The Newbie Is Too Strong's
167. The Day Before the Debut of the Newbie
That morning for some reason, I visited the club room before I was about to enter the classroom.
As expected, the dark room with no one there about the morning is the time of student learning so that each member of the club will still be busy with their respective classes.
Or at least that's what I thought,
As soon as I turned on the light of the room, I saw a figure slouching in the corner of the room.
“Aaaaaaakh!”
I even yelled out a strange sound, thinking that it was some kind of invisible creature that was intending to disturb mankind, but when I looked carefully at that figure, I looked up, apparently it was Senior Areka.
“Luca, what are you doing at the club this early in the morning?”
Ask that Senior to me.
“No, no, Senior. It is precisely I who should ask, what does Senior do in this dark place without turning on the lights?”
Senior Areka seemed reluctant to answer my question and turned her face away.
I also looked at that face. Ah, her eyes were reddened, it seemed that she had just cried.
Carefully, I sat down next to him and asked, saying,
“If Senior has a problem, Senior can tell me. Some say, if the problem is told to others, even though the person can not help though, our feelings can at least be a little more relieved after removing our unkempt.”
“Do I look like a pathetic Senior in your eyes to the point of having to receive help from his junior?”
Then as usual, Senior Areka with her tsunderenya nature seemed to firmly refuse my help.
But after knowing him for two months, I was able to understand his character a little bit. I chose not to say anything and just sat with him in the corner of the room.
The atmosphere of silence occurs for a long time.
Then as I expected, Senior Areka also started to open his mouth.
“Hei, Luca. Before your arrival at this school, I was the greatest in this school. But that's all. When we entered the tournament outside of school, I realized that I was nobody. Athletes at three elite schools were far from my reach, and even last year, Andalusia High School also attacked and insulted us. I'm really weak.”
“So so, Senior feels depressed for feeling weak.”
“…”
It seems that my words were right on target. Senior Areka also seemed reluctant to say anything.
“If it is weak, why not just keep practicing? Nothing's gonna change with us sitting still. And even if it doesn't work, that's where our limits are. Why be sad because of that? Above the sky there is still the sky. That is how humans are weak in principle. However, is it not the feeling of weakness and inferiority that makes man like man?”
“You talk like that as if you were ever in a weak position.”
“Of course you have, Senior. Compared to Uncle Heisel and Brother Keporin, I am nothing.”
“That, isn't that the name of the game character who already helped us on your first level ascension exam quest first? Why are you talking as if they are living beings?”
I sighed for a moment. However, I am not upset by Senior Areka's words that do not consider both Uncle Heisel and Brother Keporin are human beings who live like him. That's understandable. For Senior Areka, the existence of Gardenia is just a game without realizing that it is a world from another dimension.
“The bottom line, do not be depressed if there are people stronger than us. That's natural. It can be upset, but it should not make us feel inferior. Precisely, with so many people who are much stronger than us, we will feel more challenged to improve our abilities and become more enthusiastic in practicing.”
Hearing my answer, I saw the corner of Senior Areka's mouth slightly off. She smiles. Thankfully, his expression became much better.
Said the senior with a big smile on his face, but instead of being happy, I was even a little disgusted about this the first time I saw a senior who usually judges actually smiled widely like that. But of course I did not reveal it in front of him and just smiled back at him. After all, Senior Areka was still a good senior.
Day by day, time is approaching the competition schedule.
I also busied myself with routines to train to become stronger.
During the day, I practiced a match game with Mr. Syarifuddin for about five rounds.
In the afternoon, I also took physical training with Brother Silvia until night.
And in the evening, at the kindness of the Emperor's brother, I was able to train with the commander of his trusted main force, Sir Hendric Albatarma in Gardenia, or rather in the Imperial Palace of Lalania, the imperial capital, the city, Allidra Ekin's.
Of course I also always stand by if there will be zombies that attack. However, lately since approaching the race, there seems to be none of the strange activities of the evil necromancers and their zombies.
It was a relief, but in another sense, it made me even more nervous about what else they were planning, like the calm that occurred before the storm.
But overall, it can be said that everything went according to what was expected. And that's something to be grateful for.
However, the surprise came 2 days before the competition, precisely that on Saturday before the arrival of the weekend holiday.
“Halo friends. I am a new student at this school. My name is Lia Wijayakusuma. Greetings know.”
Lia and Brother Andra suddenly moved to our school. Lia moved to my class, while Kak Andra moved to Kak Raia and Kak Nina's classes.
That day, all eyes were on me. How not, Lia was so attached to me all along at school. Of course I am happy with his pampered attitude towards me. As a girlfriend, it was the greatest gift. It's just, I'm not comfortable with the gaze of the other children who seem to be perforating my head.
The last training time at the club came before the competition. The Coach asked us to take full breaks during Sunday to relax our muscles so that we can be more maximal in the competition that will be held from Monday, the next two days.
Just like the others, I was heading to the club that day to train. But as I expected, their gazes had become strange to me ever since they saw Lia clinging to me.
I don't have a problem with any of that. But that's where Robby said something out of bounds. Although senior, he should not say such an out-of-bounds thing.
“Hei, Luca. Isn't he Lia and Andra from the Silver Hero High School Team of Eden Foundation?”
“Iya, that's right, brother. Lia and Kak Andra just moved to SMA Pelita Harapan this morning.”
“Is this okay? Why would they suddenly move at times approaching UTS like this? What if the Eden Foundation High School wants to spy on us?”
“Stop! That's not polite, Brother!” Being consumed by anger, I also shouted harshly in front of Brother Robby.
Well, even if it was all also his fault for such evil words. How could Lia be such a person?! I'm really pissed at him. However, because of my actions, the atmosphere of the club immediately became awkward. Frankly, this is not good when the competition is in sight.
Thankfully, Lia with her gentle and wise attitude with the help of Kak Yurika was able to overcome it all and instantly melt the atmosphere.
Then an unexpected event happened. Take advantage of the existence of two pro players who have set foot in the world level e-sport vrmmorpg competition and even managed to win the champion of five team competitions there, the club members one by one submit a request to train the match.
Lia and Brother Andra received it with joy.
But of course, none of the club members can beat them. That is our current gap against pro players who have spread their wings to the world level.
Among the club members, as always, Senior Areka, Kak Inggar, and Egi were the most excited among them. Unlike Kak Inggar and Egi who focus on Kak Andra, Senior Areka understands that between the two, Lia is the greatest so Senior Areka prefers to challenge Lia.
Nevertheless, the cleric Lia was able to easily break through the defense of Senior Areka's shield using only his standard moves. And that made Senior Areka seem very depressed, especially Lia's age was actually two years younger than her.
But I'm sure that Senior Areka is a powerful athlete. This would not be the thing that would break his spirit. Instead, this will further spur him to develop to a higher level.