The whole room went silent when Gerald finished speaking. Not even the sound of Seongjin's breathing was heard, which had grown heavy. Komodo turned towards Gerald, narrowing his eye in anger as he glared down at him. "This mask. Is ment to hide this disgusting face which I refuse to show. The metal is to protect it." Komodo spat as he added. "And if you dare try to make reveal my face, I'll make sure to skin you alive and leave you hanging for the birds. So don't make me repeat myself." Gerald shrugged and backed down. Quinn glanced up at Komodo, studying his mask. "I do wonder though. What potential do you see in your friends then you do in the others?" She asked calmly. Komodo glanced her way, nodding at the question. "The five of us have been through some things. They have proven to be very strong and determined. I think they have the ability to achieve [Technical Excellence]." Komodo said firmly. This shocked Gerald and even Seongjin. However Quinn wasn't. She saw the hidden signs that one of them could have it, but all four of them? That would be the greatest thing this years batch has brought in.
Techincal Excellence is a phenomenon where the human body gets pushed past its own limits and starts the process called [Fraction of Human Achievement] or [F.H.A] for short. This is the stage where Quinn, Komodo, Seongjin and Gerald are at.
The next stage,
[MasterySkill]. This stage is where powerful muscle skills are incorporated into the body. These skills heavily rely on control and coordination. All Mastery skills are made then the user is physically capable of performing them. Plus, each skill is different from the rest. None are the same and can not be copied. Then these type of skills are made the body moves onto the next stage of Techincal Excellence.
[BodilyAutonomy]. This is where the true masteries come into play. Strength, flexibility, speed and endurance. These four play a vital role into going into the next stage. It takes years for anyone to even get one masteries, but to master all four it would take 80 years. That's how hard it is. People like Kudos who were prodigies were able to completely master all of these and gain super human abilities. Destroy buildings and crush any material known to man.
There are three other stages and these are the highest of the highest.
[Path of the Choosen]. A sudden phenomenon then the user gains the highest ability. The path. A unique skill. This give users certain abilities like for example: Able to dodge attacks from behind, front and sides. These Paths are unique to the user and can not be copied. It's like they are engraved to the soul. To achieve a path one must have conviction and massive talent, plus experience. These paths are the users personal style. Unlike Masteries, paths differ from them as explained.
[The Battle Instinct] The ability where you fight automatically without losing control or your cool. The eye color changes depending on the person. Some people who have control over this can be complete manical battle freaks. These people can easily use their paths and mastery skills at will without fail. 100% guaranteed success. Plus when in this state they can go all out without feeling bodily strain or harm. However, there are two different BI— Animal and Machine. Each have pros and cons. Some people who have animal BI release massive strength but lose that martial prowess. But these cases when they lose control. However at the moment there have been three types of Animal BI: Tiger, Cat and Bear. Tiger goes wild and feral, losing the martial arts they trained for. Cat are fast and redirect attacks. But they lose prepare time and tend to be caught off guard. Bear are hard hitters, but they tend to tank damage and fall quick. Then we have the BM or better known as Battle Machine. When unconscious they are the ultimate weapon. They can adapt mid battle, copy and strike with quick and deadly attacks. However their main failure is that they adapted to the users strength. So per say you hit them with a pillow, they'll hit back with the same force. So it's best to defeat them within an instant.
[Branching Main Frame] The main frame. This is the highest peak for all fighters. Usually a person can have one Mastery Skill and path. However when the person reaches this level, they can more than one. For many years, only one person had reached this and nobody else has. However, their is a max amount depending on the person. The highest paths and unique skills anyone has ever had — was 10 of each. On top of having BM.
Although these skills and abilities evolved over time, the first people to use them were called the "Kyu-Sedai" meaning Older Generation. They were powerfully and highly respected while some were feared. There were only three people recorded for using such abilities, however that information is classified. (lol. You'll find out eventually. Just not in this book.) This was back in the 1900s so maybe some info was exaggerated.
