The next day, the sun rose over the sleepy island, casting golden light across the familiar training yard where the dirt had long since stopped protesting his relentless assaults.
Delmar Blue was at it again.
But this time, he wasn't punching.
He was kicking.
Relentlessly.
Again and again.
[9,996]
His bare foot sliced through the air, the motion fluid, practiced.
[9,998]
His leg swung out, breath heavy, body aching.
[9,999]
"I'm almost there!" he panted, gritting his teeth, every muscle in his body screaming. Then he twisted his hips and launched the final strike.
[10,000!]
[Congratulations, host!]
[You've unlocked the title: "Fledgling of the Kick!"]
Delmar stumbled forward slightly, catching his breath as the familiar warm pulse of power surged through his veins.
[Fledgling of the Kick]
[Rank: E]
[Your determination paid off—you can now be considered a kicker.]
[Combat Talent +50%]
[Strength, Agility, Endurance, Stamina, and Will +20%]
"Nice!" Delmar grinned as the golden glow settled into his skin, his whole body humming with new energy.
[Status Window]
[Name: Delmar Blue]
[Gender: Male]
[Race: Human]
[Age: 16]
[Titles: Fledgling of the Fist, Fledgling of the Kick]
[Strength: 2.1 (1.5)]
[Agility: 2.5 (1.8)]
[Endurance: 2.8 (2)]
[Stamina: 2.5 (1.8)]
[Will: 2.8 (2)]
[Skills: N/A]
"Wow... I'm getting nearly three times as strong as an average person now..." Delmar muttered to himself, amazed. "I was barely twice that yesterday. This Title System really is great, huh?"
[New titles are now unlockable!]
Delmar's eyes lit up as more notifications began to pour in.
[Amateur of the Kick — Kick 100,000 times in a single day!]
[Flash Kick — Kick three or more objects in the air separately in a single second!]
[An additional title linked to "Fledgling of the Fist" and "Fledgling of the Kick" has now become unlockable.]
[Proper Fighter — Learn a proper fighting style!]
"Flash Kick... that sounds like such a pain to unlock," Delmar groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "How am I even supposed to kick three things midair in one second? That's insane!"
Then his eyes lingered on the last one.
Proper Fighter.
"Learn a proper fighting style, huh... Should I go back to the dojo?"
He grimaced at the memory.
The Purple Phoenix Dojo had been his second home growing up. He'd trained there, practiced there, idolized the instructors. But when it became clear that he didn't have any talent they kicked him out. Told him the style was too advanced for someone like him.
Delmar sat on a worn-down tree stump, stretching his sore legs and letting out a deep sigh.
"Sigh..."
Even with the System now, even with these titles, that rejection still stung.
But maybe... just maybe... it was time to prove them wrong—
"Hehehehehe…"
A chuckle slithered into the clearing like a snake.
"Still training, loser?"
Delmar's grin returned instinctively.
He knew that voice.
"Ostrich…" he said, turning.
There he stood — Ostrich Shaw, with his short-cropped blond hair and piercing black eyes, looking every bit the smug prick Delmar remembered. His face was average, his build leaner than Delmar's — but his talent at the Purple Phoenix Dojo had never been in question. Once, they had called each other brothers. But the moment Ostrich surpassed him, their bond snapped like a twig underfoot.
Before Delmar could speak further, another presence froze his breath.
Dahlia Sapphire.
She hadn't changed — no, she had only become more radiant.
She stood with her arms crossed, posture rigid, her expression a storm of tightly-held composure and simmering defiance.
Her striking silver-white hair was pulled into a high, elegant bun, secured with a golden clip, though a few rebellious strands framed her face — a contrast to the discipline she wore like armor. Her eyes, sharp and narrowed, burned with a restrained intensity, revealing her habit of hiding more emotion than she'd ever admit aloud.
She wore a crisp white blouse, its sleeves rolled up, revealing strong forearms that hinted at countless hours of training. The fabric hugged her figure snugly, tapering down into a high-waisted tartan skirt with earthy golden-brown tones — a look that was both refined and practical.
[Image Here]
And she was also the last person Delmar wanted to see — or so he thought.
Dahlia had been the only one who hadn't mocked his weakness. While Ostrich had turned on him, Dahlia had tried. She helped him with stances, gave him endless encouragement… But after he was kicked out, she disappeared from his life too. He assumed she didn't want to associate with failures.
She had left him behind. Just like everyone else.
His grin stretched wider, less friendly now.
Time to prove they were wrong.
"Ostrich…" Delmar drawled, pointing toward Dahlia. "Why don't you just shut up and focus on your little girlfriend more?"
Ostrich jolted. "G-Girlfriend?! S-She's not my girlfriend!"
He flushed bright red. Dahlia's brow twitched.
"Delmar…" she thought, her fingers tightening into a trembling fist. "Does he… really hate me now?"
"R-Right, Dahlia?" Ostrich stammered, glancing to her for validation, a nervous laugh escaping. "You heard him, haha… tell him."
Maybe this was it, he thought. Maybe it was finally time she acknowledged him for real.
But Dahlia turned her gaze on him — cold, sharp, lethal.
Ostrich flinched.
Then he snapped.
He lunged at Delmar, eyes wild. "How dare you tell me to shut up!"
But Delmar had seen it coming. The punch, once too fast for him, was crystal-clear now. He saw the rotation of the shoulder, the twist in the ankle — and he caught the fist with ease.
"What—!?"
Crack!
Delmar's forehead slammed into Ostrich's nose.
"Agh!!"
Ostrich stumbled back, nose bleeding, eyes wide with disbelief.
'How did he…?'
Delmar didn't even flinch. His enhanced body felt stronger than ever.
"Your punch used to be faster," Delmar said calmly, dusting off his palm.
Ostrich's face twisted. "You! Don't get cocky just because I let my guard down!"
He roared and charged again — this time, more focused. The punch came in tighter, faster, like a proper practitioner of the Purple Phoenix Style.
Delmar exhaled, shifting into a stance. He could see the angle, the weight, the—
Suddenly, mid-air—
The punch curved.
To be continued...
***
***
How was this second chapter? Liked it?
Also, should I have started his journey right away? I mean he'll start in a couple of chapters.
Oh, before I forget, here's an image of Delmar Blue.
Should I make an auxiliary of him and his crew?