Chapter 36 - Learning

The Marshal sighed and was about commencing the next round, when his metallic wristband suddenly beeped twice. He tapped on the surface once and spoke, "Marshal Mathew Bates speaking,"

Using his in-ear wireless comms, he listened to the voice on the other end for a while, a frown gradually taking over his expression.

After a while, he nodded gravely and said, "I'll be there soon."

"Is something wrong?" Arden asked.

Mathew Bates exhaled slowly and said, not directly answering her, "I have to attend a very important meeting now. I probably won't return for a while– make use of this time to continue familiarising yourself with your powers."

He turned to Adam and gave him a meaningful stare, "Your combat prowess is gravely lacking. The lowest of the low. Try to learn from the others."

The white-haired boy was silent, but he eventually nodded. After all, he had already enlisted Arden's help. Besides, after witnessing Victor and Aaron's battle, he felt there was a possibility of losing if he fought with them.

Having immense strength was good and all, but it lacked versatility. If he couldn't get close to his enemy, how was he to hit them?

"Good." The Marshal dipped his hands into his coat pocket and walked out of the training room without another word.

When he left, Arden immediately scooted towards Adam. She asked with shimmering eyes, "Want to start now?"

She was referring to the training session.

Adam sighed and muttered in a terribly low voice, "Sure."

The girl turned to look at Arthur Azrael next. "What about you? What will you do?"

"I think I'll watch the other trainees for now." He said and walked out of the training room.

Adam suddenly felt maybe that wasn't a bad idea. He had wondered what kind of training Nina was going through. His thoughts were interrupted by the girl before him.

"Let's begin."

Adam bobbed his head imperceptibly.

"Take a stance." Arden said, assuming the authority of a superior Enforcer. She looked at Adam's slouching posture and shook her head with pity.

She tapped his nape, "Don't slouch. You might arch your back for certain preparations, but don't slouch."

Okay… Adam nodded inwardly.

Arden stared at him. She said with a demanding tone, "You will address me as Ma'am."

"What?" Adam was momentarily dazed. However, when he saw her dead serious glare, he cleared his throat and said, "Yes, ma'am."

"Good." The girl nodded and proceeded like it was another Tuesday. She helped him position his hands better and explained the necessity of good form. Then, she stood before him and commanded, "Strike me."

"Hm? You want me to hit you?"

"Yes." Arden affirmed. She quickly added with a chuckle, "Of course, not with that ridiculous strength of yours. Just strike me normally."

She took a defensive stance and awaited his blow.

Adam was initially reluctant, but considering how she overwhelmed the others in battle, he stopped hesitating and threw out his right arm, aiming a fist at her face.

Arden's left hand easily parried the incoming fist. She sneered, "Too obvious! Again!"

"Yes ma'am.." Adam cleared his throat and adjusted his stance. This time, he paused for a few seconds, before throwing out a punch.

Arden easily parried once again and said, "Too slow."

"You're fast, but at the same time, terribly slow." She assessed. "I noticed it during your fights with the Marshal. You seem to heavily rely on your strength. Yes, you believe you can win if you land just one hit, making you neglect the manner and speed of attack. You haven't been in a desperate situation that'll require you to utilise your brain to the fullest."

"In short, you don't think." Arden said in all seriousness.

Adam felt a blow to his heart, but he remained silent.

Arden continued, "When you're in a fight, you need to constantly think moves ahead. Never ever expect your first few hits to successfully strike your opponent. Have the belief that they'll counter in some way, and plan your following attacks, do you understand?"

"Yes ma'am." Adam nodded.

"Good. Now, strike again."

The girl took a defensive stance once more and patiently awaited.

Adam had both his arms raised to just below eye-level. He exhaled slowly and tried to think of a new way to attack her. Clearly, just throwing out his fist wouldn't do any good. He wasn't brain dead.

Seconds slowly went by and both remained in their respective stance. Adam suddenly inched forward. He didn't throw a punch this time, drawing closer first.

Then, he swung his right arm.

Midway, he suddenly paused, expecting Arden to raise her hand to parry.

However, she didn't. She had anticipated he would try to fake first this time.

Adam grit his teeth and planned to withdraw, but he heard Arden's voice, "Don't stop!"

With a slight grunt, he followed up with a left hook, but she easily dodged. Adam took one more step forward, remembering how Arden had strongly held her foot to the floor during her fight with Arthur.

He neared her and tried an elbow jab to her chest, but she blocked with her right palm and suddenly pulled towards him with her spare hand ready to strike.

Adam was startled. He hadn't expected her to attack, having the notion that she would be on the defensive throughout.

He hissed and raised his arms to block the blow that was coming for him. However, all he felt was her palm on his chest.

"Wha–" Adam glanced down and saw that Arden had crossed her leg behind his, impeding his foot placement.

The girl exerted strength and pushed. Adam lost balance, staggered and fell backwards easily. In that slight moment of him falling, numerous thoughts went through his head.

She had attacked when he least expected it. And, even when he tried to block, her punch had ended up being a fake. Her real objective was to knock him down. Who would've thought…

Adam's back hit the floor and he let out an involuntarily grunt.

"See," Arden said and suddenly bent over him, her eyes staring directly into his. "Plan ahead. A fight is never predictable."

There was a momentary silence.

"Hm, your eyes really are beautiful." She asked with a soft smile, "Tell me, what do they see?"