The sun rose the following morning,

“WAKE UP MAGGOTS! IT’S THE START OF SPARING WEEK! Muhuhahahahha!” yelled Alexander with a weird glee in his eyes and the damn persistent grin still ever present on his face.

“God I love training people. I still remember all those times training those guards. The look of worship on their face as I instructed them, ran them through drills, worked the basics into them, corrected their mistakes...” reminisced Alexander. The truth was obviously different the guards all feared him. Their look of worship truly a look of fear and resignation. They had lost confidence in themselves. In private, they would call him name like Demon Instructor, Old Fiend, Demonic Realm Drill Sergeant...... The list was endlessly ongoing. Most guards even started thinking of him as their personal Boogeyman. They would always give it their all as this fiend seemed to know if any of them slacked in training. Whenever one would start slacking or thinking of it they would feel a cold presence creeping up their spine and would often say aloud” He’s right behind me isn’t he?” as they turned some would scream out like little girls ” KYAaaaaa!”. Obviously our Teacher had to tone it down with these kids for the moment. Thinking of being able to eventually run them through “proper training“ a Machiavellian laugh broke out.”MUHAHAHAHA”

“Today we start basic sparing. The goal is not to use your full strength but to connect your hits to your opponents. You will also notice I haven't taught you how to block yet. There is a reason to this and I want to see if you figure it out. The spars can be won by ring out, KO or when a vital area is attacked 3 times. Remember to manage your strength.“explained Alexander. He then proceeded to delimit a square ring of 10×10 meters in the soil.

“Let the sparing begin! Cade versus Aden!” exclaimed the old fiend. Cade and Aden then entered the ring.

“Bow to your opponent. 3! 2! 1! READY! FIGHT!” he exclaimed.

Cade then started circling Aden. He quickly found an opening in his guard. He then rapidly lunged towards him. He then attacked with a quick Jab / Hook combo. The jab was intercepted by Aden but he couldn’t block it. He then received the hook directly to the solar plexus. Which caused him to lose his balance. Cade shifted his body to deliver an elbow strike to his head. The fight ended in less than 30 seconds. Then Alexander arrived and put a stop to the fight.

“Cade wins! So Aden this was Cade without my aura dampening his current abilities. Now do you understand why we were mad at you after your stunt with the mountain lion now?” said their Teacher.

“Yes... teacher. I just thought I could match up to him. I was overconfident. I won’t repeat that mistake! I am sorry Cade.” said Aden

“Don’t be too down on yourself you can get stronger it just takes time and hard work. GOOD! Now that this is settled. I will now restrain your strength with aura to each other's levels. This will let you fight a more even opponent. This will help accumulate fighting experience. So Aden why did your block fail?” asked Alexander.

“I couldn't truly stop his blow their was to much strength in it. It caused me to lose balance.” said Aden.

“Good! Hard Blocking can work against similar opponents but it isn’t so great against stronger opponents. You can easily get injuries, lose balance, open your guard and tire yourself out. This isn’t to say hard blocking can’t be useful in some situations though. Instead try dodging or diverting their blows instead of a hard block. Try to intercept their blows early when they haven’t gained their full strength. Couple this with forward evasion and you can set up follow up attacks pretty easily if you stay in melee range. A block is a lock is a blow is a throw. This is to say that your block can evolve into many variation of counter-moves. Later on when you start cultivating special attacks of all kinds will come into play. The same principles usually apply. Meeting force with force is possible but not always advisable. Now I'll teach you some basic blocking techniques from a martial art called karate. It has it’s faults but it will do for now.” said Alexander.

“Before we get down to the blocks you need to learn some basic stances from Karate. We previously learnt some boxing when we were focusing on punches and hits. Boxing’s stance is more mobile it puts emphasis on movement and dodging. Karate’s stances usually try to keep you grounded and solid. Even when advancing the feet simply slide on the ground. While your torso remains stable. Both martial arts have different goals and methods of attack. So I'll just teach you 2 of the main stances for now.” said Alexander

He then taught them zenkutsu-dachi or forward stance. The front foot facing forward towards enemy, knee bent, opposite leg off to the side, roughly shoulder width, extended, and the foot at roughly 45 degrees or less compared to front foot. Roughly 70 percent of weight on front leg. The torso ends up being at 45 degree angle facing the opponent. The stance is more combat focused but can still be used to defend.