The next day of school was definitely gonna be the worst for Jake, Amy Jack and Macy. For they had a deadline of three months of training before heading out for the mission. "You guys finally came?" Quinn called to Jake. Her slender yet imposing frame made Jake shiver. Seongjin smiled nervously as he watched the greeting. He looked at Macy who was sitting in a chair with a bandage tightly wrapped around her torso. "I'll teach you privately so that we don't open up that wound." He said. Macy nodded slowly. Jack stood before Gerald, the two men glaring into each other like double edge swords. Komodo stood before Amy. Her determined face harden like stone. She's been waiting for this, Komodo noticed with a smirk. "Such determination. I love it." Komodo mused outloud as he took off his commander hat and tossed it aside, as did the others. "What about the other students?" Jake asked looking around the wide open room. "They're with master Kudos." Seongjin replied standing aside next to Macy. Jake nodded and turned back to look at Quinn. Seongjin raised his arm into the air. "Ready. 3. 2. 1. Begin!" Seongjin shouted swinging down his arm. Jack and Gerald dashed at each other with amazing speed, however Gerald was faster by a larger margin and swiftly defeated Jack with a gut punch. Amy ran towards Komodo and spun in the air to kick his head. He caught her leg and stomped his leg on a large cushion matt bring it up. Komodo then slammed Amy into the soft mattress, letting them off onto the mattress floor with a loud thud. Quinn tried to strike at Jake but her dodged. Surpised by this Quinn stuck again but Jake dodged. So this was the difference between men and women. Reaction speed. Quinn struck out, faster this time and it collided with Jake's face. Jake only saw the crusted line of Quinn's hand as it struck him and knocked him out. "I'm impressed. Did he make you try, Quinn." Gerald retorted as he poked the unconscious Jack. "No. He just had talent for dodging. He's perfect to be my studnet." Quinn said smiling like a snake. Gerald let out a gaging noise as he watched Quinn. "Shut up, Quinn. The reason you want Jake is to have him surpass Komodo." Gerald shouted as a fist came crushing down into his head. "And I see no problem with that, Gerald." Komodo stated, steam rising from his fist. Macy giggled at the exchange and so did Amy. Komodo glanced down at Amy and laughed. "Oh my! It seems I was too kind to my friend. Let's take it up a notch!" Komodo sadistically said as he grabbed Amy by her leg and lifted her up. Amy's face was peaceful as a tear came down her cheek. She closed her eyes and grinned as the wind brushed against her face as she was slammed hard onto the rough matted floor. "Don't you think that was too hard, Komodo?" Seongjin asked with a disapproving face. Komodo shook his head. "No. It wasn't. She'll learn that most fighters want to finish the fight quickly." Komodo answered. "This would be the quickest way to learn. Anyway, wake up children! We can't stay stand forever!" Komodo shouted loudly. The trio realized that they couldn't act anymore so they stood up. "It felt like my soul left my body." Jack said rubbing his stomach area. Jake just nodded, feeling dizzy after what just happened. Amy just smiled. "Let's begin once more." Komodo ordered.
