Chapter 14: The Dance of the Tigers

James gasped for breath, clearly having less stamina than Peter.

"You can't touch me, not because I'm slippery like an eel, but because I'm more like a dragon," he declared, a hint of pride in his voice.

Peter raised an eyebrow, smirking. "A dragon? Come on, don't get too carried away."

"It's the truth!" James insisted, shaking his head. "It's not some martial arts secret from an old beggar. It's a powerful set of tactics called 'The Dance of the Thousands of Tigers.'"

Peter frowned, scratching his head. "Thousands of tigers? Shouldn't it be about a dragon?"

"Details, details," James waved his hand dismissively, brushing off any embarrassment.

He felt exhilarated after defeating Peter, especially considering he hadn't even reached the standard of a Zodiac Knight candidate yet. Peter, although formidable, wasn't using his full capabilities. His spider-silk launcher was still tucked away, leaving room for improvement in both power and speed.

Despite the circumstances, James had a slight edge. The Dance of the Thousands of Tigers was a set of techniques that maximized flexibility and coordination, enabling the weak to overcome the strong.

Peter's eyes lit up. "Can I learn this?"

James nodded enthusiastically. "Of course!"

Despite Peter's impressive speed and reflexes, his combat style leaned heavily on long-range attacks due to his spider-silk launcher. If someone closed the distance, Peter would struggle without his web-slinging advantage. Learning close-combat skills could help him become a well-rounded hero.

Suddenly, the gym door creaked open, and Thompson poked his head in. "Can I join too?" he shouted, eager to be part of the action.

James raised an eyebrow at Thompson, who had been eavesdropping on them. "Aren't you enlisting in the army? These days, battles are fought with thermal weapons, tanks, planes, and missiles. Learning this isn't going to help you much."

Thompson stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "That's not entirely true. Even in modern warfare, it's still about people fighting against each other. Learning combat skills will never be a waste."

He added proudly, "I aim to join the Marine Corps, and I want to be one of the best."

James exchanged glances with Peter. Peter shrugged, showing he had no objections to Thompson joining them. However, James hesitated. He was unwilling to teach Thompson the Dance of the Thousands of Tigers; it wasn't something that could be learned casually.

If it weren't for the Zodiac Knight's case instilling this knowledge in James, it may have taken him years to master it. The Zodiac Knights only passed down this technique to those who truly understood its significance.

Before teaching anyone, there were certain protocols to follow.

"I pledge by this body that everything I've learned will be used appropriately. I won't oppress the strong, bully the weak, or harm the vulnerable. I'll strive to uphold justice, eliminate evil, and protect the Earth!"

This oath was more than a formality; it strengthened their commitment to justice. As James spoke, Peter and Thompson felt the weight of his words, and a sense of purpose began to take root in their hearts.

"Since neither of you has any basic martial arts knowledge, I'll teach you some simple techniques. Consider it an introductory lesson," James said.

He began demonstrating a series of straightforward martial arts routines, movements that were simple enough for beginners to imitate.

To his surprise, Peter and Thompson picked up the basics quickly. Peter's enhanced observation skills, thanks to his spider gene, allowed him to replicate the moves with relative ease. Thompson, however, was a pleasant surprise—his progress was commendable, unlike the stereotypical clumsiness often associated with novice fighters.

After a few rounds of practice, James decided to ramp up the difficulty. Peter managed to learn seven or eight advanced moves, while Thompson struggled to keep up, but he was making progress nonetheless.

After an afternoon of practice, both boys demonstrated a noticeable improvement in their combat effectiveness.

To celebrate their newfound friendship, Thompson suggested they go out for a treat. Despite being underage, they decided to head to a local bar to unwind—a place James and Peter wouldn't have dared to enter before Thompson led the way.

As they walked, James felt a sense of camaraderie forming between them. It was a new chapter in their lives, and he was eager to see where it would lead.