“To test me or not, who let you decide that?” Andel was angry because of Two’s dick move. And, this Paul was trying to push his luck against him. From the speed displayed by him, Andel gauged his strength to be somewhere between level 5 to level 8.

Ki practitioners also have several stages that divide their strength level. However, no great poets had ever written anything about them. Nonetheless, as far as Andel’s knowledge goes, their rank starts from Warrior, Master, Grandmaster, and finally Limit. Each of these stages further divided into ten levels.

Before a magician reaches 9-Heavens, a single ki practitioner of Warrior level could take on multiple magicians of 9-Circles. The table will turn after the magician reaches 9-Heavens. A single proficient magician of 9-Heaven could take on a battalion of Warriors and even a couple of Masters.

Paul hadn’t reached the Master stage. He was also not a level 7 or beyond Ki practitioner. Otherwise, forget about sidestepping, Andel might not even manage to stand without oozing cold sweat. He had first-hand experience, courtesy of his mom.

‘Since he isn’t either, I can win!’ Andel was confident.

“Who let me decide isn’t important. I must see if you have what it takes or not.” Paul answered through his gritted teeth. As if they keep forgetting their age difference, Paul pounced on Andel with his red claws out for blood.

Andel sidestepped again and held the elbow of Paul’s outstretched hand with his left hand. Pinching his thumb and index finger around his elbow, he attracted his attention from him. As Paul closed his eyes to scream, Andel responded with an elbow of his own to Paul’s face.

However, instead of Paul’s nose breaking from the impact, Andel felt a jolt of shock on his funny bone. Realizing that he had failed in doing any substantial damage, Andel kicked him away and jumped back to create some distance between them.

‘It should be his Talent. He had an abnormal defense.’ Andel cautiously looked at Paul, who got up and dusted his pants.

Pain Immunity gained 10 EXP

“What with that face? Is it because you couldn’t hurt me, kid?” Paul smirked and mocked at him. Andel, although felt angry, maintained a cold and calculative face. His eyes landed on the claw as he studied it carefully for the first time.

It looked like an eagle’s claw, only dark red. The scales which extended up to his shoulders should be the reason for his higher defense, guessed Andel pensively. It's not that he was afraid. It’s just that the fight will be a bit harder than anticipated.

‘What style should I choose? Krav Maga? Wouldn’t that be too violent?’ Andel thought. He wanted to finish the fight without anyone getting injured. Studying Paul’s clothing, especially his ripped sleeveless jacket, Andel made his decision. ‘Judo it is, then.’ It’s what he settled for in the end.

Judo depends a lot on grappling of gi, or the shirt. Paul wore a loose jacket, best suited for grapplings. Also, Judo was best for dealing with those with a higher level of defense. After all, it was all about making them fall down and force them to submit.

Taking a deep breath, Andel fell into a basic Judo stance. With his knees slightly bent, head centered over the hips, feet directly below the hips, and about shoulder-width apart, he stood with his fist raised above his chest. His eyes didn’t leave Paul’s waist and above.

“What with that weird pose? Do you think that can help you with defeating me? In your dreams, kid.” Paul laughed, together with his two sidekicks. Andel also saw Two’s complacent face from his peripheral vision. Vowing to take revenge when the time is right, Andel focussed on Paul.

Although he had a basic Judo stance on, Andel didn’t only know Judo. He knew a lot of close combat styles. Boxing had the best foot works, second only to Taekwondo. With a flash, he had already invaded Paul’s defense. Grabbing on his jacket, he kicked his sheen and threw him overhead forwards.

Unprepared and unable to stop the counterforce, Paul could only fall down and roll a few centimeters before stopping.

“What?” Paul was speechless. Veins on his forehead throbbed in anger. Slapping the matted ground angrily, he stood up and ran towards him again. With his claws clenched tight, he aimed a punch at Andel’s head.

Andel sidestepped, then grabbed the wrist before kicking Paul’s sheens again. As he lost balance, Andel turned and gave an elbow strike to Paul’s back neck.

Boom!

Paul kissed the matted floor again. And this time, his fall made a loud resounding noise.

The whole dojo became silent.

“You lost. Twice at that.” Andel’s apathetic voice resounded throughout the hall. More than sixty people of all ages and the four instructors, they’re looking at him as if he was a rare find.

“Did he use his ability towards the end?” A young man asked his partner who was standing close.

“No. I didn’t sense any ki fluctuation.” His friend, who also wore a training gi, shook his head and denied.

“How did he do it? That’s a mortal technique!” The man asked again with disbelief and shock written all over his face.

The big hall became a hubbub of similar conversations going between all the present trainees. The few who paid close attention to the fight from the beginning acted as excellent storytellers for the rest. Had Andel not being a minor, a few wolf whistles would have thrown his way.

After all, in this world, personal strength was even more important than having good looks. It was more likely for an average looking man with adequate power to find a girl than a handsome but weak man with money. In this context, Andel had both power and looks. As for money, it can be earned anytime.

“I, I don’t believe it. I was ill-prepared. You cheated!” Paul stood up with a red face. It was not from the impact but from humiliation. With bloodshot eyes, he stomped closer to Andel and shouted, “I want a rematch!”

“Yo, man, take a chill pill, will ya?” Travis appeared with a smile and the signature Mexican hat on his head. “Our staff has already defeated you twice. There is no need to push your luck and attract further humiliation, right?” Patting on Paul’s shoulders, with the smile still not leaving his face, he continued. “But, if you want to continue this façade of a fight, how about I take his place?” He squeezed Paul’s shoulders as a dreadful aura emanated from him.

“Travis!” Paul’s eyes contracted as a look of fear flashed in them for a brief second. Then he quickly regained his composure and snorted. Shaking off Travis’s hand from his shoulders, Paul threw a dirty look at Andel before walking away in big strides with his two followers.

“Thank you, Travis.” Andel nodded at him and gave his heartfelt thanks. Had he not come in time, the sparring would have turned into something brutal. He wanted to avoid it the very first day of him joining the corps.

“No problem.” Travis shook his hand in the air before snorting in disdain. “I was getting annoyed from seeing his ugly mug, anyway.” Travis threw a look towards Two before crouching down to Andel’s level, “That Two must have done something. You should be careful from here on.” Patting on his shoulders, Travis went away towards the backroom. It was not his day to attend the dojo.

‘Twice, I had been warned. Just what the fuck wrong with this Two?’ Andel thought with a clenched fist.

“SIR!!!”

Just then, he heard the collective roar of a few children. Five children, around six to eight, stood neatly in front of him. They wore protective equipment, finished with head protectors. At present, their eyes held curiosity and worship when they looked at Andel.

‘What?’