Sinner System-Chapter 493: Jaden vs Cleo (Part 1)
"Woah, impressive Aura. So, you’re the newest X-Ace, huh? Nice to meet you," Grinned Jaden, as he approached Cleo, who shrunk back behind Aria.
"U-Um...yeah, I-...nice to meet you t-too, sir," She muttered, as she peered over Aria’s shoulder.
"Heh, no need for formalities, you don’t have to call me sir. Actually, I insist you don’t, it’d feel kinda weird," He laughed in response.
"Give her some space, she’s pretty introverted," I remarked, pulling him back a bit.
"Oh, my bad."
"I totally get that, meeting new people can be nerve-wracking. And you can be a lot when meeting you for the first time, you’re kinda overbearing," Grinned Aarav, a sheepish smile appearing on Jaden’s face.
Today’s the 12th of January, 2171, around 11 AM. The other X-Aces had come here to Sanctuary Theta, where we were about to hold a training session with all of us. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
The plan is to train for a few hours, and then use the remainder of the day to relax and rest up. The Stampedes are estimated to occur at around midday tomorrow, so we have a little over a day left.
The HUC informed us that they’ll finalize the plans for our next move sometime this afternoon, so it won’t be long before we know how we’ll proceed.
"Gotta say, it’s weird seeing you sober. Have you been sober during the Calamity Level raids? Doesn’t alcohol make you a more effective fighter?" Aria asked Iseul.
"Actually, I’ve been using something new. My Guild actually has its own research division, and they came up with this," She replied, as she took out a bottle filled with translucent, golden pills.
"What are those?" I inquired curiously.
"They’re concentrated pills of alcohol. But unlike drinking booze, these don’t cloud my mind, while still loosening up my body. Basically, these pills give me all the effects of booze that make me fight better, but without all the effects that restrict me," She explained with a smile.
"Huh, come to think of it, you have been popping those before every raid, I just figured they were supplements or something," Responded Jaden in bemusement.
"That explains why you aren’t slurring and stuff...your movements still look drunk, but your expression appears relatively sober," Added Aarav thoughtfully.
"Mhm, yeah. I think I might actually prefer the way these pills make me feel over how booze makes me feel. I’ve been popping these even at home, and I’ve hardly had a drink at all over the last few days."
"That’s good to hear. Even with the enhanced natural healing you have as an X-Ace, all that drinking couldn’t have been good for you," Responded Aria with a smile.
"I mean, I don’t think these really help with that. The reason she isn’t craving liquor is probably because these pills are made of concentrated alcohol, they’re probably strong enough to satisfy her alcoholism," Pointed out Jaden.
"When you put it that way, it definitely sounds like these are worse for her than drinking regular alcoholic drinks is," Replied Aarav with a look of concern.
"Actually, no, at least not according to my research division. I don’t really get the science behind it, but apparently, these are a lot less harmful."
"Huh, if that’s really true, it might be a good idea to make these publicly available, it might help people who are struggling with alcoholism quit," I suggested in response.
"Yeah, if we win and survive this war," Aarav sighed wistfully.
"Anyway, let’s kick things off and get this training sesh started already! What’s the plan? Should we just keep it simple and take turns sparring?" Suggested Jaden, an excited gleam in his eyes.
"Sure, that works for me. Think we should be able to fit in around three or four sparring bouts each," I nodded, before chanting, "Now, <Emerge, Apostles of Sloth and Wrath: Acedia and Ira>. And, <Emerge: Ai>."
"So, who’s going first? We’ve only got enough space for one bout at a time," Remarked Aria, as she glanced around at the others.
We were at the Sinners Guild’s outdoor training area. We had considered taking it outside, but the Union’s research team are doing some work on the Sanctuary’s dome, and we didn’t want to disrupt them.
"Let me go first, and I wanna fight the new girl! You alright with that?" Grinned Jaden, as he glanced at Cleo.
"I-I, um...yeah," She nodded, as she stepped forward.
"Sweet, can’t wait to see what you’ve got," He replied with a glean of anticipation in his eyes, slamming his right fist against his left palm as the two of them made their way towards the middle.
"Oh, by the way, the usual safety barriers don’t work on her, so we’re using an older model, one that doesn’t account for factors like regeneration," I informed Jaden.
"I mean, I don’t have a regeneration ability, so makes no difference to me!" He responded with a shrug, as I activated the barrier.
"Want a countdown?"
"Nah, that’s fine. I’ll let her make the first move. Now, then...[Telekinetic Surge]," Chanted Jaden, a light, misty energy flowing around his body as he tensed up slightly, his Aura spiking in intensity.
Woah, that was more significant than I expected, I have to take a look at his current stats, Appraisal:
HP: 1800 -> 5400
MP: 2265
Strength: 1798 -> 5394
Agility: 2706 -> 8118
Vitality: 1802 -> 5406
Perception: 2639 -> 7917
Power Level: 2,168,300 -> 5,750,000
He’s basically on my level at my full power, mine’s slightly higher, but the disparity is pretty minimal, given the scale.
"<Monstrification>," Chanted Cleo, her body rapidly transforming as her Aura surged, a burst of power erupting around her.
"Gotta say, that’s quite the unique Aura," Remarked Iseul, as Cleo let out a slow exhale.
"It’s a pretty ugly color, huh?" Added Aarav.
"Yeah, she was pretty disappointed when we first told her what it looks like," Recalled Aria, right as Cleo and Jaden shot towards each other, an intense burst of force erupting as they clashed...