About five hours went by. Same attacks. Different approaches. Ultimately leading to failure. Jack had to stop early because of his battered body from the training course. Amy and Jake kept going. Amy gave a swift kick kick to the ankle hoping to catch Komodo off guard but he just jumped over it and kicked her face chasing Amy to stumble. Komodo rode up on the advantage and raised his leg high and brought it down, Amy dodged by rolling to the left. She then got up and narrow dodged a hand strike used that scraped her cheek and cut her like a sword. Amy then put all her might into her right arm and punched Komodo's chest. She held him with her left arm and kept punching. One. Three. Six. Fourteen times she punched Komodo in the chest. Nothing happened, the next thing Amy felt was the edge of a hand striking her cheek and sending her into the air with a slight spin. "Very good. Keep up the good work." Komodo said, amused by the display of determination. Amy flipped through the air and laneded with a stumble. They would need to work on that, Komodo noticed. Jake watched from a seated position, leaning his back against the wall with Quinn. "Come one, Amy! Get a heads up on him!" Jake muttered vigorously. Amy kept a stern face as she charged forward. Kicking at Komodo's head as he dodge. She then spun her body and pinned her leg down on Komodo's right foot. She then pulled back her arm and gave a nice left hook. [clang ] The sound of a fist colliding with metal rang across the room. Komodo stood silent. "No wonder they had us wear boxing gloves with metal inside." Amy told herself. Komodo laughed as he grabbed Amy's wrist and twisted it flipping her sideways in mid air as he struck her with quick and powerful blows. Amy got shot back by the flurry of punches and bounced on the mats like a ball. That very much ended that session. Next was Quinn and Jake. They stood across from each other on the wide open aree of the mats. "Ready?" Quinn asked with a cunning smile. Jake nodded and readied himself. Quinn zipped forward and tried to strike at Jake's head but he quickly ducked and tried to give a gut punch. But Quinn swiftly grabbed his fist with her left arm and struck Jake with her elbow. Quinn then sweeped Jake's legs, standing up quickly to strike downwards. Jake rolled to dodge to the attack. The wind blew as the strike landed on the mat. Jake got up quickly, stumbling to raise his arms up to block an on coming chop to the chest. Quinn's hands were like knife's — Sharp and dangerous. She cut Jake's arms drawing blood. Jake winced but bared his teeth at her. "You white haired woman! Are you trying to kill me!" Jake roared angrily. Quinn only smiled as she dashed forward with an angles grace. Sweeping his legs and striking his chest hard. The impact echoed like a loud bomb went off. Gerald whistled. Komodo nodded in satisfaction. Seongjin only frowned. The next two were Jack and Gerald. Although Jack was still bruised from the trading course, he wasn't gonna let this nobody win. He had to get stronger, even if it meant dying right now. Jack ran forward and tackled Gerald to the ground. Gerald laughed as he poised his legs onto Jacks chest and pushed him off. "Yes! That's right!" Gerald yelled with excitement. Gerald sprinted forward and Jake twisted his body to kick Gerald's side. Gerald staggered sideways, feeling the pain. Jake then jumped up, landing on his feet and shifting forwards to gut punch Gerald, then hitting his head. Then bring his left arm back and punching Gerald backwards. Quinn was intrigued to say the least. She wasn't expecting the boy to have such determination. She herself started to get excited. Komodo watched with unchanging intensity. He wanted Jack to get stronger. For Macy and Him. He needed Jack to be stronger so that he could protect Macy when Komodo wasn't there. Komodo narrowed his eye, he had his resolve. Now Jack just needs to find his.
The clash between Gerald and Jack was poweful and in someway, proving something. Both Jack and Gerald had now just struck each other in the face at the same time. One smiling while the other was baring their teeth in anger. Gerald leaned forward with increasing speed as he grabbed Jacks head and slammed it down into the mats. Then throwing him halfway across the P.E Room. Komodo's eyes widen in surprise. "Oh? So he's already reached stage three of F.H.A? How amazing!" Komodo exclaimed. He noticed that the others were shocked as well. Gerald stood, milking in his new found strength. "Oh. This feels great!" Gerald shouted. Jack rose up, body trembling with strain.
