Chapter 99: Chapter 98 : Rei Decides

*Step*

“That was a blast…wasn’t it boys?” A jubilant Hana said as she turned to her sons beside her.

The group had just ended their cinematic journey and were making their way out.

“Sure was.” Ralf voiced these words while Rei communicated them via Psi writing

The duo enjoyed their time for sure, especially Rei. Going in, he had been wondering how these movies compared to those in his world. After the showing at the Combat Arena, he had come in with high expectations. Still, Enviso had managed to shatter them with ease.

While the actual narratives of Psi movies weren’t anything mind-blowing from those he watched today, the absurd level of cinematography and production values enabled by Psi, impressed him to no end. It was high quality and unique. Rei preferred them over anything he saw from his old world.

“Though, it would have been much better from the comfort of our own home,” Rei penned in the air.

Ralf nodded at his other self’s words.

The duo was very sensitive, so the constant surveillance was no different than needles constantly prodding at them.

“Hmm,“ Hana pieced together the dots, “I thought your reactions were a bit too stiff, so that’s why. Well, from now on, we can just watch it from home. We’ll be missing out on the cinema snacks though.” Speaking of the delicious devils, her belly began rumbling. “Ah, they’re protesting. Give me five minutes to put down the revolt, wait at the entrance, okay.”

“Sure.”

Saying this, the duo watched as Hana hurried away to the bathroom. Alone, the two fell into discussion.

[[…those Immersion films were a real experience,]] Rei said.

Ralf’s face twisted in disgust at the memory. [[Hey, don’t remind me. That was nasty stuff.]]

Immersion films were a type of film that allowed one to experience a film from a first-person perspective. There were different levels of Immersion films, with the lowest being the usual audio and visual, and the highest level being a near one-to-one experience, akin to stepping into another’s shoes. In such films, one would be able to feel all the sensations that the perspective character was feeling.

It was impressive in concept, but people rarely watched these ‘high-level movies’. One had to be in a certain mindset to appreciate it, and the group certainly hadn’t been when they gave one a try. Three minutes in and they called it quits.

The movie’s opening scene was set in a horse stable. The overwhelming stench of horse dung assaulting their minds made for an unbearable experience, and one that killed their appetite for the next half an hour.

After dialling it back to the lowest level, their enjoyment-metre made a recovery.

Trading thoughts, the duo exited Enviso. As they did, the telepathic link came undone but not before a voice wished them a good day. Now, backs against the pillar, they waited.

[[That was oodles of fun. Can’t wait to watch more. That Immersion film was a dud but did you see they had an Immersion cooking show, that’ll be interesting, right. We’ll be able to copy delicacies from the show….]] Expecting a reply, Ralf let his words hang for a few seconds before prodding at his other self, [[Hey Rei, earth to Rei. What you thinki-]]

[[I’ve decided,]] Rei cut in sharply.

[[Decided? Decided what?]]

[[I’ve decided I’m going to make movies.]]

Baffled initially, Ralf’s heart was then flooded with a wave of excitement and anticipation.

[[That’s great! I can’t wait to see it. Mom will be thrilled too.]]

[[Of course, that’s the whole point,]] Rei replied, matter-of-factly.

Ralf smiled; his other self’s simple desire to impress his loved ones was one that he found both adorable and heart-warming.

[[I see. With the Mental Space, making one will be a piece of cake, and super quick too. So, what type of movie are you going to make first?]]

[[Mmm, the exact movie I’ll choose is still up in the air…but the medium is not.]]

Ralf’s eyes widened as he understood what his other self meant. [[You’re doing it…already?!][

[[Yes, it’s time. This world can’t remain dark forever.]]

[[Ah, you’re truly the better half,]] Ralf conceded without a hint of shame, even wiping his eyes at his other self’s awe-inspiring words. Seconds later, he composed himself and with a serious voice, said, [[Then, go forth and spread the good word. Enlighten this ignorant world to the concepts of truth and justice.]]

[[Will do.]]

Rei’s voice radiated with a sense of duty as he responded. Set alight by his own words, he couldn’t stay idle. Stating his intention, he did a parting salute and shifted to the Mental Space where he immediately began carrying out his sacred mission.

‘Ever the hard worker. I can’t fall behind, I’m Silver after all,’ Ralf gave his cheeks a light slap to remind himself.

“Psyching yourself up for the fight - hmm, where’s Ray?” A frown surfaced on the approaching Hana as she picked up the aura change.

Seeing this, Ralf quickly explained. “He headed back. He’s begun working on something special.”

“Something special?”

Catching the weird inflexion used on the word, Hana’s quirked a brow.

“Yes. He found inspiration, and is going to make a movie.”

Hana’s eyebrows jumped in surprise. “That’s possible?”

Ralf nodded. “Yes, it’s super easy barely an inconvenience.”

Hana’s face broke out into a wry smile. “Really, I imagine most things fall in that vein for you two.”

“As it should, “ Ralf nodded proudly. “We’re geniuses after all,” he turned and headed to the street. “Anyway, let’s get going. I’m sure I’ll have to do an entrance rehearsal or something.”

“Okay.”

The Psi Bike was summoned and boarding it, the pair made their way to the Combat Arena grounds.

***

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Forty minutes later…

Derek glanced over the arsenal before him one last time before nodding. “Two knives, a pistol, a gourd, forty bullets and the equipment from your entrance, okay, everything has been registered without issue,” he said as he turned to Ralf, leaning against a nearby wall.

“Swell. Anything else to sort out?”

