When Mia woke up in the morning, she took a shower and got ready. As she left her room, she saw Cain. He was cooking some food for breakfast.
After Cassian summoned Cain to be a Guardian, he never dismissed the summon. Since then, Cain had been living with Cassian and Mia.
"Mia, before you leave, you should eat first," Cain said.
This made Mia flustered.
"Big bro Cassian always tells me that Cain is dangerous... but he seems kind," Mia thought to herself.
Although Cain had an aggressive side and often rebelled against Cassian, he was always kind to Mia. This was because Cain treated Mia like his sister—although technically, she was his sister, since Cain was a clone of Cassian.
Mia sat at the table and ate with Cain. He often caught her looking at him, but each time, Mia would quickly look away.
"Won't you tell me what's bothering you?" Cain asked.
But there was only silence between them.
"Don't worry. I won't tell your brother," Cain assured her.
Still, no response.
"Mia... you don't have to hide it. Tell me—who are those insects bold enough to treat you like that?" Cain said, holding back his anger, though his eyes glowed brightly.
He had sensed that Mia had been silently crying the night before.
Cain also had an extraordinary sense of perception—to the point that he could feel what others felt and sometimes even sense their thoughts.
"Don't worry. They're nothing, and I don't need any help. I can handle this on my own," Mia replied.
She didn't want to make things worse. She knew that if Cain or Cassian got involved, it could only complicate things further.
"By the way, where's my brother?" Mia asked.
"He left early this morning," Cain replied.
---
Somewhere in an open field, Cassian and Roy were sparring.
"I don't understand why Roy can beat me... I know I'm stronger than him," Cassian thought.
"You might think you're stronger than me, but you can't even touch me," Roy said, mocking Cassian.
"Of course I'm at a disadvantage! You won't even let me use my clones!" Cassian complained.
"You're a close-combat type. You should know how to fight someone with elemental abilities. You need to learn how to fight—even when you're at a disadvantage," Roy explained.
Roy released a powerful gust of wind, forcing Cassian to cross his arms in an X to block it. He then followed with a barrage of wind blades. Cassian dove to the side, rolled, and started running to avoid the attacks.
"Damn it... how can I defeat him if I can't even get close?" Cassian thought.
But Roy gave him no chance to rest. He launched another technique.
"Air Pull!" Roy shouted.
The air pressure dragged Cassian toward him.
"Air Cannon!" Roy shouted again, slamming Cassian with compressed air and sending him flying.
"Cassian, I know you're strong... but you're too reliant on your clones. Why can't you see what you're capable of without them?" Roy said.
"Without clones...? That's my whole ability! I can't even fight properly without them," Cassian replied.
"Is that so? Then I'll fight you without using my abilities—to show you what I mean," Roy said.
"Physically, I'm definitely stronger than him. I can beat him!" Cassian thought, smiling.
"Looks like you're underestimating me. Come on—attack me!" Roy taunted.
Cassian rushed toward Roy and leapt to deliver a high kick. Roy ducked, dodging it effortlessly. Cassian followed with a punch, but Roy dodged again, grabbed him, lifted him, and slammed him to the ground.
Roy then twisted Cassian's arm behind his back, pinning him with his weight so he couldn't move.
"Damn it... I know I'm stronger! Why is he toying with me?" Cassian thought.
"Skill matters. Just because you're stronger doesn't mean I can't beat you," Roy said with a smirk.
He let go, and Cassian lay there, frustrated.
"Strength is useless if you don't know how to use it. You've got potential, Cassian—but you need skill."
"Starting tomorrow, come back here. I'll train you properly."
There was a brief silence.
"The future is full of surprises. You'll face someone stronger... maybe even someone overpowered."
"Life's unfair. Some people are born with everything, and doesn't need to put too much effort."
"There are a lot of people out there using their powers to do bad things."
"If you want to protect those who are important to you, you have to work harder than everyone else."
"Let's start from the basics. I'll teach you how to maximize your body's potential through Martial arts."
"You'll fight me without your powers—so you'll learn to fight even in the worst situations."
Roy left. Cassian remained on the ground.
"Damn it... I've gotten stronger, but I'm nowhere near Sir Roy."
Cassian sat up.
"Alright... I need to know my advantages. First, my stats," he said, checking them.
[Strength: 17]
[Defense: 22]
[Speed: 17]
[Perception: 17]
"These are pretty obvious. Strength affects physical actions like lifting and attacking.
Defense is my durability and endurance.
Speed is how fast I move.
But what about perception?"
The system responded:
[Perception affects reflexes, reaction time, and awareness of surroundings.
The higher your perception, the better these become.]
"Oh... I didn't expect the system to answer me. Is it because I asked about my stats?" Cassian wondered.
"Is there a way to improve my fighting skills?" he asked.
The system replied:
[Yes.
You are not using your full potential.
You lack proper control over your stats.]
Cassian was stunned. This had never happened before.
[The system will support you to improve]
[Would you like to begin training?]
Yes / No
"Of course—yes!" Cassian answered.
[You chose 'Yes']
[Initializing training program]
[Please summon a clone]
Cassian summoned a clone.
[Skill Activated: Cloning]
-10 Energy
The clone stood in front of him.
[Your clone will be your personal trainer]
[Clone received a quest: Train the Master]
[Training begins now]
Suddenly, the clone punched Cassian in the face, sending him flying and causing his nose to bleed.
"That punch was so powerful! How can he do that—we have the same stats!" Cassian wondered.
The clone followed with an axe kick to Cassian's stomach, lifted him to the air, and deliver a punch, then twisted his body and follow up a high kick, sending Cassian flying again.
[You're wasting your potential]
[You've relied too much on your clones]
[You don't know your true capabilities]
[Your clones use their full potential]
[They are fast learners and highly adaptive]
"The system is right... I've always relied on my clones. But they have potential—maybe even more than I do," Cassian thought.
"Cain is smart, quick to learn, and incredibly adaptive. He's just a clone of me. That means... all my clones could have the same traits."
[You are beginning to understand the capabilities of your clones]
Cassian stood up and faced his clone.
[New Quest:
Spar with your clone every day.
Last at least 30 minutes.]
[Time remaining: 28 minutes, 26 seconds]