Chapter 354 (2/2)

“Throwing a punch takes your whole body, starting not fro of your arht foot slowly and pointed to , rotating your hip and letting power build up as you turn your shoulder and explode your fist forward Any questions?”

To my surprise, it was Valen’s hand that shot up first “Can you show us a deet?”

“No,” I deadpanned “Pair up and demonstrate on yourselves”

Two days later, when I entered my room for the next class, I was surprised to find half the students already waiting for me Rafferty, head of the Melee Co in the row closest to the training platfor the same punch I had shown the class last session

“—starts in the foot, legs and hips, like this…” I overheard her say as I made my way down the stairs Her eyes lit up as shethe punch you taught us, and you were right! The force score onto i me her battered knuckles

“I-I see,” I responded, caught off guard by her excitelancing at the stack of parchment in his hand

“Just here for a standard inspection, nothing to worry about, Professor Grey Miss Frost here was just filling me in on your last lesson,” the departave hi to the bottom of the bleacher-style seats While I waited for the rest of the students to arrive, I listened to the din of conversation co halfway up the bleacher-style seats between Seth and Linden, the only other student in Melee Enhancement Tactics as froet a second rune during the bestowal?” Linden was asking Mayla “It’s still hard to believe you got an emblem as your first rune…”

Mayla looked down sheepishly Although she was confident and energetic toward classwork, she see with the other students

“I don’t really know,” she finally answered “Everyone who hears about how I got the…rune is always so surprised No one has ever heard of it happening like that”

Linden was shaking his head, hisunadorned, then wham! Eer absentmindedly “Yeah…”

Marcus leaned back in his chair and looked over his shoulder at the pair “My first rune was a crest Personally, I’ this bestowal Not as iave a little nod to Mayla, who blushed—“but if I can get a second one early, it’s realistic that I could have a third rune while still at the acaderandfather,” Valen interjected fro the attention of nearly everyone in the rooe three runes before graduating, but that’s still higher than nearly any other acadeed nonchalantly, as if he didn’t find these numbers troublesome in the least

“I already havea seat in the front row “A crest during my first bestowal at the academy”

Rafferty cleared his throat, and all eyes turned toward him “Remember, the bestowment ceremony is a time for introspection, and your bestowal is a reflection of your effort to master both mind and mana Focus less on what you will receive, and more on what you have done to earn it Professor Grey, please start”

My eyes swept over the students waiting for ht you how to throw a proper punch This tie”

A hand went up It was Mayla

“I’m sorry, Professor, but is it possible to review your lesson fro it correctly,” she asked with her hand still up in the air

“No Ask your classh the door, the last to arrive Before he could take more than a couple of steps, I waved hi You’re up first”

He froith concern, but made his way down the steps to stand beside ht right at your face, then a left hook at your ribs,” I infore”

Stepping forward, I threw ht at his face Despite his initial surprise, Yanick was still able to step back away fro my left fist in a wide hook

Yanick took another step back to dodge

I turned back to the class, atching fro?”

“He had too much wasted movement,” Valen answered proain”

My little sparring partner nodded seriously, readying hi bothAlacryan leaned away fro back, then parried the hook

“Faster”

I repeated the exercise, and Yanick’s response was the sa the hook The third ti lean back forced hiot his hand down in time to intercept my hook

My fist landed solidly in his side on the fourth repetition, just hard enough to knock the wind out of hih as I turned to the rest of the class “Learning to dodge effectively means that you not only cause your opponent to miss, but also create an opportunity for you to attack at the same time”

The students looked at me with renewed interest; even Deacon had put down his book to pay attention

“Who would like to go next,” I said, waving Yanick away The boy’s braids bobbed as he hopped off the platfor a seat

A couple of hands went up, with Enola practically waving her hand to be picked

“Valen,” I said, turning toward the highblood

Portrel let out a cheer, but Valen’s cool look quieted the larger boy

“You understand what to do by now?” I asked, adopting my stance

Valen nodded as he slid back into a stance I recognized as the Vechorian guard stance from my short duel with his tutor, Drekker

When I threw my cross, he leaned forward, and his elbow fell down to block the hook

I took a step back “Take note of how s into the first punch, Valen is setting himself up to both block the hook with a suard for a counter”

I raised my fists “Let’s see if he can do it faster”

Valen and I went severalquicker and quicker Finally, his initial in-step was too shallow, andhirandson get hit, Rafferty seemed unaffected as his pen continued to blur across the parchment as he took notes

“Everyone pair up Go back and forth, trading off as attacker and defender Attackers, start at half speed and work your way up”

“Thank you for the lesson,” Valen said with a bow before walking away

‘It’s so boring now that the kids are so obedient,’ Regis groused

Are hty God weapon of destruction? I asked with a chuckle

‘Yes, as well as anato to start teaching your students to fight on all fours, I’ to take a nap,’ he answered as his presence faded

The rest of the session passed quickly, and enuinely surprised when I announced their dismissal

“Get out of here,” I shooed impatiently

“Thanks, Professor,” Marcus said as he led the way up the stairs A couple of the others nodded Mayla flashed rin and waved as she took the broad steps two at a time

Rafferty was on his feet, his papers tucked beneath his arm He quickly adjusted his black and azure suit “Your teachings are…unusual, but effective It looks like I won’t have to worry too much, Professor Grey”

“Appreciated,” I said as the head of the Melee Combat Department marched up the stairs and out of s away and shutting everything up I was alto announce yourself, or just stand there acting all creepy?” Iainst the doorfra you clean,” she said with a hand over herso dois chortled

I sighed “If you’re going to poke fun, at least help while doing it”

“I’ “With the bestow tomorrow, classes are suspended for the next few days…”

“I know,” I said, feigning nonchalance “I’ll finally have ti with some other domestic chores”

Caera rolled her eyes “Don’t be a tease We’re going in, right?”

A smile formed on the corner of my lips “Of course”