"Combat Class"

The combat training was taken by two classes together. Class A and C while classes D and B were to take the class together, whether combat or research. In Theo's case, he would have to take the combat training with class A.

As he walked into the gymnasium, Theo couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. The vast expanse of the gymnasium was reminiscent of the entrance exam, except for the lack of raised platforms or seating stands.

He looked around and saw students streaming in, forming groups, and chatting animatedly. The energy in the room was palpable, and it felt like everyone was brimming with enthusiasm.

Soon, the door at the front opened, and my eyes were drawn to an old man making his way toward us. He looked to be in his sixties, and his prosthetic arm caught my attention. The man stopped in front of us, cleared his throat, and spoke.

"Welcome, students," he said in a clear, authoritative voice. "My name is Andrew, and I will be your instructor for the combat class. I am here to teach you the art of combat and how to channel your Psionyx effectively."

When the students gazed upon Andrew's missing limb, whispers and snickers started to spread among them. Some of them doubted the capabilities of an elderly amputee as a teacher. "What can he teach us?" one jeered. "Did the military scrape the bottom of the barrel?"

However, Theo sensed something peculiar about Andrew. There was an eerie emptiness that seemed to envelop him completely. A few other students also shared this disconcerting feeling and sported stoic expressions.

Andrew caught wind of the mocking chatter and a faint smile crept up on his lips. "Ah, so there are some among you who doubt my capacity to instruct," he quipped. "But I believe actions speak louder than words."

The room fell silent as Andrew spoke again, this time with a steely determination. "Those of you who think I'm unqualified to teach, step forward," he declared. To his surprise, ten students marched ahead.

"I invite all of you to attack me simultaneously, using any means you deem necessary, including Psionyx. Meanwhile, I will rely solely on this wooden stick," he declared.

The students exchanged glances of incredulity, suspecting that Andrew had lost his marbles. "Well, he asked for it," muttered one of them, shrugging. "Don't blame me if you end up with a broken spine," he warned.

Another student snickered and taunted Andrew, "Hey, easy now, he's an old man with one arm. I'll show some respect for my elders and beat him only halfway to death."

The other students, observing the spectacle, raised their eyebrows in disapproval of their haughty demeanor. They silently judged them as conceited and disrespectful.

The students formed a circle around Andrew and charged at him with full force, some of them bolstering their physical abilities with Psionyx. Andrew stood firm as the students assaulted him from all directions. However, not a single strike landed on him, leaving the students astonished and intimidated. They started to back away slowly, unsure of how to react to his bewildering display of agility.

Seizing the moment, Andrew took a step forward, and in the blink of an eye, seven of the students were sprawled on the ground, their bodies paralyzed with shock. Andrew's movements were so swift and fluid that the students were unable to keep track of him.

The three remaining students, their faces drained of color, retreated, knowing that there was no point in continuing the confrontation. "Let us stop here for now," Andrew said calmly, gesturing for the students to return to their positions.

Embarrassed by their actions, the students slinked back to their places, their heads bowed in shame.

The instructor called out to the group of trainees, "Let's begin our combat training, but first, we need to establish a fundamental understanding of Psionyx channeling. Although some of you might have a basic understanding of this concept, it won't be sufficient for our purposes."

He paused and continued, "Psionyx is the life force that originates from one's mind and courses through every living entity. It possesses a multitude of potential applications, including the enhancement of one's senses, the fortification of one's physique, and even the mending of injuries. To demonstrate its power, allow me to provide an example. Observe as I strike this training bag with my regular strength."

Assuming a combat stance, he launched a punch at the bag. The bag swayed back and forth before settling into its original position.

"Watch now as I strike the bag again, this time utilizing Psionyx to amplify my physical might." He attacked once more, his fist connecting with the bag with a thunderous impact that caused it to tear into tattered shreds.

"As you have witnessed, utilizing Psionyx in combat can increase the force of an attack tenfold. On the other hand, it is also possible to utilize Psionyx as a defensive measure by enveloping oneself with a Psionyx shield," he elaborated.

"However, I understand that this might be overwhelming for some of us. Why don't we take a pause from the training and introduce ourselves?" he said. The group agreed, and each member took turns introducing themselves.

One of the trainees announced himself, "My name is Theo Grayson, but you can call me Theo." Upon hearing the name Grayson, Andrew's mind stirred with recognition, but he couldn't quite place where he had heard the name before.

"Grayson?" he thought to himself. "Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. Who was it?" Despite his best efforts to recall the memory, it remained elusive.