Chapter 7: An Unfortunate Encounter

Several years passed like this. Day by day, I could sense improvement within myself. I got stronger, faster; my ability to adapt to changes increased and I had made almost all the goals I had originally set for myself. I thought I could call myself strong now.

I was wrong.

A man showed up the next day that tweaked my memory. I thought back to the police station incident...

"I'm Baldor, and uh...you must be Train Heartnet. Let me introduce you to Heimdall, my partner," Baldor said.

Baldor! Right, that was his name.

"Fine, fine. Come back in a few years. You can TRY to kill him then," Karl said, winking at me.

I didn't think he would possibly be coming here looking for a rematch, but somehow, I was ready. I wanted to see the pain on his face. I wanted to...beat him.

"Where's the kid?" Baldor's voice rang from downstairs.

Karl chuckled, "Upstairs, but I wouldn't shout if I were you. Train-kun gets in a bad mood if he wakes up early."

"I want that kid now, Karl," Baldor said.

I was about to enjoy myself. I loaded my gun and quickly swept the door open.

"Ah! Here he comes now," Karl said, "but you'll be sorry for waking him up."

"What? I don't even hear.." Baldor started...

A split fraction of a second later, I had jumped from the balcony on the second floor down to the first, sleeping a wake a leaves in my trail. The wind blew as I held him at gunpoint.

"You wanted me?"

Baldor started to laugh.

"Haha. You've improved, you piece of trash," Baldor said, leaping back from me.

"Um...hold on, can I get through here?" Karl asked.

And we both waited patiently until he was back inside his house. After that, it was war.

I got cocky, after catching him unaware.

"Mind if I kill you?"

"Not really, because that won't be a concern. In fact, I was going to ask you the same thing," Baldor said.

"Not a problem."

I wasn't concerned about dying right now. I didn't think I would.

He made the first move. He swung Heimdall around, aiming for my head.

"Let's hear it crack," he said.

It was way too slow for me, personally, I dodged by rolling to the right without a problem, shooting a few bullets as I moved. Baldor drew Heimdall back and knocked the bullets aside.

"Is that all, kid?" Baldor taunted, "you haven't improved at all."

I'd show him. The battle raged on. I could sense that with each stroke, he started moving faster and faster. I didn't feel tired yet, but I could sense that my movements were slowing down slowly. I was still able to keep up with him, but I didn't want him to sense that I was slowing.

"Your movements are slowing, kid," he said.

Darn. That plan failed. He, on the other hand, seemed to be more energized after toying with me. That was when I realized something important.

He was just toying with me.

He didn't even use his full strength yet.

No, he was testing mine.

The world suddenly became very small, so very small. It felt like I was confined in a box, and that my growth was confined there too. It shattered all how I had.

I thought I was stronger.

I thought I could have beaten him.

I thought that I would even stand a chance.

I was wrong.

That sudden realization hit me hard. I was insignificant and small in this world. I didn't know what I should have done. Years of practicing got me nowhere. I wanted more challenges, to meet new people.

What else was I suppposed to do?

I ran off in the middle of our battle. I had nothing to live for.

"Train, wait!" Karl called.

I didn't look back, didn't want to. I didn't want to feel that I was weaker than anybody in this world.

Truthfully, I wanted to be the best.