"Is this it? That's all I can do? Am I really that pitiful? That weak! No! I must grow stronger! I must overcome this man! " Jack thought bitting his lip as he glared at Gerald. Jack dashed forward with new agility catching Gerald off guard. Gerald raised his arms to block as Jack's fist collided with Gerald's arms. BOOM! The sound was so loud everyone covered their eyes, except Komodo. That purple line. Impossible. Komodo blink and the man he once imagined was gone. When everyone was able to stop their ears from ringing they could finally get a glimpse of what happened. Everyone was shock to see that Jack's punch had broken through Gerald's defense and dug deep into his stomach. Gerald was stunned, but that was enough for Jack to strike again. Jack aimed a solid right hook to Gerald face. The same purple line appearing before the awakened people. Upper and lower torso were met with powerful blows. Gerald staggered backwards, blood dripping from his mouth. "Interesting. Didn't think we'd have something in common." Gerald said as he smiled. Gerald stood firm, body tensing up and muscles bulging with blood. His eye shined red again. He had once more been pushed pass his limits. Gerald poised his left foot behind his right and clenched his left fist real hard. [Mastry Skill]: Projection. Komodo's eyes widen in utter disbelief. The large P.E room. Which was pretty much abandoned and now used as private training rooms, had zero wind. The only wind there was is the A.C. But when Gerald moved, it was like 50mph winds cutting at them. Gerald appeared before Jack and struck his ribs. "BOOM "
The shock wave rippled the air and tore through it like it was paper. Komodo could see it! "Such power." Amy said, shocked beyond repair. Jack was instantly out, ribs were completely broken. Quinn was amazed and so was Seongjin. Maybe they could reach that height! "Somebody get Jack a medic! Now!" Komodo ordered loudly. Amy was the quickest as she zipped out of the place. It took about 5 minutes before the medics arrived and took him away.
The seven of them sat in a circle of silence. Nobody spoke. Nobody stared. Nothing. Not even the slightest huff. Komodo broke the silence. "From now on. Gerald will be excluded from training." He stated. "What!? No! I WILL NOT ACCEPT It!" Gerald protested, standing up and glaring at Komodo. "However. Instead you will train with us, Gerald. Now sit down." Komodo spat out angrily. Amy jerked softly, she's never seems that side of Komodo. It was kinda scary for her. Gerald sat down the instant Komodo told him to. Quinn giggled at him and was met with a flick by Seongjin who shook his head. "For as of now. Our training session is over for today. Tomorrow we will begin the techniques." Komodo stated as they all stood up. "You three are dismissed." Komodo said to the trio. Amy smiled and hugged Komodo. Jake only nodded. Macy grinned like she usually did. The three of them left the room in silence. Quinn, Komodo, Gerald and Seongjin were waiting. "Ready? It's 6:00pm right now." Komodo asked calmly. The rest nodded. "Good. Let's head out to our posts." Komodo ordered firmly as they all walked in different directions. All in the way of a compass.
From a spot on the roof of the building, sat a man wearing a white mask. Fancy brown pants, a black buttoned up shirt and a silky brown vest. He wore leather boots and a hat. "Seems like I'll be having some fun." The man said as he jumped off the building onto the ground. He walks silently for couple of minutes, trying to find his way back to his camping spot. "Going somewhere? Isaac?" Komodo asked coming from behind a tree. Isaac turn slowly like he expected this. "Ah. It seems the little martial boy has come to great me once more." Isaac said tipping his hat. Komodo nodded, walking over and stopping only a few feet. "It's been years. 1999 is when we last saw each other. That was about what? Three years ago? I was only 15 at the time." Komodo said thoughtfully. Isaac chuckled, surprised that Komodo could remember that far. "Very good. You're very calm about meeting me after so long. Guess I taught you well." Isaac replied, laughing softly. He leaned against a tree and stared at Komodo. Komodo stared back with disinterest. "Look. I don't care how or when. But stay out of my life. I don't need you around looming over my shoulder. Isaac." Komodo said turning around. "Especially for a dead corpse." Komodo muttered as he walked away.
Isaac was left alone in the woods leaning against the tree. He clicked his tongue. "Creepy." He said as a wider then normal smile acrossed his face under the white mask. He took off the mask showing his youthful face. "You know this body has slow aging. Being old while looking young sure takes it toll. Doesn't it?" Isaac asked catching a hand strike aimed for his neck. His head moved to look at his attacker. "You should have died 15 years ago at 55!" Komodo roared angrily as he pulled back his hand. Isaac chuckled and staring deep into Komodo's eyes. Isaac grinned and struck back with equal speed using the same technique. "I'm impressed! Rosto should be long dead by now, but even then I see his fighting style! That girl will become very strong!" Isaac said, dodging a kick from Komodo and returning with a ten different attacks. Komodo grunted as the attacks landed on his body sliding him back a few yards.
