As the two boys made their way back to the living room, Mako placed his holoscreen on the small coffee table and activated its hologram feature, which began to display a high-definition holographic video.
The video showed a compilation of a couple of different journalists, each narrating their experience when they were given the opportunity to report that year's recruitment challenges.
Apparently, there was no fixed test or mission, as every year the test was different. Each year, it would be held at a different location, with different rules and ways to pass the test. As the two boys continued to watch the video, the video transitioned to statistics as each journalist gave their report on a multitude of different subjects.
{Successful recruitment from Emerald City in the year 3099}
"Out of the 2000 or so students who were qualified enough to even participate in the recruitment test from Emerald City, only 80 were accepted into the program, as the percentage of successful recruitment this year is only 4 percent." A female journalist who had beautiful blonde hair and a geometric face announced.
"Wait, wait, wait.... did she just say what I think she just said?!" Bill exclaimed as he paused the video that was currently being played.
Mako had already seen this video countless times, so it didn't cause him that much of a shock, but the same couldn't have been said for Bill. He could not get around such a small number, considering the number of people that he knew who were extremely strong.
Mako had to explain to Bill that most of the people he knew who were strong were gangsters and associates of the mafia, so they obviously wouldn't be appearing in the recruitment test.
He also explained that people were only limited to legally buying Level 3 ability books, but that doesn't mean that it was the peak.
Most candidates who were even considered to participate in the recruitment test possessed two abilities, while a rare few with very strong bloodlines and background possessed three abilities. Some had pushed limits and achieved in obtaining a level 4 ability on their own.
Both of them understood the massive difference in power level between a level 2 and a level 3 ability user, so they couldn't imagine how strong a level 4 ability user would be against a level 3 ability user. Level 4s were considered too dangerous by the government to even exist within normal society, as just the aura emitted by a level 4 ability user could suffocate a powerless person.
There were also other candidates, similar to Bill, who had undergone intense combat training since they were young, giving them a significant edge in hand-to-hand combat scenarios.
There were also other things to consider, such as power weapons and armor, which were also legal in the recruitment test; a person with a high proficiency in using power weapons was still a great threat even if they didn't have strong abilities.
Mako always knew that he would never be able to actually take part in the recruitment test and would just have to enter through the volunteer program.
The volunteer program accepted anyone willing to serve without any assessment. It was also where most of the recruitment tests' failures ended up. Entering military school through the volunteer program meant that you would start at the lowest rank with minimal resources being allotted to you, and you would have to claw your way up every step of the way to make it anywhere within the military food chain.
However, that was before Mako discovered the system and advanced so much in just a month. Now, all he had to do was keep this insane rate of progression going, and he was confident that he would be able to participate in the recruitment test.
Bill, however, considering his current strength level and the amount of time left before the recruitment test, was losing hope of ever making it through and becoming an official military student like he had always aspired to be, just like his own father.
Mako was quick to sense Bill's morale go down, so in order to console him and give him some hope, he began explaining his plan that he had been cooking up the entire day.
"First, get what you need from the stash at school and meet me at the bakery around 6 a.m. when my shift ends. I'll introduce you to Sir Derek and you can work there from morning till afternoon to earn some money while I'm at school," Mako said, laying out the rough sketch of their new routine.
Once their daytime plans were sorted, Mako shifted gears and began explaining what he had in mind for the nights.
"Do you know where they hold those illegal fights?" Mako asked carefully, fully aware that the topic was still a raw wound for Bill.
Bill's expression darkened, but he gave a slow nod. "Yeah. They cycle through a few locations without a set pattern to avoid getting caught. I know some of the spots they favor... Why do you ask?"
"Perfect," Mako said, his tone sharpening with purpose. "Here's the deal: we need to get stronger, and for that, we need money. Most of the candidates who passed the recruitment test either had two abilities or one ridiculously powerful one. Right now, we have neither."
He leaned in slightly. "I'm suggesting we hit those underground fights at night. We can earn cash, build strength, and use the money to buy another ability book. It'll boost our chances. Since half the people there probably know your face, we'll go in disguised so that they won't be able to recognize you."
Bill immediately rejected the idea. The thought of stepping back into that brutal world made his stomach twist. But after a couple of minutes of stubborn back-and-forth, Bill finally sagged into his chair, letting out a long, worn-out sigh.
Even though Bill had a ton of good reasons why they shouldn't even consider this as an option, he couldn't disagree with Mako's reasoning either, as there was no way they could afford another ability book on a pastry chef's payroll. They needed to earn some serious cash and fast, if they ever hoped to pass the recruitment test.
