Chapter 27: A True Support
The team met up in the evening and together they walked towards the “happy mile”, an area of shops, restaurants and bars. It promised to be a clear, starry night and all places were packed. Kou had reserved some seats and they found themselves in the middle of a full restaurant. It was a varied crowd with soldiers, civilians and some exotic people who were class holders. You can always tell class holders from normal people. They have a different air around them and tend to check the room and new people for potential threats. Marcus was just the same.
They ate very good food and Marcus dared to have something local that burned half his mouth away. He started to learn more about his companions but most just confirmed his first impression. Mason was loud, Achara was silent, Kou was constantly tense and Ms. Russell always had a faint smile on her face and did not seem to mind the whole situation. Over the evening Marcus saw Kou shooting glances at Achara and a small demon on his shoulder, who looked suspiciously like Janette, whispered in his ear. He did not want to get involved in a romantic drama but it was hard not to listen to the little demon.
Marcus himself found it hard to relax. He had never been the social type and the time in Helsinki had only reinforced that. The loud and busy restaurant was just too much for him, he thought back at the common room with just a few people talking and chilling. “NO WAY, Marcus you are only 19 years old?” Achara seemed shocked. “I thought you were at least my age! You look so mature.” Marcus shrugged his shoulders “It is because I’m big, people think I’m older.” But Achara gave him a look he could not really understand and the evening continued.
It was after 11 when he did take his leave, pointing out he had a long journey. The truth was he just wanted to go home and think. He walked for a few minutes until suddenly Achara was next to him. “Hi Marcus.” He gasped but got his cool back. “I decided to go to bed too.” She gave him a smile and sirens started to go off in Marcus’ head.
Achara was a pretty young woman, with a typical lean Asian body type supported by athletic training but Marcus did not feel any attraction to her, for some reason. The last thing he needed now was a three way love drama in the team. “Do you know that joke: The lowest and second lowest ranked class meet on the street…” she said and after a pause “.. but I don’t know the punch line.” Marcus felt massive relieve, the conversation was going in a much better direction.
“Are you really a Fighter? I looked up some videos in the web and Fighters usually look more like wannabe Berserker.” Marcus nodded, that was true. Most Fighters try to go a strength, dexterity route and wield some big weapon to produce enough damage. “I do things a bit differently. My way.” He just smiled and they continued without talking for a while. “My ability is only good for scouting. The best I can hope for is to get one of the few spots for scouts in a decent clan.” She said looking at her own shoes. “I believe all classes have potential you just need understand them correctly and work hard.” Marcus said after thinking a bit. They reached the dorms and said good night, the woman seemed to be in deep thought and Marcus was very happy that there would be no problem between them.
Next morning, Marcus was indulging a large breakfast as Kou joined him. They had their own small kitchen and the team leader made some eggs. “Did you meet Achara last night? You two seemed to get along well.” Kou said after sitting down. “I’m not interested.” Marcus said without looking up.”What? Interested in talking to me?” Kou was instantly super tense and Marcus took a breath. “I’m not interested in her. You don’t need to worry about me.” he said and finally looked into the blushing face of Kou.
“Is it that obvious?” Marcus nodded and Kou buried his face in his hands embarrassed. “Do you think she knows?” his voice sounded pressed and Marcus thought what he should say. “I do not know either of you, but no matter if she knows or not. You should work out what you want and tell her once you are ready. Stop worrying all the time, women like men of action.” WHERE is that all coming from Marcus thought. But then he remembered speeches like this from Janette and her influence on him was growing. I’m possessed by a demon I should find an exorcist!
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“Ahh I’m pathetic, asking for advise from somebody who is much younger than me and knows me for just one day. But thank you Marcus, I will take it to heart.” Kou said with a weak smile and they continued their breakfast. After this awkward situation the air between them seemed better. Him knowing I’m not trying to go for his girl really made him calm down, Marcus thought and ate a final bowl of cereals.
