After teaching the students the 1st form, Darren continued teaching them the 2nd form which was used for defense.
When he was satisfied with their perfomance in both forms, Darren let them pair up with a classmate for some sparring.
Kaden and Chet naturally grouped up. Both of them were strong in martial arts, so sparring together was more beneficial for their improvement.
"Keep it light. The purpose is just to put what you've learned into practice. Focus on the Student Fist Art, don't start bringing in your family or dojo techniques just to win." Darren warned them. In his time as a teacher it wasn't uncommon to see students do whatever they could to win, negating the entire point of sparring. The objective was practicing and learning, not winning.
Standing opposite Kaden, Chet was thankful for the teacher's words, feeling like they had been said for his sake. While he was happy to spar Kaden and just wanted to use the opportunity to develop, it was still better if he wouldn't be utterly destroyed.
"You seem relieved." Kaden had a smirk on his face, having noticed the relief wash over Chet.
"Maybe I was just relieved on your behalf." Chet didn't back down, attempting to turn Kaden's provocation back on himself.
"Riiight…" Kaden rolled his eyes and they shared a laugh together.
To the two of them it was all in good fun, joking around as friends.
By now everyone had paired up and they were given permission to begin.
Kaden decided to hold back for now and let Chet take the initiative, feeling that it would be more interesting that way.
He remained in his spot while Chet took a few careful steps forward, testing out Kaden's reaction.
Seeing Kaden just stand still as he advanced made Chet feel helpless. He wasn't quite sure how to interpret it and what he was supposed to do.
Full of doubts he sent a tentative punch towards Kaden's head using his right hand.
In the interest of keeping it exciting, instead of using the 2nd form that was focused on defense, Kaden matched Chet's move.
Swoosh!
Kaden used the move to easily alter the course of Chet's punch, redirecting the attack. But because they were just sparring, he kept the force of his punch low so he wouldn't injure Chet.
Having his punch deflected so easily, Chet didn't understand how it happened.
His expectation was for Kaden to react to his attack by utilizing the 2nd form's cross arm block.
But that wasn't what happened.
Instead Kaden had used the same move he did, but timing it differently and striking his arm to slightly divert the attack. That was all that was needed.
They had just learned this fist art today, it was impressive that Kaden could already think to use it in ways like that.
But while Chet was distracted by trying to understand, Kaden didn't let him rest, taking his first step and going on the offensive.
Even if Kaden kept his attacks light, it was too hard for Chet to handle and keep up with the speed.
All the move's were being used in ways he hadn't yet thought of, and with better control than he was capable of.
Soon he found himself pushed on the defensive. Before he had realized it, his back was up against the training room's wall.
Boom!
A fist landed on the wall, right next to Chet's head.
Chet took one look at it and admitted his defeat, he knew when he was beaten.
"I give up."
"Good." Kaden said, shaking his fist out.
That last move had been a show of strength, but now he really regretted it as his fist suffered the consequences. The wall was incredibly solid, not giving in to his punch in the least.
While the teacher had told them not to make it about winning or losing, they both understood that they were actually competing.
Friends their age would always be a bit competitive. They kept themselves restricted to the Student Fist Art so they could improve, but they were still trying to outperform each other.
There was still time for sparring, so they went back to it, taking it easier this time.
When Chet got pushed back and couldn't handle it anymore, Kaden would back off and give him some space so that they could keep practicing. So Chet wasn't forced to defend the whole time, they took turns attacking.
"Okay let's end it here." Darren took a look at the time and put a stop to the sparring.
The students gathered in front of Darren.
"That's all there's time for today. We'll pick up where we left off next time. Also I'll see you for physical education tomorrow." Darren dismissed the students so they could go to lunch.
Even the ones who initially complained, had to admit that Darren was a good teacher. During the sparring he had gone around and watched the students, giving some advice and correcting their forms.
He was capable and took teaching serious, but he also had a playful attitude.
…
In the cafeteria.
"So how was it?" Damien asked as he joined Chet and Kaden at the cafeteria table.
Since he wasn't in the Elite class, he was yet to have his first combat training lesson. He wanted to know what it was going to be like.
"Fun, much more interesting than the classroom stuff." Kaden answered, taking a bite of his food. He liked being active and being physical.
"Makes sense." Damien grabbed a few fries from Chet's plate and stuffed them in his mouth.
"Hey eat your own." Chet pushed Damien's hand away as he came back for more.
"It's not here yet! I'm really hungry, the teacher kept us for like ages." Damien was mentally exhausted. Even after the class was over, the teacher made them stay for five more minutes so he could clarify some things.
"It's coming right there." Kaden pointed out the robot making it's way to the table.
"Oh well, thanks for the fries Chet." Damien smiled. He tapped his com against the robot, unlocking it so he could lift the lid and fetch the tray of food inside.
It was only around 100 years ago, that the academy began installing a locking mechanism onto the cafeteria robots. There was no official explanation so nobody knew why it had been done.
The legend that went around the academy, was that senior students used to prank first years by pouring various nasty things on the food inside. In response, the academy had been forced to install locks on the lids, making it so that only the one who ordered it could open it.
As they ate their untouched food, the three chatted and talked about where to meet up in the virtual world after school.