Bab 9: Ciona x Ethan

In the center of the platform, Ciona and Ethan locked eyes. After exchanging greetings, contrary to expectations, neither of them lunged at the other.

Ciona was smaller than Ethan, barely reaching his shoulder height. Engaging in direct physical strength in this battle would put Ciona at a disadvantage.

Ethan, a 10-year-old boy with a slightly robust build, brown hair, and dark eyes, knew the advantage he held over Ciona. Any direct blow could secure an undeniable advantage in this combat training, potentially leading to a certain victory.

Slowly, Ethan assumed a combat stance. His right leg extended forward while the weight of his body rested on his left leg.

Ciona, on the other hand, took a deep breath, filling her lungs with all the oxygen she could muster. She exhaled slowly, as if preparing for something intense, while assuming her posture. Her feet were slightly apart, body leaning forward, and arms positioned at eye level.

Five full seconds passed as they maintained their respective combat positions.

The confused students watched the interaction, while Professor Lin maintained an impassive gaze. Kizaer, who had always appeared relaxed, now focused intently on the impending clash.

Suddenly, Ethan accelerated without any prior warning. The way he projected his body at astonishing speed, his right fist flying alongside him, indicated that he had received combat training from tutors.

Ciona subtly shifted to the left, eyes fixed on Ethan without blinking or showing hesitation. And then, half a second later, the first contact occurred.

Ethan's fist, which was aimed at Ciona's ribs, missed its mark. Ciona deftly allowed her palm to intercept Ethan's fist while simultaneously shifting her weight onto one heel, harnessing the kinetic force of Ethan's blow to accelerate her own spin. She almost managed to position herself fully behind Ethan with this first interaction between them.

Reacting swiftly without losing momentum, Ethan spun downward, lowering his torso. He supported himself with his right hand on the ground and lifted the heel of his left leg in a half-moon motion.

In a fluid movement, Ciona squatted, swiftly evading Ethan's dangerous strike. As Ethan's leg completed the half-moon arc, Ciona balanced on her hands, spinning and extending one leg in an attempt to disrupt Ethan's rhythm. Ethan almost instinctively compacted his body, losing all contact with the ground, as the inertia from the half-moon movement propelled him forward in a semi-aerial somersault. He managed to evaded Ciona's strike and rolled lightly onto his back, distancing himself from her. Quickly regaining his feet, he faced his opponent.

Ciona simply stood up, refraining from launching a rapid advance toward Ethan. It was evident that her opponent possessed the agility and skill to capitalize on her movements and deliver a brutal counterattack.

"Interesting," Professor Lin mused to himself. "Both have good reflexes and mastery over their strikes. No careless moves—though their techniques aren't fully polished, their footwork and strikes are fluid." He continued his silent observation. "I understand why Ethan has shown this type of combat abilities, but Ciona… A merchant family shouldn't produce a descendant so inclined toward combat."

As Professor Lin observed that rapid interaction, some students watching the fight were astonished. Five seconds of stillness, and suddenly the two opponents exchanged blows in fractions of a second, already preparing for the next phase.

How much battle experience would someone need in order to develop such a sharp mind during combat? After all, achieving this level of reaction couldn't come from basic training alone, a certain degree of fights experiences was necessary.

Ethan assessed Ciona and quickly formulated a way to land a blow on his opponent, even if it meant taking a full counterattack. But the risks would be worth it; in terms of physical strength, Ethan held a real advantage over Ciona. "A wound for a victory, right?" Ethan thought to himself as he advanced once more toward Ciona.

Accelerating, Ethan closed in on Ciona and spun his body, executing a powerful mid-air kick.

Ciona didn't panic; she swiftly half-stepped back, evading Ethan's kick as it almost grazed her torso before completing its arc. Ethan capitalized on Ciona's retreat and the inertia from his landing, launching a second high spinning kick that forced Ciona to move defensively once again.

Having disrupted Ciona's attacking posture and forced her into a defensive and evasive stance, Ethan seized the opportunity. With another lightning-fast spin, he closed the distance to Ciona and delivered a direct punch.

At this point, the space between them was minimal. Ciona's posture had been shattered during her evasive maneuver, leaving her without a solid foundation for a counterattack during Ethan's third rotation.

Ethan was aware of this, and even if Ciona attempted to redirect the trajectory of his last blow, she wouldn't have many options without further closing the distance between them. Bringing them close enough for Ethan to land a solid strike on Ciona's small body.

To the other students, this exchange occurred in less than 6 seconds—rapid and incredible blows for the spectators. However, in Professor Lin's eyes, this interaction unfolded at a much slower pace, allowing him to perceive details that other students couldn't grasp. Something in that moment surprised him, causing one of his eyebrows to raise. Yet, Ciona maintained a calm expression.

Realizing that Ethan's powerful punch would connect one way or another, Ciona understood that any attempt to alter the blow's trajectory would leave her vulnerable to a subsequent attack from Ethan. After all, her opponent had demonstrated a certain level of mastery in chaining consecutive strikes.

Contrary to Ethan's expectations, Ciona didn't dodge. Planting her feet firmly, she swiftly raised her left forearm, positioning her elbow in the path of Ethan's blow.

*Pah!* An audible sound of contact and impact echoed as Ethan's fist collided with part of Ciona's elbow and forearm. Ethan's eyes widened in that split second, noticing that Ciona's forearm and elbow appeared different—slightly cracked, almost like small cut marks? CALLUSES!? Did this girl have calluses on her forearm and elbow!?

During that brief moment, Ciona unleashed a strike with her right hand, moving upward. Her fingers were together and extended, forming an "A," and the tips of her fingers seemed as sharp as razors.

Before Ciona's fingers could touch Ethan's unprotected neck, Professor Lin appeared suddenly beside them and halted Ciona's strike with a single finger. "Very well, end of the battle. Both of you were excellent. Return to your respective places, and let's continue the matches," Professor Lin instructed, glancing at Ethan and Ciona.

Both locked eyes and exchanged a slight nod. "A wound for a victory? How foolish of me… My teacher always says that I need to stop underestimating my opponents," Ethan thought to himself as he returned to his designated spot. "Why the hell are this girl's arms so calloused? Does she torture herself during training to strengthen her limbs?"

Meanwhile, Ciona walked calmly back to her place, her thoughts undisturbed. Her peripheral vision caught Kizaer's silly smile as he gave her a thumbs-up with his right hand.

"Damn it, Kizaer. Now everyone will know we're friends, and they'll associate my image with the crazy sleeper," Ciona thought, slightly annoyed with Kizaer. "One day, i'll make you pay, belieave me you bedwetter."