Marcus showed up, like always, to training in his armor. Mason, Ms. Russell and Kou had various training suits but to Marcus’ surprise Achara wore her full kit. A light armor, a compact automatic rifle, pistol and a short sword. “Train as you fight.” she said and just took position. They warmed up and started individual training (Ms. Russell did yoga btw.). Kou approached Marcus “What kind of supports have you worked with until now?” and Marcus explained the team setup of the Finland team. Kou looked honestly shocked “You have been tanking without a support until now?” Marcus was not sure why this was strange, the whole team had been working without a support class.
“Okay, then we will start from scratch.” Kou said with a determined look.
Marcus got to know a completely different Kou. Once they were working, the man became a determined and smart teacher. He explained the basics of support work and also showed Marcus his abilities. “First of all. I support you and also the rest of the team depending the circumstances. Do not worry about me unless I tell you so. I’m your support and it is my job to make your job easier or even possible. Now for my first trick…”
He took out a small tennis ball and threw it to Marcus who tried to catch it. In the middle of the air the ball suddenly changed directions and fell back into Kou’s waiting hand. “I can manipulate the direction of movement of people and objects as long as I can see them and they are not too large.” Marcus loved this and Kou looked satisfied. “Now try to punch me.” Marcus threw a basic jab but his aim was off and hit only air. “I can do that too but the higher the strength the harder it is.” Marcus could see how this would be helpful in many scenarios.
“That was my first ability. My second one is more straining and I’m not that good at it yet.” As Kou said it, Marcus lost the ground under his feet floating a few centimeters in the air. “It is basically telekinesis besides that if follows same rules as with my first ability.” He let Marcus down and they started to discuss strategy and combos. When they came to testing Anchor a problem popped up. “If you have Anchor going I can not properly move you, it is like I’m loosing my grip all the time. If you fall into a snake pit you better shut it off.” Kou said and then he explained why a snake pit, because Marcus didn’t get it. “You lack important education Marcus, I will introduce you to Indiana Jones. Vintage movies are the best.”, “I think it is time for a break and some food.” Mason stopped the two in the middle of their discussion.
Marcus enjoyed a large meal in the general cafeteria of the base. Kou had turned out to be amazing, not only his abilities but also the speed of his decision making and adaptation. Marcus now realized that Kou was very intelligent, something that was buried under a thick layer of awkward and nervous tension. The more they talked and the more Kou opened up to him the more positive Marcus became about his team leader and the team.
“You are really smart.” Kou said to Marcus who suddenly did not know what to say. “I’m not stupid, but I’m not that smart either.” Marcus answered. “It is because I’m big that peo-” but Kou stopped him. “You are really smart, I can tell because I’m smart too.” Who was this confident man and what had he done to Kou? Marcus was dumbfounded.
“We just started support training this morning and you have already grasped the most important points. I was worried we would not be able to work together well before we set out but now I feel we will be an awesome team. Has nobody ever told you that you are smart before?” Kou said leaning back on his chair enjoying a cold soda. Marcus thought about his answer. “I spent a lot of time thinking so that might be the cause, but I’m not “smart” I have known smart people. I know the difference.” after he said that he realized he opened up a difficult topic.
“And who were these smart people.” Kou dug deeper, his dark eyes fixated on Marcus. “My parents and their coworkers. Foremost my father.” Marcus said, vocalizing things he had not put into words for many years. “Your father?” Kou was relentless. “Hmm, he is a scientist too. Reinhardt Freimann.” Marcus said while trying to clean up his plate even more to stay busy. Cling. Some cutlery dropped on the floor next to him. A man with a few too many kilos on his ribs had dropped his knife and Marcus recognized him now as one of the scientists in the team.
“I knew the name Freimann was familiar but I just did not connect you with Professor Freimann. You are his son?” Marcus nodded like a piece of wood. The man, who introduced himself as Malcom, was over the moon and quickly went to tell the rest of the team the news. Kou watched him “Difficult topic?” Marcus nodded and Kou did not ask further. From that moment on the science team greeted Marcus enthusiastically when ever they saw him. The next day Kou walked up to him before training “I looked up your father and I can tell you, if you take him as your standard then we all are morons. You are smart, your father is just a genius.” after this Kou did not mention Marcus’ father again.
