Fighting

Chapter 8: Combat

Early in the morning, bright sunlight spilled into the bedroom.

Sulu opened his eyes. Even after a full night's sleep, a sense of exhaustion still clung to his entire body; his limbs felt sore and numb, and he had no desire to move.

Recalling last night—the cafe, the date, Beatrice, the Murderous Shadow, the Corpse Maiden—everything felt like a dream.

"Status Window!"

He chanted silently in his heart, bringing up the light screen that only he could see:

Name: [Sulu Portley]

Profession: [None]

Rank: [0]

Title: [None]

Strength: [1.1], Agility: [1.2], Constitution: [0.6], Spirit: [1.6]

Skills: [Corpse Maiden Creation LV1]

Passives: [Common Hebraic LV3], [Basic Physics LV4], [Demon Hunting Lore LV1], [Ancient Hebraic LV2]

XP: [0]

"My Constitution plummeted by a third, but my Spirit increased by 0.1. Was it because the spellcasting succeeded last night, tempering my spirit?"

The changes on the status window were a blunt confirmation of everything that had happened.

Sulu fell silent for a moment, then chose to accept reality.

Although I used Black Sorcery to evade the murder accusation, that true killer will definitely realize what happened...

And then there is Beatrice. I don't know to what extent she can carry out yesterday's order; that is also a trouble...

Right now, I actually hope Rhode arrives sooner.

His older brother clearly possessed more Demon Hunting Lore than he did and might have already become a true [Witch Hunter], the very nemesis of such supernatural events.

I cannot pin my hopes on one person. I need to grasp power myself.

Sulu stared at the status window.

[Corpse Maiden Creation] was indeed sharp, but last night's casting proved one thing—he was not yet a true spellcaster. If he rashly used magic again, it would likely drain his own life force!

A single spell cost 0.3; if he cast two more, he might just be finished!

How do I open a mana pool? That is the question. It seems everything boils back down to the beginning... how does one promote to a true professional?

The Portley Family had records on Witch Hunters regarding this, but they were of no immediate help.

Sulu climbed up sluggishly, got dressed, and went to the common living room.

"Whoa! Sulu, what's wrong with you? Why is your face so pale?" Sean, who was preening in front of the mirror, jumped in shock.

"Oh?"

Sulu looked into the mirror and discovered his cheeks were gaunt, his eye bags were dark, and his hair was brittle—he looked quite frightening.

"Brother!" Sean seemed to hesitate before patting Sulu on the shoulder. "It's normal for a young man to indulge himself occasionally, but you still need to take care of your health."

"Get lost!!!"

Sulu rolled his eyes and began to consider his immediate priorities.

My physical state is severely depleted; I must replenish it... Also, regarding the investigation into last night's events, perhaps I can start with Molly, who gave me the note...

That mastermind might continue to attack me, so I must master some level of strength.

And the anomaly when I cast the spell at the end... it makes me a bit uneasy. It would be best to look up some information.

Sulu thought for a moment: "Go to the library to look up information, and at the same time, join the Combat Club to train?"

Students in the White Eagle Federation had plenty of free time, which could be used to join various interest groups and clubs.

However, the previous Sulu hadn't had much interest and had spent his time buried in the library.

Thinking about it now, going to the Combat Club would allow him to exercise his body and increase his Constitution. Secondly, he could learn some self-defense techniques. Even if he didn't know how useful they would be, they would at least bolster his courage.

Thinking of this, he stepped forward and punched Sean. "Hey, Sean, I have a favor to ask! Do you know Molly?"

"You mean that Molly who follows Instructor Catherine? Molly Apple? Of course I know her!" Sean's eyes darted around, and a lewd smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Don't tell me you like that type? I still prefer Catherine; mature, sexy..."

"Where are you taking this?"

Sulu shook his head. "I... uh... fine, I've taken a liking to her. I need all the recent information you can get on her. Can you do that for me?"

"Of course, who are we? We're brothers!" Sean patted his chest, grinning to reveal his snow-white teeth, his right thumb rubbing against his index finger.

"I understand. The expenses won't be shorted. Payment after the fact!"

Sulu felt his wallet was about to suffer a massive hemorrhage, but he gritted his teeth and agreed.

The start date for the research institute was set for September, leaving two months of free time.

During this period, perhaps he should look for a way to make some money?

"Deal!"

Sean high-fived Sulu, then glanced at the coat rack, a look of sudden suspicion appearing on his face: "Did you... wear my formal suit yesterday? That was the one I prepared for my date with Mary."

"It's an illusion, that's just your imagination!"

After eating a sandwich for breakfast, Sulu arrived at the Combat Club of St. George University.

"Hah!"

"Hiyah!"

Inside the massive gymnasium, dozens of young men and women wearing the Combat Club's uniform were sparring, practicing routines, or grappling with various pieces of fitness equipment.

It looks quite professional, at least it's good value for money, much cheaper than the training centers off-campus...

Sulu thought to himself as he walked onto the floor.

A girl with a ponytail and wheat-colored skin immediately walked up to him: "This student, is there something you need?"

"I am Sulu Portley, and I would like to join the Combat Club to train for a while!"

Sulu politely stated his intentions.

"Right now?"

The girl frowned, but then her expression relaxed: "Generally speaking, the Combat Club recruits at the start of the semester, but there are people who train during the holidays. I am the vice-president and a part-time coach here, you can call me Angelia!"

As she spoke, Angelia led Sulu around to tour the Combat Club: "We are open for free to St. George University students, though you have to pay for your own clothing and equipment fees. There are three public classes per week, and if you want to hire a private coach for training, it requires an extra fee... twenty Toner per session!"

"That's very reasonable!"

Sulu had already inquired beforehand; this price was half that of the training centers outside, which counted as a student perk: "My time is limited, so I would like to hire a coach to master some basic combat techniques as quickly as possible."

"No problem!"

Angelia agreed immediately: "The president is often away, and we have three coaches here; you can choose whichever one you like! By the way, what year are you in?"

If she were chosen as the coach, she could get a commission from the private training, and Angelia couldn't help but feel a bit expectant.

A smile tugged at the corner of Sulu's mouth: "I have already completed my credits and am preparing to graduate..."

"Cough, cough..."

Angelia coughed a few times to hide her embarrassment: "So you're not a junior, but a senior... why do you want to learn combat only now?"

"Because it is only now that I have discovered combat is my true love!"

Sulu answered with a straight face.