Improving Skills

After school saw me going to Hobbs Gym following Han's advice. It was a big brick building in the heart of the industrial district. After going in, it was exactly as one would expect old but well-maintained equipment, people of all ages, and fluorescent lights.

Towards my goal to learn how to fight, I signed up for several classes.

My first class was kickboxing taught by a man named Elijah. He was an older white guy with graying jet-black hair and brown eyes. He was an experienced teacher and mentor. He loved to go on and on about everything under the sun. His talks contain lots of helpful anecdotes and advice if you are willing to listen.

My other teacher was Thomas who was teaching me wrestling and Brazilian jiu jitsu. He was a young black guy with a buzzcut and muscles on top of his muscles. He was a veteran and was very knowledgeable about his subject and combat in its myriad forms. He loved to tell stories about his time in the service, which was very helpful for my future cape career.

My last teacher was Zhao Yue who provided weapon training. She was an attractive 30-something Chinese woman. She wasn't much of a talker, she was there to provide weapon training and that's it.

Over the next couple of weeks, I hit it off with some of the other members of the gym.

Mark was a college student at Brockton Bay University pursuing a degree in medicine. He was very dedicated to his studies and only joined the gym to stay in shape. His parents were first generation Chinese immigrants, and he was the first one in his family to go to college. He was a tall stick-thin twenty-something and picked up whatever side jobs he could get. We got along due to our shared interest in medicine.

Barbara was a high school student that went to a different school. She was extremely committed to learning to fight. Never disclosed why and I never asked. She was a petite redhead. We bonded over our dedication to learning to fight.

Oliver was some rich kid that just joined the gym because it was cool. He was arrogant and a bit snobbish, but he had a good heart and never was mean to anyone. He was tall, broad shouldered, and had slicked back blond hair. He didn't take lessons or training seriously, but we had similar tastes in music so there's that.

My last new friend was Thomas's daughter, Maggie. She's a real sweetheart and is always around after school lets out. She apparently wants to be a lawyer when she grows up.

I also gained a rival somehow; his name was Jeremy. He was a muscular Hispanic high schooler with a buzzcut. He was excited to gain someone of a similar age and talent.

It was also interesting to sometimes see Olympus members exercising. It was mildly worrying that the gym might be hit as a result, but they were smart about it. They always came in a large enough group to defend against ambushes, but never everyone. As a result, anyone who attacked who see retribution from the other members. Any assault that could defeat the members there before backup arrives would be too noticeable.

I refined my forms to better reflect my new knowledge of fighting. I also incorporated my powers into my fighting style to produce my very own style suited to my abilities. Now my style is still in its infancy due to my limited knowledge and experience in fighting, but it shows the potential of what it will hopefully one day become.

This involved using <fat> and <bone> to create barriers and armor to cover weak points and openings. I can also use <bone> to create proper footing and leverage in fights. I can also use <nerve> to give bursts on speed. I can use <bone> and <blood> to create weaponry. <muscle>, <bone>, and <blood> could also provide me with increased range. I can also use <nerve> to electrify my fists.

After a couple of weeks, I finally worked up the nerve to do something I have been wanting to do for a while, asking Layla out.