The training yard buzzed with tension as the students from both branches of the War Gods Military Academy gathered for their next session. The atmosphere was thick with murmurs, among those from Branch 1 and Branch 2, as the news spread that Thanos Onaosa Asemota, the two-star soldier with a reputation for his strength in war gods military academy Branch 1, had not yet formed his upper dantian. For many, this was a shocking revelation, one that cast doubt on his abilities despite his achievements.
Sheila Obarisiagbon stood to the side, her eyes scanning the group. While she was there to assist, the focus today was not on cultivation but on combat—a realm where the students would demonstrate the techniques they had been honing and taught new martial arts techniques that they'd use in battle.
John Obarisiagbon, the combat instructor, stood at the front, his imposing figure commanding attention. His presence alone silenced the whispers, his reputation as a master of battle techniques well-known in the clan, and he had taught the past two generations of rookie Qi soldiers including Darius King.
John stepped forward and the 150 rookie Qi soldiers stood at attention. "I am John Obarisiagbon, I am your combat instructor and you will refer to me as Combat master John."
"Yes sir!!" The soldiers responded energetically.
"I was told that the students here are from two different branches of war gods military academy 55 being formed branch 1 and 65 being from branch 2. I have trained and raised the past three generations of Qi soldiers including Darius King the winner of the world military tournament, and looking at my past progress you can see I did a good job.."
To the side instructor Sheila chuckled lightly. The young soldiers were shocked by this revelation. Darius King trained here on these very grounds that they're standing on?
Combat master John continued, not paying attention to Instructor Sheila, " as long as you pay attention during our lessons and cultivate diligently you will one day become your own Darius King" he said while nodding his head, some of the student silently chuckled others nodded in commendation. He must surely be a great man if he truly taught Darius King.
" So do we have any junior captain candidate this year as well, if so step forward.." john asked the soldiers. Heads turned towards both Thanos Onaosa Asemota and Seth Gordon as they made their way to the front of the group, they stood at attention in front of John Obarisiagbon.
"Oh we have two this year, de javu" John said with a surprised expression, " what irony. Darius King and Samson Parker were also junior captain candidates when they were here, Darius being from branch one and Samson being from branch 2. That was a good year." He said with a smile. He went through the tablet in his hand and looked up,
" You are Thanos Onaosa Asemota and Seth Gordon, correct?"
"Yes sir" they responded.
He nodded and looked through the tablet again before calling 2 other persons. "Kusakabe and Ekon step forward."
Hearing their names being called, they stepped out.
"This is sort of a ritual I do before I officially start teaching, I call out the supposed leaders among you and have you fight against members of the team. This is just a spar to display your skills it's not a serious fight. Today, you will demonstrate your combat techniques," John continued. "In battle, strength alone is not enough. It's your skill, your technique, and your ability to adapt that will determine your survival. Remember, a powerful strike is useless if it cannot land. I want to see how well you have been trained before coming here. First, Gordon will face Kusakabe, then Asemota will face Ekon." He signaled for the others to clear out and create a wide enough space for them to face of.
With that, he signaled for them to begin.
Seth moved first, his speed surprising to many. Especially those from branch one, he didn't waste time charging up his Qi, for he had so much control over his Qi flow that he launched into a flurry of strikes, each one precise and calculated, his movements fluid and practiced. It was clear that his training had been extensive, given his background as a branch family of one of the seven great families, it was no surprise that he had better control over his Qi.
But Shino was no slouch. He responded with a technique known as the Hand of Judgement, a move taught by Darius King during their time at the academy. His strikes were powerful, imbued with Qi that crackled through the air as he moved. Each blow was aimed with precision, aiming to disrupt Seth's flow and counter his attacks.
Seth came at him, his fists coated with Qi similar to the way Thanos fights. But while Thanos' Qi would be fiery and outlandish, Seth's was controlled and heavy. With every attack he executed Shino was pushed a step back. Shino manged to break out of Seth's continuous attacks and landed the first palm strike of the hand of judgemen, catching Seth off guard. He executed the second and third strike pushing Seth back while he did his best to parry.
It was the 29th palm strike but Seth smiled and made a move that looked like a dance, he stylishly stepped aside, parried Shino's palm and swiftly sent a fist full of Qi to Shino's abdomen, disrupting the Qi flow to his Dantian. Shino fell to his knees gasping for breath while Seth stood above him in a stance. He bowed and stepped aside.
"Help Kusakabe up" John said, and two soldiers from branch one came to help him but he stopped them and stood up himself. He walked to back to his previous position, took a deep breath and stood at attention. He received a nod from John and respectful gazes from the rest soldiers. He wasn't from a major family but he trained well and earned the respect of the soldiers, because even if he lost, he lost to one of the best among them.