Chapter 16

The cadets were almost dead by the time they got done with the physical training exercise. After all the poles were piled back up they were dismissed to shower and change for breakfast and the close combat training after.

"I don't know how we are going to do anything physical after that nightmare" said Mackenzie. Sweat soaking her from top to bottom.

"I don't know how anyone is going to be able to be around us with this smell" replied Arthur, trying hard to look past his own tired and beaten down appearance. "Meet us out here in 30 minutes and then we can inhale breakfast together"

The cadets wearily walked back to their rooms and took turns showering. After they were dressed they headed out to breakfast together.

"I'm so excited to get my heaping pile of nutrient gruel today" said Arthur to lighten the mood as they slowly made their way to the chow hall. The rest of the trip was silent, each cadet trying to mentally prepare themselves for the close combat training after breakfast.

Breakfast was short, they spent their whole 5 minutes trying to enjoy the food but failing since it was almost tasteless. Afterwards they quickly made their way to the indoor training complex and waited for the rest of their compatriots to file in.

The instructor was a short man, roughly 5 foot 3 inches, with a high and tight haircut that made his head and black hair look like a block. His body looked like a finely tuned machine rippling in muscles. He didn't say anything until all the cadets filed in. After eyeing the cadets, he called Arthur up to be his sparring partner.

"Cadet Wright, please come forward so I can show the rest of your class what we will be working on today" said the instructor.

"Sir, yes sir!" replied Arthur as he walked forward to stand directly in front of the compact instructor.

"Today we will be learning Imperial Karate basics" said the instructor. "Myself and cadet Wright will have a match and you will see why imperial karate is an essential skill to learn before you start your military careers.

Arthur and the instructor moved to where they were both visible to the cadets and bowed. The instructor got in the forward stance. "This is known as the forward stance or the zenkutso-dachi. You can perform most strikes, blocks and kicks from this stance as it is the foundation of everything you will learn here"

Arthur knew this of course, but since he was sparring and had an advanced knowledge of this fighting style, he chose to get into the Kokutsu-dachi, or back stance. Most cadets didn't know it, but it was an excellent stance for defense since he was sure the instructor would be the aggressor in this match.

The instructor looked at Arthur with an appraising eye. "It looks like my sparring partner has some base skill already. No matter, I will still make an example of you."

[New Quest - Defeat instructor in sparring match]

[Quest Reward - passive skill]

"Shit!" thought Arthur as he quickly took a look at the instructor with his break point skill. I have to give 100% effort here or I'll miss out on a skill. Break point showed trauma to his left shoulder and neck. It could have been temporary pulled muscles that prevented maximum movement and articulation, but this is all Arthur needed in order to win if he was skilled enough to reach the area.

The instructor, as Arthur predicted was the aggressor. Being in the the Back stance he was in a perfect position to block most attacks coming his way. He stood ready and watched as the instructor tried to send out a forward strike. Arthur easily avoided the strike but, knowing what the forward stance was weak to, he immediately followed his block up with a leg sweep, sweeping the instructor off his feet and watching as he hit the mat with a thud on his back.

The system apparently did not call this a win, so Arthur waited for the instructor get back up and resume his stance. The instructor, now embarrassed, said nothing as he came forward with a flurry of blows. Arthur managed to block everything but was being pushed back from the instructors superior strength and agility.

The forward stance was always taught first because it's weaknesses were very few. Now that Arthur had already used a leg sweep, the instructor was on guard and wouldn't fall for the same thing twice. The only other options were an attack from the forward diagonal or the rear diagonal since the instructors left leg was constantly forward. With his weak point in line with a forward diagonal strike, Arthur knew exactly what to do.

"Ok, I think I understand his pattern of attack, here goes nothing" thought Arthur as he transitioned from the back stance into what was known as the "cat stance or the Nekoashi-dachi. This particular stance wasn't taught here and was something that he recalled from his past life so after a pattern of blocks from Arthur, the instructor was confused for a split second upon seeing the new unfamiliar form. Arthur used this second to feint left and then follow up with a kick to the neck, folding over the instructor with a decisive blow. It wouldn't have fooled most seasoned fighters, but the quick change in stance and his weakness to his upper left side provided enough to win the spar.

[Quest Complete - Defeat instructor in sparring match]

[Quest Reward - Passive Skill - Martial Arts Master I (upgradeable)]

The cadets were speechless as they looked at Arthur in shock and awe. They had no idea that he had any sort of skills in martial arts and his demonstration blew them away.

The instructor got up after holding his neck for a minute and looked at Arthur. "Well done cadet, I underestimated you and paid the price. Let this be a lesson to everyone here to never underestimate an opponent no matter how big or small they may be! Your life might depend on it!"

With that, the instructor got up and started walking towards the door. He glanced back and looked at Arthur. "Cadet Wright, I trust you can put these cadets through the basics of Imperial Karate. I expect every cadet here to be fluent in the forward stance by the end of the week."

"Sir, yes sir!" replied Arthur as he turned to look at his new class of cadets and thought about how to proceed.