Walking up to the dojo with a smile, Klay noticed several other students of his uncle walking the same way.
Today will be different, I have a goddamn superpower now. I'm gonna make it through the entire class, even if it kills me. The other students can say what they want, I'll still overcome these workouts!
Klay squared his thoughts and kept walking for several minutes. Approaching the anachronistic dojo setting with the glass panes reflecting its well tempered walls nearby, Klay made sure to smooth out his smile as he entered.
[Title unlocked: Martial Student! As a practitioner of martial arts, you have a similar foundation to many others. +5 to all physical stats, +5 to Stability]
Looking over the silent pane of text that appeared before him, Klay couldn't help but continue smiling even wider as he passed some of the other students, who began murmuring to each other as they saw the jovial smile aboard his face.
I even got a title? System, can you explain titles now for me?
"[Titles are simply something others would call you based on certain actions you take. Since you entered the martial arts dojo, you unlocked the specific title. Each title gives a specific effect, usually to your stats.]"
Nodding to himself, Klay quickly prepared and was waiting for Phoenix to start the class. Wasting time, he looked through the system interface.
[Name: Klay Wynne (Martial Student)
Rank: Serf (Low tier)
Exp: Level 1, 1/6
Stat Points: 0
Stats:
[Strength: 9 (9.2)
Dexterity: 11 (11.3)
Flexibility: 10 (10.3)
Senses: 8 (8.4)
Intellect: 15 (15.4)
Stability: 11 (11.3)
Regeneration: 1.7]
Abilities: [Observation Level 1], [Regen Focus (Passive) Level 2]
Additional Pages: Titles]
I unlocked an additional page too? I don't think today could get any better!
"LINE UP!" A commanding voice called out, causing all the students in the small building to rush over, standing attentively in a line next to the mat. Klay was between several students, all of whom were taller than him, with most of them being around 2 meters tall. Klay himself was a very average height, but due to his skinny physique he looked far smaller compared to the rest of the students.
"Today, we're going to warm up with partners. Pair up with someone next to you, and hurry up." Uncle Phoenix called out again, waiting for the students to follow his instruction.
Turning around, Klay was face to chest with a particularly large student of the dojo, Jeans Craigson. Jeans wasn't his actual first name, but everyone always referred to him as Jeans so Klay didn't know what else to call him. Compared to the other students, Jeans was one of the younger ones having only recently turned 19. Despite this, his skill in the dojo was one of the highest.
"You fine with pairing up?" Jeans looked down at Klay, speaking in a deep voice while smiling mockingly at Klay.
Jackass. I'll show you today, just watch.
"S-sure," Klay responded quickly, clearing his throat as they lined up together, one facing the other.
"We'll spend a couple minutes working on shifting weight and gravity before we move on to hitting, got it?" Phoenix called out to the room.
"YES TEACHER!" All the students called out loudly in reply.
Klay sighed out in quiet relief at the exercise. Shifting weight was an exercise where each participant moved at a relatively slow pace, one sending out a hit and the other redirecting it and, if possible, pushing the opponent off balance. The danger of the exercise was minimal while the training was extremely useful for the students of the dojo.
With a short exchange, Jeans was decided to be the attacker with Klay redirecting. They stood slightly apart, and Klay took his stance signaling he was ready. Jeans' fist was sent out, and Klay immediately used Observation to try and figure out the best way to redirect it and throw Jeans off balance, preferably to the ground.
Arm slightly bent, aimed at my chin. His eyes are looking higher than that, at my temple. His shoulder is tensing, planning to push through any redirection with sheer force.
The wave of senses came and went impossibly fast, but Klay was ready for it. Squaring his stance and keeping his feet planted, he placed his left palm against Jeans' tensed bicep and his right hand on his shoulder. Quickly, he moved his leg behind Jeans' and pushed his whole weight against him, sending Jeans stumbling backwards a few steps.
Shocked, Jeans barely managed to catch himself from falling and looked around to see the other students also quite astonished at Klay's sudden show of ability.
Holy shit, I did it! So I just need to use Observation again to make sure I keep up with his attacks. Thank god this isn't an actual fight, because there is no chance I'd be able to see his swings.
Annoyed, Jeans walked back over to Klay who was happily staring at his hands, seemingly impressed by his own skill.
"Let's go again." Jeans spoke, breaking Klay out of his reverie.
Shaking his head, Klay got back into his stance and prepared to use Observation. The moment he realized Jeans was moving, he activated the ability only to receive a sharp pang of pain that echoed throughout his mind, causing him to instinctively grab his head as Jeans' arm didn't stop, colliding with Klay's forehead. Falling backwards, Klay continued to hold his head and groaned out in pain.
Why does that hurt so much?! Did I use Observation too much or something?! Why didn't you tell me this would happen?
"[The Regeneration System was unaware of the potential effect using certain abilities too much would have. The Regeneration System recommends not using Observation for the rest of the day as your brain heals from the repetitive expansion of senses.]" The voice spoke nonchalantly, causing Klay to grimace as he slowly sat up from the ringing headache.
No kidding. At least it isn't unbearable, I'm pretty sure getting stabbed hurt more even though I passed out so fast after.
Standing back to his feet, Klay rubbed his forehead as Jeans looked at him.
"You ready to keep going, or are you gonna leave now?" Jeans asked with a hint of a mocking tone.
Frowning, Klay got back into his stance. "I'm fine, I think. Just hurt for a moment."
Carrying on with the exercise, Klay and Jeans continued to attack and redirect each other's hits, with Klay walking away from the exercise with several bruises and Jeans a conflicted look on his face, as Kay performed far better than he had expected based on every other day he's been there.
Uncle Phoenix also noticed this, but said nothing and just kept observing as the students continued exercising. He made them switch activities a few times, and showed them certain movements that would help them in the exercises and martial arts in general.
Eventually, after nearly an hour of paired exercises, Phoenix had the students take a short break to get water as he walked over to Klay.
Having left the lineup faster than the other students, Klay sat down in his corner and greedily drank from his water bottle. Breathing heavily, Klay held his head while gulping down the ice cold water, soothing his dry throat and body.
No matter how much I improve, these training sessions just seem like too much for me.
Phoenix walked over to Klay huddled in the corner as the other students also refreshed themselves. "I have to say, you've shocked me today. However you did it, you managed to make it through most of the class when just the other day you could barely get through the warm up. Nicely done." He praised Klay with a smile, patting his shoulder before walking away, checking in with a few other students.
It's still exhausting though. I can't believe I thought I'd be able to get through the entire workout with ease, like those overpowered characters. That's a long way off for me, if it'll ever happen.
Taking advantage of the few minutes of rest he had, Klay let his mind wander to the slight feeling of his body healing, the several bruises on his body fading away.
"Line back up! We've got one more activity to go through before you guys get to leave and do whatever it is you all do during the day that isn't training. As a quick wrap up exercise, you will all spar with your partners as the rest of us observe! Make sure to pay close attention, each duo will be sparring twice so I can look for improvement and plan out tomorrow's workout!"
As all the students listened to Phoenix's directions, their smiles seemed to grow at the silent thought of Jeans and Klay sparring. Looking over at each other, they weren't expecting to see Klay also standing in line among them with a small smile on his face at the mention of sparring.
I'll be able to show off with this exercise. I know how to fight, especially against jerks like Jeans.