Do Not Touch Me!

Chapter 14: Training to become stronger

Chapter 14: Training to become stronger

My first mission together with the Seven Deadly Sins went well, it was easy too and a piece of cake. Somehow, that made me confident that perhaps other missions will go like that. But I know it was situational, and it depends on the context, setting, or status quo that we are currently in. I just hope though that no mission will be too difficult to the point of the expense of someone else's life in my squad.

It was a weird notion, am I actually starting to care for these strangers I barely know? Hindi ko rin alam sa sarili ko. I promised myself not to emotionally invest and involve myself to anyone, but here I am, acrually letting my guard down, my walls down, and stuff... Maybe because I can relate to them and they have been warm to me despite the physical distance?

It has been a week already since our last mission and the celebration of Athanasius's birthday. Balik sa dating gawi kaming lahat. In this short span of time, I felt the big improvement as well on my part. I gained a lot of knowledge and learned a lot of martial arts stuff, I even got to start training with a dagger already.

Sayuri also uses the same weapon, but her primary weapon is the shuriken, Viveron made me watch a few snippets of Sayuri's video of her using the dagger, of course, it was in ultra-slow motion since she was fast and we would not be able to watch anything at all if we watch at a normal speed.

"Do you get it now?" Viveron asked. Somehow, I feel like I managed to pick up all the things I watched. Tumango naman ako, but there was still a reluctance on my part. Alam ko kasi agad na mapapasabak ako sa labanan muli through the dummy robots that I have been parring with. "You know the drill," ngumisi si Viveron sa akin. She was just a hologram, yet she is the closest one to me. Despite the warning of Athanasius as well that I remain cautious to her, how can I if among them all, she is the one who is always there?

"Alright," I sighed and grabbed the dagger from the weaponry table. There were a variety of them; guns, swords, bombs, explosives, and other deadly weapons. But I chose dagger, I think it was more efficient and easier to carry around because it can be hidden, unlike swords and bows and arrow that can be seen in plain sight.

"Let me do some alterations first on the system of the robot, then you can proceed." Viveron stated, "I will be decreasing the difficulty for now, and gradually increase it after every day, since you are just a newbie. But of course, since you are talented, it will be an easy feat for you." Viveron stated, a few seconds later, she focused on the robot. Biglang nagkaroon na hologram din na computer sa kaniyang harap, and she used that to control the system of the robot dummy.

Pagkatapos muli ang ilang sandali ay humarap siya sa akin, and she gave me a thumbs up after, a clear indication that the modifications and adjustments that she did to fit my trainings is finally done. Tumango naman ako. I positioned myself a few meters away from the robot, and eyed it while holding the dagger as if my life depended on it.

"Your goal is simple, make sure to render the robot useless. Destroy it. Do not worry, the robot has the same human skin and stuff, so the dagger will work. But of course, hitting the robot will be hard due to the adjustments that I made specifically for you, using the data your body currently have.

"Am I going to pay for the damages?" I frowned.

Ngumisi si Viveron, "do not worry, it is all covered by RAGE. And we have a lot of robots in our disposal, there is nothing to worry of. Just focus on your own growth and training. Do this to survive in actual battles, and so that you will know what to do."

Tumango ako. Pagkatapos ang ilang sandali ay muli akong humarap sa robot, mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa dagger, and with that, sumugod ako upang saksakin ang robot. Gaya ng inaasahan ay mabilis na umilag ang robot, tila napredict nito kung saan ko siya sasaksakin.

The robot kicked me, and I almost got caught, mabuti at mabilis ang aking body reflexes, nakailag din agad ako. Nagbago ang patutunguhan ng paa ng robot, and it managed to hit my tummy after. I managed to stop it, though, with my free hand. Ngunit masakit ang impact nito sa aking palad lalo't malakas ang pagkakahampas ng paa nito.

"Damn," I let out a soft moan. After that, muli akong sumugod sa robot. Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal ang labanan, but I was starting to feel exhausted. On the other hand, the robot stayed the same. It sucks to be worn out, habang ang kalaban ay ganoon lang. I sighed. The idea was unfair, ngunit inisip ko muli na para ito sa akin, kaya naman kahit pagod na ako, ay lumaban pa rin ako.

"Use your wits, Mary. Do not rely on brute force alone. You have to also include your mind. Strategize, conceptualize, and be critical and creative at the same time. Strength is not enough alone, you also need ro be wise. Combined, you gain advantage and power, that will make you stronger in return." Viveron lectured. It was easier said than done.

But she was right, all this time, ang ginagawa ko lang ay tinatry na saksakin ang robot. And I know by this moment, it managed to pick up my habits now. This robot works based on algorithm and a system. All I just have to do is break through it, and the only way for that is to deceive it.

Bigla ko nang alam ang aking gagawin. Ngumisi ako dahil sa ideya na nasa isip ko. Sumugod muli ako sa robot, and it moved away as expected. I changed momentum, and changed where my dagger was aimed at, but instead of holding unto the dagger, I released it as if it was an arrow. Tumama ito sa ulo ng robot, at ang robot naman ay agad na humandusay sa marmol na sahig. I walked over to the part where the robot now lies, and took my dagger.

