Roommates

Randall sat down with a plate piled high with meat and eagerly dug in.

He froze after the first bite.

He had no idea what kind of meat it was. It had a firm bite, but it wasn't tough.

As he chewed, rich juices burst across his mouth.

Back in his original world, Randall had been someone of standing and had eaten plenty of gourmet food.

But he swore he had never tasted meat this good!

He couldn't help chewing faster before swallowing.

A warm current seemed to slide down from his mouth, through his esophagus, and into his stomach.

Randall paused, realizing that the meat wasn't just delicious. The energy it contained was beyond anything those gourmet dishes could offer!

After just one bite, he felt warm all over!

Without another moment's hesitation, Randall began stuffing meat into his mouth with both hands.

He simply couldn't stop!

He devoured the meal in a whirlwind, leaving nothing on the plate but traces of meat juice.

Then Randall rubbed his belly and burped.

In his original world, he could have eaten several times this much.

But now he was almost full.

And it wasn't just a full stomach. Randall could clearly feel that the ki inside him had grown a little stronger.

Only a little, but it had definitely increased!

That discovery filled Randall with delight.

Didn't that mean he could get stronger just by eating, without even training?!

No, he couldn't entertain such a terrifying idea.

He still had to train. Otherwise, how would he be any different from a lazy bum?

In his original world, he had already experienced what it felt like to be admired by everyone for his strength.

Now that he had come to the world of One Piece, he would become the strongest here, too!

After eating, Randall returned to the dorm.

He had barely arrived when two people pushed the door open and entered.

One had red hair and a well-proportioned build, fitting Randall's idea of a normal physique.

Randall noticed a sword hanging at his waist. He seemed to be a swordsman.

The other stood over two meters tall.

Randall estimated that the man's arms were probably a little thicker than his own waist.

The two paused when they entered and saw Randall standing there.

The swordsman narrowed his eyes and asked stiffly:

"Who are you?"

In an instant, Randall felt a sharp, oppressive aura bear down on him.

Even his cheeks seemed to sting.

Randall hurried to explain:

"Uh, I'm new! I just moved in today!"

The aura radiating from the swordsman grew stronger.

The burly man behind him asked in an even colder voice:

"This dorm belongs to the Elite Camp. Only Elite Camp trainees live here!

"Last chance. Who are you, really?"

As the words were spoken, the swordsman's hand was already resting on his sword hilt.

Everyone knew that this dorm was reserved for the Elite Camp.

And the Elite Camp had started long ago. No one had ever joined midway through before.

That made this person who had suddenly appeared here rather suspicious.

Normally, they might have let it slide.

But Marine Headquarters had just been attacked by Pirates, making the timing particularly sensitive.

His guard went up at once.

Seeing Red Hair, the swordsman, prepare to strike, the muscular man took a small step back, neatly blocking the doorway.

He had no intention of joining in, because he knew exactly how strong the swordsman was.

Seeing that the two really were about to attack, Randall was at a loss for words.

"Wait, I am in the Elite Camp! Instructor Zephyr told me himself today! Ask him if you don't believe me!"

At the mention of Zephyr, something shifted in their eyes.

Then the swordsman withdrew his aura.

Before Randall could even breathe a sigh of relief, however, the swordsman's blade was already out of its sheath.

"Let's see you take one slash first!"

The swordsman drew his sword so swiftly that it seemed to appear directly in his hand.

Then he swung at Randall from a distance.

At the sight of the red Flying Slash, Randall inwardly cursed, Holy shit! He hastily concentrated all his ki in his arms and crossed them before his chest.

The next instant, the slash slammed into Randall's arms.

Randall felt a tremendous force crash into him.

Even prepared, he was driven back several meters before he finally managed to stop himself by stamping hard against the floor.

Then he roared and thrust both arms outward.

The slash was already nearly spent. Meeting his resistance, it dissipated reluctantly into the air.

Panting, Randall looked down.

His arms were covered in tiny cuts.

They weren't serious, barely more than broken skin.

But he had definitely been injured.

And that was with everything he had poured into his defense.

Still shaken, he glanced at Red Hair, the swordsman.

This guy was so strong!

He was on a completely different level from that Pietro fellow earlier!

And it looked like he'd only thrown out a casual slash!

Even that had been incredibly hard to block!

What Randall didn't realize was that the other two were just as surprised as he was.

Although Red Hair, the swordsman, hadn't used his full strength, the slash had been far from the casual attack Randall imagined.

He had put at least half his strength into it!

Yet the people in the Elite Camp who could take that slash without injury could be counted on one hand!

This newcomer's strength surprised them.

In fact, they had already half believed Randall as soon as he mentioned Zephyr.

There might never have been a case of someone joining the Elite Camp midway through, but Zephyr had the final say.

Red Hair, the swordsman, had only attacked to gauge Randall's strength.

As expected of Instructor Zephyr.

Who knew where he'd found this guy?

He looked a few years younger than him, too!

With that thought, Red Hair, the swordsman, sheathed his blade.

Then he glanced at Randall and said a few words.

"My name's Milers."

After that, he paid Randall no further attention and walked straight to his bed.

A question mark slowly rose above Randall's head.

"?"

You slashed at me out of nowhere, and you're not going to say anything about it?

Just then, the muscular man came over and said:

"Hahahaha! Don't take it personally, buddy! That's just how Milers is.

"He only wanted to check whether you were strong enough for the Elite Camp. He didn't mean any harm!"

"I'll apologize for him!"

As he spoke, he patted Randall's shoulder with some excitement.

"I'm Aequus! You train in Body Arts, right, buddy? We should spar sometime!"

Finally, another skilled Body Arts fighter!

He ranked second in the Elite Camp!

He had fought practically everyone in the Elite Camp.

But fighting anyone ranked below him wasn't exciting.

There was only one person above him: Milers.

Unfortunately, he was a swordsman!

Fighting him wasn't satisfying at all!

Instead, Aequus just ended up covered in cuts!

Now, at last, someone who looked like he could put up a fight had arrived!