Tsugi No Level

Chapter 6: The Rules of Soth

Demo and Ten make their way into the gym. Through a glass door, they see several members sitting in a lotus pose meditating. The moment Ten and Demo open the door all of the members open their eyes and turn their heads towards Ten and Demo. All of them look angry, as Ten and Demo disrupted their meditation. Demo looks calm and unfazed but Ten isn't used to so much animosity and takes a step back. The has several pictures on the wall next to scrolls with motivational sayings. The pictures are of previous students who have either passed on or become famous in their own right. One of the members stands up, and walks towards Demo and Ten, he then raises his hand and the other members then return to their meditation.

"Can I help you with something?"

Ten feels extremely awkward actually being in the famous gym and doesn't really know what to do. He goes to bow but stops midway and instead does a fist-palm greeting he then turns into a palm-to-palm greeting. The gym member chuckles as he gets that Ten is nervous.

"It's ok, you don't have to bow or anything. How can I help you?"

Ten stands up straight with a nervous smile on his face as he introduces Demo.

"He wants to join the gym."

As the gym member switches his focus on Demo, Ten takes a step back.

"Aight, I have some things to so ..."

Demo looks at Ten, and with the biggest smile of gratitude on his face.

"Thank you."

Ten nods and starts walking towards the door. He takes one look back at Demo and then steps outside. Back inside the gym member continues asking Demo some more introductory questions.

"What type are you, IT or TT?

Demo looks confused as he answers.

"IT, TT?"

The member looks confused as well, as these are the standard abbreviations used. Demo not knowing them is what he would consider a red flag. But out of politeness, he feels he needs to explain.

"Instinctual Type or Theoretical?"

"Oh, yeah, well I didn't understand a word Ten was saying and he said I was likely Instinctual, so IT."

That comment clarified the fact that Demo wasn't from here.

"You have never learned about or practiced how to use Higher Reasoning?"

"You mean using Numbers Magic, Right? Then no."

The gym member looks a bit startled because this is extremely uncommon. Even the poorest of households will have learned how to use Higher Reasoning.

"I'm very sorry, but the bare minimum needed to enter our gym is the ability to use Higher Rea..."

Before he can finish his sentence he is interrupted.

"No, no, no, no, no, no."

An old man with a white beard and a bald head in an all black loose fitting outfit, comes from behind one the doors and the gym member immediately bows.

"Master."

The old man is the master of the gym. His aura and body language show his confidence in his ability and the respect of those around him make it clear he is strong. The old man walks up to Demo with a smile and stands in front of him and looks him up and down.

"We are here to teach people. And I don't remember making that rule that you have to be able to use H.R."

The gym member raises his head and with doubt in his voice he speaks.