He taught them a back stance or kokutsu- dachi. Both legs would be aligned on an imaginary axis. The back knee would be bent and the foot would be perpendicular to this axis. The front leg would follow the axis, the knee would be slightly bent and the foot would be facing the opponent along this axis. The weight distribution would be the opposite of forward stance with 70 % on the back leg. This stance is mostly defensive but also allows for decent kicking.

He also taught them Kiba-daichi or horse-riding stance. The stance was symmetrical both feet pointing straight forward ,bending both knees equally and keeping a straight back. The stance was mostly taught to strengthen leg muscles and teach stability. It also helped teach rooting: the ability to efficiently, instantaneously channel incoming force (whether a strike or a shove or whatever) through your body, directly (vertically) into the ground. Which also helped build the ability to create a base for maximal efficiency in striking power. Alexander would make the stance into an endurance exercise with his aura he would up its pressure every minute and see how far they progressed. During said exercise he would have them practice punches

He spent a few hours running them through the stances and making them switch between them to practice some footwork or sliding steps. He reminded them that their existed myriads of different styles of martial arts and that later they could choose what worked for them.

He then spent the next 2 days teaching them basic blocks as they continued their journey. He made them practice the foot work by making them use it instead of regular walking. At the end of each days they would be exhausted from using muscles they never used before.

He helped them progress from self practice, to repetitive blocks of the same move, to slow randomized attacks with varying blocks to slow sparing and finally actual sparing. They still had many kinks left to iron out but they at least had some basics to work with. The blocks they learned were the following.

heights

Jodan: upper level or head and neck

Chudan: mid level or torso/back

Gedan: lower level below the belt, legs, hips

basic blocks (Karate Blocks (Blackbeltwiki, 2017))

closed fist blocks

Age-Uke - Rising Block( used for hits to the face fist is closed during block)

Chudan-Uke – Middle Level Block(for hits towards torso level sends blow outwards/ away from the body. Coupled with sidestep toward opposite side which bring you inwards toward opponent.)

Gedan-Barai - Downward Block ( for punches and kicks lower then torso. Block use a slight curve and should rotate the body 45 % while delivering the block.

Sune-Uke – Shin Block use a kick using the shin to neutralise a kick then possibly advance inwards to kick them using the same leg)

Uchi-Uke - Inside or Inward Block (deflection starts inward going out wards sending it off course coupled with a side step towards the same side used to block)

Soto-Uke - Outside Block start outwards comes inwards

Juji-Uke - X Block (usually for high downward hits or low kicks)

open hand blocks

Shuto-Uke - Knife Hand Block ( an open handed alternative to the previous blocks(like Uchi-uke) follows similar motions as them but allows for grabbing or knife hand strikes to the neck, collar bone,wrist...)

Sukui-Uke - Scoop Block (to catch a kick by backstepping or sidestepping slightly out of his maximum range while grabbing the leg in a scooping motion. Allows for leg immobilisation/ locks/sweeps)

Teisho-Uke - Palm Heel Block (similar to outside block but open handed for the karate version. Kungfu version one is standing straight and use an inward motion coupled with hip rotation to strike forearm.

five days later, It was now time for their thirtieth actual spar. Cade had been overwhelming Aden but at least Aden was showing signs of improvement. Aden successfully managed to lengthen the fights and also get some hits in.. Cade and Aden entered the ring and bowed as they entered melee range. This time Alexander's aura brought down Cade's strength to a level near Aden's own. They entered forward stance and waited for the start signal.

As soon as the spar started Aden launched a right jab to Cade's face. Cade deflected it with a rising block he then launched a right cross to Aden's torso which was replied with an inside block as he shifted his body of to the side. Causing the blow to miss but before Aden could do something about it Cade quickly brought back his fist to form a guard.

They both seemed to retreat out of melee range. They were looking for an opening. They circled each other. Then Aden thought he saw an opening. He quickly maneuvered himself into range in forward stance. he then launched multiple jabs and crosses while alternating between Jodan and Chudan. Cade delt with them with rising and inward blocks respectively. He then back stepped and used a scooping block. He caught Aden's arm and spun into a backhand to his face.

