Chapter 15 - Combat Ranking

"Got it," Cassius replied.

"As long as you understand," Lisa said as she turned and walked away, shooting a fleeting glance at the distant warehouse. A smile flitted across her face before she quickened her steps and left.

Cassius watched Lisa's figure gradually disappear, then turned to the corner of the warehouse. "Sis, you can come out now. The instructor's gone."

A fair and pretty face peeked out from the shadows of the building. She scanned the field and after confirming they were alone, she stepped out cautiously like a wary cat.

"Little Wei, maybe we should stop doing this. If Instructor Lisa finds out I'm secretly learning from her, will she do something to you?"

"Actually, she already knows."

"

What

?" Li Chu's worried expression slackened to shock. She couldn't seem to immediately process Cassius's words.

"Instructor Lisa had already noticed since the first day you came. She hasn't actually said it outright but she's given us permission to do this."

Cassius rolled up his sleeve to wipe the sweat from his forehead. "Don't worry about it, sis. I'll practice practical combat with you for another half hour. Hopefully, you can rank in the top fifty at the training camp tomorrow."

"Oh...okay." Li Chu was still a little shell-shocked from learning that Instructor Lisa had known about this little secret all along. It was only after some time had passed that she seemed to revive herself.

The two shadows continued their boxing practice in the dusk.

The next day, the warm rays of the sun shone down on the training field.

There were five square sections in total, with a designated combat area in the center of each. Trainees sat along the sides. Presently, two people stood in the middle of one square.

Instructor Lisa, dressed in a beige uniform, shouted for the match to begin.

The two trainees, who had been practicing the Wind Elephant Sect’s Basic Combat Arts for three months, instantly lunged at each other. They threw out some punches and hooks, feeling each other out as they moved around.

During their skirmish, the trainees searched for their opponent's weak points. When they sprang apart, they'd raise their arms for either a collision or a strike.

It was evident that after three months of formal combat training, the trainees at the camp no longer relied solely on their instincts to fight but had now incorporated martial arts combinations and combat techniques. They had built a rudimentary combat framework. Although still looking immature and a bit stiff, they had made significant progress from their bygone days of street brawling.

The fight continued until a winner emerged. The taller trainee narrowly defeated his opponent, and both left the field to return to their seats.

The assistant instructor stepped forward and, in a loud voice, announced, "Next group is Jose and Li Wei."

"Goddamn," the brown-haired boy sitting in the corner cursed under his breath. Li Wei had placed fifth in the last ranking match. Plus, he was Group Four's best performer. He really had to have some pretty shitty luck to be paired up with Li Wei.

On the training field, the two stood facing each other. The sunlight was intense, causing Jose to squint slightly as he looked at his opponent.

Madman Li Wei... Everyone at the training camp knew who he was. He had beaten Instructor Marn's nephew Finn twice early on in their training. He was fierce, didn't balk when he was outnumbered, and his wild fighting style often left his opponents walking away with more injuries than him.

Moreover, he seemed to be a martial arts fanatic. Even after his double training regiment punishment ended, he continued training by himself every day, rain or shine. People often saw him on the training field, where he would practice until he was bruised and battered at night. When he ran out of medicine, which was often, he'd have to borrow more from his roommates, on a daily basis.

As a fellow trainee, Jose had some respect for Li Wei. But as an opponent, he didn't have high hopes about the fight.

The sunlight shone on Cassius's head, his hair standing like steel needles. His expression was serious, his posture upright. His two exposed muscular arms showed a bronzed hue. An inexplicable aura emanated from Cassius.

"Begin!"

As soon as Instructor Lisa's words left her mouth, Cassius shot out like a leopard, his feet rapidly hitting the ground.

A twinge of fear shooting through him, Jose immediately thrusted his hands up to defend himself.

Thud, thud, thud!

Cassius's fists flashed like lightning and in just a few dull blows, he broke through Jose's defenses, landing a sharp punch on his shoulder.

Jose stumbled backward, stepping out of the field's boundary, pain flashing across his face. He could already tell, just from holding his right shoulder, that he was going to have a bruise.

"Li Wei wins. Next group..."

The sunlight grew stronger, but fortunately, the white clouds in the sky occasionally blocked the hot sun.

"Julio wins. Next group is Li Chu and Martha."

It seemed like a coincidence that the two girls were paired together. At the assistant instructor's announcement, Li Chu and a tomboyish girl named Martha stepped onto the field and cupped their fists respectfully.

Cassius lifted his head up to watch.

In the field, the two had already started their fight. It was clear that Li Chu was dominating her opponent in terms of momentum. Her moves and reactions were skillful and adept. In no time, Martha was forced back by a single punch. She tried to adjust, but to no avail. She was ultimately defeated.

Cassius nodded. Li Chu would likely make it into the top fifty this time.

As trainee group after trainee group fought, the rankings within each group were roughly determined. Afterward, the five groups, with more than a hundred trainees, gathered together.

Next, they would mix the groups to determine the overall rankings.

Cassius was familiar with the process from the last time. What he didn't expect was that his third opponent would be Finn. What a coincidence.

As the assistant instructor called out their names, Finn and Cassius walked out onto the field.

"Finn's done for. They actually ended up matching together again! Madman Li Wei is going to take this opportunity to beat him up, for sure," one trainee said.

"Yeah, this is going to be

good

.”

On the field, Cassius looked up after bowing in salute. A faint, cold smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He clenched his hands, his knuckles cracking.

"Begin!" the instructor's voice rang out.

Cassius rushed out in the blink of an eye, his arm whipping forward.

"I surrender!" Finn quickly raised his right hand.

Cassius's calloused fist froze three inches from Finn's chest. Cassius looked bewildered.

Finn smirked and he sneered, "You thought you could use this match to beat me up again? You won't get your way."

Since Finn surrendered, Cassius was quickly announced as the winner. The assistant instructor began calling the names for the next group.

Cassius frowned as he returned to his spot. He couldn't help but turn and look back at Finn's retreating figure. "Why’s he acting so cocky even though he surrendered... It's like he thinks he won."