Fight - II

As he realized that, he changed the fight. For the first time in the match, he used the spear to sweep at Ajax's legs instead.

"Finally," yelled Syam. He had gotten bored of the way that Jean had been fighting after the first few minutes. He wanted to yell at Jean to put his pride aside but didn't as he was afraid that such an interference would only make Jean more stubborn and continue.

Though, it was extremely sudden and unexpected, Ajax still managed to jump up and evade it. Before, Ajax got the chance to get his foot on the ground, he found Jean's foot flying at his face to kick him which he quickly blocked but it was followed immediately by a punch to his gut which successfully hit him.

"Now, you are fighting seriously," said Ajax as he took a couple of steps back. "It wondered how long it would take."

"You, you," stammered Jean also taking a step as he realized something more. "You expected me to act like this, didn't you?" Jean asked Ajax.

"Ya, what I didn't expect was you to realize it this fast. At least, till you find it hard to stand and sit down in tiredness, but I guess instructor's interference helped get you there faster," said Ajax smiling.

"You read me again and that is why you accepted to these stupid constraints?" asked Jean still finding it hard to believe.

He was always taught to be observant by his father and trained to be unpredictable while fighting. So, the fact that Ajax could easily predict his behavior angered him a lot.

"I am going to beat you up," said Jean as he continued to fight. He jumped towards Ajax and swung the spear with all his strength. Ajax moved a bit forward blocked it's shaft with his arms crossed over his head.

"You need to do better," said Ajax. "Come on. I will you twenty strikes. I will only block all of them and not evade or counter."

Jean had decided that he would swing his spear at Ajax's legs or head as soon as he heard that. He knew that when swung at legs it would be much easier to evade or jump. That would be the best course of action too as a strike to legs would topple any person putting him at mercy of his opponent.

As Ajax just told him that he would not evade all the next twenty moves, he decided sweep his spear at his legs and see how Ajax could block it. He felt that this was logically the best choice to get back at Ajax and humiliate him, but he was surprised to see Ajax find a way again.

"See how Ajax crouched with one leg away and took the blow to his shin," explained Dean. "This posture allowed him to keep his balance while taking the blow without the spearhead hitting his leg and then quickly move, else a sweep strike like that would make him fall on the ground or cut off his legs. Though, I am pretty sure, it would hurt a lot if you guys try. If not for Ajax being stupid and saying that he would block twenty strikes he wouldn't need to do that. See his pride makes him take such pain. So, it is stupid to give such offers unless you want to stall for reinforcements. Otherwise, you might end up in sever pain or dead."

"So, this can only be done when you are much stronger physically. Consider, it a good example of improvisation. Sometimes, you will always find that you will be under handicap. Probably, not like this one, but lack of proper weapon or so," continued Dean. "Use your instincts and whatever possible to succeed."

As Jean continued to make more strikes at Ajax, he realized that Ajax had already planned for all of those possible tactics he could make. It only frustrated him more and he continued to get more aggressive.

He began to swing his spear at deadly angles and at the same time aimed kicks and punches at the directions he knew that Ajax would have to evade. Jean started to deviate from his usual style of spearmanship.

Previously, he had the worry that if he suddenly threw a punch or kick, his opponent could easily cut it with a weapon. Now, he knew that Ajax would not use a weapon. So, he daringly tried combinations which he would never do in a normal fight.

With sudden deviation from the normal way in which Jean fought the past four matches, Ajax couldn't predict Jeans move properly. So, Ajax ended up taking quite a few punches and kicks on his torse which he had never expected.

It wasn't that he hadn't faced such attacks and skills before. He had a lot of experience fighting with people who used weapons while attempting to kick or punch. But, there was a significant difference with Jean. In this world, with mana strengthening their bodies, the people were more flexible and get faster every day. This resulted in them being able to strike much faster.

Ajax was a limit breaker and had much better punch strength and body than others. But, it didn't he would automatically be able adapt to a faster pace of fights. Though most people believe that a physically stronger person would win in a fight, it was not so. To win a fight, it is necessary to have a certain level of strength and a good physique, but it was also important to analyze and react faster.

This required a certain level mental development and good reactions. It was said that the greatest martial artists were also the greatest analysts of the human body and it that which allowed them to react in the best way to defeat their opponents.

Ajax knew that it wasn't just his physique that he needed to improve but also his mental capabilities. After the first punch which Jean landed on him, Ajax immediately understood that he underestimated his opponents speed and overestimated his reactions. He felt that he had to think and react much faster to deal with him.

It was hard for anyone to instantly increase their pace of thoughts. Still, Ajax tried to do so. Usually one experience extreme fear they would be able to achieve such a change of thoughts. Ajax hoped to be able to quickly react to Jean's tricks and moves.