"Is that good enough?" I asked Viveron who looked at me with a surprised expression.

Tumango siya, "I did not expect you will do that."

"Well, sa iyo na mismo nanggaling na kailangan ko ring gamitin ang utak ko. I only applied what you said." I grinned, "does this mean my training for today is over now? It is earlier than usual..."

"Indeed." Viveron said, "you deserve to rest earlier today." She remarked.

"Alright, then." Binalik ko ang hawak kong armas sa weaponry table kung saan nakadisplay ito dari. Gaya ng inaasahan, biglang nagkaroon ng paggalaw sa marmol na sahig, at tila elevator ang parte ng weaponry table, it gradually descended, and it was enclosed with the same flooring. The technology of this place is too advanced and too good. It somehow felt like I was looking into a glimpse of the future.

Nauna na akong umalis sa Training Arena. Sa kuwarto ko agad ako dumiretso, naligo ako at nagbihis. Pagkatapos ay humiga ako sa kama at bumuntong-hininga. It was 3 in the afternoon, and since I was exhausted, I decided to use my time to sleep. When I opened my eyes, it was already six. Still an hour left before our dinner, na mandated din na dapat ay sabay kaming lahat na kumain sa dining hall gayon din sa breakfast.

Bumaba na lang ako at tumungo sa hardin, pagkatapos ay inadmire ko ang mga puting rosas. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sumagi sa isip ko, at hinawakan ko ang isang puting rosas. I admired the beauty of it. Nagulat ako nang biglang nalanta ang bulaklak at namatay sa aking kamay. I watched as its white petals turn brown, to a darker shade of it, and then ash gray. I remember that plants were also living things. And I was not wearing any protective gears too. Bumuntong-hininga ako at nalungkot din.

All I can do is look, I cannot touch. My touch is too dangerous. The roses somewhat reminded me of that fact, and I guess I needed that reminder because I was getting too comfortable.

"Ey, you are here too." Napalingon ako at nakita ko si Athanasius. He approached me. "This garden is actually my favorite spot, the roses here were planted by my mother before—" he stopped and faked a smile, "nevermind." He said after.

Nanatili ang distansya sa aming dalawa. Muli ko na namang naalala ang gabi noon na magkasama kaming dalawa rito. Somehow, the company of Athanasius made me feel safe and sound, but at the same time, I remember that I was the danger, and I had to be wary for him since he was not cautious enough around me.

"Nandito ka rin ba para magpahangin?" Tanong ko.

He nodded, "yes. I needed the fresh air," aniya, "even though the mansion is big, you cannot deny the fact that sometimes, it is suffocating you." He was only human too. I guess he can feel the pressure too. Well, there is so much expectations for him. Hindi lang siya anak ng pinuno ng RAGE, siya rin ay ang lider ng Seven Deadly Sins. He must feel responsible for everyone.

"I am curious, Athanasius." I said.

"Just Athan is fine," he said.

"What?" Kumunot ang aking noo.

"Athanasius is too mouthful, you can just call me Athan." He clarified.

Tumango naman ako, "alright, Athan," it felt weird saying that for the first time. Nasanay kasi ako na buong pangalan niya ang tawag ko sa kaniya, "kumusta ka?"

Tumaas ang isang kilay niya, matapos ang ilang sandali ay kumurba ang kaniyang labi pataas. He seems pleased and happy that I asked, "it has been ages since someone asked that to me. I feel weird, in a good way." Aniya. Tila nag-isip siya ng sagot, and when he finally had one, he started talking, "I'm in between good and bad. It is complex. I cannot really express myself fully, but yeah... Something like that. How about you?" Binalik niya ang kaniyang tanong sa akin.

"I am exhausted, physically—mostly. Pero kinakaya ko naman. I am actually enjoying what I am doing, and sa training ko naman, kapansin-pansin ang laki ng improvements ko." Napakwento ako sa kaniya. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mayroon sa kaniya, but I become a talker if it is him, kahit na more of a listener talaga ako.

"Yep. I am glad that you are taking your training seriously too. I guess everyone in the squad is. Since we all have to protect each other's back, we only got each other now..."

I nodded. He was right.

"We train not only for ourselves, but also for other people we want to protect." He nodded with my conclusion.

Nagkaroon ng nakakabinging katahimikan matapos ang ilang sandali. The silence was awkward, but it was also peaceful at the same time.

"Hey, Mary, how about playing a game to know each other? As a leader, I also want to know my members," Athanasius insisted, "dinner will be served in thirty minutes, so, we got enough time to play a little."

"What is the game?" I asked.

"Simple, Q and A." Aniya, "we do it alternately. I go first by asking, then you answer. Then vice versa. Sorry, I am bad at explaining things like this. But I swear, when it comes to missions, I feel like I become someone else who explains a hundred times better than the usual." Humalakhak pa si Athanasius. Natuwa rin ako sa kaniyang tawa. He seems pleased and happy.

"Alright. I get it." Sagot ko naman. And with that, we both indulged ourselves in each other's company, in the hopes of finding out each other's character and all the likes.