Becoming The Strongest Using My Would-You-Rather System!-Chapter 35 - Two Weeks Later

Just as Theo lay there, he heard his phone buzz on the table.

’Right,’ he thought, slowly pushing himself off the ground. ’Let’s see the money.’

His legs still felt a little weak as he walked over, grabbing his phone and unlocking it.

For a brief moment, he just stared at the screen.

Then a wide smile appeared on his face.

’’It really is ten thousand dollars,’’ he muttered. ’’That’s amazing.’’

He let out a quiet breath, leaning back against the table.

The memory of the fall flashed through his mind again, making his expression stiffen for a second.

’’Still hate the method though.’’

Theo tapped his finger on the table a few times, his eyes narrowing slightly as he started thinking ahead.

’I can actually start buying items for my breakthrough with this.’

He’d been taught what exactly happens during a breakthrough all too well since it’s a fundamental aspect of the world.

Once your core reaches ninety-nine percent of the new color, you can initiate a breakthrough.

In this breakthrough, your core expands to allow new affinities to fit inside. But during this expansion, cracks would form inside these walls.

’Normally, your own mana wouldn’t be enough to fill those gaps,’ he thought. ’That would limit the core’s growth and leave it weakened for a while.’

With cultivation resources, however, you can draw in external mana to fill those gaps, allowing the core to strengthen and grow to its full potential.

Theo exhaled slowly, his heart finally settling down.

’’I’ll save a bit first,’’ he muttered. ’’And once the breakthrough is close, I’ll buy the best I can afford.’’

He fell silent for a moment, his gaze drifting towards the window.

As Iris had said, the military would handle the beach for the next two weeks, giving him a lot of free time.

’I’ve got plenty of money now too... and more than enough combat experience for where I’m at.’

Theo’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’What I need now isn’t more fights,’ he paused. ’I need to focus all my attention on breaking through to Bronze Core stage.’

He tapped his fingers lightly against his arm, his thoughts continuing forward.

’And once I break through...’

Theo exhaled quietly.

’Going back to the beach won’t be enough anymore.’

But that was all for later.

Now, he needed to cultivate.

Theo turned away from the window and walked back to his room, sitting down cross-legged on his bed.

He closed his eyes, slowly guiding mana threads from his affinity to his core.

As the familiar warmth spread through his chest, Theo smiled faintly.

And just like that—

Time flew by.

Theo maintained his steady routine.

Exercising after waking up, cultivating the rest of the day and... falling from the sky every once in a while.

The first times were still rough, the fear of falling to death seizing hold over him.

But with each descent, his mind steeled more and more until it became manageable.

Outside of that, things were normal.

He met up with Owen a few times, just to hang out or train together like they always did.

Two weeks later.

Theo sat at the table, casually eating from a small container.

Owen sat in front of him, staring strangely at Theo.

’’...Why are you eating baby food again?’’ he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Theo didn’t even look up.

’’I told you,’’ he said, swallowing another bite. ’’It’s preparation.’’

’’For what?’’ Owen asked, utterly disgusted.

’’Once I go into a dungeon, I’ll need to eat the garbage nutrient tubes too,’’ Theo said calmly. ’’Figured I might as well get used to it.’’

Owen just stared at him for a moment, seriously doubting reality.

’’That’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard all week.’’

Theo just shrugged again, taking another bite.

Owen shook his head, muttering something under his breath as he walked past.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Theo stared at Owen preparing a set of hamburgers for himself.

’If I could eat normal food... I would,’ he thought, glancing down at the container in his hand. ’This stuff tastes bland and just awful overall.’

But that wasn’t the point.

Theo’s gaze shifted slightly, his eyes locking on the transparent screen beside him.

He clicked his tongue softly and finished the rest of the container in a few quick bites.

’At least it’s almost over.’

After Owen’s burgers were done, he returned with the plate and dropped back into the chair across from him.

’’So,’’ Theo said, glancing at Owen. ’’What did you want to tell me?’’

Owen’s eyes lit up for a moment, quickly swallowing.

’’Right,’’ he said. ’’Almost forgot about that.’’

’’They moved the big competition forward by a month.’’

Theo raised an eyebrow, finally looking up again.

’’What?’’

’’Apparently the beast tide had something to do with it,’’ Owen continued, scratching his head. ’’Anyway, it’s in exactly five weeks now.’’

Theo fell silent, memories of the promised duel flashing through his mind.

He was going to fight David at the opening of the competition and absolutely crush him for everything he and his family had done.

But now, there was far less time to prepare.

’I was confident I’d reach Silver Core before the duel,’ he thought. ’That way I could show off two affinities to scouts and get sponsorships offered.’

That plan had just become far more difficult, especially considering he was still at Gray Core.

Theo’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’...Then I’ll have to break through tonight.’

With the decision made, all he needed to do was prepare a little more.

’It’ll be a little annoying considering the system is popping up tonight again,’ he thought. ’But I should be able to get it done before then.’

Across from him, Owen was still eating, completely unaware of Theo’s thoughts.

"You’re awfully quiet all of a sudden," he said, glancing up briefly.

Theo shrugged lightly, snapping out of his thoughts.

"Just thinking about the competition,’’ he said slowly.

Owen nodded as if he’d already expected it.

’’Don’t worry,’’ he said. ’’I have no doubts that you’ll win from the rich bastard.’’

Theo let out a faint chuckle, nodding his head.

Nearly an hour passed as they chatted about everything and nothing before Owen finally stood up, stretching his arms.

"Alright, I’m heading out," he said, grabbing his jacket. ’’I’ll see you tomorrow.’’

After the door shut behind him, Theo glanced at the time and stood up.

’It’s already five,’ he thought. ’Let’s get this started before it’s too late.’

Without wasting time, he turned and walked into his room, crouching down to pull out a small metal box from beneath his bed.

He lifted it carefully, feeling the faint lightning mana inside.

’This should definitely be enough for the breakthrough.’