When Jake requested a match, Xadia didn't expect that all fights in the room would stop, just for them to witness two level one fights, and for some reason, Xadia was pressured. The reason for that was unknown, whether it was because of the many spectators of the match or was it that he was fearful of his opponent.
Either way his guts were telling him that this wasn't just going to be a walk in the park like his first match in the class. All senses were now on Jake as Xadia ignored the presence of his classmates, getting ready for the match.
The tension in the air was palpable as they waited for the other to make the first move. One could say they were both sizing up the strength of one another and preparing their attacks to see who would attack first.
Jake soon made the first strike as he swung his left hand, a quick jab aiming for Xadia's face. Xadia was quick to respond, as he dodged to the side and countered with a roundhouse kick to Jake's ribs, and there was no reaction, it was as if he couldn't feel pain.
Sensing an opening, Jake then pressed the attack, landing blow after blow in rapid succession, pushing Xadia backward with every hit. The punches and block defenses were equal, there was no extra power in strength, but Xadia needed to counter the attacks.
A sudden shift in momentum and Xadia dug to the ground, squatting and delivering a leg swipe at Jake. The attack brought him to fall to his back, completely vulnerable to attacks.
Summoning the strength to his arms, Jake quickly flexed his body backward and performed a backward Chinese getup, giving space between him and Xadia away from attacks. Luckily his opponent hadn't rushed to attack.
"No rough stunts". Xadia said smiling at Jake as he was enjoying the match.
Jake then smiled back at his new friend as he went in for another attack, this time rushing kicks at Xadia's head. He was able to dodge the attacks, and Jake had decided to switch his statics as he came for an uppercut at Xadia's chin.
Xadia then flung his arm stopping the attack, and with the momentum of the attack, he then moved to his side still holding on to Jake. He then dug deep as he lifted Jake from the ground throwing him over to the floor.
"Who's this guy, is he a new guy".
"Yes, he's new and he's fighting with the guy that beat Kale". A classmate replied to his tardy friend.
"What level is he". The friend asked. "They're both level 1".
"What, they're level 1, and they fight like this, it's like a level 3 ranked match, are they siphons,".
"I think they are, a normie can't fight like this,".
"Then how is this possible, a normie is always level 1, did they hide their strength". There was no reply from his friend as he was focused on the ongoing match.
The throw from Xadia wasn't successful, upon releasing Jake to fall on his back, he had countered the attack and spun Xadia instead, now he was the one with the advantage.
A kick could be seen heading for Xadia's face, it was fast but Xadia managed to dodge it by side rolling to the side to quickly get up from the floor, but Jake wasn't going to let him.
A kick came aiming for Xadia's head, and he managed to catch the attack kneeling with one knee, as energy rushed into his arms making him react quickly to Jake's attack. He had Jake's leg in his arms and he then swung him to the side away for him to get up from the floor.
"Is it me or is that guy's attack getting faster".
"He's a siphon alright, they're both siphons, his opponent is getting faster too,". Of course, the two classmates hadn't seen Xadia fight with Kale, they only knew of him through the rumors from others, so it wasn't a surprise to them asking questions of each other.
Now up from the floor, Xadia could see Jake a meter away from him. Jake's eye then lustered yellow as he got on his fours and began rushing at Xadia.
Xadia didn't have a chance to respond as Jake was already in front of him. His opponent then made a claw at him, and three claw lines suddenly appeared on Xadia's cloth hitting him away to the ground.
Xadia slowly alighted from the ground but he wasn't that hurt, didn't slash his clothes, it was as if an invincible force in the shape of claws knocked him to the ground and he was slightly confused.
"Sorry, I got carried away again". Jake apologized as he could see the confusion on Xadia's face.
"You're stronger than you're currently fighting, give me all you've got,".
Jake then launched himself at Xadia with renewed determination and Xadia could somewhat feel the change in the aura in Jake and he began to summon all his energy to his body too.
They both began to exchange blows, neither gaining the upper hand. As the fight went on, the intensity of the match only increased as they both pushed harder and harder to gain the advantage.
"His hits are still well packed, and his punches are strong, and his eyes glowed that other time, I wonder what siphon he is, invincible claw marks, he must be a mutant". Xadia internally thought.
As the fight wore on, Xadia began to sweat from the consistent dodging and punching and his movements were becoming labored. But looking at his opponent, it was the complete opposite. He was fresh as paint, with no sweat or any sign of tiredness, he had great endurance and stamina.
The energy was beginning to leave Xadia's body, and it was in an uncomfortable situation, as a punch came coming from Jake, and he wasn't fast enough to block the attack. The hit was delivered to Xadia's stomach sending his body flying to the floor.
"oooooooooh". The spectators gasped in unison at this, they had been witnessing the match so far and they were a little worried as they all felt the last hit that was delivered to Xadia.
"Are you okay"? Jake said as he rushed slowly helping Xadia from the floor. "I'm…. fine,". Xadia groaned from the pain of the punch as he was helped up by Jake. "Sorry, I didn't know you were already out of energy". Jake said scratching his head.
"We should do this again, some other time". Xadia said smiling at his new friend. Hearing this the spectators had begun gossiping as they returned back to their training.
"They're both strong, I don't think they are stronger than each other, it's just that Jake has a lot of stamina". "You already know his name?".
"Yes, of course, he's in my class". He's a new student. "They're both new students". Someone interrupted the two friend's discussion.
"Both new students!, and they are this strong and skillful, I wonder what they've faced becoming this strong, must have been a lot of training".
"Bong". A gong sound could be heard and it got everyone's attention, and they began to seat in a lotus position in front of Master Paku who was now in the room.
"Today I'll be demonstrating when to know the right time to attack". "First of all, I'll be teaching you about something called Jing ". In the past, Jing was used with something called Chi in martial arts, and it was referred to as life energy.
"It is an energy in our body that gives us an essence, It can only be noticed by a breathing technique, that is applicable to one of the meditation techniques in the cultivation class, we use this Chi breathing technique to cultivate our energies, but now all we can feel is our siphon energy, with only a handful able to differentiate the two.
Now back to Jing. Jing is referred to as an action in combat, it's when we power ourselves with siphon energy when in combat, it's an art that teaches when to attack, retreat and conserve.".
"Now that you know what Jing is, I'll proceed to what I mean by knowing when to attack".
"There are three types of Jing, positive Jing, negative Jing, and Neutral Jing".
"Positive Jing is when you're attacking with power and vigor, the negative is when you're retreating or conserving your energy in a fight, while neutral Jing is when you know when to attack and retreat, it involves patience and endurance".
"We'll be needing a demonstration, who wants to be a volunteer in the demonstration". There was no response, and suddenly everyone started to look at Xadia. "I didn't raise up my hand". Xadia thought in confusion.
It was then that Xadia could see that he wasn't the one everyone was looking at, there was someone by his side, and it was Jake who had his right hand up.
*************************
We will warm the herd
And shake the stars.