Chapter 41 - 36. Second Day

The courtyard buzzed with energy as the morning sun climbed higher into the sky, casting golden light across the training grounds. The crisp air carried the faint chatter of students gathering for the day's first combat training session. Among them were Kiana, Mei, Bronya, and Kenji, standing close together in a loose group.

Kiana, still half-asleep, yawned loudly and leaned against Mei for support. "Why do these sessions have to be so early?" she groaned, rubbing her eyes and slouching slightly.

"Because if we're late, Himeko will make us run laps until we collapse," Mei replied, her tone calm but carrying a hint of exasperation. Her structured morning routine had ensured that the group arrived on time, though not without complaints. While Kiana and Kenji looked like they were still dragging themselves out of bed, Mei and Bronya appeared entirely composed.

Kenji stifled a yawn, stretching his arms sluggishly "That couch was more comfortable than I thought," he muttered under his breath, shielding his eyes from the glaring sunlight. He winced, squinting upward as the light hit him squarely in the face.

Despite his groggy state, Kenji couldn't help but notice the occasional glance from nearby students. He was still wearing one of the standard Valkyrie battlesuits, and he was thankful that he was too tired to feel embarrassed. He asked Mei about it and it turns out there were days where they would use a standard battlesuit and days where they would use just their usual uniforms. 'And of course, I was told none of that. Thanks Himeko' Kenji thought in his mind.

Ten minutes later, Himeko finally arrived, striding confidently onto the field with her signature casual grin. Her red hair glinted in the sunlight, and her commanding presence instantly drew the attention of the students. "Morning, everyone! Sorry I'm late," she said, clearly unbothered by her own tardiness. "Alright, today's focus is human-to-human combat."

The group straightened up as Himeko continued. "Out in the field, you're not just going to be fighting Honkai beasts. There will come a time where you'll face other human opponents. Today's training is about getting a feel for combat against another person." Her sharp gaze swept across the courtyard, ensuring everyone was paying attention.

"Now, I want you all to pick a sparring partner," she instructed. "Choose someone who complements your fighting style, or at least someone you think can challenge it. Let's get started."

As the students began pairing off, Kenji crossed his arms, surveying the field. His primary focus was hand-to-hand combat. While he had trained with a sword in the past, he lacked real battle experience with one. His eyes landed on Kiana, who was fiddling with two pistols. He squinted, trying to figure out what kind of weapons they were.

Kiana noticed him staring and smirked. She held up her weapons proudly. "Like what you see? These babies are the best weapons in the world!" she declared, striking a playful pose.

Kenji sighed, unimpressed. "I highly doubt that. I was going to ask you to spar, but since I focus on hand-to-hand, I'll need to find someone else."

Kiana shrugged and grinned. "Good luck, then!" she said, before sauntering off to find her own partner. Kenji was slightly surprised that she wasn't going to ask Mei, but a gun against a sword isn't exactly an even matchup.

Kenji turned his attention back to the other students, scanning the crowd for someone who might be a good match. He considered approaching a few people, but a twinge of nervousness held him back. Alright, just got to talk to new people. No problem. he thought, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly as he hesitated.

"Excuse me—"

"Holy shi-!" Kenji flinched as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Whipping around, he came face-to-face with a woman wearing red glasses and a calm expression. She blinked at his startled reaction, her brow lifting slightly in surprise.

"S-sorry about that," Kenji stammered, his heart still racing. As he got a better look, he finally recognized who the person was. "Wait, you're Fu Hua, right?" How could he forget the person that Mei said was the strongest person in the class.

Fu Hua nodded. "That's right. It's nice to meet you, Kenji," she said, extending her hand.

Kenji quickly shook it, his initial surprise fading into a smile. "Nice to meet you too," he said.

As they released the handshake, Kenji opened his mouth to ask what she needed, but Fu Hua spoke first. "I wanted to ask if you would like to partner with me for this sparring session. I also specialize in close-quarters hand-to-hand combat, so it seems like a good match."

Kenji blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Partnering with the strongest person here? he thought. It was incredibly convenient, and he wasn't about to pass up the opportunity. "Sure, why not?" he said, his tone light. "Though, I'm probably not nearly as good as you in terms of skill."

Fu Hua's lips curved into a small smile. "No problem at all. That's why we're training—to get better." Her calm response bolstered Kenji's confidence.

Kenji straightened up, his excitement building. "Alright then! Let's do this."

...

Kenji glanced around as students shuffled to their chosen spots, trying to find the perfect area for their sparring matches. He couldn't help but feel a bit skeptical. "This is probably not the most effective way to train," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head slightly. The sound of chatter and shuffling feet filled the air as pairs dispersed across the courtyard. But hey, who am I to judge?

Fu Hua gestured toward a quieter corner of the courtyard, and Kenji followed her lead. The two walked in silence for a moment, the crisp morning air carrying the faint sounds of sparring students. Kenji's mind churned as he tried to come up with something to say. Social interactions weren't exactly his strong suit, but he wanted to make an effort.

"So why—"

"Alright, let's get ready," Fu Hua interrupted, her voice calm but focused as they reached their designated spot. Realizing she had cut him off, she straightened up. "Oh, apologies. You were saying?"