“No, we’ve covered all we needed to. Now, you just have to wait for your match to begin.”

“I see. Then, I’ll sit in the booth till then. See ya.” Ralf left the wall and made his way out of the inspection chamber.

The middle-aged inspector followed Ralf’s departure with a gaze showing both disbelief and pity.

‘I can’t believe they approved his request. He’s definitely skilled but against so many…there’s just no way. This is going to be a real eye-opener, no doubt. Oh well, better here than in the real world.’

Derek shook his head as he thought of the young man’s near future.

“Oh,” Ralf suddenly spoke, “mister, I’m going to win so place everything on me, you’ll definitely win big.”

“Ah, sure. Of course, will do.”

While Derek said this, his tone and the bitter smile on his face spoke of a different intention. In his mind, Ralf was a losing horse.

Ralf smelt the lie in the air but didn’t press on, he just rolled his shoulders and continued on his way.

At the junction, he turned left. Walking a bit, he arrived at the fighter’s lounge. It was a large spacious area, where fighters could wait until their matches began. True to its name, fighters were aplenty.

And in equal quantity, glares, all aimed at a certain earring-wearing youth. This wasn’t the usual treatment newbies got, but for Ralf, they had made an exception.

His ‘arrogance’ had set them off.

Doused in the crowd’s passive aggressiveness, Ralf’s steps remained as light as ever. He took it in stride, donning his usual easy-going demeanour as he made his way to the other end of the room. The nonchalance displayed stroked the crowd’s agitation, and sounds of fists clenching and teeth-gnashing echoed out repeatedly.

Ralf smirked. ‘They’re revved up, excellent. They definitely won’t hold back…who knows, might even get me to break a sweat.’

Reaching the other end, he paused his steps. “Good luck on your fights tonight,” offering these words, he resumed his steps only to add, “you’ll need it,” after a few more steps.

Curses and insults followed in his wake, but this only widened the smile on Ralf’s face.

Continuing onwards, Ralf passed through the front section and made his way to the stands where he joined up with Jeff, Samuel, Greg, Hana, Genise and Joan. In the private booth, the group waited for tonight’s programme to begin, passing the time with chatter.

“You took care of your son for all those years, all alone, you’re a mother among mothers, Hana,” Genise praised.

“Right,” Ralf jumped into the ladies' conversation with his agreement, wrapping his mom up as he did. “She’s the best, the best,” he said as he rubbed his face against Hana’s

Hana smiled wryly in his clutches. “I’m just doing as I should, nothing more, nothing less.”

“Mmm.” Genise watched the two with warm eyes. “How envious, I wish I had a son like Ralf. Mine…he hardly visits haa.”

“Yours?”

Sensing where the conversation was heading, Ralf quickly pulled back and returned his attention to his left. Greg, Jeff, Samuel and Joan; this group of four were currently discussing alcohol preference, a topic that he had even less interest in diving into.

Shifting away, his gaze moved to the quickly filling stands. He immediately noted the difference between now and last night.

‘Hmm...’

Picking up a certain Psi signature, Ralf followed it to its source. In the Duke’s booth, on one of the couches in the back, a white-robed old man, radiating a Rank 7 Telekinetic aura could be found. Eyes shut, he elegantly sipped his tea.

“That’s Sir Walton.” Noting Ralf staring, Samuel informed. “He’s quite the fighter, considered one of Zudrad’s strongest, and the strongest among the White Hawk. He’s one of the Duke’s three personal guards, along with Clark and his granddaughter, Chloe. He’s a frequent fixture here. He’s a battle fanatic, even more than the Duke, and personally oversees many matches. He’ll probably be doing it tonight.”

“Mm, I see. Good to know.”

As his words fell, Vostel’s eyelids opened.

[Good evening and welcome ladies and gentlemen. My name is Vostel, and I’ll be your announcer for this evening’s affairs. Tonight is a special night…no, no, I’m not reading yesterday’s script, I assure you. You’re in for a treat. Tonight, the Combat Arena will welcome something completely unheard of in its five-year-long history. Excited?]

His question sparked a roar from the crowd.

[Haha, me too me too. Okay, as usual, we’ll be saving that for last. For now, let’s get this show on the road.]

Following his words, things followed just as they did last night. The lights were dimmed, introductions were made, there was a minute of betting time and finally, the two fighters went at it. The crowd ate it up, no different than last night, being boisterous and loud.

Ralf and his companions enjoyed the spectacle as well. The battles passed as they usually did, quickly.

There were ten matches scheduled for tonight, with Ralf’s being the tenth one. This was an average number of daily matches for the Combat Arena. Matches lasted around ninety seconds. When adding everything up, it took nearly thirty minutes before Ralf’s turn arrived.

“Looks like I’m up,” Ralf said as Vostel announced the ninth match’s conclusion.

“Finally, the wait’s been doing a number on my heart. Give ‘em hell boy,” Greg said with a toothy smile.

Ralf’s lips curled up. “I’ll do just that,” he stood up. “Don’t forget to bet on me, the payout for this is going to be crazy.”

“I’m betting everything I have. I don’t doubt your victory.” Jeff’s eyes shone in a zealous light as he voiced.

“Me too, I have no doubts,” Samuel added.

‘No doubts huh? I’d like to see if that changes when the details are revealed.’

Not lingering on the thought, Ralf made his way out, sent off by the group’s words of encouragement.

Disappearing off, the group waited with bated breath, counting the seconds down in their head. Their surging anticipation and impatience was something that the audience could relate to. They had been promised something special and eagerly awaited its delivery.

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