Rebirth of Calamity

Prologue: The Man Called the Walking Calamity (2)

Surdeis Malari is a 17-year-old happy-go-lucky kid living in Cainta City, Philippines. People tease him of his messy short hair but he only claims that it was his style.

People often describe the youth as a nice, playful and lighthearted kid who won't think twice in helping someone in need.

However, those close to him knew him as someone diligent and clever. A person willing to do everything and anything to attain his goals.

His outgoing demeanor matched with an ever-present smile that reflects a rare genuine kindness was like a magnet that attracted people around him.

No one would have ever thought that this cheerful kid was carrying a heavy burden.

The Malari family is dirt-poor. Calling them poor would do poor people injustice.

Their misfortune started when his mother got diagnosed with a terminal illness not too soon after he was born.

It wasn't too long that doctors concluded that they will soon try an expensive experimental treatment.

His family then spent fortunes just to keep the disease at bay. Time went by and soon they were swimming in debt.

"It's okay, you guys don't have to worry about me"

Her mother said with a smile. Her eyes and cheeks were sunken. The once healthy tan skin was now pale, yet her spirit remained strong and stubborn.

'If only I had money... If only I wasn't so weak then I wouldn't be this useless'

...

For them to pay their massive debt, as well as her mother's medical bills, his father worked multiple jobs and Surdeis worked part time in a local junk shop after school.

Luckily, it was also around that time that Surdeis discovered his ability.

One day while watching a match of basketball, a player caught his attention.

Step, step. Dribble.

With fancy footwork and ball handling, the ace breezed over the other four members from the other team. The biggest one stood tall and heavily guarded him as the ace's shot will make or break the match.

The ace raised his hand then aimed at the hoop, the guard in return moved his hand in an attempt to block. With a flick of his hand, the ball flew.

Swoosh!

Surdeis was dumbstruck as he intently watched the player's movements.

A mild jolt coursed through his nerves.

...

The next day, Surdeis got called out by his friends on the way home from his part time job.

"Oist! Sordi! Those guys are beating us and Junjun there sprained his fockin ankle. Sub a bit and let's kick their asses."

Surdeis glanced at their opponents. Not only do they seem more experienced, they were also bigger and stronger.

He was about to refuse when his friend brought out a small coin purse.

"C'mon man, I'll give all o'this to 'ya if we won"

With a grin, Surdeis took the offer and substituted in the game.

As Surdeis as their main scorer, their team slowly chased points. Finally reaching a tie by the end of the game.

With a few seconds left, the ball was somehow in his hands. The five big players did a defensive formation with the biggest one defending the post. Surdeis recognized this familiar setting and got an idea.

'..He went like this..'

The image of the man's movements surfaced on his head.

He recalled the footwork, the ball handling, the feint and the position of the ball before making the shot. A mild jolt of electricity coursed throughout his nerves and sent signals to his muscles.

Step, step. Dribble.

Without thinking, he let his body move naturally. Surdeis moved skillfully exactly like the person he watched the day before. Then, before he knew it, he had successfully crossed over four huge players.

A hand blocked his view as the biggest opponent tried to slap the ball as he was about to shoot. With a flick of his wrist, the ball flew.

Swoosh!

The mouths of the onlookers dropped in amazement.

"b***h! did you see that?"

"That was friggin insane!"

"That little dude got some moves. Those guys looked like beasts"

But It wasn't just them.

'...did I really just do that?'

Surdeis himself was surprised at the feat he had accomplished.

...

Without him knowing, he started to perform moves others would take weeks even months of practice to master. It wasn't long that rumors started to spread that he was a genius.

Surdeis slowly became infamous for his basketball skills and soon he joined a basketball league that gave cash to the winner.

His team was a ragtag bunch of hopefuls, mostly his friends.

With the goal of bagging the cash prize for his parents, Surdeis played hard and scored incredible points.

However, they lost.

Their opponents were all bigger than him, and although he scored the most, it wasn't enough for them to win.

'If only I can be a better player with more skills then maybe I can carry our team.'

Surdeis thought. He recalled the time they won using the miracle move his body did instinctively.

It was at that game when he successfully imitated the player's moves he saw the day before.

'Something definitely happened on that game.'

Despite how he displays himself, Surdeis was actually pretty sharp and self-aware. Realizing something, he tried to test his theory.

'Hmm... let's see'

He watched highlights of NBA players non-stop. He focused on their body's movements, memorizing their every move and imprinting it all in his head.

After watching, he took a ball then practiced on a nearby court.

…

Shouting "Like Mike!" Surdeis tried to dunk like the famous Chicago Bulls player, number 23 himself, Michael Jordan. With a ball in hand while aiming at the ring, he succeeded to perfectly copy the runup and jump form.

And then... he missed. His body was nowhere near those of a superstar athlete, so he didn't even reach the hoop. 