Kenji blinked, momentarily caught off guard before waving her apology away with a chuckle. "Eh, forget about it. So, how is this sparring gonna go? Do we just go ahead and fight?"

Fu Hua tilted her head slightly, her expression thoughtful, though her body language remained composed. "I have no problem with that approach. However, before we start, I have a request."

Kenji raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Okay, shoot."

Adjusting her glasses, Fu Hua locked her gaze on him. "I am quite curious about your unique strength. I would like to ask you not to hold back during this sparring session."

That wasn't what Kenji had expected. 'Wait does she know about my weird energy? I seriously need to ask Himeko who the hell knows and whether it's a secret or not'

He stared at her for a moment, trying to gauge if she was serious. "Uh... are you sure about that?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty. .

Fu Hua nodded, her calm demeanor unwavering. "Yes, I am certain. I believe this will be an excellent opportunity for both of us to learn. I want to experience the full extent of your abilities."

Kenji hesitated, scratching the back of his head as he processed her request. "Alright, but just so you know, I can't go all out without hurting myself. So I'll give it as much as I can without overdoing it."

"That is acceptable," Fu Hua said with a nod, taking a few steps back to create some distance between them. She shifted her weight slightly, lowering herself into a battle-ready position. Her movements were deliberate, every motion exuding control and precision. She radiated confidence, yet her stance carried a calmness that seemed almost unshakable. As she settled into her position, she glanced at Kenji and offered a small, encouraging smile. "Are you ready?"

Kenji couldn't help but grin, her steady confidence sparking his competitive side. Taking a deep breath, he activated 35% of his strength, the familiar hum of energy rippling through his body. The faint glow of his aura flared briefly before settling, and he shifted into his own stance, locking eyes with Fu Hua.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

Fu Hua stood still. Her sharp eyes seemed to analyze him, and Kenji could tell she wasn't going to make the first move. Deciding to test the waters, he rushed forward and threw a quick jab aimed at her shoulder. Fu Hua sidestepped effortlessly, her movements smooth. She responded with a low kick, forcing Kenji to hop back to avoid it.

The first few exchanges were light, both of them feeling out the other's capabilities. Kenji kept his strikes controlled. Fu Hua, meanwhile, kept her attacks precise but restrained, her movements like a steady rhythm. Each strike and counter revealed a little more about the other.

"You're faster than I expected," Fu Hua said after deflecting one of his punches, countering with a kick that he blocked. Her tone was even, but Kenji could tell she was studying him carefully.

"Thanks," Kenji replied, keeping his breathing steady. He dodged another kick and followed up with a quick punch aimed at her torso, which she blocked with ease. 'Ok I knew there was a skill gap but damn.'

But something about her strikes felt off. Kenji could tell she wasn't going all out. And if she wasn't, why should he? He kept his power in check, still cautious about going too far.

Fu Hua seemed to notice. "You're holding back," she said, her voice carrying a hint of challenge.

Kenji hesitated, but before he could respond, Fu Hua surged forward. She moved faster than before, closing the gap in an instant. Kenji tried to block, but she slipped past his guard and landed a solid uppercut to his stomach.

The force of the hit lifted him off his feet, sending him skidding back. He managed to twist in the air, landing on one knee and gripping his stomach. 'That fucking hurt!' he thought, wincing as he stood up.

"Come on, you agreed to show me your full strength did you not?" Fu Hua said, her stance unwavering.

Kenji exhaled sharply, the competitive fire in him sparking. "Alright. You asked for it," he said. A faint hum of energy surrounded him as he settled into a more fluid stance. This time, he going to fight normally, without restraints.

He dashed forward, his speed catching Fu Hua off guard for a split second. His strikes came faster now, forcing her to adjust. She blocked and dodged, but Kenji's increased speed made it increasingly difficult for her to keep up. He slipped past her defenses and landed a quick jab to her side, making her stagger slightly.

Fu Hua's lips curved into a small smile. "That's more like it."

The fight intensified. Kenji used his agility to weave around Fu Hua's counters, landing clean hits when he could. Fu Hua, however, didn't miss a beat. She wasn't called the strongest in the class for nothing. She adapted quickly, her strikes became sharper, her movements more aggressive. She pressed him harder, testing his limits, but Kenji wasn't going to be overwhelmed, dodging and countering with surprising finesse.

The courtyard seemed to shrink around them as their sparring reached its peak. Fu Hua's superior strength and experience showed in every move, but Kenji's raw power and speed kept her on her toes. The two moved in a blur, their strikes creating faint echoes as they immersed themselves in battle.

Kenji saw an opening. Fu Hua's footing shifted slightly, and he seized the moment, aiming a punch at her exposed side. But just as he was about to connect, Fu Hua's arm lashed out, a reaction born from instinct and the rhythm of the fight.

The blow caught Kenji squarely in his chest, sending him flying across the courtyard. He hit the ground hard, sliding to a stop near the edge. He was left laying on the ground facing the sky, still processing the hit.

'I think I just saw my ancestors.'

