Chapter 11 - Ability Points
"Today we will learn the moves for basic leg techniques," said Lin Zhiqin.
Just like when he taught basic boxing, Lin first demonstrated, then broke down each move and taught them one by one.
However, he didn't provide the same hand-on guidance to every student like during the previous class.
Only Lu Yuan and two other students enjoyed this special treatment.
They were the ones who paid close attention in class and practiced diligently afterwards, just like Lu Yuan.
In fact, the leg technique moves were much more difficult than fist techniques.
"Practice freely, I need to step out for a bit," said Lin after teaching all the moves.
The students responded vaguely, and many stopped their motions as soon as Lin left.
Lu Yuan paid no attention to the others. Once Lin's figure disappeared, he activated his skill.
"Activate [Absolute Focus]!"
In an instant, he entered a state of absolute focus and immersion in practicing the basic leg techniques.
"Lu Yuan! Lu Yuan!"
A voice called out from afar, growing louder and louder, pulling Lu Yuan's mind and spirit back.
It was like suddenly bursting out from underwater to the surface, with the clamor rushing in all around his ears.
"Phew..."
Lu Yuan stopped his motions and shook his sore, numb legs. This time he didn't just plop down on his butt.
"Do you want some water?"
The chubby-faced girl Liu Yue was standing next to him and handed over a bottle of water.
"Thanks."
As usual, Lu Yuan did not decline and gulped down the water.
He finished the entire bottle in one go and wiped his mouth before asking Liu Yue,
"How much time until class is over?"
"One minute."
Liu Yue looked at her electronic watch, then corrected herself, "Oh no, class is already over."
Lu Yuan was slightly surprised.
Class is over already?
The free practice time today was much longer than last class.
Yet he had come out of [Absolute Focus] later than last time, and his stamina had not been completely depleted either.
It seemed his physique really has improved quite a bit, that increase in Physique attribute was not for nothing.
Lu Yuan promptly checked his Class Panel.
[You focused on martial arts training for 10 minutes, gained +1 Profession EXP]
[Your Basic Leg Technique skill has improved, +3 EXP]
[You focused on martial arts training for 10 minutes, gained +1 Profession EXP]
[Congratulations, your [Fighter] profession has leveled up!]
Even though he expected it, seeing the notification for profession level up still filled Lu Yuan with joy.
[Fighter lv2 (6/200)]
[Basic Profession Skills:
Beginner Body Tempering lv2 (123/200)
Basic Boxing lv2 (57/200)
Basic Leg Technique lv1 (34/100)]
The panel also showed additional free attribute points and skill points.
After brief hesitation, Lu Yuan allocated the new attribute point into Physique.
His Physique attribute that he had just increased not long ago directly went from 8 to 9.
"Sha sha--"
It was as if a wrinkled piece of paper was quickly smoothed out by some magical force, and all the creases disappeared.
In just a few seconds, Lu Yuan felt the fatigue accumulated from practice completely melt away, and his whole body became refreshed and invigorated.
The soreness and ache in every part of his body also swiftly faded.
It was just like drinking some miraculous elixir.
"Didn't expect leveling up to have this effect, it's really amazing."
Liu Yue next to him clearly didn't notice the changes happening to Lu Yuan. She just kept talking to herself.
"Wow Lu Yuan, you're so amazing. You kept practicing the whole class without stopping. The others stopped practicing half an hour ago."
Just then, someone in martial arts uniform ran in from outside and announced loudly, "Class dismissed! Same time 8am tomorrow morning, don't be late everyone."
After speaking, he turned and left without looking back.
"Phew--"
The students let out a collective sigh of relief. Some got up to leave, others went to gather their belongings.
A few even started complaining out loud.
"Come on, every class we only get half the time for actual teaching, the rest is just free practice."
"Right, today's lesson only taught a few students. I didn't even get those moves down."
"That's it, we're filing a complaint if this happens again!"
Lu Yuan glanced over and saw it was the few guys who came with the bun-haired boy.
They seemed quite dissatisfied, yelling about filing a complaint on Lin Zhiqin.
Lu Yuan paid them no mind. He bid Liu Yue goodbye and left the training hall.
After showering and changing, Lu Yuan waited in the martial arts school lobby. Soon, Cheng Peng came out with wet hair dripping.
"Why didn't you dry your hair?" Lu Yuan frowned at him, worried Cheng would flick water on him with a shake of his head.
"It's cooling!" Cheng Peng scratched his head unconcernedly, then asked Lu Yuan, "How was it today?"
"Not bad, didn't feel as tired as last week."
Lu Yuan replied.
"After a week of training, your physique improved. Progress is most obvious at the beginning, I was like that too when I started."
Cheng Peng glanced towards the stairs on second floor and smiled at Lu Yuan, "Wanna go up for another massage? I still have two free sessions left, might as well use them together today."
"Let's not." Lu Yuan decisively shook his head. "You should save those two for when you really need them."
Lu Yuan only found out afterwards that the massage therapy he received upstairs was exorbitantly expensive.
A single session cost a staggering four-digit figure if you had to pay!
Only because Cheng Peng was a premium member with three free massage sessions could he bring Lu Yuan there.
The massage was indeed very effective, almost miraculous even.
But Lu Yuan felt bad to keep freeloading off Cheng Peng.
Cheng Peng might not care, but his parents may have opinions if they knew.
No matter how good friends they were, Lu Yuan didn't feel right taking such huge advantage.
"You need to recharge 100k at the martial arts school just to qualify for premium membership.
That's out of the question for me for now.
But becoming an official disciple does come with free massage benefits, so that's something I can strive for."
The treatment and perks of being an official Yuan Martial Arts School disciple were great, Lu Yuan had wanted it from the beginning.
After unlocking the [Fighter] panel and seeing rapid improvements in his martial arts, this desire grew even stronger.
"Let's go to the internet cafe after this? My treat for fried chicken at lunch."
As usual, Cheng Peng tried to tempt Lu Yuan to the internet cafe.
And as usual, Lu Yuan directly refused.
"Forget it. I want to practice more of the leg techniques teacher taught today."
"What's the hurry to practice now? Come with me to the internet cafe!"
"Still have lots of homework to do this week. With martial arts classes taking up my weekends, I may not even finish them."
"Oh then you should head home early.
Homework is more important.
If you don't finish, I won't have anything to copy either."
"..."
The noon sun blazed fiery hot.
The bus's air conditioner was broken too.
Lu Yuan arrived home dripping sweat. He went straight to his family's shop fridge and chugged down two bottles of ice water.
Lunch was alone again.
The food was prepared by his mother. His father Lu Xinghua had just left, packing some food hastily before rushing to the hospital.
Upstairs, Lu Yuan found a soup bowl, filled it fully with rice and dishes, then brought it down to eat while watching TV with his mother.
Of course, his main attention was not on the TV, but fixed on his Profession Panel as he contemplated where to allocate the skill point he just obtained.