Vincent mastered the staff technique Strangle the Heavens in three days. Simon and the others were surprised but attributed it to Vincent's bloodline awakening. The truth was that Vincent used the enlightenment token on the staff martial arts. That and the new earrings helped a lot.
Vincent was now practicing a staff martial art called Flow. It was a martial art developed by a dancer who had to fight in a war. The moves flowed with one another, and once he started, it wasn't easy to stop. It was more like a net being created than a dance to him.
Tyre taught him a hand-to-hand martial art called Final Dance. Vincent didn't understand why they both wanted him to be so agile. He felt like an idiot when he was practicing the martial art.
"Why are both my staff martial arts and my CQC martial arts dealing with dancing?"
Vincent asked as he was practicing with Tyre. "Halberds are long weapons and require their users to be fast and nimble," Horton grunted. "It is crucial but not the main focus. It would be best if you also had the strength to swing and stay balanced. The halberd is especially heavy at the top where the axe, spear, and hammer are joined."
"That still doesn't explain the dancing thing," Vincent said as he shuffled his feet. Tyre suddenly attacked Vincent. Vincent reacted by shuffling his feet and ended up being behind Tyre. Tyre relaxed in his stance and turned to him.
"That is why. In a dance, you turn and twist. This footwork allows you to watch your surroundings for ambushes constantly, see ways to escape, and let you get behind your enemy."
Simon jumped into the ring and did the same to Vincent. Vincent used the Flow martial art and noticed how Simon's attacks went where he wanted them to. No matter what kind of attack Simon threw at him, he deflected it, creating an opening for him to attack.
Simon stopped attacking Vincent. "It looks like you have a good understanding of both martial arts. Horton, he is all yours."
Horton grinned. "Kid, follow me." He left the room. Vincent hurried behind him. Simon stopped him and gave him a new staff.
"Here, congratulations on graduating." He tossed the staff at Vincent. Vincent caught it and ran to catch up to Horton.
"Simon, are you sure he is ready?" Tyre was apprehensive of Simon's decision. Simon took out a cigarette before answering him. Blowing out the smoke in his mouth, he looked at Tyre and Vera. "Follow me."
As they were walking, Simon explained why he allowed Vincent to graduate. "You both remember the rule for us to move on to the next weapon from master?" They both raised their eyebrows. Simon nodded his head at them. He opened the door that was in front of him.
Tyre and Vera were shocked at the scene. The room was destroyed and had a deep crater in the middle. Simon leaned on the door and lit another cigarette.
"The final move of Strangle the Heavens martial art is called slamming the mountain. The kid successfully pulled it off and exhibited a hint of staff intent. If he keeps focusing on the staff, he will only master the staff."
They nodded their head in agreement. The rule their master gave them to move on to the next weapon was that they must show at least level one intent. The fact that Vincent showed a hint of it means it won't be long before he fully awakens it.
Horton was waiting outside on a motorcycle. Vincent caught up and looked at him. "Get on behind me, kid. Put your arms on my shoulders and hang on."
Vincent hopped on and placed his hands on Horton's shoulders. Horton started the bike and sped away. He weaved in and out of traffic. He didn't stop at lights or pedestrians. Vincent was having the time of his life.
Horton did a wheelie and almost made Vincent fall, but his grip was firm. Vincent and Horton laughed together. The ride ended, and they got off in front of a building that was made of brick.
It was like a sore thumb in the city that was shiny and metallic. Horton walked in with a confident stride.
The people on the inside got quiet for a moment. Horton looked around at the faces and then smiled. "I thought you people died off a long time ago." He boisterously laughed with them. Vincent was in a state of shock.
He didn't think Horton could act this way.
Horton dragged Vincent to the front counter. "Kia, this one needs all his licenses: hunters, adventurers, merchants, and mercenaries. His class is S, and his name is Vincent Frost Grimm."
The woman named Kia sighed at Horton. She clicked a few buttons on her computer.
"What is this place?" Horton paid for the licenses and pulled him to the side. "This place is where the common folk earn their keep and increase their citizenship class.
The colors, from weakest to strongest are pretty simple—black, copper, bronze, silver, gold, and diamond. My training will not take place in some classrooms or dojo. They will be in the wild."
Horton passed the licenses to him. "Starting tomorrow, you will meet me at the south gate at 4:00 am. The first two days will be spent putting what you have learned from Jekel about nature. The rest of the training will be on how to survive being hunted."
"This is going to be hell training with you." Horton clapped his shoulders. "Absolutely!"