NOVEL NEXT Chapter 62: Fighting solo…
The six of us hung out for a while since none of us had anything to do until our next class, solo combat, which we all had, and there wasn’t really enough time to do anything other than return to the dorms and none of us needed to.
Once the clock struck twelve we left the dining hall and headed back towards the Soren building for the solo combat class. We took seats along the edge of the gym until an instructor walked in with a squadron of ten more behind him.
The lead instructor had on a suit, not what I’d expect for combat, but if it works for him I guess that’s fine. He looked much younger than the other teachers we’d had so far; I’d think he was a senior if it weren’t for the commanding aura he projected. Once he arrived at the center of the gym, he addressed everyone. “Hello students, my name is Instructor K, you can’t pronounce my real name, and the ten people behind me are seniors who will be acting as teaching assistants for me.”
After getting everyone’s attention, Instructor K continued. I’m also really curious what that K stands for… it’s probably something boring. “Let’s jump right in. Everyone partner up and line up across from one another in the center.”
Melody and I partnered up and began heading toward the center, followed by Fara and Elle, then Silvia and Amane. The six of us lined up just to the left of the instructor and teaching assistants. Melody and I were about ten feet away from each other, which was like the farthest I’ve ever been… so sad.
Once everyone had partnered up and lined up, K spoke again. “We’re going to start with a basic assessment of your skills. Once a TA or I tell you to, hand to hand, no stats or abilities, fight your partner.”
Fight… Melody? I don’t know how to fight! Even if I did, how the hell could I ever hit Melody? Shouldn’t he demo or something first? This class is terrible. Definitely terrible.
Melody and I locked eyes and she chuckled while I immediately blushed, embarrassed for some inexplicable reason, which was only made worse by the teaching assistants starting as far from us as possible, meaning we’d be pretty much last and my mind would have infinite time to think of all the ways Melody could hurt me.
All the sexy ways she could hurt me. Even without her system, Melody could probably push me down with one punch… and the walk all over me, crouch down above me, press into my chest, making me lose my breath… then she could rip my clothes… make me naked, naked in a room of hundreds… and show the world how horny I am. How much of a slut I am… I want it so much and so little at the same time…
Moving on from my fantasies, I looked around at the nearby battles taking place. The closest group, on our left just past Fara and Elle, was a couple guys that both charged forward, their hands gripping each other's shoulders as they leaned into one another. They continued putting more pressure into their shoves and their arms began wavering along with their legs, which were taking wobbly steps back and forth, until they stopped. One of them fell backwards, having lost their strength and being forced back.
The instructor politely nodded and said, “Good job.”
Not sure what he was complimenting since they kinda did nothing other than act like two crazy guys but… I guess it was a fight of some sort?
Finished with the two guys, the instructor moved to the next pair, a pair I knew, Fara and Elle. After looking over each of them for a minute, he spoke. “Alright you two, go ahead.”
Surprisingly Elle was the first to attack, charging straight toward Fara, who was still unmoving. The moment Elle entered Fara’s range however, Fara attacked. She spun toward Elle’s left, extending her left leg and attempting to hook it around Elle’s right. Simultaneously, Elle adjusted her trajectory, extending an arm forward to wrap around Fara’s body and pull her back.
Their tangling tactics failed both of them, causing them to trip and stumble away from each other laughing. Despite the stumble, they didn’t stop. As they laughed, they both charged at each other, trying similar strategies, but both dodging, resulting in a complete miss as they wound up even further away from one another.
They adjusted their strategies yet again, and went straight towards one another, except this time, Fara didn’t extend her leg, instead choosing to duck under Elle’s arm and just barrel straight into her chest. Elle, completely surprised, stumbled backwards, her arms swinging and hitting Fara, trying to pull her off.
Before the duel progressed any further, the instructor called out, and Elle and Fara both let go of each other, returning to their positions smiling.
“Good job.” The instructor nodded, then continued down the line, reaching Silvia and Amane. “Okay… you two. Start.”
Silvia and Amane stared at each other for a little. Then a little longer… neither of them gave off fighter vibes so it wasn’t that unexpected. Honestly, I feel like this is how Melody and I are gonna end up. Staring the whole time… Breaking the atmosphere, Amane somehow spoke up, telling Silvia, “Attack me… please…”
Amane’s voice was quivering and it absolutely sounded like a desperate plea for mercy after a long drawn-out battle—no, massacre, where none but a lone commander survived, and was no begging for their life, or in this case, death.
