"You really want to learn Bajiquan from me?"
(T/N: Bajiquan is a traditional Chinese martial art that features explosive, short-range power in close-combat and is well known for its rapid elbow and shoulder strikes. Its full name is kaimen bajiquan)
Shen decided not to talk about Pokémon with Julian anymore. Every time she brought it up, it just made her feel inferior. Still, her eyes couldn't help but covet Lucario, who was using Calm Mind to exercise the power of its aura.
The sight of Lucario's appearance and fighting ability hit the heart of Shen, a Fighting-type trainer.
"Of course," Julian nodded.
He thought of learning Bajiquan after gaining the Mega Pallet Town physique. It made sense to learn martial arts to maximize the potential of his body.
As for why Bajiquan and not another form of martial arts? Well, the name itself carried enough weight.
It's often said, 'In literature, there's Tai Chi to calm the world, and in martial arts, there's Bajiquan to stabilize the universe.'
Tai Chi was known for its slow, graceful movements, and Bajiquan, for its explosive power. Julian found this a fitting reflection of what he wanted.
In Drakoria, there were many schools of Bajiquan. You can even find some of the basics online, but the real teachings are passed down through family lines.
Since Shen's family was highly regarded in the world of martial arts, it made sense for Julian to approach her. After all, any random teacher he found wouldn't be as good.
"You just need to teach me the techniques that can be shared," Julian said.
Most martial arts families have strict rules about which techniques can be taught to outsiders.
Julian wasn't part of Shen's family, so he didn't expect to learn their core techniques, the ones that gave them their edge.
He didn't mind that, though. Even with basic moves, his enhanced physique would amplify their power.
The idea of eventually being able to fight alongside a Machamp or spar with Lucario excited him.
"I haven't even learned all the core moves yet, so don't get any ideas," Shen replied.
Her family didn't have any gender-based restrictions, but the core techniques were only taught to direct descendants. Since Shen was one of them, she was on track to learn them eventually.
"You must be a bit slow then," Julian said, smirking.
Shen: (▼~ㄨ)
'Why is she looking at me like that? It's true. She's almost eighteen, and still haven't learned the family's core techniques.'
"If you want to learn, you need to start with the basics," Shen said firmly. "Horse stance."
"You stand in that for three years before you even get started."
The color drained from Julian's face.
Horse stance is a foundational practice in martial arts. It strengthens the legs and core, making it harder to be knocked down and quicker to counterattack.
Shen remembered how hard it had been for her as a child, standing in that position for two years straight before she could move on to anything else.
She wasn't too sympathetic, though. She imagined Julian suffering through the same thing and couldn't help but feel a little gleeful.
"How long do I have to stand?" Julian asked.
"Until the sun goes down."
Julian glanced at the clock. It was only nine in the morning. That meant he'd be holding the stance for almost the entire day.
"I'm not joking," Shen said when she noticed his doubt. "If you don't take this seriously, I'm out."
Julian had already researched martial arts before asking to learn Bajiquan. He knew she wasn't lying; standing in a horse stance was indeed how most martial arts training started. You needed to build a solid foundation before learning anything else.
-
Seven days later, in Julian's backyard.
Shen's face was stiff. The confident light in her eyes had dimmed. Why, oh why, had she agreed to teach Julian?
Julian had gone from horse stance to punching and kicking, already showing clear proficiency. Each of his movements caused the air to crack with power. Shen couldn't believe what she was seeing.
It had taken him just seven days to become this good. Shen was starting to regret ever teaching him.
She had thought that while she might not be as skilled as Julian on the Pokémon battlefield, she would at least have martial arts as her domain. But now, Julian was catching up to her here too.
Have you ever seen someone who moves like they've taken a stimulants, but without the actual stimulants?
Julian's body wasn't normal. It was beyond human.
The person in front of her wasn't Julian at all—it was a Machamp in disguise.
"Teacher Shen, I finished today's practice. How does it compare to yesterday?" Julian asked with a smile.
Julian didn't know the meaning of fatigue, thanks to his Mega Pallet Town physique. And the way he had mastered Bajiquan so quickly only made him more aware of his body's capabilities.
"It's alright. Don't get cocky. I reached this level in just three days," Shen said, attempting to salvage some of her pride.
Shen: Can't I just lie a little to save face?
"Teacher Shen, you're amazing!"
Julian gave her a thumbs up, not doubting her words at all. If it took him seven days, then it was only natural for someone like Shen, who came from a martial arts family, to have learned in three.
Seeing Julian's genuine admiration, Shen raised her head proudly, showing off her slender neck. "You're still far behind, Julian. Far behind."
In that moment, Shen felt like she could accomplish anything.
"From now on, you just need to practice regularly. I don't have anything else to teach you," Shen said.
She had taught Julian all she could, short of the core techniques.
Julian nodded.
"When do you plan on heading to Imperial University?" Shen asked.
The universities would begin their semester on September 1st. It was already mid-August, and both Julian and Shen had been specially recruited by Imperial University. They would likely be in the same special recruit class.
"Probably around the 25th," Julian replied.
"Then let's go together."
"Why? You got plans?"
"Yeah, I'm visiting one of my grandpa's friends. He's an inheritor of Hongquan."
(T/N: Hongquan a form of Chinese martial arts is characterized by its emphasis on fluid movement, circular patterns, and explosive power. The style is known for its unique "five animal" forms, which mimic the movements of a tiger, leopard, snake, crane, and dragon)
Julian nodded. He wasn't too familiar with martial arts styles, but he had learned a bit from Shen.
"I'm going to meet my Aunt."
Julian's Slowking had been sent to his Aunt for research in the capital. She had recently finished her study and was writing a paper on it.
She had asked Julian to visit on the 25th so he could co-sign the paper. Even though he hadn't written the thesis, Julian had discovered Slowpke's alternate evolutionary form, making him a co-author.
Once the paper was published, Slowking would be publicly recognized.
After making plans with Shen to travel together on the 25th, she said goodbye to Julian's parents and left.
"Come back tomorrow," Jake, Julian's father, said with a smile.
Shen: Come back? Not if I can help it! I'll be lucky if I survive the embarrassment of today.
*****
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