Chapter 15 - You Gained Combat Experience After a Fight
The ultimate goal of practicing martial arts is actual combat.
Lu Yuan asked Cheng Peng to spar with him. Aside from what he told Cheng Peng about better grasping the three fundamental martial arts techniques through live practice, he also wanted to verify an idea through this fight.
In the training area of the martial arts school's main hall, two teenagers in martial arts uniforms stood facing each other.
There was about an hour left before lunch time.
Most students had gone home after class, but some stayed for extra practice.
The training area was not empty, though Lu Yuan and Cheng Peng took up just a small corner.
Cheng Peng was a few centimeters taller than Lu Yuan. Years of martial arts practice made him quite sturdy.
His naturally curly short hair and bronzed skin gave him a more rugged aura than the average high schooler.
"This is what you asked for. Don't flip out if I make you cry later," said Cheng Peng while flexing his fists and wrists.
"You talk too much," Lu Yuan said plainly.
"Alright, I'll make you kneel and call me daddy now!" shouted Cheng Peng.
He then charged swiftly at Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan took a deep breath, eyes fixed intently on Cheng Peng's movements.
The techniques of the three fundamental martial arts flashed rapidly through his mind.
He tried to dodge Cheng Peng's momentum with a left sliding step, then took the chance to throw a punch at Cheng Peng's head.
Since this was live combat, both wore protective gear.
No need to worry about accidental injuries, so Lu Yuan attacked without restraint.
"Hehe~"
The moment Lu Yuan launched his punch, he heard Cheng Peng chuckle.
Before he could react, his punching arm was seized tightly by Cheng Peng's hands.
Cheng Peng turned around smoothly so his back faced Lu Yuan.
Then came immense force.
"Fly away!"
Lu Yuan's body left the ground uncontrollably as if riding the clouds.
He was flung heavily to the ground by Cheng Peng's back throw.
Bang!
The fight ended in less than a minute.
"How was that? Submit yet? Call me daddy quickly!" said Cheng Peng standing tall over Lu Yuan, a smug look on his face.
Seeing Lu Yuan unmoving on the ground for several seconds, Cheng Peng became worried.
"Damn, Lu Yuan, you alright?!"
"I didn't use much strength, hope I didn't break you!" said Cheng Peng as he hurriedly pulled Lu Yuan up.
"I'm fine," Lu Yuan shook his head, a strange look on his face.
He did not seem dejected, resentful or ashamed about losing. Rather, his eyes shone brightly and he looked even more excited.
[Your Basic Boxing skill has improved, +3 EXP]
[Your Basic Footwork skill has improved, +4 EXP]
[You gained 5 profession EXP from combat]
"I was right!"
"The [Student] profession gains far more foundational subject and profession EXP from tests than regular studying."
"Same goes for [Fighter]."
"Gaining EXP through actual combat is much faster than practicing alone!"
The Basic Boxing and Basic Footwork he used during the fight leveled up significantly after it ended.
His profession EXP also increased by 5 points instantly, almost equal to half an hour of solo practice.
Though he took a hard throw and felt some pain, such humiliation and hurt was negligible compared to the gained EXP.
"Again!" said Lu Yuan getting up from the floor, morale surging as he gestured for Cheng Peng to continue.
"Again?" Cheng Peng hesitated.
"The gap between us is too big. You fighting me is pure masochism."
"It's not as big as you think!"
Lu Yuan threw a punch at Cheng Peng's face without another word.
"Damn, you sneak attacked me?" Cheng Peng exclaimed as he was forced into combat.
Over half an hour later, Lu Yuan limped out of the locker room.
His exposed arms and legs had some faint bruises and abrasions. One eye was also red.
"Lu Yuan..." said Cheng Peng carefully supporting him. Seeing his condition, he said worriedly: "Don't blame me, you asked for this. If your parents ask later, don't say I bullied you on purpose."
"Don't worry, I'll just say I accidentally bumped into something during training," Lu Yuan patted Cheng Peng's shoulder to reassure him.
At this moment, Lu Yuan was in great spirits.
In over half an hour of live combat, he had gained a full forty profession EXP.
His Basic Boxing reached level 3 and his newly learned Basic Footwork also rose to level 2 today.
This efficiency was equal to half a day of solo practice.
"Let's continue tomorrow, accompany me to train for half an hour every day from now on," Lu Yuan said to Cheng Peng.
"Again?" Cheng Peng shook his head violently like a rattle drum. "No way, I can't bear to torment you anymore."
"Consider it me finding my own torment, okay?" Lu Yuan glared at him. "Otherwise, take back all those 'daddy' you shouted at me today."
"Well..." Cheng Peng hesitated and could only reluctantly agree.
Only then did Lu Yuan nod satisfactorily.
Through this bout, he also gained some understanding of Cheng Peng's abilities.
The boy's speed and physique were probably similar to his own, but his strength was a bit higher, though still below 9.
The main gap between them was in foundational martial arts techniques and combat experience.
As long as he made up those areas, he might not be unable to defeat Cheng Peng.
"I haven't even used [Absolute Focus] yet," thought Lu Yuan.
After being beaten down over a dozen times in half an hour, he looked indifferent on the surface but was secretly fuming inside.
He was determined to make Cheng Peng respectfully call him "daddy" as well.
Also, every loss gave an average of 3-4 profession EXP.
How much EXP could he get for a win?
Lu Yuan looked forward to finding out.
June passed swiftly and July arrived quietly.
The weather in Jiaoyan City grew much hotter.
At Jiaoyan No.4 High School, the cacophony of cicadas was disrupted by the shrill ringing of the bell. The originally tranquil campus also grew lively as students flooded out from classrooms.
"Check one last time that you've written your name and student ID on the exam paper," the proctoring teacher called out while collecting the papers.
Lu Yuan neatly flattened his paper on the desk, put away his stationery, and calmly walked out of the exam hall.
Today was the July monthly exam at No.4 High School.
The last exam tested history.
[Your History skill has improved, +18 EXP]
[You gained 8 profession EXP from an exam]
Lu Yuan glanced at his [Student] Profession Panel.
[Profession: Student lv4 (122/800)]
[Basic Profession Skills: Language lv4 (23/400)
Math lv4 (33/800)
Physics lv4 (80/800)
Chemistry lv4 (12/800)
Biology lv4 (2/800)
History lv3 (377/400)
Geography lv3 (389/400)
Information Technology lv4 (12/800)]
[Core Profession Skill: Absolute Focus lv2 (Active)]
After this exam, even history, his weakest subject, was close to lv4.
Among the eight foundational subjects under [Student], only History and Geography were not yet at lv4.
"Lu Yuan," a soft, slightly shy voice sounded by his ear.
Lu Yuan turned to see a girl standing prettily before him.
She had waist-length black hair, a pink hair clip, fair skin, delicate features, and her blue school skirt showed two slender snow-white legs that added to her innocent charm.
"Let's go back to class together? I want to check some math exam answers with you from yesterday afternoon," said the girl, continuously tucking strands of hair behind her ear and not daring to meet Lu Yuan's eyes.
"I have something to do in the afternoon, don't plan on going back to class," Lu Yuan thought for a bit before politely declining the girl's invitation. "You can check with someone else."
"Oh, okay." The girl sounded disappointed upon hearing Lu Yuan's reply. Just as she was thinking of what else to say, Lu Yuan had already turned and walked away.