Toma handed Kazuya a pair of boxing gloves. "Let's start with the basics. Shota will show you how to throw a proper punch."
Shota stepped into the ring and beckoned Kazuya to join him.
"Now follow every move Shota does, okay?" Toma said.
"Ok"
Shota planted his feet firmly. Putting up a good stance, He then did a quick jab.
Shota then motioned Kazuya to repeat what he did.
Kazuya mimicked Mousa's stance and threw a jab in the air.
"Not bad," Mousa said, nodding approvingly. "Now, let's see if he can try a hook"
They spent the next hour practicing various punches and combinations. By the end, Kazuya was sweating but felt a sense of accomplishment.
Toma then came up to him "You're good.... But you're physicality isn't on a superhuman standard." Toma said.
"Maybe his ability isn't a physical one?" Mousa said with curiosity.
Toma then thought about for a while, "Maybe you're right....."
Shota then communicated with Mousa by using sign language. It made Mousa think for a while but after a few seconds he spoke. "Okay I think you need to go and find Jun to do the next test..."
"No need, cuz I'm already here" Jun said as she came in the towards the group with a battle staff.
"Jun! Great timing! Now that you're here we can teach Kazuya about Serenity so you can try to manifest his powers!" Mousa said with enthusiasm.
"Don't give me that bullshit" Jun said.
The tension rised as she said that.
Jun stood there with her expression stern and unyielding. She looked at the group, her eyes sharp and critical.
"I came here for one reason only," Jun declared, her voice resonating through the room. "I wanna see what this boy is capable of. As for you three," she paused, her gaze sweeping over the others, "How could I rely on you 3 bozos! You guys have proven time and time again that you don't have what it takes to train someone to become a real fighter."
She punctuated her words by slamming the bottom of her battle staff against the ground with a resounding thud, the sound echoing in the silence that followed.
Toma did a facepalm. "Not this crap again."
Shota sighed, while Mousa just shrugged. He didn't know what to do now.
Jun then pointed Kazuya. "You! Come here!"
Kazuya was flabbergasted by Jun's harsh manner, wasn't this the girl who smiled at him this morning. Right now he was seeing a completely different person.
Kazuya went to the center of the room, his hands trembling slightly as he looked at Jun.
"Alright, kid." Jun began, her voice steady and authoritative. "Today, I'm going to push your limits. Ya need to be ready for anything. Cuz I'm not going to hold back."
Kazuya swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes, Jun."
The others gathered around the perimeter of the room, watching intently. Toma leaned against the wall with his hands behind his head, Shota sat on a bench, and Mousa stood with a faint smirk on his face, clearly anticipating the rigorous session.
Jun wasted no time. She swung her staff in a wide arc, and Kazuya barely had time to raise his arms in defense before the impact sent him sprawling to the mat. The breath was knocked out of him, and he gasped for air.
"Get up," Jun commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Kazuya groaned and pushed himself to his feet, his muscles already aching. He did a defensive stance, trying to anticipate her next move. But Jun advanced with her movements fluid and precise. She struck again, a swift blow to his side that made him stagger.
"Faster," she barked. "You need to be faster!"
Kazuya stumbled but managed to stay on his feet. 'I need to try something!'
He then tried to counter with a quick jab but Jun easily deflected it with her staff and delivered a sharp jab of her own to his stomach which made Kazuya fall onto the ground.
"Get up," Jun repeated, her eyes cold and unyielding.
"Jun....I think this.....training session... is too hard.... for me" Kazuya said while huffing.
But Jun glared at him, which made the poor kid even more scared than before.
With a groan, Kazuya got himself upright once more. He knew he couldn't back down, not in front of the others, and certainly not with Jun pushing him like this. He steadied his breathing and tried to focus.
Jun launched into a series of rapid attacks, each one more punishing than the last. She struck at his legs, his arms, his torso, every blow landing with brutal efficiency. Kazuya tried to block and dodge, but Jun's skill was overwhelming. Each time he fell, Jun's command was the same: "Get up."
After what felt like an eternity, Kazuya's body was bruised and battered. He was drenched in sweat, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Jun paused for a moment, giving him a brief respite.
Mousa's smirk had faded quickly as he saw the one sided fight Kazuya was in. This was basically a beating and thought that it was going out of hand, Jun really wasn't going easy on him, Kazuya was literally getting bruises and marks.
"Jun, I think that's enough! You're going to hurt the kid!"
Jun looked at Mousa with " Why do you care old man, just mind your own business, while I teach this kid how to fight for real!"
Mousa was frustrated. "Jun! Kazuya is only 10 years old! are you seriously going go that hard on him!? No, I'm not gonna let this countinue. This training session over!"
But then Kazuya stood up and shook his head, determined. "No, I'm not done yet."
Mousa was flabbergasted. "Kazuya..."
Jun smiled. "See? The kid ain't whining unlike you old man! He knows this is for the best!" Without warning, she resumed her assault.
This time, Kazuya tried to anticipate her movements, watching her closely. He managed to deflect a few of her strikes, earning a nod of approval from Jun. But she quickly stepped up the intensity, her attacks becoming a relentless barrage.
Kazuya was knocked to the ground again, and again Jun's voice rang out. "Get up!"
His body screamed in protest, but Kazuya gritted his teeth and pushed himself to his feet. He couldn't afford to show weakness. He raised his arms, ready for the next onslaught.
Jun came at him with a spinning strike, her staff a blur. Kazuya ducked just in time, feeling the rush of air as it passed over his head. He tried to counter with a kick, but Jun was too fast. She swept his legs out from under him, and he crashed to the mat once more.
"Get up!"
Kazuya's vision blurred with exhaustion, but he refused to stay down. He staggered to his feet, his legs trembling. He was starting to find a rhythm, even if it was punishing. He dodged another strike and managed to land a glancing blow on Jun's arm.
"Not bad," Jun admitted, a faint smile touching her lips. But she didn't let up. She spun her staff, striking Kazuya's shoulder with a force that sent him reeling.
"Get up!"
He lost count of how many times he hit the ground, how many times Jun's voice commanded him to rise. Each time, it became harder, his body heavier, his movements slower. But each time, he found the strength to stand.
"GET UP!"
The others watched in silence, their expressions unreadable. Toma's was nonchalant, and Shota seemed impressed by Kazuya's determination. Mousa's had a look of grudging respect.
After numerous of beatings, Jun finally stepped back, lowering her staff. Kazuya stood before her, battered but unbroken, his chest heaving with exertion.
"That's enough," Jun said, her tone softer now. "You've got a long way to go, but you're tougher than I thought."
Kazuya nodded, too exhausted to speak. He had survived the brutal training session, and despite the pain, he felt a sense of accomplishment.
As Jun walked away, Toma approached Kazuya and clapped him on the shoulder. "You did good, kid. You even did the moves Shota taught you! Keep that up, and you'll be unstoppable."
Kazuya managed a weak smile, grateful for the encouragement.
Shota and Mousa came to Kazuya.
Shota offered to carry Kazuya back to his room.
Mousa was in deep thought. "You know what I'm thinking, Toma?"
Toma nodded. "Yup, it's about Kazuya's power isn't it? I think we discovered what his ability is.... Jun is a genius"
Mousa looked at Toma weirdly. "Yeah... sure, but I was actually thinking about getting me some chicken noodle soup! I'm starving
Toma sighed. "You cannot be serious. Old man!"
As those two were bickering in the training room, unknowing to them, there was was a person spying on them...