Chapter 4: Feeling the Flow

"The concept of Twin Fists is pretty simple."

Yoze rubbed his chin as he read the book and felt that what the martial artist said about Twin Fists being a basic martial arts technique was true. The core concept of the book was for the users to get comfortable punching with both of their hands and forming a combo with them.

"As long as the users of Twin Fists get a good hit on their opponents they can form an endless chain of attacks that are hard to interrupt. Which will overwhelm anyone."

The technique had three moves, Bear Fist, Bull Fist, and Koi Fists.

Bear Fist and Bull Fist were both moves to open the opponent's defense. Bear Fist was a straightforward punch that contained the power of a charging Bear. While Bull Fist was more of an uppercut that took inspiration from a Bull lifting its horns.

Koi Fists were the meat of the technique, once the opponent's defenses were broken through they would face endless powerful punches. That could change directions as fast as fish in water.

"The only thing left is to try it." Taking a deep breath, Yoze took the stance that the book said to take and threw a Bear Fist.

"Whoosh,"

Then a Bull Fist.

"Whoosh,"

Finally, to complete the set, Yoze attempted to start a chain of Koi Fists.

"Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh,"

Yoze had to stop after throwing his fifth Koi Fists because he felt exhausted. Still, Yoze felt amazed at how much stronger his punches were after using this technique. 

[Name: Yoze]

[Age: 21 years]

[Talents: Literature Comprehension(Grade 3), Martial Arts Comprehension (Grade 2), Networking (Grade 2), Logical Reasoning (Grade 1), Mathematics (Grade 1)]

[Techniques: Twin Fists (Rank 0: 5%)]

[Talent Mark: 0 (22 hours remaining) ]

"Huh, a new section opened up for my Techniques. " 

Yoze felt invigorated that his cheat was even able to make his progress visible. To him, this was feeling more and more like a video game. With his mood boosted, Yoze continued to practice Twin Fists until the sun started to set. 

[Name: Yoze]

[Age: 21 years]

[Talents: Literature Comprehension(Grade 3), Martial Arts Comprehension (Grade 2), Networking (Grade 2), Logical Reasoning (Grade 1), Mathematics (Grade 1)]

[Techniques: Twin Fists (Rank 0: 25%)]

[Talent Mark: 0 (20 hours remaining) ]

"With this speed, I should be able to reach level 1 in a few days." Even though Yoze was exhausted, he couldn't help but smile as he felt his life was turning around for the better.

The next day, Yoze was back at the building where he took his Scholar exam. Outside of the building were several billboards that had a list of names of those who failed and who passed the examination.

Looking through the list Yoze found that Evi had passed and even got 39th in the highest-placed scores. When Yoze found his name he sighed in relief to see that he had passed and even got the 60th-highest score.

"Dad, I will be able to buy you medicine." 

Clenching his fists, Yoze felt that he was finally able to start repaying the kindness that his father had shown him. The reason he wanted to become a scholar was that he would get paid a hefty amount just for passing the exam.

It was enough money for Yoze to go to the closest town to buy some medicine for his father before he had to go to Jade City. The reason for the down payment that every Scholar received was so they could travel to the closest city to them without needing to have the examiners escort all the new scholars.

"Yoze, when are you thinking of heading to Jade City?" Evi asked.

"I'm going to head to Flower Town tonight to buy my dad some medicine and then travel to Jade City. How about you?"

"I'm heading off tonight. I heard that some thugs visit the houses of new scholars to extort them out of their money. So be careful." Evi warned Yoze.

"Thanks for the warning Evi, I'll leave for Jade City as soon as possible." 

After congratulating each other for passing the exam, they bid each other goodbye and promised to get a drink once they saw each other again.

The Journey to Flower Town wasn't very exciting as it only was half a day's walk from his home. Other than practicing Twin Fists when he ate, Yoze was busy trying to get to the town as soon as possible.

"I'm finally here,"

Having been taken by his father a few years back Yoze had some semblance of where to get medicine so he immediately purchased some fever medicine and general medicine.

"Unfortunately I won't be able to make it back tonight." Looking at the orange sky, Yoze knew he wasn't able to make it home before night came so he stayed at an inn for the night.

"Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh."

Stopping at 10 Koi Fists, Yoze smiled as he said that he reached level 1 of the Twin Fists technique.

[Name: Yoze]

[Age: 21 years]

[Talents: Literature Comprehension(Grade 3), Martial Arts Comprehension (Grade 2), Networking (Grade 2), Logical Reasoning (Grade 1), Mathematics (Grade 1)]

[Techniques: Twin Fists (Rank 1: 1%)]

[Talent Mark: 1]

He was able to reach level 1 faster than he expected and he could already feel that he could easily unleash overwhelming force. 

"Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh."

After throwing another ten koi Fists combo without feeling like he was going to die, Yoze could understand why even people on earth still practiced martial arts. The feeling of being able to tap into the power in his body was amazing.

Yoze woke up early in the morning so he could arrive back home by the afternoon. Seeing his mud hut in the distance, Yoze breathed a sigh of relief before his pupils contracted.

When Yoze got closer he began to see odd signs around his home. Three well-fed horses were grazing near his home. What made him worried was that his front door was broken.

"Dad!"

Fear struck Yoze's heart as he couldn't help but worry about his sick father. Just as life was coming around, thugs just had to show up and ruin everything.

"Yoze? Don't come! Run away! Ugh!" Hearing his father's tired voice screaming at him to run made Yoze's heart burn with anger.

He couldn't run away after knowing his father was endangered; he didn't believe he could run away before the thugs caught up to him with their horses.

"Dad hold on, I'm coming!" Yoze threw all caution to the wind and stormed inside his hut.

What Yoze saw set his heart ablaze.