The train's whistle resounded across Irio's train station.
The smoke billowed into the sky, creating a hazy silhouette against the setting sun.
While the train came to a slow stop, the train station started to get packed with excited-looking people holding signs to welcome Karuza High back.
"So many people." Karma's friend whistled and let out a puff of smoke from his cigarette.
When they looked around, they only saw people waiting for the train's doors to open. They didn't come here to step onto the train but to cheer for their team.
The nationals was a very exciting time for their small, humble-looking city. It was very rare to hear the name of their city talked about on national television.
It was all because of the success of Karuza High!
At that moment, the doors came open, and train passengers stepped out, looking surprised at the amount of people there.
While they awkwardly made their way out of the train station, the passengers at the front of the train stepped out into the cooling air of the incoming winter.
The people gathered there started to cheer after their eyes landed on a group of people who were still wearing the colors of their school—Karuza High!
"The heck…" Nathaniel looked at the amount of people with shock.
They saw the signs, and while most were cheering for Kiernan, there were also Ryan's and Nathaniel's supporters there.
They had also received a couple of fans during their time at nationals.
Ryan heard a familiar voice and looked over to see his parents among the people, waving their hands excitedly.
"My parents are here, so…" Ryan looked at the others and smiled. "See ya at school."
"Good job, you've earned it." Jin patted him on the back as Ryan walked over to his parents, and they exchanged a hug before they started walking over to their car.
Nathaniel looked around the crowd and then saw his parents trying to stand out behind the crowd, waving their hands.
"My parents are here as well, so…" Nathaniel bowed his head briefly, turned back to his friends, and said, "I'll catch up with you guys later."
Klaus and Timothy also found their parents in the crowd. Their parents were obviously worried for their injuries but were still proud and took them to their cars.
Jin pushed the wheelchair-bound Kiernan and went past the crowd who were giving their compliments to the heavily injured Kiernan.
After seeing his injuries, they were even more amazed and proud of his accomplishments. It was clear that he had done everything in his power to take their school as far as they did.
"Is your father here somewhere?" Jin asked while looking around.
"Yes, ahead." Kiernan nodded his head, and they saw Karma waiting alongside his friends by the train station's gates.
Jin pushed the wheelchair over to them.
"Yo, young Kiernan." Karma's friends laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "You were amazing over there. Fucking badass."
Kiernan humorously smiled.
While he hadn't personally met them before, he had memories of going fishing with them. The previous Kiernan was very fond of them, as they were basically a rowdy bunch of uncles to him.
"Thank you for taking care of my son." Karma shook Jin's hand.
"No problem." Jin shook the hand but looked surprised for a moment. 'What a strong grip. It seems like Kiernan's father is quite a martial artist. How come I haven't heard of him before?'
Karma grabbed the wheelchair's handles and started pushing Kiernan towards their car.
Once they reached the car, Karma opened the door and helped Kiernan get inside. The friends of his father came here only to greet Kiernan and went to their own cars to return home.
After putting the wheelchair inside the trunk, Karma started the car and drove away through Irio's grayish streets.
The sky was also starting to turn grey and slightly depressing.
It was because the winter was approaching, and the temperature had also started to drop quite significantly.
Kiernan leaned against the window and watched as the streets passed by.
Some places looked familiar, but also unfamiliar. He had to dig deep into his memories to know what streets he was passing through.
After a smooth, and rather short, car ride, they reached their driveway and came to a slow stop by the garage's door.
Karma twisted the keys in the ignition and turned off the engine. He then pocketed the keys, stepped out of the car, took the wheelchair out of the trunk, and then helped Kiernan off.
As he pushed the wheelchair towards the door, the neighboring door opened, and the neighbor walked over to the white fence that separated the two yards.
"Ah, isn't that young Kiernan?" The neighbor amiably smiled. "Good job at the nationals; you've made our city proud!"
"Thanks…" Kiernan nodded briefly, slightly awkwardly.
He hadn't really ever gotten so many compliments for his martial arts skill. It was a different culture back on Earth, but in this world, what he achieved was a big deal.
Karma waved at the neighbor, then helped Kiernan into the house and closed the door afterwards.
"Whew…" Karma wiped the sweat off his forehead and asked. "Do you need help taking off your jacket?"
"No need…" Kiernan pushed himself to his feet and awkwardly walked on his cast, stumbling around.
"Are you sure that is a smart thing to do?" Karma asked worryingly.
"My legs are mostly healed…" Kiernan said as he made his way over to the stairs. "I'll take these casts off as soon as I get to my room…"
Karma grabbed his arm and helped him climb the stairs. Thankfully he did because Kiernan looked like he was about to fall more than once.
Once he reached his bed, Kiernan immediately removed his casts from his legs and arms, then lay down on his bed with a tired expression.
"I'll make some soup, so just rest." Karma said from the doorway. "The principal gave you permission to skip school for as long as you want to have a full recovery."
"Alright, dad…" Kiernan nodded weakly. "I've already slept for nearly three days, so I don't feel like sleeping, but I'll take you up on that offer for some soup."
"Mm, it will be ready briefly." Karma then closed the door and headed downstairs.
"Aish…" Kiernan sat up and looked at the poster on the wall.
It was a poster of a famous fighter—Mephisto Acheron—who used to fight for the world-famous Berserk Grind team.
"Haaah…" Kiernan let out a deep sigh and scratched the back of his head. "I wonder what my plans are here in this world. Will I keep competing in these tournaments? I have to admit, I liked it."