Free Web NovelChapter 150: Chapter 149 - The Calm Before the Storm(Part 2)
Point-of-View: Alexis Tucker
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"You know, with how strong you are, you should really be more confident in yourself," I said to Kiyana, who was currently helping me train, and was kinda kicking my ass.
I usually train with Aurora, but she wanted to work on improving her Dark Skill today, so I asked Kiyana to help me out instead.
And while she’s not nearly as strong as Aurora, of course, she’s still highly skilled in hand to hand combat, and I haven’t so much as landed a single hit on her yet. She’s also been sparring with Aurora lately, and tends to put up a better fight against her than any of the rest of us can.
"Huh? Where’d that come from?" She responded in bemusement.
"I’m just saying, back when we were all at the Antarctican base, you let those assholes there push you around, even though you outranked them, not to mention that you were way stronger too," I pointed out.
"Well...when I was younger, I was pretty incompetent, and that kinda crushed my confidence. But I decided that my time was better spend training that wallowing in self-pity, so that’s what I did. However, simply getting stronger didn’t magically restore my lost confidence...I do think I’m a lot better now, but deep in my head, I guess I still feel like the same useless person that I was before," She admitted with a sad smile.
"I think the problem was that you were surrounded by assholes who got off on putting you down, and then lashed out in jealousy once you got stronger than them. You’re badass as hell, don’t doubt that," I grinned, as I slapped her back encouragingly.
Not gonna say it out loud, because that’d be kinda sad, but...I totally just landed a hit on her, finally!
"I can read your face like a book, that so didn’t count," She giggled, as she lightly chopped my head.
Crap, she’s onto me.
"I, uh, have no idea what you’re talking about," I responded as I sheepishly averted my gaze.
"Thanks, Alexis...I think I needed to hear that," She remarked with a grateful smile.
"Oh, um, you’re welcome. Don’t mention it," I muttered awkwardly, not sure what to say.
"You know, I’m really glad I met you and the others...you’re all the first real friends I’ve made, and I’m grateful for that," She replied warmly.
"H-hey, come on, don’t get all sappy on me...it’s embarrassing," I mumbled, feeling my face heat up a bit.
I have to admit, that made me happy. I’m glad I met her and the others too, I-...suddenly, my train of thought was cut off as someone came flying out from the bushes with a yell, crashing onto the grass between us.
"Ow, that really hurt...," He groaned, as he sat up with a grimace.
It was Inoka. Tch, could his timing be any worse!?
"Hey, why’d you have to come flying out like that right now!? We were having a moment!" I complained indignantly.
"That seems kinda hypocritical after you told me not to get sappy," Chimed in Kiyana with a wry smile.
Oh, crap, I kinda just blurted that out without thinking...
"You know, it’s not like I wanted to be sent flying like that," Grumbled Inoka with a huff, as Liling emerged from where he’d come flying from.
"Sorry about that, you got a bit too close to landing a hit for comfort, so I might have overreacted a bit," She said to him apologetically, before reaching out her hand and helping him up.
"On the bright side, it’s encouraging that I got close to landing a hit, but on the other hand, I’m still not strong enough to make you go all out," He sighed wistfully.
"Your progress is good though, I’d say that your hand to hand combat qualifies at the level of lower end Category 1 now, and with your healing capabilities and mastery over your Light Skill, your overall value is probably more than mine," She replied objectively.
"Hey, what about me, how’d you rank me?" I asked Kiyana curiously.
"Specifically, who’s more valuable, me or her?" Added Inoka with a smirk.
Dick, he’s probably figured that his healing powers would rank him higher than me...
"Well, um...mid Category 1, maybe? Both your hand to hand combat and Electro Skill mastery are progressing pretty steadily now," Replied Kiyana, after mulling it over.
"Hm, you know, I haven’t really informed Neo about my new techniques, since they’re still very much works in progress, but I bet once I do, I’ll be ranked even higher...actually, on that note, why haven’t we Outliers been given rankings?" Inquired Inoka curiously.
Huh, that’s a good question...I haven’t considered it before this, but now that he mentions it, it is a little weird that we haven’t been ranked...