But that was enough. Now he had confirmed it himself that he has a 'Unique Ability' that that lets him imitate any move he sees down to the minute detail. But it had its limitations:

1. Surdeis must focus only on observing if he wants to copy. He can't do a task simultaneously when observing.

2. He can only perform moves up to the limit of his physical abilities.

The only thing he needed was to work hard in training his body. Thankfully, Surdeis never lacked diligence and determination.

And so, in the next game.

90-76.

Absolute domination. Surdeis became the MVP scoring 72 points by himself.

'Finally..with this I won't be so useless.'

Clenching his fist, Surdeis said with determination.

"Mom, dad, just wait."

....

Surdeis dominated game after game then gave all his winnings to his parents.

Soon he was discovered and invited by a scout from a prestigious school.

Gaining scholarship to that school equals a secure future. For that reason, many hopefuls tried to enter, however only few will be accepted.

Because aside from skills and talent, this school requires you to pass the hardest high school entrance exam in the Philippines.

This was an opportunity he can't miss. Surdeis gathered all books he had then spent days studying hard as his mom helped him review.

The intense study session went on for a week until finally the day of the exam came.

Surdeis was seated on the fifth row in the exam room filled with students from different backgrounds.

"reviewing aint enough for this exam man, you need connections too. You know that right?"

"Yeah. Dad is buddy-buddy with the one who made the exam. I already memorized the answers. this exam will be a breeze~ lol"

Surdeis heard the conversation of the two students in front.

'I studied for a week. I won't need that s**t!'

He thought to reaffirm himself, however sweat still rolled down from his forehead.

The exam started. It was a simple multiple choice.

"Wha?!"

But simple does not mean easy. Soon cries of despair can be heard from the other students.

"This didn't show up when I reviewed!"

"I'm sorry mom and dad...*sniff*"

"...the life of a janitor isn't so bad ha ha"

"Oh, holy god I need your guidance"

Surdies heard sounds of agony as dreams shatter in front of this hellish exam. Feeling uneasy, he quickly examined his set.

After reading the first question.

'What. The. Fuck.'

He didn't know the answer. One by one, he quickly scanned the questions.

Surdeis felt like joining the others cry, realizing all the days he spent studying were in vain.

He glanced at the person in front of him. This was the one who claimed to know the answers. Watching him read the questions casually with a smile made him want to punch him in the face...

'..Lucky bastard'

After inspecting that person's paper, Surdeis was surprised that he had the same set. As the lucky bastard started to answer, an idea came...

A sneaky smile formed on his face.

'Sharingan!'

Surdeis focused intently on that person.

Although he can't copy the answers directly, he can however copy that person's movements as he wrote!

Surdeis just stared at the lucky bastard answer from start to finish. As soon as the lucky bastard passed his paper, another lucky bastard was born.

Surdeis let his body move naturally. A, C, A, D... minutes later he was done.

...

A few days later a letter arrived on his home. It was the results. His mother scanned the information then shouted in delight.

"You passed!! It says here you and another person got a perfect score!!"

...

Years passed and fate seemed to play with his fortune.

If the Malari family was swimming in debt before, now they have sunken deep within the Marianas Trench of debt.

Out of desperation, his father got into contact with multiple loan sharks. Unable to pay them, his father lost his job, they lost their home, they lost whatever asset they had left. They lost everything and the Malari family is now living in the slums by the Pasig river.

After waves of seemingly endless misfortune a silver lining was found and the Malari family shines with hope. Edetha, his mother, still clings to her life.

The experimental treatment worked. Her disease was halted from fatally killing her. However, her maintenance prescription remained expensive.

The hard-working father son duo persevered tirelessly with the goal for Edetha to live another day. His father now works as a taxi driver. Luckily, his father gets high tips from time to time thanks to a special customer.

Surdeis on the other hand studied, earned money from games, worked in the junkshop, as well as take care of his mother, all at the same time. However, he never felt tired. Instead he still felt that he wasn't doing enough.

They were broke, living by the edge of the knife, yet they were all together and living happily.

...

With a little pocket money saved, their family did a humble celebration of Surdeis' 18th birthday.

His father bought a small cake from a nearby bakery.

"Happy birthday son, we'd all be floating by the river now if it wasn't for your little help haha"

His father chuckled as he jokingly said. He tapped the boy by his shoulders and pointed his index finger to the candle, insisting he should blow it.

"Make a wish, superstar"

His mother said with a wide grin while leaning on his father's shoulder.

"Thanks mom, thanks dad."

A gentle smile from pure happiness formed on Surdeis face.

He looked at his smiling parents. He looked at their makeshift house made of plywood and scrap metal that seemed like it would crumble the moment a storm hits. He looked at his small cake and the single lit candle in the middle.

The area around his eyes got warm as he tried to hold back his tears from flowing down his face.

To him, it was the best. He didn't care if they became rich or poor. What was important was these two in front of him. He cherished this beautiful scenery, imprinting it forever in his memories.

All the work he did was all for his mom and dad.

If he could wish something then it would be to give them the life they deserve even just for a little bit. Maybe with that, all three of them can continue living happily together.

'I..'

Rustle