My system allows me to copy talents

“It feels different,” Shun admitted meekly. “It feels like I’ve hit a wall, and no matter how hard I push, it won’t budge.”

Shun truly felt this time, he had hit a wall; an insurmountable wall he couldn’t overcome.

Hiro took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully.

“Shun, walls aren’t meant to be pushed over—they’re meant to be climbed. It’s not about breaking through; it’s about finding the way up, step by step. You have the talent, the drive, and the heart to do this. You’ve proven that time and again.”

There was a long pause on the other end of the line for a while. When Shun finally spoke, his voice was quieter, but there was a flicker of hope.

“Do you really believe that?”

“I do,” Hiro said without hesitation. “But it’s not just about what I believe. You have to believe it, too. Trust yourself, Shun. You’re more than just a player struggling in a league— you’re someone who inspires others. You’ve inspired me.”

Hiro meant the words he said. When he said that he inspired him, he meant it. Shun was someone he had admired.

His first season at the club had been decent.

However, he was struggling right now. Even so, Hiro believed he could overcome this phase.

Upon hearing Hiro’s words, Shun couldn’t help but feel frustrated at himself. He gripped the phone tightly as he looked at himself in the mirror.

The pitiful sight of his reflection in the mirror disgusted him. He looked meek and powerless. He had lost the glow in his eyes.

Even Hiro had more faith in himself than he had in himself.

‘What’s wrong with you, Shun?’ He questioned himself. ‘From when did you turn this pitiful?’

For a while, he lamented his mentality. Then he exhaled shakily. Hiro could feel the tension easing.

“Thanks, Hiro. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” Shun said, his tone much more relaxed.

“You don’t have to thank me. Just promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“When you get back on top—and I know you will—I want you to remember this moment. Remember how far you’ve come and how strong you are for pushing through. That’s the Shun, I know.”

His lips curled into a smile as he let out a faint laugh. His laugh was faint but genuine this time, “Alright. I promise.”

Hiro smiled, though Shun couldn’t see it. “Good. Now, get some rest. Tomorrow’s a new day, and I know you’re going to make the most of it.”

“Thanks, Hiro. I mean it. Goodnight.”

Shun was truly grateful for the support he received from Hiro. If it weren’t for him, who knows what he would have done? Having a friend who stuck with you in thick and thin, he couldn’t ask more.

Shun felt grateful to have a friend like Hiro.

Now, he felt much more relaxed than before. The glow in his eyes had returned, and he felt much more clear. He could see his lost path. The path that was shrouded in Fogg previously became clear now.

It felt like a burden had been lifted from his shoulder. Even his heart felt lighter than ever.

With a newfound hope, he looked at himself in the mirror.

“Goodnight, Shun,” Hiro replied, feeling a mix of pride and empathy. As he set his phone down, he couldn’t help but hope that his words had sparked the fire Shun needed to reignite his confidence.

Hiro was glad he could be of help to his friend. The world outside was cruel and it would abandon any who couldn’t survive. This time, Shun had fallen victim to the cruelness. Who knows his time wouldn’t come, too?

Through this exchange, Hiro could experience the cruelness of the world again.

“The world really is cruel, isn’t it?” Hiro mumbled.

“No matter how talented you are, if you fail to perform, you’ll get tossed aside. The world doesn’t discriminate when it comes to performance. One moment you are hailed the hero, the next moment you are worthless,” Hiro glanced at the phone.

“Such is the nature of this world.”

Hiro couldn’t help but lament. Previously, he had been mercilessly tossed aside as well. Now, the same thing had happened to his friend.

This reminded him that he could be discarded just as easily as well if he couldn’t perform well. This was like an awakening call to Hiro, as well.

Having performed brilliantly in the last few matches, he had grown a little comfortable.

“I’ve got to remain hard,” Hiro said, clenching his fist.

**** ****

The sun, a piping-hot sphere of fire, shone brightly in the sky. A few wisps of clouds of different shapes and sizes drifted aimlessly.

The sun’s brilliant radiance crept through the window of the car Hiro was seated and fell on his hand. Hiro’s porcelain white skin glowed golden as he sat comfortably in the back seat while the car moved along the winding roads of the streets.

Hiro was wearing a black linen shirt and black jeans. To shade himself from the sun, he had worn a black Yankee baseball cap and a shade of black sunglasses that fit perfectly on his face.

It was a sunny day for him to be dressed all black. However, Hiro didn’t mind it as he liked dressing in black.

In the front seat, Pablo was driving the car, while in the back seat, he was sitting comfortably with his back pressed against the seat.

He looked fresh, and his skin appeared quite rejuvenated. His lips were plum, and he had little to no facial hair. He had rolled his sleeves which left his forearm exposed. One could spot a lot of veins popping in his hands.

The car swerved to the right, and a rather opulent-looking castle came into sight. The castle was a medieval-style castle, and the gate was huge.

“Hiro, we’re here,” Pablo said as he caught a glimpse of the castle.

Hiro, who was leaning against the seat with his eyes closed, had nearly fallen asleep. However, upon hearing Pablo’s voice, he drifted awake. Continue your adventure with My Virtual Library Empire

“Yawn~” Hiro let out a yawn as he stretched his arms. “Just how much did they spend to host the party at such a place?”