Chapter 24:

Creep..

Regressor's Guide To Fix Your Life

"Ack.. Damn it. Okay, I admit my defeat. Let go of me!"

I stopped choking on Sensei's throat, and got away from him.

I had won.

A true and absolute victory when everyone was watching me.

The class who used to mock me are now seeing me in a new light.

The whole school is cheering, and circling around me.

"How did you do that??"

"You're so cool!!"

"Akira, I didn't know you had a fighting spirit in you!"

People who used to ignore me are now talking like they have known me for a long time.

I'm getting treated well by everyone.

I don't mind it. And, I don't care either.

'Attention means trouble.'

Right.

But I'm confident enough to face any trouble... if it means I'll get stronger.

"When have you learnt to use your Generic magic affinity?" asked Instructor Lee sensei who had recovered, and got enough time to breathe again.

Ah. I guess I'll tell him. I was rude before when I ignored his questions when I was fighting.

“This is something that I never wanted to use before, Sensei…”

“Hm?”

“It required too much strain and practice to mimic high-level properties on my body. I gave up trying to use it to fight and stuck with fast-movement attacks instead,” I replied. “But I want to learn more. I want to get stronger. I had no way of reaching my goal unless I used everything I hid away.”

Everything. I have to use everything I’ve got. I have to do my best at all times.

‘Beggars can’t be choosers.’

Not that I’m a beggar… ah, wait. I used to be homeless. I might as well be one.

“How did you know the stones would be useful?” Lee sensei asked. “It looked like you took a bet.”

“That was improv… but I was waiting for a move where you blind yourself.”

“Blind myself? Then that means... Damn it.."

"..."

"I fell for your plan, hook, line, and sinker, didn’t I?”

“Yes. I was hoping you would use the fog I made to your advantage. And you did. Your eyesight is what you rely on more than your fists, Sensei. That’s why you blocked all of my attacks. Your response time is remarkable. I couldn’t beat you in a standard fight.”

“So I led you into a move where you blocked your own sight.” I replied.

If there was any chance to fight back, I had to improvise. And I did.

I won without the clock pendant.

Though… It did passively help with my healing.

Not that I asked for it. Still, I’m thankful.

I touched my pocket to confirm that the pendant is still safe.

"Akira. You have become somewhat of a genius in your own way, aren't you?"

"Ah. I'm no genius, Sensei."

He laughed. “That’s what all the geniuses say. How about this—the reward for winning is a lavish lunch party. My treat. You can’t say no!”

I couldn’t reject his kindness. I was hungry too, so I accepted his invitation.

“Oh… party… I want to party too,” a strange voice said.

I turned around.

A tall, hooded figure stood among the crowd.

At that moment, he took off his hoodie and revealed his face. A normal, ordinary boy—yet overgrown in height, his long limbs making him look like a daddy-long-legs spider.

“Itsuo-kun. Do you want to challenge Akira too?” Lee sensei asked.

“Yes…” Itsuo smiled. “Will you give me the honor of killing you… Akira-chan?”

Itsuo. I have heard of the name before.

Ah.. He's that guy who they call the King of Spider, Takamasa’s right hand.

I don't know much about the King Spider's group but I have heard that Takamasa uses threads to fight.

Maybe he wants to test me. Or maybe he literally wants to kill me like he said.

Either way, Itsuo had challenged me.. I won't back down even if I'm tired from fighting Lee Sensei.

"I'll fight. But, don't call me like we're friends. It's creepy." I replied.

The King Spider must have allowed him.

And Lee sensei doesn’t mind either, since Itsuo is part of my class.

“Don’t be stingy, Akira-chan… I like you, you know. Let’s all be friends,” Itsuo said, in a baby tone. Like we were boyfriend and girlfriend.

“….”