27 Chapter 24 - Hand-to-Hand Combat...

A week has passed since I rescued Tomo from a noble's estate. Since then, nothing really has changed.

School is normal as ever, kinda. Since this is year 2, classes move from basic teachings to more of a physical approach.

We spend a total of 1 hour in the classroom, learning spells. The rest of the time is out on the training field.

This week, we'll be doing combat training with minimum use of magic. This is a bit weird for me since I never have had any combat training before in either world.

"Okay, class. Today will be the first day of our combat training. This means that a military combat specialist will be showing up to teach you all this week. Mr. Endo has his own class so we couldn't get him but we do have someone who is equally trained as him. Everyone, please welcome Mrs. Oshiro Yoshino."

A middle-aged female enters the classroom and bows. She has long red hair and short pointy ears. She simular to Tomo so maybe she's a half-elf.

"Hello everyone. As your teacher just said, I'm Oshiro Yoshino."

Yoshino looks around the room with a smile on her face. She stops when she looks in my direction. Our eyes met. After a bit, I started to feel weird. I smile back and wave at her.

She blinks after I do this and returns to her normal state. 'That was weird...'

"Okay, class. Let's head to the training ground. Once we get there, Mrs. Oshiro will take over."

Everyone started getting up and leaving the classroom to go to the training room. Tomo and I were the last to leave.

Once everyone had made it to the room, Yoshino walks up and starts talking.

"Hello, class. Again, I'm Oshiro Yoshino and I'll be your combat trainer for this week. At the end of the week, there will be a test of sorts. You all will be have a battle with me. I'll be grading based on how you do on that battle and during your training, so let's all do our best!"

Everyone applauds after her statement.

"Okay. First, we'll be doing hand-to-hand combat. Form groups of two and fight each other only using your fists. I'll be going around to give you tips."

After her explanation, everyone went off in pairs, leaving Tomo and me alone. We walked toward the corner of the room, which has become our official spot.

Once we were in our spot, I ask Tomo if she is ready.

"Y-yes... Please... go easy... on me."

"Don't worry. I'm not that good using physical weapons or fists... Alright, let's go!"

After I said go, Tomo charges at me at full throttle, swinging her arm to my face.

Since my reflexes are extremely fast, she looks to be moving in slow motion.

I dodge her attack easily, push my foot, and charge at her. Since my movements are sharp and swift, I land a punch to her stomach. I didn't go full power with my punch, but it was strong enough to make someone unconscious.

Once my fist impacted on her stomach, Tomo grasps for air. My punch launches her 5 meters. She manages to land on her feet but she's shaking vigorously.

Not giving her a second, I instantly appear in front of her, leaving her speechless. I punch at her stomach, again. She coughs up blood and gets launches another 5 meters; however, this time she falls onto her back.

'Oops... I went a little too far.'

I rush to Tomo and cast healing magic. She recovers quickly.

"Sorry, Tomo! Please forgive me!"

"It's... okay. I'll... get... stronger so... that I... can stand... besides you."

I smile at her, then helped her get up. Mrs. Yoshino walks up to us.

"Good sparing! Akuma, your fighting spirit is very high. Your still not refine but once you learn the basics, you'll become a fighting machine! Tomo, you have great reflexes. As soon as the battle started, you charged in without any hesitation. Way more refined then Akuma here."

She smiles at us. Hearing that I'm less refine than Tomo gives a bad taste in my mouth but it's respectable. It's my first time fighting hand-to-hand.

After a bit of time, I notice that Yoshino is looking at me again.

"Umm... Is there someone wrong?"

"Huh? Oh, no! Sorry."

She comes back to reality. Confused, I walk back to the corner of the room with Tomo. As I do, I quietly hear something from Yoshino. "Interesting..." It's too quiet that I try to forget it.

A couple of hours pass while we train. A bell sounds off, informing everyone that it's lunchtime. Tomo and I grab our food and the move to the roof to eat them. After lunch, there was more hand-to-hand combat.

One hour remained since school ends. Yoshino interrupts everyone's fighting.

"Attention everyone. I was just notified that today's last hour will not be classroom learning but here on the course. Because of this, we'll be doing a different type of training."

She smiles deviously.

"Let's begin!"

She instantly disappears. Everyone started looking around for her. Then, someone fell to the ground.

"!"

Then another. Bodies keep falling down. Everyone who is still up started to run crazy, everyone but two people.

Tomo and I just stand still and watch. I don't know about Tomo but for me, Yoshino looks to be walking to people and chopping them on the neck.

Soon, everyone but us was left. I watch as Yoshino walks to Tomo and starts to chop her; however, Tomo dodges her attack and swiftly tries to kick her legs. Yoshino suddenly teleports a meter behind herself.

"Nice, Tomo! As expected as one of us."

"Huh?"

Tomo looks at her confused. Yoshino ignores her confused look and starts coming at me.

As she walks toward me, I could see her devilish grin. Once she is in range, she tried to chock me at my neck; however, I grab her hands.

"Hello there. What might you be doing?"

This causes her to panic. She teleports a meter away from me.

"Hmm... You can see me? Are you a half-elf too?"

"Huh? No, I'm technically human... Well, maybe not, but I'd like to say I am."

She blinks at me. After a bit, she regains her confidence and charges at me again, but a little faster this time.

Still, she looks as if she is power-walking to me.

Annoyed by her actions, I step forward and swing at her stomach. This surprizes her, sending her 5 meters away. She manages to catch her self.

"Impossible!"

She growls at me. I shout out to her. "Hey teach! Let me show you 'real' teleportation."

I teleport behind her. Within a millisecond, I punch her in the back.

"Ack!"

She coughs at blood and flies 5 meters in front of herself. She lands on all four.

Then, she disappears.

"Impressive..."

I look around, but I don't see her.

"As expected of the blue devil."

Tomo quietly whispers out something.

"Shadow Magic..."