Training(2)

After making the people who failed run again, the sergeant turned towards the people who passed. "There's a limited amount of weights for a reason. While half of you work out there, the rest will spar with someone. However, you guys will switch every hour. That way, everyone has time to use the weights. Questions before we start?"

A blonde woman with hair flowing down to her lower back raised her hand. "Are you going to teach us any moves?"

"I was waiting for a question like this. No. I won't. We don't really have too long for you to master them. I just want you guys to know how to fight with instinct. Your new strength from the crystals makes up for the lack of technique. I also want to see where people are. This way I'll be able to tell whose trained before and who needs the most attention."

The woman and everyone else nodded.

The sergeant then chose who goes to the weights and who spars first.

Danny and another three people were chosen to use the weights. Among the three, one was the Asian man and the blonde woman who asked earlier. The last was someone who Johnathan hadn't seen.

"The rest of you, move further away and fight with the person beside you."

Johnathan looked to his right since no one was to his left. "I guess we're fighting," Johnathan said to his partner.

"Let's have fun."

Emma and Johnathan walked further away from the group and got in a stance. 'Should I go easy on her? No. If she has a crystal, she's strong enough for me to go all out on.'

Bringing his fists up, Johnathan waited for Emma to make the first move.

Looking at him with a total focus in her eyes, she took an explosive step. Reaching Johnathan in less than a second, she spun around and tried to kick him.

Reacting fast enough, Johnathan put his hands up and blocked the kick. 'That had some punch.' Johnathan thought, looking down at his hands. He quickly jumped back and leaned forward. With an explosive step, Johnathan reached Emma quickly. Bringing his fist back, he tried punching her.

Dodging the bunch last second, she took in a breath. 'That's quite someone,' she thought. Emma then hurried her palm towards his hand and pushed it away. She then moved her free hand and balled it up into a fist. She punched, aiming for his chest.

Johnathan quickly brought his hand that wasn't knocked away and slapped the arm she was attacking with away from him.

With her lunch redirected, she stepped back and feinted a kick. Johnathan fell for it and moved his hands towards his lower body, thinking she would kick there.

However, she took back her foot and threw a quick jab at him.

Her fist connected with his jaw, making him stumble back.

She didn't let the chance pass by and rushed at him.

Still hazy, Johnathan turned around and kicked randomly near the direction she was, making her stop and avoid getting hit.

Once she was far enough, Johnathan slapped himself to regain his cool.

Now that he was fine, Johnathan charged forwards. Getting to her, he threw a punch. Putting up her hands, she quickly realized that it was a feint. No punch came at her, but when she realized it, he already kicked her legs.

Because of how strong and unexpected the kick was, she bent down. Johnathan didn't waste any time and punched at her face, making her stumble back.

"Boom! I just repaid the favor." Johnathan said with a small smile.

Getting up from the ground, Emma looked at him and sighed. "Good job. But it's not over until someone gives up."

Standing in front of each other, they both took a breath.

Emma bolted at him even faster than last time. Johnathan, though, was ready. He put up his hands and blocked the punch she threw.

Using both hands, he pushed her away before charging at her. He jumped forwards with his right leg out. Emma hurried to the side and dodged the flying kick.

"Pfft. What's that form." She laughed.

"What do you mean? I think my forms pretty good, no?"

"Ya, ya. Keep thinning what you want." She said, rushing at him. Throwing a punch towards his face, Emma clicked her tongue when he dodged.

Johnathan sweat a bit after continuously dodging her punches. She was getting closer and closer. 'If I don't counter, she'll win.'

Dodging the fourth punch, he turned sideways and quickly grabbed her arm. Emma's eyes widened. She tried to pull away, but Johnathan's grip was strong.

'Worth a try.' She thought, and she jumped at and grabbed the arm that was holding her own. Putting her legs over his, she pulled back.

'Fuck.'

"Arghh. Fucking hell." Johnathan yelled.

"Tap or ill break your arm," Emma said, pulling back further.

Johnathan started sweating and thought of ways to get out of the armbar he was in. With no other way, he started bringing his forearm closer to himself, hoping she'll let go.

With the strength got from six crystals, he could bring his hand to an almost 90-degree hold. He then tried slamming her down, but Emma quickly maneuvered behind him. Kicking the back of his leg, Johnathan fell over.

Emma then put him in a headlock and laid him on the ground.

With nothing he could think of that'd get him out of the situation, he tapped.

Emma let go and took in a deep breath. 'Fuck. This guy is too strong. I thought I would've lost for a second.'

Johnathan and Emma got up from the ground. Sighing, Johnathan finally realized that if he were to fight someone with similar strength, the technique would be the winning factor.

"You do martial arts?" He asked.

Emma smiled and nodded. "Ya, I do MMA. Do you?"

Johnathan shook his head. "No. I tried it once with a friend but I couldn't get into it. All I learned in the small-time period was how to throw punches."

"Wow. You could do so well without knowing how to actually fight. That's surprising man."

Johnathan shrugged and looked towards the others. He saw Ivan standing over the white Caucasian male that caught up to him in the race.

Emma looked towards where Johnathan was looking and whistled. The man Ivan was fighting had a bloodied nose and was laying on the ground.

"That guy's good." She commented.

"Ya. He's nuts." Johnathan said with a smile.

"You wanna go for round two?" Emma asked.

"Sure."

Standing in front of each other, Johnathan closed his eyes for a moment and opened them soon after.

He didn't want to go 0–1 when Ivan was already 1-0. A competitive flame lit inside him and when they were both ready, Johnathan kept off with all he had.

——

By the half-hour mark, the two had already fought five times. Johnathan had won two of the three times, making him go 2-3.

However, that led to both of them getting some injuries. Johnathan had a busted lip and bruises all over his body, while Emma had a bloodied nose.

They were about to go for the sixth time, but the sergeant blew the whistle. For the first time in half an hour, he left the weights area and walked to them.

"Everyone who's sparring, switch partners with someone."

Johnathan and Emma hearing that shook hands. "Let's fight again sometime. It's been fun." Emma said with a smile.

"Ya. Next time you won't win a single match."

Johnathan then looked around and laid his eyes on Ivan. Walking behind him, he slapped his back. "Let's go," Johnathan said.

Ivan turned around and grinned. "You sure? Didn't you lose to a girl? You think you can beat me?" He asked with a small chuckle.

"Now, now. That's sexist. Plus, just cause I lost to her doesn't mean I'll lose to you." Johnathan joked.

"Haha, I'm just kidding. She was pretty good. But don't get a big head bud. Let's make a bet. The loser will do one thing the winner asks."

"Bet."

The two then stood facing each other, waiting for the sergeant to tell them to start.

"Once you found your new partner, start."

The two then kept off the ground with wide grins on their faces.