After healing up, stopping the bleeding, and hiding evidence of any swollen regions, Cid and I had to call it a day. Both of us pulled our pants up, keeping the sworn oath. My balls were friggin' iced out.
We both walked to the hotel like penguins. I circulated a small amount of Qi to my nether regions. The relief that washed over me was massive.
I had second thoughts about doing this again. I was not a masochist, I just built up an iron will from scratch.
Once upon a time, it was as fragile as glass. All that was needed was a little difficulty and I could break. I can't break—not when I get a second chance to leave behind a life of mediocrity.
Plus, things were easier. My friend's family adopted me into their household. This friend of mine, the protagonist, and I are roughly on the same level.
It was all because I knew the appropriate way to power.
Cultivation...
It is the practice of honing one's body, mind, and soul until they reach the highest state. Ascending higher and higher until the very heavens feel oppressed by your existence. Cid wanted to be Atomic. I wanted to be Domination. I couldn't help but hum the theme song associated with the name.
"That is too late!" I slipped up a bit.
Cid turned to me before asking, "What is?"
"Nothing." I wasn't about to tell him I was gonna sing.
Cid sighed, this time it was heavy. "I felt like you were coming up with the organisation's anthem there."
I smile dryly at him. He was so on the mark that... I felt as if it was a joke.
His intelligence is based on intuition or a lucky guess. Nothing I was shocked over. It never made sense in my last life, so it still won't make sense in this one.
We stood in front of a building. Before we could even go through the door, new faces were apparently a norm. Just by their demeanour—standing with their heads held high and an unspoken confidence, not to mention how I instinctively felt a level lower—I knew they were definitely of noble lineage or adequate financial standing.
With the hint of envy in Cid's eyes, I knew their pockets were loaded with gold. I gripped on my friend's shoulder lightly, the action making him turn toward me with the sparkle of greed disappearing. "We can always milk more money in the future. Right now, we are still building the foundation for that."
"I know. Growing up is just taking so long. The road doesn't seem to have an end," Cid said with his usual nonchalant attitude.
We got inside the building, finding ourselves in front of the reception table. The atmosphere was foreign to me. It felt as if I had walked into a different location, away from the village and snow. I had felt a little aware of myself when I was around these people.
They were chattering to each other, flaunting their wealth with mere words. They were even shameless enough to exaggerate their riches and achievements.
I was not even curious about their topic.
'I don't have a cent I have earned in my pocket. Why should I gloss over other people's fortune?' That was my honest opinion.
Cid showed the receptionist a small stone tablet with an inscription, said both our names, ensuring that we were indeed staying within the hotel. They could not keep track of the customers, so this was a precautionary approach.
Nonetheless, it was a bit flawed. I guess I could leave them a tip for how to run this kind of business better.
Service to the people, I guess.
Seemingly blending in with my surroundings, Cid and I finally arrived into our room after a tedious climb up the stairs. I used to hate stairs, now they are just part of the grin—I mean training.
As the door creaked, both of us received a well-timed chop on our skulls. I blinked, before it finally settled in. We were being punished for something.
""Ouch, it hurts!"" We both exclaimed as we rubbed our heads in 'pain'. Her red eyes were glaring at the two of us, making me sweat a little. It was as if she was peeking through my soul.
She snorted before turning to leave towards the living room. "You are late," She said with a grave tone.
"Sorry sis. We were locked in an insane snowball fight," Cid said without skipping a beat.
"And, we had to reinforce the 'balls' too," I said, shuddering at the word. That was a bad idea, but it did yield some results anyway.
It became thicker, but they still needed to refine the technique. It shall not be used until further notice. Clare just shrugged, gesturing to the tables that had been set up for two.
"I don't have a partner, mind joining Shin?"
"Sure, I don't mind." I moved the table back a little so she could sit, giving me a curt "thank you"
As the two of us sat at the table, we both smiled. The lighting was just perfect for this. The mood was just right.
I gazed at the table a bit, moving my hand so that it was directly over it. I moved my white pawn two steps forward to—Clare did the same as well.
We were locked in a battle of wits for a few seconds. Clare was sweating bullets. She was currently in a pickle. She had nowhere else to move, the stakes were high.
There were a hundred gold coins up for grabs at this very moment. She just saw Shin and Cid playing it, betting a large sum of money for just moving a few pieces.
She could not understand what all the fuss was about at first. 'All you had to do was move the piece,' she thought. Had she known it was a lot more complex than that.
The pieces don't just go anywhere it seems. It required foresight to be able to win. I smile at her, as she made her move. I released a chuckle for a few seconds. 'Perfect.'
"You cannot catch up with a move like this one, Clare Kageno." I spoke with confidence as I moved my queen for the finisher. "Checkmate."
Cid just stood there, feeling as though his words were resonating with his soul. He could almost HEAR the melody from those words. He just couldn't hold it anymore.
"Shin, what song are you writing man!" I almost misplaced my piece. I have to stop thinking about that song.
"Nothing man, you overthinking it."