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Ren wasn't a stranger to the so-called 'transmigrator's gift package,' which includes, but is not limited to, being sent to another world (one that they're familiar with), being an orphan, transmigrating into the body of characters they know, and having a cheat-like gift to smoothen out the transmigrator's journey.
Well, it just so happens that Ren was a transmigrator sent into a world he's familiar with, transmigrated to a side character, and an orphan!
And with...whatever that was earlier, if that turns out to be his cheat, well, he could confidently say that he had received the whole and complete package.
Tok Tok Tok!
Ren was woken out of his musings by a rhythmic knock on his door.
He stood up and opened it to reveal a tall, wide, but gentle-looking man sporting a soft smile on his face that had a scar running horizontally across it. His eyes were kind and wrinkled at their corners. The hairs on his temple were already graying out, and the man was sporting a neatly trimmed beard.
Seeing him, a name flashed on Ren's memory, coupled with mostly fond recollections.
"Uncle Mike!"
"Man, what up, kid? How are you?"
Ardan Mikel Vire, the brother of Ren's deceased mother and one of the very few people who truly cared about Ren's well-being.
Oh, he's also the Clan Leader of the Banished Arms Clan.
"I'm alright. Please, come in. Do you need me to do anything?"
Ren sounded reserved, an act not because he was being watched, but because this has always been how he interacted with his uncle. If Ren becomes too boisterous, too active, and shows too much change now, Mikel will be suspicious, and that's the last thing Ren wants right now.
"Didn't I say that you were supposed to come to me first after you've had your Initiation Ceremony?" Mikel asked with a raised brow.
"Oh, um..." Ren scratched his head.
Honestly, he had forgotten about that.
Well, to be fair, his uncle told him this yesterday, and last night was when Ren's memories were awakened. He had been overwhelmed since, so it's only normal for him to be so occupied that he'd forget things.
But obviously, Mikel didn't know that, so...
Sigh...
Mikel stared at his nephew and felt his heart sinking. Ever since Ren's parents died, Ren had completely become aloof, avoidant, and reclusive.
As one of the few remaining relatives he had, it's Mikel's duty to watch over him, and while the kid was never one to give him a headache or cause too many problems, Ren's eyes were too dull and lifeless, as if he were just a walking corpse. Honestly, it scares Mikel sometimes.
This is why, even with his busy schedule, he makes it a point to visit this one. Who knows what will happen if Ren were to be left alone to simmer on his own thoughts?
"It's forget it," Mikel waved his hand. "So, how was it? Did you awaken a good physique?"
Instead of answering, Ren just handed him his certificate, which functions as his diploma too.
Mikel looked at it and whistled; "Common Grade 1? Whew! Not bad, kid! The Inhuman Realm is very possible!"
Ren took a glance at Mikel's eyes and could immediately tell that he was faking it. Not in a malicious or mocking way, but feigned surprise.
Although Ren couldn't exactly recall if Mikel ever made an appearance in the novel, he knew that details about his initiation ceremony had already been sent and seen by Mikel before Ren even got home.
How did he know that? Because it's every prep school's duty to inform the parents or guardians of the students to do so.
Ren could also discern, from the memories of this life, that this result was within Mikel's expectations; therefore, he wasn't surprised.
"Well, now that you've graduated from prep school...do you have any plans?" Mikel asked.
Seriously, he's struggling a bit here. It's always been difficult to make this kid talk. He avoids people so much, like he's allergic to them. It's always been a struggle to keep connected with this child.
If he weren't so sensible and independent, Mikel would start becoming worried.
Ren didn't speak for quite some time. But he put on a face as if he were deliberating what to say.
"Practicing martial arts is a given," he stated after a while. "But if I could also learn healing arts, that would be cool."
Mikel looked at Ren as if he's trying to see through him. This went on for a bit before he sighed and said:
"Well, if that's what you want, I'll arrange it."
Then, Mikel's eyes hardened a bit, and the aura of a superior—a Clan Leader—started leaking out from him, pressing down on Ren's body.
"But you understand what this means, right?" He asked, as if trying to confirm Ren's resolve. "Our clan...you know what we have to deal with, right?"
"You've seen your elders all over the training grounds, sweating buckets, gritting their teeth, experiencing extreme pain under the harsh glare of the sun each passing day...before dragging their tired bodies and exhausted souls to the halls to help with whatever they can for the clan."
"Are you sure you're ready to join them? Are you prepared to experience hell the same way they do?"
Ren inhaled sharply. Honestly, Mikel, at his current state, was truly intimidating. It's like he's standing before a titan looking down on an ant like him.
The pressure was immense, but not enough to make him collapse. But Ren also knew that Mikel was holding back. Being elected as the Clan Leader ensures that he's no normal individual.
Ren looked at Mikel's arm and saw the same dense sleeve tattoo he had on his arms as well.
The Banished Arms Clan...they don't bear this name for no reason.
In the Initiation Ceremony, the operators said that he had a Common Grade 1 Martial Physique. That's not wrong, but that's not all of it either.
In truth, Ren had another physique, and so does everybody in this clan.
That Martial Physique is of the abberant kind, something called the 'Banished Arsenal Martial Physique'.
Having this physique means that the owner of this physique will gain a 30-50% bonus on their physical attributes each time they break through to a new martial arts realm.
But, in exchange, the owner of this physique was now forever banned from using anything that is identified by the world system as a 'weapon.' Meaning that swords, spears, bows and arrows, warhammers, and even firearms could no longer be used.
If the owner of this physique forces the issue, lacerations will start appearing on their arms. The longer they hold a weapon, the more lacerations will appear. If they start killing with weapons, the cuts will go deeper and deeper until their arms are sliced off.
At that point, even limb restoration or limb regenaration will no longer have and effect on them.
That is the curse that burdens the owners of the Banished Arsenal Physique. That is why it is called an 'Abberant Martial Physique'.
And the home of those who this physique is the Banished Arms Clan - the same on Ren found himself into. The curse was the real deal, he tested it last night.
With all of this said, it's no wonder why Mikel was testing Ren's resolve. He's the clan leader, how can he not know what kind of suffering and danger his clan's youth had to endure just to make it out there?
The road of martial arts was never a friendly one. Not in the past, not now, and probably not ever. Especially for people like them.
"I get it, Uncle," Ren replied softly. "I really do. But if I don't practice martial arts, what am I supposed to do? This world is particularly cruel to the weak."
"The pain will come whether I like it or not. At least in this way, I choose how it comes; I won't be surprised. So yes, I'll do it, Uncle. I'll make it...hopefully, somehow."
Anybody else would most likely doubt Ren's resolve after hearing his reply, and they can't be blamed for that. After all, he sounds forced to deal with this.
But Mikel watched this kid grow up. He knows Ren's tendencies, and one of them was that Ren won't recklessly make any promises. If he said that he's going to try, he is going try. You won't see him half-ass anything. He tries his best to keep his word even though he has his own ideas.
'Honestly, this is probably for the best,' Mikel sighed inwardly before dispersing his presence.
"Alright. If you say so."
Then, Mikel handed him a badge before saying, "Read up for a week first before starting your training. This badge will allow you access to everything in the clan's Martial Hall."
"After a week, your training begins in earnest, and there will be no turning back. If you ever change your mind, come to me and I'll arrange something for you, okay?"
"Mn." Ren nodded.
Mikel ruffled Ren's hair before leaving.
Ren closed the door behind him, clutching the badge as if it were a lifeline. A helpless look appeared on his face as he muttered:
"Not like I have a choice, really. This world is extremely cruel and vile to the lazy."