Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

Long story short, Cindy and the rest of the Dewey residents who wanted to get trained, completely used the energy they accrued from lunch and maybe even breakfast.

Because not only did Tatiana put on her teacher's mantle and made them go through a taste of what we do for training back home, but I did the same thing as well—and surprisingly enough, Artem picked a handful of willing participants from the back and taught them some defensive techniques.

'Well, that's rare…'

It was because Artem taught through spars, meaning, he usually taught people with their bodies and what they could glean on from the short match he'd put them through but this time, he gave brief pointers which were umm… very brief and very unique.

And this was one example when Jeremy had to get away from Cindy and joined his class:

"Umm… E-Excuse me, sir~?"

"Artem."

"S-Sir Artem, how'd you take a hit to the head without wobbling or feeling it all over? That's my main problem and—"

"You get tough."

"I mean tougher."

"Ah, yes…"

"Look, you can learn different techniques and mix it up with evasion skills that Nyebo's— Sky's really good at but— hmm…"

"S-Something wrong, sir?"

"In regards to the undead, evasion or parrying skills are the way but still, the core of defensive techniques improves those two skills as well.

It requires… careful and precise observation of your opponent's attack and reacting upon it and if you think about it, it's just a matter of taking it on, going around it, or directing it elsewhere— Oh, there's also counterattacking which means attacking before the attack hits you."

"That's what a counterattack means, sir."

"..."

"Ah! N-No offense, English is very tricky— I apologize for—"

"Hmm… None taken, teaching is very new to me."

"Ah… I see."

"I will apologize in advance because what I know, I taught myself, so, it'll be difficult for me to put it into words. I also found it difficult to teach so that's why I only do it just now. But in essence, my core technique revolves around taking an attack squarely and directing it at the same spot."

"Umm… Isn't that just a counterattack?"

"No, no… It's… Why don't you try punching me?"

"Are you sure?"

"You can't hurt me."

"Ah, yes…"

"Do one normally, one very fast, and one very strong. You can hit anywhere but face and body are preferred.."

"Yes, sir."

With that said, Jeremy took a normal orthodox stance as Artem stood normally but as Jeremy sent three of those punches, Artem never moved from his spot and showed signs of pain. And like what happened to me the first time I encountered Artem's weird technique, Jeremy never looked so confused as he stared at his after the last attack, which was supposed to be the strong one.

Artem looked at him nonchalantly, "You see?"

"I don't…"

"Good."

"Huh?"

"That's the technique. You shouldn't see how…"

"Ah…"

"But you think why. Good?"

"Umm…"

"Now I'll try on you—"

"Wait! Wait! WAIT—"

Just with Artem's "normal" punch, against a kid in his early 20s, Jeremy was so fucking lucky Artem didn't break his nose since he managed to lean back and reduce the force of the blow—albeit a very small percentage—but it still knocked him in his ass because Artem followed through.

But yeah, little did I know that June was also watching that unique interaction with me and she made a perfect reference from it:

"Kinda weird to say this but isn't this like the time when the Avatar's getting taught to bend the Earth?"

I nudged June's arm with my elbow as I cackled, "Hah! That's so~ true. They aren't doing the same thing but the whole vibe is just like that. Artem just might be an Earthbender if we're in that particular universe."

"I see that too! Then you're of the Air Temple because Sky's your name?"

"Pfft… A little on the nose, isn't it? Probably true."

"Oh? I thought you'd be master of the four elements?"

"Me? Maybe, sure, I can change the way I fight depending on the circumstances but I'd rather be my own thing while using techniques from each side. Like how Scarface's uncle learned to redirect lightning through Waterbenders—"

"Psh, so you mean to say you're the coolest one? Riiight~"

"Heh, I didn't say that. I said that I just use techniques from different people and make it my own. Being cool's a totally different thing—"

"But it's the coolest out of everything! It's—"

"Okay, okay, you're fucking stalling now. One more lap around the course, you've rested long enough."

"Why am I even here?!"

"You came here, you fuck! Do what the Romans do!"

"Argh~ I'm so not good at running! It's so fucking hot!"

"Then take off your jacket! You're the only one not in proper training uniform!"

