"Play tricks?"
"We basically fabricated a new identity for you. You're village was filled with mysterious martial artists who taught you since you were young. Due to your talent you were given a special elixir that changed your class into a martial sage. Then, the great dungeon alliance attacked and killed your whole village. You managed to kill those monsters but one of the monsters managed to curse you with a massive debuff, hence why you are so weak. It sounds pretty made up but you wouldn't believe some of the stuff that really happens."
"I'm from a village of mysterious martial artists? So I can act mysterious!"
"Yes, in front of your students you can act mysterious all you want."
"Yay!"
Navi looks a bit suspicious at my sudden enthusiasm to work but I thought work meant I couldn't act mysterious. Since I can act mysterious, I'll do all the work there is!
"Tell me that after you gave a few lessons. I organized a group lecture for your first time. If people like your teaching style, they then book individual lessons with you."
"Pah, just watch this junior become a true master. Soon you will also have to address me as senior!"
Au, au. Stopping knocking me on the head! This junior is sorry! Senior sister will always be supreme! Please spare this pitiful junior sister!
"Keep talking. See if I don't go after you buttocks again."
No! I'll behave. Please don't be angry, Navi.
I'll do my best and will not use any staff skills!
As I mentally psych myself up and prepare to act mysterious, Navi leads me into the gym area. Seeing the track area of the gym I start getting flashbacks. I can already imagine the demon sneaking up on me, dragging me away to force me to do more running. I won't go!
Right, that demon isn't here. I'm supposed to be acting mysterious. I can't be scared!
Demon! Don't take me! I didn't mean it! Wait. He's not here?
Navi! You tricked me!
We enter the dojo after removing our shoes and find a dozen people waiting. Two are old men while the rest seem pretty young.
"Hello everyone, thank you for coming. This is Monica, our resident martial sage. This is her first lesson, so she may still be unaccustomed to teaching. Please be patient with her."
I inwardly protest at Navi's words but I know better than to challenge her in front of other people.
"Miss Navi, why is this supposed martial sage stationed at VR dungeons headquarters and not in your dojo branch? Does master Pan know of this?"
Who's this rude old fogey? And who's master Pan?
"With all due respect, honored customer, our inner division of employees is not subject to outside scrutiny. Monica is where she belongs and if you had simply waited, you would have seen why soon enough."
"What can a child possibly do? Saying she was weakened must be an excuse! Here, I won't attack or dodge and all she has to do is land a hit on me? Do you dare?"
"Why not? Monica, go ahead."
Finally!
"How dare you doubt my martial prowess, old fogey! Accept this kick of mine."
I charge forward and use ten instance kick. The old man just snorts dismissively.
"A phantom attack to hide which kick is real? And just nine phantoms? You're just so so. I can easily discern the real one and I'll- ack."
He arrogantly blocks only one kick and as the nine others hit, the most opportune one is realized. My kick lands right on his check and slams into him.
The effect is poor to say the least. All he does is sway a little but still, I hit him. Gotta capitalize on that?
"Seems your discerning eyes are only so so. What are you acting all mysterious for if you can't even block such a simple kick?"
My words seem much more effective than my kick. The old guy trembles wildly and almost faints from anger as his face turns completely red.
"This- nonsense! I was just giving you some face and letting you hit me! Attack again and this time I will block the real kick without breaking a sweat."
"Pah, to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! Take this, old fogey!"
I kick again and I can see in the old man's eyes that he's already lost confidence in blocking me. But his pride won't allow it so he has to try all the same.
He ends up blocking two of my kicks, one with each arm. He chose the two which were aimed at his cheeks. Seems he decided to try and play mind games since he can't tell which is real.
"Wrong!"
My kick hits him straight in the stomach and he staggers backwards in disbelief.
"This one doesn't count. I was still warming up. The next-"
I don't wait for him to keep spouting nonsense and just use my ten instance kick again. This time he looks panicked and his eyes keep farting between the kicks. Trying to find the real one is a waste of time since it will switch depending on how he reacts.
He doesn't know that and blocks four kicks and still gets hit. He coughs up a mouthful of blood but I don't think that's due the the material damage my kick did. Mental damage to someone's pride is very effective.
"I do not believe this! Again!"
He blocks eight kicks and nothing changes. The kick that does land is realized and he screams in frustration and indignation.
I best stop here because if he blocks them all, he might say he knew which one was the real one.
"I think this should suffice. You couldn't block the real one even when your chances were at 80 percent. Your skills are truly lacking. Go back and practice some more or book lessons with me so I can teach you some real skills."