Surprisingly, he realized that he was able to react much faster. It wasn't extreme fear that allowed him to have a surge in his thoughts and reactions either. Ajax understood at that time, that the cultivation technique allowed him to not only break through his limits of strength but also his mental capabilities. His thinking speed and body's reaction speed too improved but he never had realized it because he never had to use them that much. He just wasn't stimulated.

With this realization, Ajax understood that he was totally going to win this match. But now he didn't want to. It was hard to find someone who would push him like this. It was hard to find a rival to push him to his limits and he wasn't going to let go of this chance.

Ajax didn't even care about the bet and getting more mana stones for his cultivation now. For him, Jean was the sparring partner he needed. It was the chance to improve his skill and test the limits of his reactions and improvement. So, he decided to no longer try to win but block Jean's strikes and prolong the fight as long as he could.

As they continued, Ajax felt himself improving. Ajax even got a few chances to move past the spear or grab it and defeat Jean with a punch or two, but he didn't use them. The pace of the fight also slowly increased. All the trainees who were watching felt that Jean is at an advantage and Ajax was being stubborn, bearing injuries and is just barely able to keep himself from not being defeated. Even some of the members of the hunter division felt so, but some felt that it wasn't.

Dean was one of those. Dean thought that something was wrong as it was very hard maintain that state and not fall down while being beaten. Also, whenever Jean swung the spear, Ajax was using his limbs to block. Moreover, he was changing the hand and legs alternately to block the strikes.

"Is he only block and taking those blows, as some kind of body strengthening practice?" thought Dean for a second before dismissing it. It was a barbaric practice. It was effective but after body cultivation techniques, those methods were rarely used.

"Is he trying to tire out Jean," Dean thought next.

"No, he is trying to prolong the fight as long as possible. He is observing and trying to develop counters to Jean's style. He is refining his responses to be more effective," Dean realized.

He silently went to Syam and asked if he felt the same.

"Yes, Ajax is under a bit of pressure, but he is definitely holding back and taking a few unnecessary hits too," said Syam slowly. Under loud noise of the fight and the spectators yells they could calmly discuss without other knowing.

"Right?" said Dean. "Do you think he is taking those hits to improve his body strength."

"Maybe," said Syam wondering. "Does he even know that it would toughen his muscle if he cultivates after taking such a beating?"

"Don't know what he learned as a kid," said Dean.

"Hmm," said Syam shrugging as he continued to watch the fight.

In a couple of minutes, Ajax was sweating buckets. He could hardly move his arms or body due to pain. Luckily, Jean was also tired. He was using his staff as support as he was tired and he felt his stomach and back ache due to all the effort he put in his strikes. Jean too has run out of all his stamina. Though the both of them were tired, they refused to give up.

"Ok, we had enough. I will make an executive decision and consider this a tie," said Dean. "Henceforth, there will be no more such stupid constraints in matches. Either fight with all you have, or don't."

"Oh, come on, bro," interjected Syam. "These things make it more interesting."

"I don't care. I allowed this one to happen as it is the first time, but it will really be of not much use to improve their skills. To be frank, it detrimental. Using a punch or kick would usually get ones limbs sliced off in a true fight," said Dean. "I only agreed to these matches after classes so that they can improve. But from now on it will only be a fair fight between the participants. No, more ridiculous bets and constraints for your entertainment."

"Is it really necessary," said someone.

"Party pooper," said Syam.

"You boring!" said someone else.

"Ya! Ya! Any other matches today?" asked Dean loudly which followed by silence.

"Ok, since there seems to be no more matches. Buzz off, you all," said Dean.

"You two," continued Dean pointing towards Jean and Ajax. "You are coming with me for now."

"I might need to have a bit of treatment done," said Ajax as he didn't want to go. He could easily guess that Dean was probably irritated by him repeatedly fight and probably offending Jean. Though he was the prince and had a higher political stature, it was to be hidden. Moreover, Jean was the son of an important Viscount who was once a hunter and he was also the descendent of a Marquess.

Ajax could guess that Dean didn't want to get on the bad side of either of them. So, he knew that going with Dean, he would end up being given advise to not take too far, that everything should be in a certain limit, it is not sensible to take childish rivalries too far and all other shit which every usual adult tells kids.

If he was a kid, it would be fine, but he had the mentality of an adult and he understood the reason behind all such things and agreed with them. He had a plan and was going to make up with Jean sooner or later on his own terms, which would allow him to not only make up with him but also recruit a valuable aide who would be of help to him in future.

"Here, have this the both of you," said Dean through a pill each towards them. "Now, you will be fine. Follow me."

Even Jean was a bit reluctant and he also could guess what was about to happen. Like any other teenager, he didn't like such experiences either. But he also knew that Dean wouldn't accept any excuses.