Fight Test

A monstrous glare flashed across Xuan Long's face as he saw Lance ignoring him. He controlled his expression and started following Lance.

Lance first stood in front of the PP test. This was a leather covered padded square, almost like a seat on a bike. Behind it was a tube which connected it to a round metal ball inside which a man could fit. Above the pad was a digital display with the number 0 on it.

Lance stood in front of the machine and calmed his breath. He closed his eyes and adjusted his posture into a slight variation of the horse stance, with more emphasis on quick movement thus not as lowered to the ground as a standard stance. This was what all initiates were taught: discard all thoughts. There exist only two things: your target and you. You are not the fist. You are not your body. You are one complete force with a singular will to destroy.

Lance visualized himself breaking the pad as he gathered all the energy in his body. The energy construct radiated with a brighter light as it responded to his wish to punch with as much power as possible.

He punched, with every cell in his body screaming for total annihilation.

A loud but muffled "THUD" sounded across the training field. People who were just walking in after having their breakfast searched to find the source of the sound, eventually seeing Lance in perfect posture, with his arm embedded in the pad.

A "DING" sounded as the digital reading wavered before stabilizing at a mind-numbing figure: 1001 kg.

A look of shock appeared on the spectators faces. This was a result that was in the top three in all groups, including the advanced groups.

Xuan Long especially had a look of fury in his face. "How is this possible?!?", he thought. "Wasn't he just an unknown-IN initiate? Even if he broke through, unless he has a strength-related IN, such a result is impossible. But all such INs are recorded and it has been millennia since a new one has appeared! Thats simply impossible! Unless.... has he reached the Mind and Body as One realm? Thats even more impossible! People who reach such a level in the initiate stage go on to become masters at least! And he reached this level with a month's training? It takes years of training since very young to reach this realm. Hes only had a month! No! Wasn't he just useless cannon fodder till now? Attok cannot have such a good descendant! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?!?" Xuan Long became more and more furious as he thought about the implications this could have on him.

He had had simple instructions: break him, or make sure he will be useless. If the faction leaders saw that he couldn't even do such a simple thing, he might be discarded! His position, money, women, status would all disappear!

As Xuan Long started to think how he could sneak Lance away and silence him regardless of the consequences to hide this result, he heard a thud as Lance fainted.

He had given his everything, and that had drained him considerably. The last thing Lance remembered was a murderous look on Xuan Long's face before passing into blissful oblivion.

He didn't know that for once, him fainting had actually turned out to be a boon for him. It had saved his life.