My Watch System

And he counterattacks with his sword, stabbing the creature, but it dodges, causing only a superficial cut. "You damn bastard, looks like I underestimated you. This won't happen again. I didn't expect to have to use this," the creature says. It then makes a gesture with its hands, closes its eyes, concentrating, and begins to emanate a purple aura resembling smoke. Mike, being quick-witted, notices something's wrong and thinks, "Damn, something's wrong, I need to attack fast." Mike charges at the creature and strikes downward in a seemingly fatal blow. However, before his blade can touch his opponent, he hears, "Mana increase," and is thrown back. The creature exudes a purple aura, and its eyes shine brighter than the moon. The boy, startled, gets up, slightly injured but ready for battle. The creature then speaks, "Prepare to die," and advances with surprising speed. Mike then chants, 

"WATER BARRIER" 

A massive water barrier rises between them. But as he calms himself, the creature cuts through the barrier with its blade and strikes Mike's leg. In excruciating pain, Mike falls to the ground, causing the barrier to fall as well. Terrified, the boy doesn't know what to do and simply watches his impending death. The creature gets closer, mocking Mike, "Boy, boy, boy, you still have much to learn. Well, you would have had, hahahaha." It raises its blade, and just as it's about to strike the boy, a sound is heard. 

"WHOOSH" 

The creature is hit by a water arrow to the chest. In pain and confusion, it starts looking around and exclaims, "It's YOU, DAMN FOX." Before it can react, 

"WHOOSH" 

Another arrow strikes its knee. The creature collapses to the ground, asking, "H-How? I didn't feel your mana," and suddenly Kitsune teleports in front of it. "You fought well, Mike, but I didn't expect the Mimic to be your first opponent." Mike shouts, "Kitsune! I'm glad you're here!" Kitsune looks at him and smiles. "We'll talk later. Now, I'll deal with this inferior creature." The Mimic, furious, responds, "Y-you damn... I curse you, y-you're the worst I've ever seen. A beast!" Kitsune grabs the arrow that struck the Mimic and removes it, causing more pain. In its last breath, the Mimic cries out, "Boy, listen to me. You need to listen. I don't wish this on even my worst enemy. It was... f-for..." Kitsune then rips its head off, cutting off the creature's speech. A loud, thunderous sound echoes, only for Mike to hear, and suddenly, he hears, 

[NEW ABILITY UNLOCKED, MANA INCREASE] 

His wristwatch increases in size, emitting a loud red signal, as if configuring the new ability, and then returns to normal. 

Kitsune approaches Mike, seeing that he is injured, and asks, "Are you okay, kid? Let's go home. I'll take care of that wound." Mike smiles and responds, "I've never felt better..." before passing out. Kitsune then picks him up and teleports to the training area, placing him on the bed and performing an improvised bandage. "Well, this should do," she says, then goes to sleep herself. 

The next day, Mike wakes up to find Kitsune fishing by the stream. Feeling some pain, he gets up and walks toward her. As he approaches, she asks, "I see you're finally awake. You're feeling better after all these days." Mike responds, "D-days?" "Yes, you've been in a coma for two days and two nights. I was starting to get worried. The blade was poisoned, so that's why you slept so long. You're strong, boy. Anyone else would've died." Still confused, Mike looks at the campfire and sees a perfectly grilled fish, devouring it without hesitation. After eating, he asks Kitsune, "Well, it seems you knew him, right? You called him a Mimic? What was he, and what were his abilities?" 

"Well, since you're curious, I can explain," Kitsune responds. "He was an old companion. We called him the Mimic because of his ability to copy the appearance of those he defeated and use it freely, like he did with you, I assume?" Mike recalls and answers, "Yes, from what I remember, I saw a person, a girl I think, hurt and bleeding. I lowered my guard and went to help her." Kitsune looks at him with a furious glare. "I already told you, idiot, in this forest, you can't trust anyone unknown. Everything can kill you." Mike lowers his head, accepting the criticism, and apologizes. 

"Continuing, the Mimic revealed his true form, right? He's an ancient creature that lives in these lands, many don't even know its origin. But he feeds on everything he sees, especially easy prey. I've known him for a while. That creature devoured my sister and pretended to be her." Mike, in disbelief, responds, "I'm really sorry, Kit, but it seems you were much stronger than him." 

"Actually, I'm not sure. I was lucky to have you as a distraction, really. I could hide my mana and strike him precisely. I've been searching for him for years. I didn't expect to see him here in this region of the forest. I ended up sending you into great danger, Mike. I sincerely apologize." 

Mike, embarrassed, responds, "You don't need to apologize. You saved me, so we're even, right? Besides, that fight was really fun and useful. I learned a lot." 

Kit smiles and replies, "You're very kind, you know? And brave too. Even with death right in front of you, you didn't back down and fought well. I'm very proud of you." 

A silence falls between them, and neither knows what to say. 

After a few seconds, Mike asks, "I still have one question. As the fight went on, he activated some kind of superpower that greatly enhanced his abilities. Do you know what that is?" Kit, a little confused and surprised, asks, "Superpower? What do you mean? Did he say anything before it increased?" Mike responds, "Yes, I think he said something like 'power increase,' and then a sinister purple aura started coming out of him, throwing me away, and his eyes shone like the moon." 

The girl gets closer, gripping both of his arms, her face radiating a mix of excitement and curiosity. "You saw the mana increase? That's an ancient power given to certain creatures for a period of time. Both their physical and magical abilities increase by over fifty percent. It's a miracle you're still alive, Mike. But look on the bright side: now that the Mimic is dead, you might be able to use that ability, Mike." 

Mike, extremely happy and enthusiastic, responds, "Really? I can use that ability? Woo-hoo!" 

Kit smiles and replies, "Maybe. The more power, the better, right? So, take the day off. Tomorrow, we're getting back to your training." They spend the rest of the day laughing and playing, simply enjoying the beautiful sunny day in the forest. However, in the forest, another creature was watching them, patiently waiting for the opportunity to confront them. 

Later that night, Mike is lying on his hammock, supported by two trees, completely relaxed with his hands under his head, excited for the next day. Lost in thought, he reflects on his dream, his parents who stayed in his hometown, and the people who sent him for the test. "I wonder if everyone is okay, especially my brother. Where is he? Why hasn't he sent any news? Did he die? No, that's impossible. Someone would've told me. Well, wait, brother, I'll find you." He then looks to the side and sees Kit lying next to him. He jumps in surprise, falling off the hammock, and shouts, "W-Why are you so close?!" 

Kitsune bursts out laughing again and responds, "Because I love seeing you like this, hahahaha." 

The boy, now completely flushed, looks down, realizing he's been caught this time. Kitsune grabs his chin, lifts his head, and says, "What were you thinking about? You were so lost in thought that you didn't even notice me coming." 

Mike, reluctantly, responds, "N-nothing." 

Kitsune then, with a mischievous smile, says, "Mmm, looks like someone's in love, huh? Hahaha." 

Mike blushes even more and says, "Shut up, I was thinking about my family." 

"Your family, huh? Are you worried about them? Don't worry. With me here, I'm sure you'll get strong enough to reach the top and come back with money for them." 

Mike then asks, "That's not it. I'm looking for someone. How did you guess all that?" 

Kitsune looks into his eyes and responds, "You're not the first to come here for this test. Didn't you know? Many people die trying, so I've gained some experience." 

Mike remembers the Mimic's almost pleading words not to believe it. He considers asking her but decides it's best to stay alert. After all, someone who's helped him so much would never hurt him, right? 

Soon, both of them head to bed, knowing that the next day would be a long one.