Ashford University – Sports Building:
The sports building at Ashford University was more than just a gym. Equipped with basketball and volleyball courts, it had everything a typical sports complex needed. Beyond that, it also featured designated combat training areas for students passionate about martial arts and physical combat.
The sports hall was totally empty except for two guys squaring off in the middle.
One looked like he was ready for a tournament--helmet, pads, the whole safety-first package, sword in hand.
The other stood opposite him, holding only a wooden sword, No gear. No armor. He looked like he'd wandered in from another world.
Rix gasped for air, as if each breath might be his last. He wheezed like a fish out of water.
Jake stared at him, then let out a long sigh and facepalmed.
"Seriously...? Five minutes. We've only been training for five minutes. I literally invented some new styles last night and picked you as my guinea pig."
Rix muttered a curse under his breath, "Shit..."
He knew there was no escape from the training monster named Jake,
Time to pull out his final move--[the Great Stall technique!!]
Rix let out an exaggerated sigh, wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead. Then, straightening his back like a sage, he said with faux seriousness,
"Jake, my friend, listen. martial arts isn't just about swinging swords until your arms fall off. It's about balance. About breathing. Rest. Focus. A calm and centered mind. You ever hear about muscle recovery? Mental clarity? You think ancient masters became legends by bashing their heads against a tree for hours?" quoting a line from some dusty old martial arts comic.
He placed a hand dramatically over his chest, striking a pose as if quoting some sacred scripture.
"They trained smart. Rested when needed. Honed their technique with patience. Precision. Purpose. We need that too, man. That stillness between movements… that's where the real power lies."
Rix sighed " so lets take just five minutes rest, five."
Jake tilted his head slightly, raising a brow as he listened to Rix try, once again to pull the "five-minute rest" card.
Jake nodded thoughtfully. "You're not wrong, Rix, rest and clarity do matter. Martial arts isn't all about movement... but don't act like that's why you're asking for a break."
Then, with a straight face, he said,"But you? You say 'five minutes' and come back thirty later with chips, soda, and crumbs all over your shirt. You're not finding clarity--you're finding carbs."
He paused, staring at Rix like he was trying to figure out what species he belonged to."And don't even get me started. Every time, man. You vanish like a ghost and reappear like you just finished a side quest at the vending machine. Sandwich in one hand, smug look on your face, like you found enlightenment behind the snacks."
Then with a flat stare he said. "Last time, you said five minutes and came back with a soda, two energy bars, and a chicken sandwich. I'm still wondering which martial arts master taught you that combo."
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"DAAAMN ITTT!!"
Rix roared, stomping the ground in frustration as his 'genius' move failed catastrophically once more.
Across the field, Jake sighed heavily, shaking his head.
"Stop procrastinating, Rix. Let's actually train. I'm genuinely excited to test my new styles. Be ready—I'm coming."
"W-Wait!"
Rix squeaked, waving his hands frantically.
Jake didn't even blink.
"One!"
"WAIT!"
"Two!"
"One second, pleaaase!"
"Three. Too late."
The moment Jake finished his casual countdown, the atmosphere shifted.
Rix tensed, raising his wooden sword awkwardly in front of him, trying to anticipate the first move.
Jake didn't rush.
He advanced with calm, deliberate steps — his sword low, body relaxed, like a predator toying with its prey.
Without warning, Jake lashed out.
A smooth diagonal slash came from Rix's left — not too fast, but perfectly timed.
Rix yelped and brought up his sword to block.
Crack.
The force rattled his arms to the bone.
Before he could recover, Jake stepped around his left side with a quick pivot, rotating his hips and bringing his sword in a sharp horizontal sweep aimed at Rix's ribs.
Rix stumbled back, barely getting his sword into position.
Their weapons clashed again, but Jake's blade glided effortlessly along Rix's, snapping past his defenses.
He gave Rix a light tap to the ribs with the flat of the sword
Breathing heavily, Rix tried to reposition, shuffling his feet.
Jake, in contrast, moved like flowing water.
Each step was measured, precise, always keeping Rix off balance
Another attack — this time an overhead swing.
Jake's blade came crashing down from above.
Rix raised his sword high to parry, but Jake feinted at the last second, shifting into a low sweeping attack aimed at Rix's legs.
Caught by surprise, Rix tried to jump back, but his timing was off.
Jake's sword clipped his shin lightly — enough to send him staggering.
Before Rix could regain footing, Jake closed the distance again.
A series of rapid strikes followed — one, two, three — each coming from unpredictable angles.
Jake attacked with tight, efficient swings, rotating his shoulders and waist to generate power without wasting energy.
Rix's arms moved desperately, trying to parry and deflect, but each clash pushed him back a step.
Jake controlled the tempo, switching between high and low attacks, never letting Rix settle into a rhythm.
A sharp thrust to Rix's chest.
Rix barely managed to slap it aside with the flat of his blade.
Jake smiled slightly, not breaking momentum.
He stepped in even closer, pivoting on his lead foot, and delivered a brutal shoulder bump into Rix's chest.
Thud.
Rix stumbled backward, losing his footing.
Jake didn't even give him time to recover.
In one fluid motion, Jake raised his sword and brought it down in a clean arc, knocking the wooden weapon cleanly out of Rix's hands.
The wooden sword flew from Rix's grip, clattering several meters away.
Panting heavily, arms limp, Rix had no choice but to fall backward, collapsing onto the hard dirt with a grunt.
Jake stood over him, completely composed, barely even breathing hard.
He rested the tip of his wooden sword against the ground casually and smirked.
"Don't worry, Rix. You're improving… at falling."
Rix just lay there, staring blankly at the ceiling. Getting knocked around by Jake was almost a routine by now — he didn't even feel embarrassed anymore.