Sirius Chapter 12: Chapter 11: The Second Phase

Read chapter 12 of Sirius by Dealer on NovelPedia.

In a hospital room, a young man rested on one of the beds. After much effort, he finally managed to open his eyes. "Mr. Li, you're already awake? That fast?" The voice that woke him, unlike what he expected, belonged to a man around his own age, blond with light eyes. "If I'd known the first face I'd have to look at when I woke up would be yours, I would've slept longer." Jihan answered with difficulty. "Already in good spirits. What incredible resilience!" "How long was I out? Where am I?" "You really always go straight to the point, don't you?" Michael smiled. "You're in the second phase. And as for how long... only a week." "A WEEK?" Li put his hands over his face. "I'll never be able to make up that time so quickly." "Stop being dramatic. You don't even know how long this phase lasts." The man extended his hand, holding up three fingers. "You have three months. You think that's not enough?" "Where's Akemi?" "Who? Oh! That half-elf? She's stopped by a few times over the last few days, but she's also in the competition; she doesn't have the luxury of wasting time here like you." "Do I?" "Quiet, boy. I don't want to waste my time here with you. I'll explain how the next few months will work." Li went quiet and waited for him to start. "Very well. To start, I have to congratulate you. I told you to think positive, but I never expected you to go that far, racking up so many points in the first phase!" "Points?" "Yes! Look, boy. The real objective behind this beginning is to separate those who are there just to pass from those who are there to reach the top." Jihan remembered the old Itzal's words and felt a sting in his stomach. Michael, ignoring the boy, continued. "Honestly, you should be dead right now! It was only by paying the proper amount from your score that you managed to get urgent treatment!" The blond then pointed at his arm. Looking at his wrist, he noticed a strange digital bracelet with the number "10,528" displayed. "Is this what I still have? How much did I spend on treatment?" "About five thousand points!" He announced with a smile. "That much?" The playful expression suddenly turned serious. "Boy, I don't think you understand. I don't even know how you're still alive. Five thousand points may be a high number, but I'm certain you'd have paid fifteen if it meant not dying." "Was it really that bad?" "Far worse than you can imagine... but it's not all bad. You pulled off something I've personally never heard of. Forcing mana out without having your channels open." Michael furrowed his brow. "To put it more clearly: it's as if you drilled a tunnel through a mountain without putting any supports to hold up the ceiling. Eventually it all collapsed, but you still made it out alive." "So it all worked out in the end!" Jihan celebrated. "Take what I'm saying seriously, Li!" For the first time, the man showed genuine anger. "Don't throw your life away so carelessly... haah." Sighing, he continued. "Anyway, you can use your points to acquire a few things. I'm not sure exactly what your fighting style is, but I'm certain you'll find something useful." Michael picked up a device that looked like a camera and clicked it. A projection lit up in front of Jihan's bed. "Using PowerPoint?" Li teased. "Be quiet and listen! I'll explain how things work from here on." Michael walked through it step by step on the projector. "First, we'll have two months of training. Specialized gyms and a battle arena are available to everyone free of charge. In addition, you can get instructors and dietary supplements, either by paying or, if you're lucky, by catching the attention of one of them." "These points... can I use them outside of here?" "Not at all! Once you're approved, they'll vanish." Brushing the question aside, he continued. "To accumulate points, there are two ways. The first is missions, which are available on the board in the food court. The second is through bets. You can challenge another opponent in the arena for a set amou