Chapter 3 Meat Buns

“Look at the tits on her!” Sola exclaimed. She bit her lower lip and rubbed her chin. “Hey, keep it down. Someone’s going to hear you,” Acero hissed at her. “Her back must hurt, right? They aren’t the only ones breaking her back, though, aha. A woman like that must be active,” she ignored him and continued walking towards the woman. “Can you not? Come on, she and her husband just moved in yesterday.” “Oh, you two already met? Looks like we’re having bread for breakfast,” she pointed out. The housewife stopped in front of the bakery, leaning in to get a better look at the bread on display. “No, I haven’t met her, only her husband. Another injured Leveler from the military can’t walk even with his Concept. Narra sent me to help move their furniture,” he explained. “Can’t use his legs? Do you know if his ‘thing’ still works?” she flashed a lecherous grin and lined up behind her. “Dammit, Sola. Quiet down,” he said under his breath and stood next to her. “Damn indeed,” Sola said in a very deep voice. The woman’s head twitched, becoming visibly uncomfortable. She hurried and paid the baker. “Yeah, two meat buns for breakfast,” Sola continued winthe voice. When the woman turned around, it was Acero’s face that she saw first. They locked eyes with each other. Acero braced himself, already knowing what was to come when he saw the way they swayed in front of him. A loud slap echoed throughout the small street. The woman turned her head, nose pointed high to the sky, and walked away. A red outline of a hand formed on Acero’s left cheek, a bright red on his beige skin. “Phew, you saw how those things moved? Swear I saw them ripple on impact. Lucky bastard got the front row seats to the view,” Sola observed the handprint on his face. “Shut up,” Acero swatted her face away. “Women from the capital are a feisty bunch. Most of them are fighters,” the baker said while handing them two meat buns. “You got any experience?” She brought out her Level Card to pay. “Ha! I’m in this town because of one!” He slapped his knee as if it were the funniest thing. “Those are on the house, for the show you displayed,” the baker grinned and winked at Acero. He rolled his eyes but still took it. “Thanks!” Sola waved to the baker as they walked away. “It’s because of adults like him that you’re like that,” Acero said. “Woah, you’re starting to get some of Narra’s grumpiness. Relax, I’m sure she’ll forgive you. You’re a teenage boy, these things happen,” she said. He kicked her in the shin. They sat on the curb and ate their breakfast. The giant tent of the Whelm Kingdom’s Awakeners was within their sight, only a few minutes ' walk. It was navy blue with yellow gold trims, the signature colors of the kingdom. Two seniors from the Kingdom’s Military school were sent to guard the caravan and the tent. But because of the low average level and crime rate in the area, the military had decided to only send two students to guard the Awakeners. It’s been that way since Acero could remember. “Today’s the day, huh?” Acero stared at the tent with empty eyes. “Yep, the day we turn into Levelers. Say, did you even try to awaken your Concept on your own when you turned 15?” Sola asked him. “Nope, did you?” “Nah, I wanted to enjoy my last few moments in this shitty village,” she finished eating her bun. “Do you think he’ll miss us?” “Us?” He asked, confused. Sola turned her head and faced him. “Don’t tell me you plan on staying here after you get the hang of your Concept.” “It’s not like I have anywhere else I want to go. Unlike you, I’m not curious about the world or leveling. A short and simple life sounds uncomplicated. And if I do try and level, I’d probably end up back here after reaching Level 3 or something,” Acero scratched the back of his neck. A haircut sounded nicer than learning what his base Concept was. “Really? You’re content with this? Well, for me, I’d probably use Leveling as an excuse to travel and meet beautiful people,” she said with a serious face. “That’s surprisingly simple,” he said, standing up and dusting off his pants. “Maybe you'll break through 100 and be an intergalactic pervert.” “Sounds nice,” she smiled. “I’ll visit you here when you’re all wrinkly and dying before I leave Earth. I’d probably look the same at 95 years old, though,” she summoned her Level Card and peered through the top right corner. “Sounds nice,” he squinted at the two military students in the distance. “Checking their levels?” “Yep, the girlie on the left is my type, Level 15. The ugly one next to her is 14.” Sola Groza 14 Level: 0 Race: Human (Earth) Credit: 200G “They’re the two strongest in the town right now.” “I’m betting that the dude is from a noble family. That disgusted look on his face whenever someone enters the tent gives it away,” she turned to Acero. “You fix your face, too. Try not to look like you hate the world when you pass by him. Don’t make a scene.” He took a deep breath and exhaled out of his nose. The two military students wore an outfit that had the same colors as the tent they were guarding. It wasn’t a uniform as they were of different designs, but the colors and some pieces of it made it clear that they were from the military. This made it possible for the Levelers to design their clothes specifically for their needs and powers. And, it’s all sponsored by the kingdom itself, making it clear that they invested a lot in their future fighters. “Ugh, why does the kingdom even bother with this place? I’m pretty sure they lose money every year by sending the Awakeners here. Does it even produce Levelers that go past 5?” The academy senior complained as he tried to wipe the sweat off his forehead. “Maybe if you shut your mouth and stopped fidgeting like a bored child, then the day would end and we’d magically be back in the capital,” the other military student said with minimal mouth movement. Not a single sweat on her body. “We’ll be official soldiers in a few months, a nd they sent us to some backwater village filled with old people. Barely a handful of them are above level 5,” he continued, complaining. The girl continued her blank stare. It almost looked like she was asleep with her eyes open. “How can this be a learning experience? There isn’t any opportunity to exercise my Concept or gain any insight to reach the next Level,” he scratched himself. From the rage he was sending himself in, he started to get itchy. The girl continued to respond. Like a lifelike statue, she remained unblinking. Not a single strand of her hair moved. It didn’t look like she was breathing. “At least the Duels are coming soon. That’s a few weeks of not doing bullshit tasks like this. Hey, Rei, are you even listening?” He waved his hand in front of her face. A cough came from his left. His body blocked the entrance to the tent. “Excuse me, sir. We’re here to attend the Awakening ceremony, if you don’t mind,” Sola said with the brightest smile she could give. And she wasn’t faking it at all. The military student had to crane his neck a bit to meet her eyes. He put on his glare and stepped to the side, nudging his head to signal that she may pass. “Thank you again, sir!” She beamed. He grunted in reply. Trailing behind her was Acero. He and the student locked eyes for a split second. Acero couldn’t help it, his eyebrows creased in the middle. This was a problem he had had since they were younger, his face always telling the truth. His height and build didn’t help make him look any friendlier either. He walked past him without saying anything. The student chuckled, then turned around and grabbed him by the neck. Acero was thrown back out of the tent and onto the street. “What’s with the look, buddy?” The student’s right hand glowed with yellow energy. Rei sighed and massaged her temples with her knuckles.