The fight had a lot of effects which were seen over the night. First, one is that many of the elders have decided to support Balthazar. Balthazar managed to win over an elder which assured that he would be a valuable asset as he grew further.
At the same time, the elders who considered Max could be suitable to lead the family and supported him were no longer that positive about his character. The members of the table of Ouroboros (organisation led by Walter) were also impressed and had decided to increase his security and speed up his training.
On Balthazar's side, he realized that he had yet to have dinner once he reached his room. He went back to the dining hall to finish his dinner. During dinner he also realized that he had another 100 million on his hand while successfully managing to intimidate Jack. He could use it further develop his cyber cafe. Though he was thinking of the things he could do at the cyber cafe, he was bored out. He was missing his military life and base always seemed more secure to him than the mansion.
He went back to his room and sent an additional 30 million to Rudra, to improve on the workshop. He then decided to call Sophia and talk over a bit about the situation at the base. Sophia immediately lifted the phone as she received the call.
"How are you doing?" she asked.
"I'm good. Could be back to the base, if the family didn't insist on my staying here after the assassination attempt," he replied.
"Good. It was sad about Jane. To think that she had been on the trail long before us and she was right in front of the blast too."
"Ya it was a sad incident. She definitely didn't deserve it," said Balthazar continuing with the deception.
"So, how is it at the family? What are you doing there? How is your grandfather?"
"It's all fine here. Grandpa is the same. There were some troubles. Mostly spend most of my time setting up a cyber cafe here and taking over some of my father's properties."
"You go all the way back to your family and spend most of the time working instead of having fun? What is wrong with you?"
"It's not just me. Both grandpa and Bolena are busy and hardly have any time to meet. The only fun I had is with my cousin Robert and playing V.R. games with my friends. It is not me, it's how my family is."
"I doubt it. You were always a workaholic."
"Enough about me. I told everything there is to tell. What are you doing? What is the state of the base? What did your family think about the incident?"
"Oh! It is very busy here. Got a decent amount of funding after the incident. I am temporarily handling your duties on the planet. My family's cool about the incident except for my grandfather who was slightly worried."
"What else? You might have accumulated quite a number of merits. You are probably going to get promoted soon."
"Yeah, I heard of it. Grandpa has also recommended me. So, possibly going to get your position. They are also creating a separate position for a Colonel to be permanently station on the citadel on the moon. They also decided to improve the facilities all over here."
"Well, Congratulations in advance then. That is good to know. What else?"
"What else?! You are being very talkative today. Hardly ever seen you like this. Anything wrong?"
"No. I just miss the base, miss you I guess."
"Are you drunk?"
"No!"
"So, bored?"
"Maybe. I don't know?"
"Bored, it is."
"Hmm," said Balthazar a little depressed. He had been involved with her before but after the miracle rewind, it was clear that she didn't remember any of it. The worst part of it was he wasn't really sure how he managed to garner her interest in the first place.
"So? What else?"
"To tell the truth, even I am a bit bored. Everyone here is always working or working out, planning the next attacks and all they talk about is the same. You were the only one who talked about random things, sciences, silly alien theories and stuff which the Elysians are concerned about. It was a good change of pace."
"Oh! If that is the case. You heard of the new V.R. game, vita nova?"
"Yeah, there was a circular warning to not play the game, till further notice."
"But I think you could use the somnium technology V.R. gear for other purposes than the game right? You can try it out. It is really good."
"Oh! You sure. Didn't hear anything about that."
"You can check with the techs. They were the ones who sent the notice I believe."
"Yeah. Yeah. Will do. A lot of the personnel would like to try it."
"What else?"
"Rodrigo's new warframes in collaboration with the Apropos has also been in highlight the past few days. The discovery of one of the new sub-species of the apes has inspired a lot of effort into it."
"Oh! Rodrigo sure is going to follow along the path of greatness."
"Yeah. He is always planning to improve. Retirement hardly put a stop to his war efforts."
This talk between them carried on for a while before Balthazar decided to call it a night. He had Anubis sleep by his side as he dozed off.
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The next morning, he went off to the gym along with Robert to continue his daily routine, but was met by Salazar at the first floor stairs.
"Today, we shall go the second floor," he said to Robert and Balthazar. As they walked up the stairs, he began "You have attracted the attention of quite a few members of the family with your stunt yesterday. Walter decided to have me give a bit more of personal attention. From today, both of you will spend half-an-hour each fighting me in the combat rooms."
"Fighting you?" asked Robert surprised.
"Yes, if you idiots are fighting people, it is best you learn how to fight. After breakfast, freshen up and come to the forbidden zone, we need to get you two few weapons, proper ones, not gloves and belts," he said smiling at Balthazar.
They soon got into the combat rooms and Salazar had them remove their ties, belts, boots and shirts. "These clothes you removed are usually easily accessible to other and can be used to constrict your movements. To avoid such things, it is best to wear tight fitted clothes tailored and adjusted for one personally. If you got long hair, it is best to cover you head too."
"Your measurements will also be taken, and a suit will be given. You guys need to learn how to maintain and modify it as required by yourself. Let us start. Balthazar, you shall be first. Half an hour later Robert will take your place. Watch each other and try to not repeat your mistakes."
"OK. Let's start," said Balthazar as he took a running start trying to punch Salazar. He hardly came close to him when he was thrown on the floor on his back. Salazar was faster than anything he had ever seen. He hardly felt the tug on his chest push him back for a second. He could see Salazar move to his side but couldn't react fast enough. Though he immediately managed to jump back up on his feet, he could have easily been beaten up if Salazar willed.
