System Awakening: Rise Of Thomas Walker

CHAPTER EIGHT

After a cold shower, Thomas stood in front of the mirror and was stunned. His muscles had grown more. He didn't like a weak boy from yesterday.

TASK COMPLETED

+5 STRENGTH

+5 SPEED

+1 TALENT POINT EARNED

NEW ABILITY UNLOCKED: MINOR HEALING.

PHYSICAL ENDURANCE INCREASED.

FATIGUE RESISTANCE INCREASED.

"Whoa! I look like a bodybuilder," Thomas muttered, turning sideways in the mirror.

He clenched his fists. They felt alive. He had been mocked, humiliated and nearly killed but now, he had a chance.

"I don't know what this system is or why it chose me but I'm not wasting this... I'll do whatever it asks me to do." He said.

He stared at the glowing screen again as it flickered softly, ready for the next command.

"I'm running late to see master Iverson," Thomas said as he remembered that master Iverson had requested his presence.

The path to power had opened and this time, Thomas Walker wouldn't be left behind.

Thomas walked slowly through the hallways, he was looking calm but his thoughts were running.

"He knows I survived...but what does he really want to hear?" He said in his thoughts.

The wooden door ahead opened larger with every step. A deep symbol of the academy's crest was carved into it, a serpent wrapped around a sword.

He hesitated only briefly before knocking. "Enter," Master Iverson said with a deep voice.

Thomas stepped in. Master Iverson sat behind his desk with his fingers crossed together. The office was filled with ancient books and relics.

A steaming black tea was on the table close to a journal. "Sit," Master Iverson said without looking up. Thomas obeyed.

The silence hung heavy before master Iverson finally lifted his gaze. "Tell me what happened at the academy farmland" he said calmly.

Thomas shifted in his seat, surprised by the lack of accusation. "Ummm, I...." Before he could finish.

Master Iverson said, “Because I know it wasn't you. You're many things, Thomas, stubborn, quiet, too soft hearted maybe but not the kind to set fire to food meant for the academy or yourself." He added.

Thomas's throat tightened. He'd expected doubt, suspicion, not belief.

Thomas lowered his eyes. “He's going to come for me if I say it. He said he would do worse."

"Say his name, he won't touch you. I'll give you my word." Master Iverson replied, his voice firmer now.

Thomas clenched his fists. Then slowly he said. “Duke. Duke and his friends ambushed me. They framed me...tried to kill me. I survived, somehow."

Master Iverson leaned back slightly, absorbing every word. "I see."

Thomas waited but master Iverson said nothing more at first. He stood up and walked toward the window, and placed both hands behind his back.

"In this academy, there's a tradition older than mine. Older than this building. When students wrong each other... Revenge is never taken in secrecy.

He turned around. "It's taken in battle. In combat. With witnesses." He said.

Thomas was confused, “I don't understand, sir."

"Everyone sees you as a weak boy who can't even stand up and defend himself, I believe that is about to change even though you don't stand a chance" master Iverson said.

"True everyone sees me as weak and not fit to be here but I still don't understand what you are saying sir" Thomas said calmly.

Master Iverson stepped closer. “You want justice, Thomas? Then you earn it. Not through whispers. Not through cowardice. But by challenging the one who wronged you, by beating him in combat, where pride and strength meet." He said.

"You want me to challenge Duke? That monster. He has powers and I don't," Thomas said.

Thomas Walker swallowed. The thought of facing Duke again made his guy twist. He remembers the burning punch to his stomach, the blood on the ground, how his vision blurred and darkness closed in.

"Sir, he's...he's stronger than me. By a lot. Everyone knows it."

Master Iverson nodded. “He is. But you have something you don't.”

Thomas raised a brow. "And what's that?"

"Restraint. Pain. Hunger to become something more." Master Iverson said.

Then Iverson asked, his voice calm but serious. "Do you want revenge, Thomas?"

Thomas sat there, quiet. Then he thought of Duke's sneer, of Kate's frightened expression, of the fire swallowing the farmland, and the punch that nearly stopped his heart.

Then he thought of the glowing screen, the system now hidden inside him. Thomas nodded. "I do want revenge."

"Then do it the right way, challenge him to a duel. One on one. It's the only way this academy handles matters like these." Master Iverson said.

Thomas stood, his heart racing. “I agree, I'll challenge him," he said firmly.

Master Iverson nodded with the smallest of smirks. "Good. We'll arrange the duel for three days from now. That will give you time to train, prepare, and face him properly."

Thomas turned to leave, then paused. "Thank you...for believing."

Master Iverson sat down and took a sip of his tea. "Throughout my years, I've been able to know when someone's telling the truth and I've also seen boys weaker than you take down giants."

Thomas left the office with his shoulders straighter. This time, he wasn't alone. This time, he had the system and a fire of his own.