"Oh, I never actually thought about that...I guess it’s just that the higher ups never considered it," Suggested Liling with a shrug.
"Guess that makes sense, they don’t really view us in the same way they view natural Meta-Humans," Mused Inoka in response.
"Hey, you mentioned new techniques, what are they?" I asked him curiously.
"Heh, well...the first one I’m calling Wreck, it’s kinda the opposite application of Restoration and Augmentation. Once I master it, I’ll be able to twist up or even rupture someone’s organs just by touching them. And the second one I’m calling Transference. It combines Wreck with Synchronicity, letting me transfer any damage I’ve suffered onto someone else," He replied smugly.
"Wow, wouldn’t you rather keep those to yourself until you master them? Because if you don’t, then this boasting right now will make you look pretty dumb," I smirked in response.
"True, but the thing is, I’m certain that I can master them...it’s just a matter of time," He countered with a grin.
He sure seems confident about it. Come to think of it, he uses a lot less self-deprecating humor these days than he used to.
"Well, if you say so. But if you end up failing, I’ll never let you live it down," I assured him.
"Then I’ll just have to make sure you don’t get the opportunity to do that," He shot back confidently.
"This almost feels like the banter of a couple," Laughed Kiyana with a shake of her head.
Huh?
"Ew. Absolutely not," I responded immediately.
"Agreed, she’s more like a, uh...oh, I know, an annoying little brat I’m stuck babysitting!" He added with a nod.
"Wha-...hey, I’m eighteen now, you know!" I huffed indignantly.
"Yeah, well, that doesn’t automatically make you more mature you know," He countered smugly.
Tch, can’t quite argue with that.
"You know what it is...I think it’s more like a sibling relationship," Suddenly spoke up Liling, before adding, "Well, I’m an only child too, so I can’t really say for sure."
"Yeah, I can see that," Nodded Kiyana in agreement.
"Ugh, no, we’re so not like siblings," I frowned in response.
"I don’t see why we need to label it in the first place. But, well, I guess it’s better than suggesting we’re like a couple...she’s so not my type, I mean, just look at her lack of glasses," Remarked Inoka, as he flicked the spot between my eyes.
Ow...
"Hm, in that case, how about this...," Replied Liling, as she took off her glasses and put them on me.
"Let’s see...nah, it doesn’t seem natural, like wearing crocs with a tuxedo or something," He mused as he narrowed his eyes at me with a shake of his head.
"What kind of comparison is that?" I sighed in exasperation, as I took off the glasses and handed them back to Liling.
"To be fair, the glasses really didn’t suit you," Said Kiyana wryly.
"Have to agree, it wasn’t a great look," Added Liling with a sheepish smile.
"That’s kind of an understatement," Smirked Inoka in amusement.
"You’re such a dick," I grumbled in response.
"You know, the more I think about it, the more the whole sibling thing seems to fit you two," Remarked Kiyana with a nod.
"I really don’t think I see it that way, to be honest," Shrugged Inoka in response.
"Okay, then, how about a little test. First off, how would you feel if she started dating someone?" Liling asked him.
Is this really necessary?
"Hm...well, if you’re asking me if that’d bother me or something, then no, not really," He replied, after mulling it over for a bit.
Yeah, him dating someone definitely wouldn’t bother me either. Actually, I think I’d be happy for him...he has spoken about how it sucks that he’s never had a romantic relationship with someone.
"Alright, what if she dated someone who, say, cheated on her and hit her, and just regularly hurt her in general?" She inquired next.
Oh, please, if I dated someone who displayed those kinds of red flags, I’d end that relationship in a heartbeat. As I glanced at him, my eyes widened in surprise as I noticed his expression sour... freeweɓnovel.cѳm
"Okay, yeah, that’d probably piss me off," He admitted, sounding reluctant as he averted her gaze.
"I, uh, appreciate that," I muttered awkwardly in response.
Come to think of it...if he was in a situation like that, I wouldn’t like it either. Still, though...I’d rather die than say that we’re like siblings or whatever.
Well, I mean, not that I particularly hate the idea of that or anything. It’s just...kinda super embarrassing to admit...
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