Chapter 6

Talion pulls me to my feet ruining the short break I was taking and begins to teach some forms

“Spread your legs, not that far ya slut! Shoulder length, you need a solid base” Talion yells out his signature grumble non-existent. “Now Punch with your everything, punch me right now!” he puts a palm out indicating me to strike it.

Shocked by his intensity I throw out a punch using as much strength as I can muster. As my fist makes contact with his palm, Talion barely bends his elbow. Filled with shame I get ready to punch again, Talion smirks. This time I use my body instead of raw strength, rotating my shoulders pulling power from the ground. Talion instead of taking my blow grabs my hand and pulls me forward and kneeing me in my stomach. On this note, Talion may no longer be my favorite. I stumble back and stare at Talion, and he returns my stare with a shit-eating smirk.

“Look how weak ya are boy, go play magic with Leissandra.”

I rush towards Talion throwing a similar strike to before, and just like before he grabs the hand and pulls me forward. I take the momentum and send my other fist directly into Talion's stomach sending him reeling back a few steps. He recovers and grins at me, god is he happy today. He moves forward throwing a straight my way leaning to the left I throw a punch from the same side, blocking the jab Talion slams me in the stomach again, I swear I’m gonna lose my lunch soon.

Falling back a few steps I analyze Talion, He's big bigger than me, in fact, he seems to be the biggest in the village. I’m not really sure how to fight, all I know is punch and don’t get hit. Taking a more cautionary approach, I step towards the big man eyeing him up. The moment I enter his range he throws a wide-sweeping punch. Ducking under it I see the opening of a lifetime, I rise throwing the sickest uppercut of my life…

Woosh…

It flies right past Talion as he leans back, the smile on his face beaming at me. It’s the last thing I see as a punch slams me back into dreamland.

…

A splash of water wakes me up, as I’m greeted by Talion’s ugly mug. I give him my biggest scowl which he returns with a huge grin. God I wish he’d stop smiling at me, makes me uncomfortable

“Boy if you could qualify as a fighter, then we could just give every infant a sword.” Talion laughs at me

“Talion, if you're trying to test me it's working!” I shout “This is the first time I’ve fought you got lucky.”

“There isn’t any luck in that, now if you want another beating then go ahead, I don’t mind whipping you into shape. As someone who looks like a Develios you have no right being weak, and if you're not going to sling spells, then to brawl you need to be tip-top or you’ll be eight feet under.”

While I don’t like having people making my choices for me I can’t really complain, I have no clue what I’m doing. Still, the idea that I’m going to be spell casting seems like a poor choice for me, too much learning. I feel like as long as it works my two fists will work fine. Especially with these winds slashes.

“Honestly Talion I think I’ll be better as a magic fist-fighter. I can throw these smaller spells in between punches maybe continue pressure better.” Voicing my opinion to Talion I only feel more assured.

“Well I see what you mean that is a scary combination, but considering how weak you are now it's more likely you’ll just be piss poor at both

“Why do you think that I'm sure I'll improve?” I question Talion.

“Well with your frame being so tall and skinny, your punches have no weight. Not to mention your magic lacks any potency”

“I think I’m starting to get what you mean now, still I wanna try things my way. I think that I’ll be able to really overpower anyone once I get the hang of this magic I got”

“Alright then prove it!” Talion yells at me.

“What?”

“Fight me with it right now show me how tough your magic is!” Talion roars

This time I crack the smile, swirling my magic around my body I focus it into my fingertips, and this time my toes as well. Since we got something to prove we’re going all out. Rushing forward I step left of Talion crouching low. I lash out with a sweeping kick only to watch step back. Talion swings his tree trunk sized legs at me, almost nailing me in my chest. Turning just out of the way I swing another uppercut at Talion, once again stepping back. This time is different, opening my hand I push magic through my fingertips forming a wind blade that flies towards him. The blade cutting a small, thin but long cut from his hip to his shoulder. His eyes open in shock, I grinned at him excited to show him how much I can do. Talion takes a step back, cracks his neck and a full toothy smile burst out. He seems happier than I am, but I think I’m starting to understand why.

Talion runs back in throwing a series of jabs leaving me barely any room to dodge, sometimes leaving only the option to block causing a shock to run through my arms. Talion unrelenting pushes forward pressing his attack. Reading his next jab I pull a move from earlier grabbing his hand and pulling his momentum forward, sending a knee into his stomach. Converting that hit into more attacks I launch a series of punches, only to watch Talion block them with barely an issue. Clearly brute force won’t work. Backing off I push magic into my fingertips once more, and send a flurry of slashes towards my opponent. Caught off guard Talion’s shirt is torn into rags as I attack. Quickly recovering he rushes towards me, tanking the hits. Surprised by the speed of such a large man, I react slowly as he blocks my arm I was going to use to send a wind blade his way. With his arm already cocked back Talion sends a slugger towards me.

I desperately wanted to not get hit, yet the blocked wind blade through me off balance. The wind mana inside of me still circling, I’m suddenly almost blown out the way, like a leaf in the wind. Talion looks at me full of surprise as I’m now standing to his left a little ways away. Hearing some excited shouts from around us, I notice we gathered quite the audience. Turning to Talion I nod to continue the fight, with this new move things are about to get crazy.