"You managed to fight an elder because he didn't expect you to be able to deduce his moves and counter-act. But, if he considers you as an equal, the one lost would have been you. You just got lucky. I know you understand that, and you took advantage of him underestimating you. But you should also know the difference between you and Max," said Salazar.
"From today, I will train you hand-to-hand. I will restrict my speed and strength to slightly above yours. Any day that you manage to fight on par with me, you get the rest of the day off. Take this chance to improve your techniques and understand how to move based on the moves of others," he continued before signalling Balthazar to come at him.
Being on a flat platform, with no garments hardly gave Balthazar to create any external distractions. He ran at Salazar threw a punch with right hand at him, pushing himself off the floor with his left foot. Salazar easily sidestepped the punch at the last moment.
This was all according to Balthazar's calculations and his posture allowed him to rotate his left foot using his right foot as fulcrum to hit him with his left heel like an axe kick. The manoeuver was perfect with Salazar in the right position for it to connect and couldn't avoid it unless Salazar jumped with more speed than he said.
This time Salazar didn't try to evade the kick but made a slight push against Balthazar's right thigh with his own soft kick. This resulted in Balthazar losing his balance just as his leg was about to touch Salazar and landed on the floor his legs accidentally falling in a split position.
"AAAWW", howled Balthazar in pain as he stretched in the wrong way hurting his sacred area.
"It is good that you plan your moves in order to defeat stronger opponents and surprise them. But there is always a good chance that they also have had similar experiences as you and would be able to predict your moves. So never directly try something like these on your first exchange, even with an opponent at a similar strength level. It can be extremely hazardous to you," said Salazar as helped Balthazar up.
"Can you continue?" he asked Balthazar who was still unable to stand up properly.
"You're kidding," replied Balthazar his teeth clenched in anger.
"Well then take rest for some time, as Robert will take your place.
As Robert came before Salazar, "You are one of the big ones. Most of the techniques even shown in educational video can't be imitated as they will simply fail to achieve their purpose with a huge body like yours'. You need to understand the essence and purpose of even the simplest moves and modify them to suit you," he said.
Robert attacked Salazar and he had better strength than Balthazar, but he failed to hit his opponent as he lacks speed. "You need to try and fight like Balthazar to improve. You're slow compared to him and your huge body muscles make your next moves more apparent. Observe the hints my body gives out and predict my point of attack to block and counter."
A few moves later, Robert was sent back with his arm twisted and in pain. "You need to observe fights a lot Robert. You have little comprehension of fighting. You are a researcher, you ought to know more about human physiology and learn to apply your knowledge in practice," he reprimanded Robert.
"Balthazar, it's your turn again."
A few rounds later which alternated between Balthazar and Robert, both were lying on the floor in pain and tired. "You guys are in much worse shape than I expected of you. You will be required to put in more effort from now on. You can't even continue your daily workout after this can you?"
Both Balthazar and Robert were too tired to answer him. They were trying their best to not pass out.
"Enable the recovery functions of the pico-tech serum for now," said Salazar as he came by their side and sat down.
"I notice that you two are tired and think I am overdoing it. But I am not," he continued in friendly tone.
"Your fathers were good friends of mine and I owe John my life. There is no day when I don't regret being able to same my best friend," said Salazar.
"You knew our parents personally?" asked Balthazar.
"Yeah, I was in the same team as John. He was the best among us," replied Salazar lifting his head up as he recollected the good times he had with John.
"But he still failed to survive. Balthazar, you did something yesterday that made us realize how desperate Max is? He might not be even in control of his actions as he is doing stuff detrimental to his rise in power. For the first time, we have learnt who the traitor amidst us is. You need to be more prepared than ever. Both of you."
"But can't you arrest him in that case?" asked Robert.
"We can't make an arrest or prosecute as the family law and the alliance laws require us to have tangible proof. Moreover, he was never our aim. He is just a patsy being used by the person who is pushing his buttons. We need to find them," replied Salazar.
"Thus, we need to have you guys prepared. Apart from this your studies will also be increased. You shall also use V.R. suits to learn few techniques. That would speed up your progress by a bit. Especially you Robert."
"Why don't we use the new somnium V.R. instead of suits? I have a helmet and that is definitely more immersive and natural," said Robert.
"Cause it is new tech and we don't have instructional software for it," said Salazar quickly rolling his eyes.
"Your assignments will also increase. From tomorrow, we will have our sessions after your daily workout and running. Scratch that, from today evening, we will have after your runs," said Salazar.
"Don't worry. Even Max wouldn't dare hurt you guys inside the city of Adontus. Don't go out of the city, either of you," said Salazar as he left the combat room.
They went to their rooms to freshen up and have breakfast. Soon, they received information on the wrist bands regarding their curriculum and the V.R. suits were also delivered to their rooms. A quick look at it, made them realize that they would hardly have time for anything else for the next few weeks. Robert decided to put in a leave for the entire week.
Thus, began a daily routine of them working out, being beaten up by Salazar twice a day, along with regular assignments and studies. This situation continued for more than a few weeks, but as intended managed to save their lives when danger came their way.
As they finished up with their breakfast, they went on ahead to Salazar's lab to finish up some of their assignments. While in the lab, he received an unexpected call from Alfred about some business deal with the Powers family.