Ivan showed up at Greg's martial arts facility. He registered as a new member and stated the reason for his visit. A trainer approached him, and they discussed what martial art would fit him. After discussions it was agreed that Kali Martial Art would fit him best as a beginner.
Ivan and the trainer proceeded into the training hall. Other trainees were present, both newcomers and frequent guests. Ivan's trainer got him to learn the basics of the Kali martial art. What they first focused on was the footwork. Ivan learnt how to move in a closed triangle and then move in a star shape.
Ivan quickly grasped these basics because of his martial arts aptitude. His ability to quickly learn the basics surprised his trainer. The trainer had to test him to make sure that it wasn't a fluke. Ivan effortlessly replicated the Kali footwork.
The trainer proceeded to incorporate weapons into the martial arts training after confirming that Ivan's efforts were not an anomaly. Ivan pulled off another surprising feat: he was to understand and efficiently perform the basic moves he was taught.
His trainer began to think that Ivan was faking to be a first-timer in martial arts.
'He has been here for less than thirty minutes and he already grasped the basics, like learning the alphabets.' Ivan's trainer marvelled.
The trainer insisted that Ivan spar him with the staff weapon. Ivan was being trained with a staff as his weapon. The length and nature of the staff meant that it could double for staff weapon training and sword training.
With reluctance, Ivan agreed to spar with his coach. They sparred for three rounds, and Ivan dominated in every round. His aptitude put him at an advantage because his instincts and agility empowered him to react at the right time to evade the opponent's attack and predict the opponent's line of attack.
Ivan's trainer was stunned. He recalled the directive he received from his boss regarding the centre's remarkable guests: he was to alert the supervisor of any outstanding visitors. The trainer excused himself from Ivan and was en route to visit his boss' office when he saw his boss coming towards where he, the trainer, and Ivan were standing.
Greg, the owner and manager of Greg's Martial Art Centre, was a stout man who looked Hispanic. He had a full black beard and a tapered fade that was tied in a bun at the back of his head. He had a handsome facial profile but stood an inch short of six feet. He wore a plain black shirt, joggers and a pair of white cross-trainer shoes.
Greg gave a knowing nod to Ivan's trainers. The trainer left Greg with Ivan. What bothered the trainer was that his boss appeared at the scene before he could make a report. Valentine had actually been spying on Ivan since he left his flat for this martial arts centre. As a C-rank spy-class character, he was skilled at using covert spy gadgets to spy on people. Valentine had watched Ivan train with the assigned trainer, and he noticed Ivan sweep out everything thrown his way. So, he contacted Greg to meet Ivan because Greg was part of the Humanity's Liberation Force.
Greg's meeting with Ivan was intended to assess Ivan's abilities. Greg happened to be a martial-arts class character, but he was D-rank.
Greg spoke in a baritone voice. He said to Ivan, "I see you are good in martial arts."
Ivan was confused to see that someone he didn't know was talking to him.
He hesitantly said to Greg, "This is my first time here."
Greg's expression was calm and collected with his arms on both sides of his body. Ivan had scanned Greg's stance, but he didn't sense any danger from the stance; he did this out of paranoia.
"Is that true? Your movements seem seasoned and refined." Greg gave an honest assessment of Ivan's movements.
"I'm an eager and quick learner," Ivan justified his actions. "By the way, who are you?"
"My name is Greg, and I am the owner and manager of this martial arts centre. I happened to be walking around and hadn't failed to notice that you were schooling my employee. So I had to come over.
"Some people who visit this centre have an issue in identifying what's good for them."
Ivan laughed nervously. He said, "Mr Greg, I assure you, I'm not one of those people. This is really my first time learning martial arts."
"I didn't say you were lying about your experience," Greg said.
This made Ivan keep quiet.
"I want to spar with you," Greg declared, beating Ivan's expectations.
Ivan did not want to come across as cowardly so Greg would not believe he was lying about his martial arts background. He said to Greg,
"You don't have a staff. You should get a staff."
"Oh," Greg said, "I apologise for not being clear. I'm not sparing you in Kali martial arts. We are sparing in MMA style. You know Mixed Martial Art."
Ivan dropped the staff on the floor and slowly backed away. He said,
"I doubt I am capable of doing that. Isn't MMA dangerous?"
"Yes, it is, but we are sparing. We are not going to use lethal force unless one of us loses it. The sparring rules are as follows: if you land 20 attacks on my body, you win; if I land 70 attacks on your body before you reach your goal, I win. There will be no use of lethal force," Greg elucidated.
>>>
New Mission
Accept to spar with Greg in MMA style
Rewards: 50 exp.
Punishment: You will be punished by being sentenced to survive in the death zone if you fail to complete this mission.
>>>
Auxiliary Mission
Defeat Greg in the sparring based on the agreed terms
Total Rewards: 200 exp.
'Damn it. I don't want to do this,' Ivan gritted his teeth.
"I accept to spar with you based on your terms," Ivan declared.
Other people in the centre were busy with whatever they were doing; hence, they didn't pay any attention to Ivan and Greg.