Ivan showed up at Greg's martial arts facility. He registered as a new member and stated the reason for his visit. A trainer approached him, and they discussed what martial art would best suit him. After a thorough discussion, it was agreed that Kali Martial Art would fit him best as a beginner.
Ivan and the trainer proceeded into the spacious training hall. Other trainees were present, both eager newcomers and seasoned frequent guests. Ivan's trainer began by teaching him the fundamental basics of the Kali martial art. Their initial focus was entirely on footwork. Ivan quickly learnt how to move efficiently in a closed triangle and then transition into a more complex star shape.
Ivan rapidly grasped these fundamental basics due to his inherent martial arts aptitude. His astonishing ability to quickly learn the basics genuinely surprised his trainer. The trainer felt compelled to test him to ensure that it wasn't a mere fluke. Ivan effortlessly replicated the Kali footwork, executing each movement with precision.
The trainer proceeded to incorporate weapons into the martial arts training after confirming that Ivan's exceptional efforts were not an anomaly. Ivan pulled off another surprising feat: he was able to instinctively understand and efficiently perform the basic moves he was taught, even with a weapon.
His trainer began to suspect that Ivan was merely feigning to be a first-timer in martial arts.
'He has been here for less than thirty minutes, and he already grasped the basics, like learning the alphabets,' Ivan's trainer marvelled inwardly, truly astonished.
The trainer insisted that Ivan spar him with the staff weapon. Ivan was primarily being trained with a staff as his weapon. The length and nature of the staff meant that it could effectively double for both staff weapon training and sword training.
With a degree of reluctance, Ivan agreed to spar with his coach. They sparred for three intense rounds, and Ivan consistently dominated in every round. His natural aptitude put him at a significant advantage because his keen instincts and enhanced agility empowered him to react at precisely the right time to evade the opponent's attacks and even predict their next line of assault.
Ivan's trainer was utterly stunned. He recalled the specific directive he had received from his boss regarding the centre's remarkable guests: he was to alert the supervisor of any outstanding visitors. The trainer excused himself from Ivan and was en route to visit his boss's office when he saw his boss, Greg, approaching them.
Greg, the owner and manager of Greg's Martial Art Centre, was a stout man who looked distinctly Hispanic. He had a full, dark black beard and a tapered fade haircut that was tied neatly in a bun at the back of his head. He possessed a handsome facial profile but stood an inch short of six feet. He wore a plain black shirt, comfortable joggers, and a pair of white cross-trainer shoes.
Greg gave a knowing nod to Ivan's trainer. The trainer then left Greg alone with Ivan. What bothered the trainer was that his boss had appeared at the scene before he could even make his report. Valentine had actually been covertly spying on Ivan since he left his flat for this martial arts centre. As a C-rank spy-class character, he was exceptionally skilled at using discreet spy gadgets to monitor people. Valentine had watched Ivan train with the assigned trainer, and he noticed Ivan effortlessly sweep aside everything thrown his way. So, he contacted Greg to arrange a meeting with Ivan because Greg was a known part of the Humanity's Liberation Force.
Greg's meeting with Ivan was clearly intended to assess Ivan's burgeoning abilities. Greg happened to be a martial arts class character himself, but he was only D-rank.
Greg spoke in a deep, resonant baritone voice. He said to Ivan, "I see you are good in martial arts."
Ivan was confused to see that someone he didn't know was talking to him so familiarly.
He hesitantly said to Greg, "This is my first time here."
Greg's expression remained calm and collected, his arms resting casually at his sides. Ivan had instinctively scanned Greg's stance, but he didn't sense any immediate danger from it; he did this purely out of paranoia.
"Is that true? Your movements seem seasoned and remarkably refined," Greg offered, giving an honest assessment of Ivan's fluid movements.
"I'm an eager and quick learner," Ivan justified his actions, a slight smile playing on his lips. "By the way, who are you?"
"My name is Greg, and I am the owner and manager of this martial arts centre. I happened to be walking around and couldn't help but notice that you were schooling my employee. So I had to come over."
"Some people who visit this centre have an issue identifying what's good for them."
Ivan laughed nervously. He said, "Mr Greg, I assure you, I'm not one of those people. This is genuinely my first time learning martial arts."
"I didn't say you were lying about your experience," Greg stated, his tone even.
This made Ivan fall silent, unsure how to respond.
"I want to spar with you," Greg declared, completely catching Ivan off guard.
Ivan did not want to come across as cowardly, especially so Greg would not believe he was lying about his martial arts background. He said to Greg,
"You don't have a staff. You should get a staff."
"Oh," Greg said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I apologise for not being clear. I'm not sparring you in Kali martial arts. We are sparring in MMA style. You know, Mixed Martial Arts."
Ivan dropped the staff on the floor and slowly backed away, a look of apprehension on his face. He said,
"I doubt I'm capable of doing that. Isn't MMA dangerous?"
"Yes, it is, but we are sparring. We are not going to use lethal force unless one of us loses control. The sparring rules are as follows: if you land twenty attacks on my body, you win; if I land seventy attacks on your body before you reach your goal, I win. There will be no use of lethal force," Greg elucidated, explaining the terms clearly.
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New Mission
Accept to spar with Greg in MMA style.
Rewards: 50 exp.
Punishment: You will be punished by being sentenced to survive in the death zone if you fail to complete this mission.
>>>
Auxiliary Mission
Defeat Greg in the sparring based on the agreed terms.
Total Rewards: 200 exp.
'Damn it. I don't want to do this,' Ivan gritted his teeth, a wave of dread washing over him.
"I accept to spar with you based on your terms," Ivan declared, his voice firm despite his reluctance.
Other people in the centre were busy with whatever they were doing; hence, they didn't pay any attention to Ivan and Greg's exchange.