Hellhound At Supernatural Academy

It was now Saturday, April 13th, and I had successfully completed my first week at school. I sat on the floor in my room with my legs crossed in the lotus position. I began by taking a few deep breaths to calm my mind and body. The more I meditated, the more I began to feel a sense of clarity. I focused on the power within me, sensing a ball of energy in the pit of my stomach. As I concentrated on how the energy felt, it slowly started to spread throughout my entire body.

A wave of heat washed over me, and I felt as if my entire body was engulfed in flames. My skin glowed bright red. As the flames took hold, I experienced a sense of transcendence—a deep unity with the universe. It was as if I was melting away into the very essence of reality.

What is this? What would happen if I just let go and release all this energy I've been trying so desperately to suppress? Lucifer told me what would happen once. What did he call it again? Supernova.

I spent the rest of my time idling in my room until the appointed hour to meet with a certain someone. I exited my room, boarded the elevator to the reception area, and then headed toward the school building where the person was waiting for me. Once I arrived at the school building, I made my way over to where they were standing.

"Have you been waiting long?" I decided to ask.

"Nah, I just got here," Zane replied.

Zane and I had scheduled to meet over the weekend to go over my training and have a practice match. Wasting no time, we made our way to the training hall and put on the combat uniforms provided by the school.

Zane and I took our stances, facing each other.

"Show me what you've learned so far, and I'll help you improve," Zane instructed.

As he directed, I started off with a Chung Choi—a quick straight punch aimed at the opponent's centerline. He deflected the strike with Pak Sau, a type of block where the palm is used to deflect an incoming strike, resembling a slapping motion. I then switched to Lin Wan Kuen, delivering a series of chained punches aimed at his upper body.

At the same time, Zane transitioned from Pak Sau to Fook Sau. By using Fook Sau, he was able to control the trajectory of my attacks. Fook Sau is executed with the palm facing up, allowing for a natural and relaxed position. This orientation helps redirect incoming strikes while maintaining a strong structure, effectively pushing attacks away from his centerline.

"Good. It's truly impressive how you've mastered the basics in just a week. From what I see, it would be a miracle if the others reached your current level in time for the competition," Zane commented.

"Still, I could tell that Rizor wasn't a novice based on how he reacted to my attack during the incident in class. His movements were as sharp, if not sharper, than yours."

"Yeah, I could tell that too, just by looking at him. The problem with you is that your attacks are too easy to read. I'm pretty sure I could block them with my eyes closed."

"Wanna test that?"

"You always go for the centerline. While it's crucial, as it encompasses vital targets like the head, heart, and solar plexus, there are also other critical targets. It's good to mix in feints with your attacks too. Due to the high-speed movements involved in Wing Chun, incorporating feints can be a game-changer. In Wing Chun, we use whatever tactics we can to defeat an opponent, including targeting pressure points and sometimes even resorting to blinding by gouging an opponent's eyes."

"Isn't that illegal? It could lead to disqualification, and I'd still lose."

"Illegal? Yes. Will you get disqualified? Only if you get caught. That's another advantage of Wing Chun. The rapid movements make some things go unnoticed by the judges. I know you have no qualms about fighting dirty; I mean, I did see you punch that guy in the throat."

"My only concern is getting disqualified. But I'm sure I can manage not to."

"That's more like it!" Zane said, fist-bumping my chest. "I'll start by showing you where the pressure points are located. I'll teach you the same way I learned—by getting hit."

He began with the spleen, then moved to Jingming, the temple, and finally the solar plexus. Before I could reach for a different pressure point, I was hit. Zane's attack speed was incredible; to me, it was all just a blur of movements. The only thing I knew was that I was being struck. First, the spleen, located roughly two centimeters above the inner ankle bone, just behind the shinbone. Then Jingming, located at the inner corner of the eye, just above the tear duct. Then the temple, and finally, the worst of all—the solar plexus. A hit to the solar plexus made it difficult to breathe and caused almost unbearable pain. He repeatedly struck those four spots.

This definitely wasn't normal; no ordinary person could move this fast. After we had finished sparring, I lay on the floor, my back against the ground, fighting to speak, but the pain was almost unbearable.

"Ah... You were using your power, aren't you?"

"So you figured it out."

"There's no way you could move that fast on your own. I remember the emblem on your jacket was a light bulb, meaning you're an enhancer."

"Correct. My ability basically allows me to increase my movement speed. The only thing it's good for is martial arts, and even that isn't good enough."

"Why do you say that? Your movements were incredible."

"To anyone else, yes. But you... How were you able to keep up with me? I was going all out a little while ago. I could tell you couldn't even see my movements, yet you still managed to give me a hard time landing a blow. And when I did, it felt like punching a brick wall; my hands are all busted up. What are you, really?"

"Same as you—a member of the lowest class at ASTHS."

"Not for long. You remember what they said, don't you? If we win this, we'll be one step closer to changing classes—to be placed in Class S."