"point Cade! 1 to 0." Alexander announced aloud.

"I'm not done yet! I'm going to catch up to you! Believe it!" exclaimed Aden, with a look of determination in his eyes, after having collapsed momentarily from the hit. He seemed drowsy after that hit but refused to give up.

"Ha good speech but you're going down!". Responded Cade with a wicked smile on his face. Clearly he was enjoying the battle. He had been becoming a little overconfident himself after his consecutive wins.

"GOOD! They seem to be building up quite the rivalry. In just a few spars they have already started to put more variations to their moves. They seem to be feeding on each other's fighting spirit. Neither wants to admit a loss so they keep pushing themselves. it's a good thing my aura can bring them to a suitable level where they can challenge each other in technique and not pure speed/power." thought Alexander.

They then prepared to resume sparing. "Ready. Fight!". As soon as the signal was given they rapidly entered melee range Aden decided to try using Boxing skills. He started weaving and hopping about launching combos but trying to avoid blows instead of blocking them. Cade continued using Karate skills opting to redirect or block blows while trying to set up counters. The melee kept going for a minute before Aden found an opening and launched an uppercut which sent Cade to the ground.

"Point Aden! 1 to 1" called out Alexander.

"Good job Aden! You can do it!" exclaimed Elena.

"well shit you got me this time. Did do you think I'd go down that easy!" said Cade with a grin appearing on his face.

"Yes finally sent em flying to the ground! I can consider myself his rival now. Sweet all those hours of training with gramps are paying off" thought Aden.

"Begin!" called out Alexander.

This time Cade decided to go full offence. He quickly close the gap to Aden launched a jab as a feint. When it got blocked he rotated into an elbow strike to the head which Aden blocked with an inward block. Aden then immediately launched a cross to Cade's stomach which Cade dodged by sidestepping. They then kept the melee going for 2 minutes before Cade found his way into Aden's guard and delivered a rising palm strike to his chin. Which caused Aden to be pushed off the ground and collapse a few meters further. Seemingly unable to get up.

"Point Cade! 2 to 1. Count down 10!9!8!7!6!5!4!3!" at the 3 count Aden finally succeeded at getting back up. "Aden are you able to continue?" Aden nodded. "Fighters get Ready! Begin!" exclaimed Alexander.

This time Aden went full defense in a backward stance. He kept his distance and would dodge or deflect most blows while waiting for a chance to strike. Cade understood this. So kept attacking while trying to avoid giving him any chances. Neither fighter could seem to make any headway. Until eventually, he inadvertently left himself open while advancing which Aden capitalized on by launching a hammer fist strike towards his head. The hit sent Cade to the ground and left him slightly dizzy as he got up.

"Point Aden! 2 to 2! next point wins the spar! GIVE IT YOOOUUR ALLLLL MAGGOTSSSS! Ready! Begin!" screamed the old Tyrant. Meanwhile he was thinking that this was the closest his grandson had ever gotten to winning so far. He obviously knew that he was holding Cade battle potential back with aura but he was still proud of his grandson never the less.

"This is getting intense let's do this!" exclaimed Cade.

"I'm going to win this time!" proclaimed Aden.

"Ha we will see about that. Enough grand standing lets get back to the fight!" he said a sharp look appearing on his face.

They then started exchanging blows, blocks, dodges and redirects. 5 minutes later, at this point both were starting to get tired. Cade launched a backhand to Aden's head. In complete upset, Aden stopped it with a palm heel block, grabbed the arm and then launched a strike to Cade's forehead.

"The winner is Aden! His first win out of 30 battles. Treasure this Aden! The taste of hard earned victory!" exclaimed Alexander.

"good job big brother!" exclaimed Elena with joy in her eyes.

"I had underestimated my opponent something I had avoided doing all his time in the forest. I guess he's not the only one that can get overconfident and lose his head. Meh who cares he did well! I'll beat him next time!" thought Cade a smile still on his face.

"Good job Aden. You can now be considered my true rival!" said Cade while going to shake his hand.

"Haha finally after all these fight I won one! You can bet your ass I'm your rival! Better keep training or I'll keep beating you." said Aden with a fire in his eyes.

They then settled down for the night and ate a deer they had found along the way.