A few students who saw him get sent flying came closer to check on him but he just raised a pained thumbs up. "Don't worry, I'm alive."

The sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention, and he glanced up to see Fu Hua standing over him. Her usually composed expression was softened by a hint of concern.

"I apologize," she said. "I got carried away."

Kenji looked at her for a moment before breaking into a small smile. "It's alright," he replied, brushing off the incident. He reached up as she extended a hand, letting her pull him back to his feet in one smooth motion.

Standing now, Kenji adjusted his stance, still feeling the ache but his healing factor albeit still not at full capacity was already taking care of it. He glanced at Fu Hua, his grin returning. "You're ridiculously strong," he said. "How did you even get that strong?"

Fu Hua adjusted her glasses, her calm demeanor returning. "Lots of training and dedication," she replied simply, her tone as steady as her stance.

Kenji chuckled softly, nodding. 'Yeah, that sounds about right for someone like you', thinking the response suited her perfectly.

As they walked back to their spot, a few students glanced their way, curiosity clear on their faces. After all, it wasn't every day they saw someone sent flying across the courtyard. Kenji caught a few murmurs and noticed some students watching him with newfound interest.

When they reached their spot, both Kenji and Fu Hua turned to face each other again. Their earlier clash had clearly heightened their excitement.

Fu Hua slid back into her battle stance. Her expression was focused but not without a glimmer of excitement. Kenji followed suit, raising his fists as a grin tugged at the corners of his lips. His soreness was gone and he felt a rush of adrenaline as he prepared for round two.

"Ready when you are," he said, his tone light but determined.

Fu Hua nodded, her voice calm. "Let's continue."

And with that, the sparring resumed.

...

Kenji, who was completely covered in sweat from his spar with Fu Hua, bit her farewell and trudged back to the group where Kiana, Mei, and Bronya were waiting. He'd barely reached them when Kiana burst into laughter, pointing at him.

"Oh man, Kenji, I couldn't even focus after watching you get tossed like a ragdoll!" she said between fits of giggles, clutching her sides. "You were flying! Like, really flying!"

Kenji groaned, rubbing the back of his neck as a faint blush crept up his cheeks. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," he muttered, though a small grin tugged at his lips.

Mei wasn't laughing outright, but the amused glint in her eyes and the soft curve of her smile said enough. "What did you do to make Fu Hua hit you that hard?" she asked, tilting her head slightly in curiosity.

Kenji scratched his head, shrugging. "I guess I got a little too comfortable. She told me not to hold back, so I didn't, and... well, I think we just got caught up in the spar?"

"To the point that she sent you flying across the courtyard?" Kiana interjected. "That's hilarious."

"Alright, alright," Kenji said, holding up his hands in surrender. "No need to rub it in."

Surprisingly, Bronya spoke up, her tone flat but with a hint of curiosity. "Why did you choose to spar with Fu Hua? Bronya finds this decision questionable.".

Kenji raised an eyebrow at her question. "She asked me, and it's not like I was going to say no. Besides, I wanted to see how I stacked up against her." He shrugged again, this time with a small smile. "Turns out, she's as strong as everyone says."

Bronya nodded slowly. "Logical decision. But next time, consider the consequences of such sparring matches."

Himeko's voice rang out again, cutting through their conversation. "You're all dismissed! Take the next 30 minutes to rest up and prepare for your next class. Don't be late, or else." Her grin and the ominous tone in her last words left no room for doubt about what "or else" might mean.

As the students began dispersing, Kiana stretched her arms and let out an exaggerated yawn. "Well, I'm starving! Time to raid the cafeteria," she declared, already turning to leave.

Kenji shook his head, chuckling softly. Mei gave him a quick glance. "You did well holding your own against Fu Hua," she said, her voice soft but sincere. "Just... maybe try not to let yourself get tossed next time?"

"Noted," Kenji replied with a laugh, rolling his shoulder as they started walking toward their next destination.

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Suddenly, the faint buzz of her phone broke the quiet. Fu Hua reached into her pocket and retrieved the device, glancing briefly at the caller ID before answering.

"This is Fu Hua." she said, her tone calm and measured.

A male voice came through, smooth and authoritative. "How was his second day?" the voice asked, skipping pleasantries. "What do you think of Kenji Aoyama's capabilities?"

Fu Hua's posture straightened slightly. "He shows significant potential. His raw strength and adaptability are impressive, but he lacks refinement. He hesitates in applying his full power, which could become an issue in high-stakes situations."

The voice on the other end hummed in acknowledgment. "Expected. Still, there is ample time for him to grow. He may have been an unexpected and relatively unknown variable, but still one we can use." There was a pause, followed by a faint note of amusement in the voice. "Keep an eye on him. Report any notable changes in his abilities or behavior."

"Understood," Fu Hua replied without hesitation.

"Good," the voice said, the weight behind the single word lingering even after the call ended. The line went silent, and Fu Hua lowered her phone, slipping it back into her pocket.

Her gaze drifted back toward the path where Kenji and the others had disappeared. She stood still for a moment longer, the faint breeze brushing past her as her thoughts remained hidden behind her composed exterior. Finally, Fu Hua turned and walked away, the courtyard now silent and empty.