Xander System And The Blitz

4... Initiate first combat...

Heidi was a hot blonde with sophisticated features. It was obvious she came from a wealthy family. Alec frowned as her face clicked in his mind. He remembered seeing her in the school hallway a couple of times before.

“Does everyone who attends Crestwood High School work here?” he asked, not really expecting an answer.

Jeremy grinned at the question.

“Isn’t this the guy that slept for a full fifty four hours?” Heidi asked sassily, pointing at Alec.

Alec felt embarrassed but tried hard not to show it.

Jeremy smiled briefly. “Well, he’s awake now.”

“So, is he the new member of this team?” Heidi asked, scrutinizing Alec from head to toe.

“Very soon, Heidi,” Jeremy replied with a smile. “Very soon, he’ll become one.”

Alec narrowed his eyes at Jeremy, wondering what he meant by that.

He grabbed Jeremy by the arm. “Come here for a sec, please.”

They walked away from Heidi.

“What’s this new member stuff all about?”

Jeremy grinned. “I’ve been watching you at school. You’ve got potential, Alec, you just don’t see it yet.”

Alec tilted his head and sighed languidly. “Jeremy…”

“Listen, Alec. Everyone here is focused on stopping the misuse of power. We both know it’s not comfortable living in a world where bad people rule,” Jeremy explained.

Alec had tried fighting the bullies before but always failed. “I can’t do this. I can’t even fight for myself, let alone anyone else.”

“What if you can? Remember how they treated you?" Jeremy asked and the memory of the bullying flooded Alec's mind. That wasn't something he could easily forget. "Do you want that to continue?”

When Alec heard that last question, he clenched his fist. "What do I need to do to become a member of the team?"

Jeremy smiled. "You need to fight me."

"Fight you?" Alec asked, confused. "Is that like a ritual or something?"

"It’s just a test."

Alec recalled the system telling him about his new super strength. This was the moment to put it to the test.

“Okay, I’m ready.”

Jeremy chuckled. “Of course not now. You just woke up from your long sleep about an hour ago.”

“Well, you can check me medically if I’m fit enough to fight you,” Alec said confidently.

"Oh?" Jeremy stared at him. "Uh.... Alright. Come on, let’s test your strength.”

****

Alec and Jeremy already took off their shirts, ready to test each other's strength. Alec looked down at his body and noticed a few changes in him. He made a mental note to inspect his body properly when the fight was over.

Jeremy stared fiercely at Alec, his hand clenched into a tight fist, stance solid in a fighting position.

"Your expression is so scary," Alec mumbled, but Jeremy’s face didn’t soften. "It’s not really a real fight, is it?"

Jeremy’s fist shot out to attack Alec, who wasn’t quick enough to duck.

"Jesus Chirst" He whispered. "Jeremy!" He was now holding his cheek in pain. "Are you planning to kill me?"

Jeremy inspected Alec’s face. "I thought you would fight back immediately."

"Fight back? Are you serious?" Alec screeched, now doubting the system’s words. If he has super strength, then why was Jeremy able to strike him so easily?

"Just think about how bad you were treated by those guys, and that will help you fight back," Jeremy advised, his expression blank.

They both got into fighting stances again. Jeremy swiftly attacked a slow Alec. He struck him, urging him to fight back, but Alec didn’t.

Alec failed.

Jeremy looked into the camera set in the room and whispered: "I don’t think he’s ready."

The others watching on the projector shook their heads sadly, heaving meaningful sighs.

SYSTEM NOTIFICATION:

"Alexander Todd: Combat readiness protocol initiated. Opponent data processing... complete."

Alec paused as the system in his head began to speak.

"Target assessment confirmed. Strength and weakness profile uploaded."

"Strength and weakness?" Alec uttered under his breath.

"Engage immediate countermeasures. Probability of success: 67%. Confidence level: sufficient."

Alec didn’t want to believe the system especially after how Jeremy had been able to punch him easily.

'What if I fail again?' He asked himself.

He caught the disappointment on Jeremy’s face, and then a different thought crept in....

'What if I actually succeed this time?'

Alec took in a deep breath, shut his eyes tight and some scenes rushed into his brain. Hurtful scenes.

"A little piece of shit like you does not have a place in this school!"

"You are so useless that you couldn't even get the simplest girl in this school as your girlfriend"

"Go to hell, Alec!" There were roars of mocking laughter. "And rot in there!"

Finally, there was the painful memory of Kevin, Sam and Jim hitting him mercilessly before he lost consciousness.

Alec clenched his fist, his jaw tightened and his muscles tensed. When he opened his eyes, all bones in his body were ready to fight.

"One more time, Jeremy." He seethed, looking very determined.

Jeremy sighed. "I don't wanna hurt you, Alec."

Alec thought of what the system had told him. "You won't" He said.

Jeremy studied him, he saw his determination and confidence. He said an okay and they started all over again.

Jeremy took his usual fight stance. Alec saw that, stared for a moment and the confidence he got earlier began to dwindle.

"Alexander Todd" The system called in its emotionless voice. "Initiate focus protocol. Analyze opponent movement patterns. Anticipate next action."

Alec obeyed. He studied Jeremy and was able to predict his next move.

When Jeremy stretched out his arm, his large hand in a tight fist to attack, Alec saw it coming in slow motion and moved. This time, he dodged the strike....barely—but it was different. His body had reacted faster.

Jeremy was ready to attack again. He raised his foot for a kick. Alec blocked it. Shock registered on both their faces.

The sound similar to an alarm, but more robotic, rang in his head.

SYSTEM UPDATE:

"Reaction time increased by 23%. Strength output: 12% and rising."

Alec's heart pounded as the system gave him the update. He could feel something inside him, it was like some strange strength urging him to act fast.

Jeremy charged again. Alec met him with a swift counterstrike that sent Jeremy stumbling a few steps back.

Everyone watching the projector leaned forward, their eyes wide and sharp on the screen.

Jeremy grinned, wiping his lower lip where Alec had caught him. "Now that’s what I’m talking about."

"Holy shit" Alec blinked in disbelief. "Did I just do that?"

The robotic alarm sound rang in Alec's head like it did before then the glassy, rectangular screen appeared in front of him, displaying words the same time it spoke.

SYSTEM CONFIRMATION:

"Engagement successful. Combat capability unlocked: Level 1 – Super Strength (Partial Access)."

SYSTEM ALERT:

"Task completed: Initiate First Combat.

Reward: 1, 000,000, 000 deposited to user’s digital account."

"Wait—what?!" Alec's eyes went wide and Jeremy gave him a weird look.

Alec passed him a quick forced smile. "Uhm...." He glanced at the screen showing information about his super power and reward. One billion dollars? "I think I need to be alone right now"

He rushed out of the combat room with those words, his mind filled with just three words; one billion dollars?