Thankfully… is that something thankful? Hmm… Silvia heeded Amane’s request, and strolled toward her, then half-heartedly punched Amane’s chest, right between her boobs. Speaking of… is Amane wearing a bra? I feel like I can see two little buds poking through.
Before I got a closer look, Amane fell onto her butt, her face red. Not sure if the red is from losing her breath or embarrassment from her horniness. I’m leaning more towards the latter.
“Again…” Amane breathed out, causing Silvia to stare down at her very concerned.
It’s definitely the latter. Amane likes being hit.
Before Silvia could hit Amane again, the instructor interrupted, probably having seen that Amane wasn’t planning to fight back. “That’s good.”
After Silvia walked back to her spot, the instructor finally reached Melody and I.
“Okay, you two…” the instructor's voice began before trailing off as he looked over Melody. Eventually, he finished his sentence. “…go.”
Melody launched herself toward me while I stood frozen, watching as she majestically sprinted, ready to attack her tiny prey… and then she was in front of me, her head right beside mine, and she whispered, “Sorry, kitty.”
And she punched me. Not hard, nothing system enhanced. Just a punch, which resulted in me falling down, landing on my butt, and getting a great view of Melody from below with her gorgeous eyes watching me and her breasts looking very squishable… then it vanished as Melody dropped down to her knees, mumbling. “Sorry, sorry… are you okay? I didn’t mean to hit that hard. I’m sorry. Sorry.”
She leaned forward and her arms wrapped around me while I watched her in confusion. There’s nothing to be sorry about. Lightly punching me in a combat class? Despite that, Melody’s apologies continued until I whispered, “Stop…”
She carefully leaned back, locking eyes with me. Her eyes were horrible… They looked sad. She’s very much overreacting. I reached out, grabbing her arms and tugging them away from me, then spoke the most direct words I ever have. “I like your punches.”
That’s so cringey. I’m just admitting I’m a masochist. I’m acting like Amane. Well, I didn’t beg for more I guess. Not directly at least, but it’s basically the same. Oh shit. My words might actually be worse. I completely forgot we’re in public. And I literally said ‘I like being punched.’ I wasn't asking Melody to attack, I was saying I liked it. And the rest of our team is watching… fine… but… I looked up and standing behind Melody… was the instructor. Shiiiiiiit.
“Umm…” the instructor began, then glanced away. “That’s good… for you two…”
Heh… yeah. It is.
I stood back up, most groups were on their final duels and soon enough, the class continued.
“Okay everyone,” Instructor K shouted out, gathering everyone’s attention back up. “Contrary to popular belief, we’re not separating you based on skill yet. Your skills without systems provide a baseline, but one that is irrelevant until we separate into tiers and you all level up.”
Following his speech, Instructor K walked to the edge of the gym and began demoing some defensive and offensive moves, after which he instructed everyone to practice with the teaching assistants providing help. As a class, we went through three different moves. One was a basic posture for attacking and punching. Just the starting position. And then a similar one for defending. Basically, we learned how to look like we were about to box. And then we learned a single punching move. One which we were to practice on our partners… and I completely failed.
“Come on, Scar,” Melody begged. “Just one punch… please.”
And yet I couldn’t. I can’t hurt Melody! Not when she’s so nice and there’s just no reason too! She hasn’t done anything to me! “I can’t…”
“Okay, fine.” Melody left her position and took a step closer to me, leaning into me and whispering, “Punch me, or I’ll punish you.”
Then she took a step back, grinning. “Come on.”
I took a deep breath. I can do this… Just a single punch. To avoid a punishment… that I’ll probably enjoy. But still. Punishment bad.
It’s just two steps. Take a step. Then punch.
I did just that. I took a step forward with my left leg… wait is it supposed to be left or right? Ugh. Too late now. Then I swung my fist, straight at Melody’s shoulder. She was smiling. My fist arced in the air… and it froze just before touching Melody. Yea. I can’t.
Melody shook her head. The class period was already nearing its end. And I didn’t manage it. Fuck me. Hopefully that’s my punishment.