"H-HELL NO! I JUST CAME HERE TO WATCH AND YOU DID THIS!"

"Suit yourself~"

'She could just stop too if she wanted, heh. This would definitely take her mind off things though…'

"I HATE YOU, YOU KNOW THAT?!"

"YOU'RE TRAILING BEHIND EVERYONE, RUN FASTER! YOU'LL HIT THE MITTS AFTER THIS!"

"WHAT?! EVEN MORE TRAINING?!"

"THIS IS NOT EVEN TRAINING! THIS IS JUST AN ASSESSMENT! AN ASSESSMENT! I'LL FIGURE SHIT OUT NOW BEFORE YOUR PARENTS SHIP YOU OVER TO US!"

"AHHHHHHHH!!!"

"THERE WE GO! LEARN TO CONSERVE YOUR ENERGY THOUGH!"

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!"

From then on, I was making astute observations of the four people we'd take with us and all I could say that aside from June, Jeremy, Cindy, and Eden just needed more fighting experience. This place wasn't a rehab center for nothing and the Physical Trainers who gave them their specialized programs made sure that their bodies were in very good condition.

But yeah, that was totally different to a trainer who uses boxing to actually hit people compared to one that uses the same thing but for cardio.

'All I could say right now is that they just needed to get beat up more… nothing less…'

After a couple of hours or so, we were just about to end our training session when the old man, Mr. & Mrs. Dewey, came in with three people: two gentlemen and a middle-aged woman, looking around carefully. However, Cindy who looked like she'd pass out any moment jumped up in fright and his behind Quinn's back.

"What gives—"

"SHHH!"

"Wha– Don't shush me, you bish! I shush you!"

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"J-Just don't move! I'm sorry!"

"Hmm? Oh~ Is that how it is?"

To my surprise, it seemed like some people from the Idress Maritime Academy came to visit us and one of them was this "Staff Sergeant" Cindy had a fling before. But yeah, it seemed more than just a fling because of the way Cindy was acting. In addition, this guy seemed to be looking for her but she was well hidden behind Quinn's large frame.

But yeah, it didn't take long before they made their way towards us but Mr. & Mrs. Dewey couldn't believe that June participated in some physical activity.

"June?!" they exclaimed at the same time.

"Haa… Ha… W-Water… I'm… Ha— I'M DYING! Water please— Ow! Why'd you toss it to me!"

I facepalmed, "I thought you'd catch it! My bad—"

"I can barely lift my arms— someone, please… help."

Easily enough, Kaley sat by her side and helped her take sips from the bottle slowly while the husband and wife were beaming as they looked at me.

I scratched the side of my cheek, "Is there something I did?"

Mrs. Dewey nodded with a smile, "You did a whole lot! Thank you!"

Mr. Dewey added, "It's true… I'd hate to say it but— Umm—"

June cut in, "SHADDAP! I JUST GOT DRAGGED IN! THAT'S ALL!"

Kaley tried to sit her up, "You're drenched, you should really take off your—"

"N-No!"

Kaley harrumphed, "Fine then! Let's go to your room! I'll make sure you get cleaned up!"

"W-Wha— I-I can do it myself!"

"Nope! You're coming with me but you're leading the way! Come on now!"

"AHHH~ LET GO OFF ME! HOW ARE YOU SO STRONG?!"

"You're just too weak now but yeah, I also work out."

"Help!" June exclaimed as she turned to me.

"Not today, bucko—"

"NOOOOOOO!"

As June was dragged against her will, the older gentleman beside the Staff Sergeant found the right timing to step in and introduce himself to me with a handshake.

"Greetings, young man, Mr. Ishiyama, was it? I'm Clark Guzman, that's our Staff Sergeant Mikee Blanco and this here's our Technical Sergeant, Ms. Criselda Ng."

I returned his handshake which was surprisingly not as tight as the previous ones I came across:

"Nice to meet you three, I'm Sky Ishiyama, here's my crew besides my wife…"

As I introduced everybody, Quinn's slight movement revealed Cindy's whereabouts and the two just shared an intense staredown before Mr. Blanco got down on one knee and made his way to Cindy with a small velvet box.

"Cindy Dewey, I—"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

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