Training, Rules, Fights.

Around 3:00 PM that afternoon, Kizaer, Ciona, and the other students from the class stood side by side at the perimeter of the platform, observing the combat training unfolding before them.

Despite the sun being high in the sky due to the geographical layout of the city Path of Rest, most days brought with them refreshing breezes that alleviated the heat.

At that moment, each student from the new class was already dressed in their light blue martial uniforms. Naturally, there were other freshmen from different classes present, scattered around the platform.

Professor Marcus was in charge of training the newcomers. Marcus appeared to be middle-aged, with no strands of white hair, a stern expression befitting a coach, and a sharp gaze.

As he watched the students training together, Professor Marcus shouted orders and instructions to correct their movements and strikes. His voice was slightly deep but loud enough to be heard over the training noise.

After that session ended, Professor Marcus dismissed the students who had completed their training and signaled for the new batch of beginners to approach. Kizaer's class and two other groups ascended the platform, standing in an orderly fashion, awaiting instructions.

"Welcome to the Martial Combat Training Pavilion, or as some like to call it: 'The Grinder.'" The professor let out a dry and quick laugh. "Here in 'The Grinder,' we have only three rules." Professor Marcus raised his clenched right fist and exaggeratedly extended one of his fingers before saying, "Fight without hesitation. Hesitation means defeat." Professor Marcus paced lightly from side to side and extended the second finger, continuing. "A defeat is a defeat; resentment is for fools. Keep your honor and dignity intact. If you're defeated by someone during training, accept your own weakness and train to become stronger than your current self. So, no petty conspiracies or revenge attempts outside the arena." Professor Marcus's voice dropped an octave before continuing. "We have zero tolerance for small-minded and limited-thinking individuals."

Professor Marcus extended the third finger, but before saying anything, he clenched his fists violently. "And most importantly: Disobey the first two rules and any orders given by a professor during combat training, and you'll quickly discover that you can feel pain in parts of your body you didn't even know existed." Professor Marcus waited a few seconds, as if wanting the students to remember those words well. "I may not be omnipresent, but don't forget that our Free Feather Martial Arts School is well-staffed with experts who act as supervisors, closely watching your every move."

A malicious smile formed on Professor Marcus's face. "Try your luck with any little schemes beyond the school walls if you're foolish enough. Perhaps you'll even manage to execute your shameful revenge plan against a fellow classmate, but keep this in mind: If the school discovers any evidence or gets any hints of your deeds, it will be your families who will pay dearly for the idiocy you caused."

In order to maintain a status quo among students both within and outside the institution, Venerable Director Ling has openly used force to punish the families of some wealthy students who wanted to take advantage of students from humble backgrounds, and the results were not pretty for those families.

As a result, it was widely known inside the city Path of Rest that conflicts between students from the Free Feather Martial Arts School outside the school walls were practically non-existent. Except for a few exceptions, of course.

With that said, Professor Marcus nodded and continued instructing the students. "You beginners must have been informed at the end of your classes in the Flow Cultivation Teaching Pavilion that during the mid-year exams, your classes will receive proper names according to certain judgment patterns that you don't need to know about right now."

"For now, your classes will be identified only as Class A-1, Class A-2, and Class A-3." Kizaer and Ciona were part of Class A-2, along with the 27 students who managed to endure the Flow Synchronization Training.

"You will be taken to the other arenas, where you'll engage in combat training against your fellow classmates in random order," Professor Marcus signaled, and two other instructors from the arena's perimeter swiftly approached the center platform. "Class A-1, follow Professor Xun to the northern platform. Class A-2, follow Professor Lin to the southern platform. Class A-3, remain on this platform with me."

After the distribution, the students orderly followed their respective tutors. Kizaer and his group received instructions from Professor Lin to position themselves at the southern platform's edges.

"Greetings, everyone," Professor Lin, who appeared to be in his thirties, calmly intoned. "I have the list and names of each one of you. As I call your names, approach the center of the platform, greet your opponent, and begin a training fight." Professor Lin seemed practical and focused.

"Don't worry about injuries or blows that could cause harm. To me, your speed is akin to watching a race among the elderly. I'll intervene swiftly, if necessary," Professor Lin said, nodding as he read the names on the list. "Dune and Garon, match 1. Cassia and John, match 2. Ciona and Ethan, match 3…" Professor Lin continued to dictate the names and order of combat.

"Very well, let's begin. You'll fight against your respective opponents for about a minute. The fight ends if either party gives up, becomes unable to continue, or if I decide it's over." Lin pointed to Dune and Garon and instructed, "To the center of the platform, greet your opponent, and start the fight."

The students positioned themselves face to face. After exchanging greetings, they signaled that they were ready for combat.

Garon swiftly advanced toward Dune, who, in turn, threw a punch with his left hand, forcing Garon to dodge out of the way. What Garon didn't know was that the direct punch was merely a feint. Seizing the diagonal movement of Garon, Dune delivered a powerful low kick to Garon's leg, catching him off guard.

Garon was forced to absorbed the force of Dune's kick but used the moment, despite the pain, to close the distance between him and his opponent. Seeing Garon's slight delay, Dune prepared a quick mid-level kick. However, before he could complete the kick, Garon blocked it with his elbow, grabbing Dune by the sleeve of his uniform and spinning his body, pulling Dune's weight over himself.

Dune, supported only by one leg as his mid-level kick was halted mid-flight, was easily catapulted over Garon, who slammed him forcefully onto the ground.

Professor Lin raised one hand, signalling the end of the bout, and commanded, "Very well, good fight. Next pair to the center, greet each other, and begin the match." For Professor Lin, it didn't matter whether the student had received any prior combat training or not. These small skirmishes served only to determine the type of treatment each student would receive and the areas where their training focus would be directed throughout the classes.

The fight between Cassia and John began and ended as swiftly as it started. Ater the greetings John just raised one of his hands and said, "I give up." Professor Lin nodded approvingly before continuing, "Excellent. Next pair, to the center. Greet each other and begin the fight."

John, a 9-year-old boy, very short black hairs combed to the side and an easy smile. He was a prime example of an individual who hadn't received any combat training before securing a spot at the Free Feather Martial Arts School. His face reflected intelligence and keen perception, and while his body and stature were ordinary compared to his peers, his inquisitive gaze revealed his acute awareness of his surroundings.

Attempting combat with zero experience or training would only result in a painful defeat without any significant learning. Professor Lin was aware of John's background and wanted to see whether he would act impulsively or use his intelligence.

In John's case, the best option was always to surrender and withdraw swiftly while awaiting for proper training, especially considering his opponent, Cassia. Although many were unfamiliar with her, John knew very well that she came from a successful local family known for hiring tutors for their descendants.

While physical strength and techniques were important, one should never underestimate intelligence and the ability to gather information. Knowing your enemy and yourself can sometimes lead to 100 more victories than defeats.

Ciona observed her opponent as she walked calmly toward the center of the platform. Ethan did the same. The atmosphere among the students briefly turned serious before settling into a polite greeting between the two.

Professor Lin subtly nodded in satisfaction, unnoticed by the other students. 'Ciona Han and Ethan Dimitri, both descendants of successful families. Neither took their eyes off their opponent as they positioned themselves, assessing each other's conditions.' Professor Lin thought to himself. 'It seems we'll have some interesting teams this year.' A faint smile played at the corner of Professor Lin's mouth.