"...Fine. But we're doing it my way."
Once everything was said and done, Bill grabbed a bag and left for school to collect the last of his hidden belongings while Mako began making his way to the bakery to start his night shift.
************
Mako arrived at the bakery right on time and got straight to work. Ever since the duel incident with Bill, his relationship with Sir Derek had noticeably improved. The old man still barked orders, but there was a mutual respect growing between them.
As Mako folded layers of butter into dough, preparing a fresh batch of croissants, he mentioned to Sir Derek that a friend of his might be stopping by that morning looking for work.
Sir Derek didn't bat an eye. "Fine by me," he grunted. "Most kids don't last long anyway. The crybabies quit the moment I raised my voice. If this one can take the heat, I'll take the help."
Mako nodded, knowing full well Bill could handle it.
The morning passed quickly, and just as Mako was about to head out for school, the bell above the front door jingled. Right on cue, Bill stepped inside.
"Perfect timing," Mako replied, motioning for him to follow. "Come on, I'll introduce you."
He led Bill toward the back, where Sir Derek was kneading dough like it owed him money.
"Sir Derek, this is the friend I mentioned," Mako said, gesturing toward Bill.
Sir Derek looked up and gave Bill a quick once-over. "Well, this one's got some muscle on him, unlike you, Mako," he said in a deep, gravelly tone. "Are you ready to work, boy? There's plenty of heavy lifting to do around here."
Bill had been prepped by Mako for this exact moment. He'd assured him that Sir Derek was all bark, but as the baker's intense gaze bore into him, Bill couldn't help but get cold feet.
"Alright! I'll leave you two to it!" Mako shouted as he left Bill alone with Sir Derek.
'Mako, I swear to God, if I am alive till the afternoon, I'll kill you myself!' Bill cursed Mako in his thoughts as Sir Derek patted Bill on the back a bit too hard.
Bill started to work as one of the cashiers at the bakery just as the morning rush started, while Mako took his usual route through Bird's Eye street, greeting everyone on his way to his high school.
**********
The day flew by faster than Mako expected. Before he knew it, school was over, and he found himself hurrying back to the bakery to meet up with Bill.
He fully expected to find Bill exhausted, maybe even ready to quit, with Sir Derek barking orders at him the way he had on Mako's first day. But when he pushed open the door to the bakery, the scene that greeted him nearly made him trip over his own feet.
There was Bill, serving pastries to a young couple seated at one of the small tables. He looked fresh... too fresh... and composed, moving with ease as if he had been doing this for years. Behind the counter, Sir Derek stood with his arms crossed and... smiling.
ACTUALLY SMILING!
"Mako! Come on in!" Sir Derek called out in his deep, booming voice.
He beckoned Mako over, grinning from ear to ear. "Where did you find this gem of an employee? Best worker I've seen in a long time! Morning rush wasn't even a rush thanks to him. Quick hands and a sharp mind. A natural!"
Bill simply stood beside Mako, taking in the praise with quiet humility.
Mako, on the other hand, was stunned into silence. All through Sir Derek's compliments, and even on the walk back home, he could barely process what he'd witnessed.
"Alright, spill it," Mako finally said, poking Bill in the side. "How in the world did you get on Sir Derek's good side on the first day? That's impossible!"
After a few more rounds of persistent nagging, Bill finally cracked with a chuckle.
"I didn't really do anything special," Bill said. "I just followed his instructions exactly, even when he started yelling and throwing taunts. Honestly, it wasn't that different from the drills my old man used to put me through. Plus..." Bill shrugged a little, smiling faintly. "Being a level 3 ability user helps. I could move faster, lift heavier stuff. I guess he didn't expect me to keep up so easily. It... felt good, you know? To be praised. It's been a long time since someone actually appreciated what I did."
Mako's teasing faded as he listened. His heart softened, realizing how much this small success meant to Bill. He didn't press any further, sensing that today had been more important for Bill than he let on.
Walking back home, Mako suddenly took a right turn leading to a local park. Bill was confused as to why Mako suddenly changed his path.
"Hey? Isn't the house that way?" Bill asked as he caught up to Mako
"Yes, I just need to make a quick extra stop here before we get home," Mako said as the two boys continued their path toward the local park.
**************************
Author's Note: Hey guys! Universal Power System is one of my favorite projects, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. This is my very first work, so expect some amateur writing and a few slips. However, I always try to learn and correct myself so I can create a more coherent narrative. I hope you guys enjoy it. Don't forget to check out my other works!
Come say hi to me on Discord: https://discord.gg/TvjkrdnbE2