"He's still able to pull off these types of attacks! How! He's not even in his prime anymore! This is not normal!" Komodo thought as he tried feint attacking then switching to a whole completely different technique. That didn't work. Isaac blocked all the attacks with one hand and struck back hitting Komodo's shoulder and shattering it. It was the same force that shattered Jacks ribs. Komodo grunted and was able to land a powerful knee kick to the face. "Is this the best you can do? After all the blood sweat and tears of teaching you, this is how far you got?" Isaac groaned, scratching his head in confusion. Komodo's eye widen and a tried to Isaac's head with his elbow, but Isaac caught the attack and grabbed Komodo's head. He then slammed him down into the ground. The ground crumbled and shattered like a earthquake. Everything within a one mile radius was destroyed. The metal face mask Komodo wore crumbled and cracked open. Komodo's eyes were fuzzy and everything was blurry. "Komodo!" A voice called out as they appeared behind Isaac and stroked at him. "Quinn?" Komodo softy let out in mild surprise. Isaac glanced behind himself and caught the deadly hand strike with his left hand. "Oh? How peculiar." Isaac voiced with a smile. He then pulled Quinn over his shoulder, lifting her and throwing her into a tree. The tree, which was about as wide and as tall as a Redwood Tree, broke cleanly under the impact of the throw. Quinn lay there half conscious. "What the hell was that?" Quinn moaned. Gerald the second to arrived and instantly took action. [Mastery Skill]: Projection. Gerald zipped towards Isaac, whom had just put back on his expressionless mask. Isaac leaned backwards using his legs to himself up. "Oh? You have Mastery Skill?" Isaac awed with excitement as he dodged the strong blow. He leaned forward and struck Gerald's liver, ribs, stomach and chest. Gerald stumbled back and was able to block a kick from Isaac that forces his arms to spread out. Seongjin came and surpised attacked Isaac. Grabbing Isaac's waist from behind and leaning his back as he pushed himself off the ground. Isaac, twisted his body and freed himself but was met with a punch from Gerald. The punch was utterly devastating sending Isaac sliding back 20 feet, hand steaming from blocking the attack. "These new generation of fighters are very strong. Maybe I'll get them to awaken their Mastery Skill?" Isaac thought calmly with a dull expression. He looked at his hand and smiled, then looked back at Seongjin. He was reminded of someone once more. First Quinn and now Seongjin. "Yeist. That's your fathers name isn't it?" Isaac asked Seongjin pointing a finger. Seongjin was shocked. Nobody knew his fathers name, only him and his mother. So how did this person know his father? "How do you know his name?" Seongjin asked. Isaac laughed, taking one step and instantly appearing before Seongjin. "Cause we were classmates once." Isaac answered in a dull tone as his hand shot out and grabbed Seongjin's hip. Fingers digger in and holding onto the bone. Seongjin grunted loudly in pain. Isaac then stepped forward and threw Seongjin over and slammed him into the ground. Gerald tried to attack Isaac but was met with a simple kick to the face knocking him out cold.
Kudos, watching from on top of the PE building, frowned in fury at the site. Isaac noticed the old man and smiled widely despite the fact nobody would see it. "KUDOS THE GENIUS OF MASTERY!" Isaac yelled loudly with all his lungs. Anger filled Kudos as he jumped down and landed near the body of Komodo. "KILLER OF PRE-GEN, TETSURYU ONI!" Kudos roar as he charged forwards. The clashing of fist on fist and kick on kick rang loudly as much as the shockwaves rippled. Isaac punched Kudos's face on the left side, making the head look angled wrong. Kudos gave the same attack but with more vigor. However there wa no reaction and Isaac clawed at Kudos making three long slash marks. "Toodles. Got somewhere to be." Isaac said as he turned and walked off into the woods. Figure disappearing slowly as his foot stepped faded into nothing. Kudos fumed. "Curse you, Tets. I will snap your neck the net time we meet." Kudos muttered angrily with hate. The eerie presence that filled the forest — gone.