.

I wasted all this time, pretending to play 'mage' when I could've been there to actually protect my family when they needed me the most.

I got a job at a supermarket. The owner and manager, Ishinori-san, was kind enough to give me a job.

But, I still didn't have a place to stay.

My parents' place and the whole neighborhood was sealed off, indefinitely.

Few friends of my mother and father had offered me a place to stay in their homes out of pity, but my conscience didn't allow me to have an easy life.

I settled to sleep in a public park, among the homeless, when Hammer Head Oji-san found me and dragged me to his home. He simply couldn't accept any of my reasons.

Oji-san's wife adopted me as her own son and wanted me to stay. I couldn't refuse. Roshan, Oji-san.. They all treated me as a part of their family, in their own quirky way.

My mediocre life ended when I died to a swarm of high-ranked demons before regressing back, thanks to an odd encounter with this clock pendant artifact.

I couldn't protect my real family, and I couldn't protect my adopted family either.

'Acting weak’ had made my past life miserable.

Never again...

"Sure. I'll fight you, Sensei.." I replied and stood up to face him.

"Put your fancy watch inside, first, It'll get in the way." Sensei warned me, pointing at my clock pedant, which is now an odd wristwatch.

It truly stands out.

In a not so good way.

Seizing the opportunity, I hid my 'fancy watch' in my pocket.

I knew that I can't use the ‘Time stop’ ability here.

The last thing I want is for him to break the watch and discover that it's a demonic artifact.

"Are you still planning on dropping out?"

"Ah. I made my decision."

"That is?"

"I will continue to learn under your guidance until graduation, Sensei."

Sensei smiled.

A rare sight.

"I don't know where you got this confidence, but it suits you well." replied Lee Sensei, who took a fighting stance.

I rolled up my sleeves, and performed a little warm up jog-jumps.

My muscles are bulk than before now, i can't do heavy work without warm ups.

I responded to Sensei's fighting stance, clenching my fists - I took my pose.

The rest of the class had cleared the area, circling around us from a distance.

They have abandoned their own 1v1 battles, gathering to gossip and watch the spectacle.

'This won't be easy.. but i can't lose face here. Not anymore.' I muttered to myself.

‘Fast-step'

'The first punch will be mine!'

Accelerating instantly behind him, I tried to land a punch.

“Eh... Lousy fool. You can’t score a goal like this!”

Sensei grabbed my arm mid-punch, and swung me violently around in circles before throwing me into the sky.

Flying across the grounds, I landed onto the stadium-sized net, that reached the clouds.

Kyoto Academy of Magic is known for its over-the-top infrastructure. It's truly a prestigious school that I somehow got an admission by luck.

I clung onto the net like a spider, while Virgilia’s voice echoed in my mind. "What a terrifying power. He hasn't even used magic yet, Hero."

'I know.'

I have heard about Sensei before he joined as an Instructor.

He was famous for his ‘Double punch’ skill.

He is a master among ‘Supporter’ class mages.

While RPG games often portray Supporters as passive nurses, who only heal and do buff magic to their party, the reality is completely different.

Supporters are central to Guild raids.

They use magic on themselves to fight while providing healing and endurance buffs to others.
In Soccer terms, Supporters are like ‘Center-Back Defenders’ who also act as ‘Goal Keepers.’

Since every MGA-licensed mage must know healing magic, there is no dedicated ‘Healer’ class.

Only battle-hardened Supporters.

The whole school is watching me now.

In a flash, I jump back into the air.

'Fast step'

Maneuvering my body in high speed motion, I covered the distance to land a kick.

"No good!!" Lee Sensei, yet again, stopped my attack by grabbing my leg.
"Double.. punch!"

He hit the side of my thigh. The pendant is safe, but I felt my bones crack.

"Ack!"

The first hit knocked me off balance.

I try to pull myself together. I can't lose here.

With a delay, the second hit lands. Sending me flying off yet again.