Strange and Unknown

Battle Beginnings

     Y'know, I just realized something. I have no idea how to fight. Well, I mean, Number Wars is coming up, yet I have no fighting experience, apart from the encounter with Willow and Tatseudo. Even then, I didn't even fight them. Not being able to fight is a huge weakness in a game like number wars, at least, I think it is.

I need to review what I know. First, the objective of NW is to never reveal your number. So far, only Erin knows my number, and even then, it's only one of the ten digits. I don't know how they'll get people to reveal their number, so many there will be an announcement regarding this. Normally, it would probably be outsmarting the participants for their number, but if it were like that, then there would be no need to NL's, right? NL are mostly used for combat or understanding the brain, and with Sir Progras' NL, it has nothing to do with brains. So maybe, just maybe, combat may be involved.

Thinking like this in my hotel room is exhausting. I need some more fresh air. I get up and leave the room, making sure I have the key card. I don't want to get locked out again and wait for the maid to come at 12:00AM. Heading to the elevator, I whip out my phone, unlock it, and call Erin. The phone rings for a little, before she picks up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me. You mind if I head to your house, or if you could meet me at a park nearby?"

"Wait, you already finished the work our reading teacher assigned?"

"Yeah, the one regarding why certain books are so popular?"

"Yeah, can you help me on it, I'll meet you at my house if you do."

"Yeah sure, alright bye."

"Cya."

Well, guess I'm helping Erin with her work. Dashing out of the elevator and out of the lobby, I cross the street, before seeing a sign that says, "Taekwondo Lessons! $150 a month!" I pause, and continue reading.

"Ever wanted to get stronger and healthier quickly? Come on down to King's Dojo today! Located around Pancake Ln., lessons are 1 hour!"

Hmm, I guess I'll head down after I'm done meeting with Erin. But, $150?! I wonder if I can use the "sponsorship" I have to pay for that. I should figure out how to contact Sir Progras. I rip the sign off the pole, and continue walk, before breaking out into a run. I need to train my endurance too, now that I think about it. If it really will be a fight, then having a good amount of stamina will be necessary.

WHY DID I JUST RUN THREE MILES WITHOUT PACING MYSELF. Wheezing, I lay on the ground next to Erin's house, the golden rays of the sun shining directly into my eyes. I swing my arm right over my eyes in an attempt to cover my eyes, since blinding myself using my NL doesn't seem like a good idea. I mean, wouldn't that still injure my eyes if I were still looking up. I take out my phone, which doesn't strain my breath too much. I attempt to unlock without looking, which fails, so, I have to use my phone to block the sun while unlocking it. I then text Erin, saying something like "BRING A WATER BOTTLE AND A STRETCHER. I'M TIRED, IM OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR." Moments later, I hear a door opening, and footsteps. Something hits the side of my ribs, and I start coughing.

"YO, WHY THE H*LL ARE YOU LYING ON THE GROUND? DOES THIS LOOK LIKE A HOBO SHELTER TO YOU?" Erin barks, throwing a water bottle on the ground.

"I'm tired...gimme a break, I ran all the way over here 3 miles straight." I hear her slap something, probably her head, before hearing a sigh. I see a hand grab the bottle.

"Here, drinking it. Little sips." I do as I'm instructed, and begin regaining my energy. I sit up, and begin thinking again. Ok, so if I continue to do this training everyday, I should be able to do well in a fight or running away. But, what if the other participants come to the same conclusion that I did. That there'll probably be a fight for the number, and they start training for themselves. Then, I should probably train more than normal.