Genesis Code: The Genetic Awakening

"It was always part of the plan…"

Caleb replied with his signature calm smile, the smile widening the one on Celine's lips. As the princess got lost in Caleb's smile and eyes, the surrounding knights looked on with knowing smiles, some exchanging looks and winks.

Princess Celine was so obvious that the entire Royal Household knew about her fascination with the mysterious and powerful stranger. Although Caleb's name was still on people's lips as they debated whether he was good or bad, the people in the castle only followed the king's will.

King Gray had made his stance clear. Who were they to say otherwise when the king himself hadn't expressed any displeasure? They would be fools to direct any ill intent at Caleb.

"Hehe," Celine chuckled happily, slightly lowering her gaze out of embarrassment.

"Ahem!"

Jess cleared her throat loudly, drawing the princess's attention. When Princess Celine turned her gaze to the catwoman, she noticed the knowing smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

Realising what it was, the princess quickly took a step back and extended her greetings to Jess. "Oh, Miss Jess. I apologise if I was too forthcoming." She would have bowed if she hadn't been conscious of her position.

"Not at all," Jess's smile widened. She was mildly taken aback to see the princess behave exactly as Caleb had described to her. 'She's head over heels.'

Jess glanced at Caleb and then at the princess, watching as the little girl squirmed in embarrassment. Princess Celine had no idea what to do under the gaze of Caleb and Jess.

'Damn it.' Celine cursed her rushed attitude. 'I was so focused on Caleb that I didn't see Miss Jess by his side. Now what do I do?'

"If you don't mind…" Caleb's voice saved the princess from her chaotic thoughts, making her lift her head to look at Caleb. "I would like to see how far along you've come with your training."

"Hehe, of course." Princess Celine giggled and rushed back to the side of her instructor. "I've been training my combat skills for over a month now, and I've gotten pretty good."

Caleb nodded and then glanced at the instructor, sending a nod his way. Watching the student and instructor take combat stances, Caleb and Jess moved in close while the surrounding knights made room for the two.

Behind them, Steward Henry observed calmly, having done most of his duties for the guest. The only thing left was to accompany Caleb and Jess around, meeting their needs as and when.

"Crusher," Caleb turned to his right and nodded at the tigerkin, who had moved closer once he spotted them.

"Caleb," the tigerkin nodded in response, then turned to Jess, who replied calmly. "What have you guys been up to?"

"Going on a tour around the castle?" Caleb replied, focusing his attention on the bout happening in front of him. "We would have invited you, but you were already out of your room when we got there."

"I would have declined even if I were around," the tigerkin scoffed. "Going around looking at a bunch of old paintings and decorations isn't my kind of thing."

"Yeah, I'd agree."

Caleb glanced at the tigerkin and shook his head, a gentle smile on his lips. The tigerkin was just as Caleb had pegged him to be. 'He's someone who would rather engage in a brawl than sit down and be bored to death.'

"Hiyah!"

A swift launch by the princess at her tutor pulled Caleb out of his thoughts. The princess had made a bold move, capitalising on an opening to launch forward with a thrust.

Unfortunately for her, the instructor was way more experienced than the princess, calmly but skillfully disarming the princess's thrust, leaving her unarmed and open for a follow-up attack.

"You lose, Princess."

The instructor stated calmly, noticing the princess's attention going over to Caleb. Realising what this was about, the instructor smirked and decided to propose a show for the audience.

"Mr. Zane…?" The instructor called, turning his gaze over to Caleb. "Would you be so kind as to give us a demonstration of your skills? Our princess here seems distracted."

The instructor smiled and looked at the princess, who seemed to have a light in her eyes. Princess Celine swiftly got to her feet and looked at Caleb expectantly, the twinkle in her emerald eyes difficult to miss.

Suddenly, everyone's attention focused on Caleb and what his response would be. They would be lying if they said they weren't curious.

Caleb looked at the princess's gaze and then at the surrounding knights before replying, "I'm not that good in close-quarter combat, I'm afraid. My skills lie with my abilities, speed and physical strength."

Knowing full well where this was headed, Caleb decided to make things clear.

"Even better, Mr. Zane." The instructor beamed, glancing at the princess. "I'm sure Princess Celine would like to see how capable you are." At his words, Princess Celine nodded excitedly.

'What is he hoping to get out of this?' Caleb was not sure what the instructor was up to. However, looking at the princess's expression, Caleb decided to give it a shot.

"Why not?" With a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, he stepped forward and removed his coat, passing it to Jess.

Moving towards the centre, Caleb began rolling the sleeves of his black shirt, exposing his elegantly ripped arm and physique that made a few swallow imperceptibly.

"Princess Celine, why don't you stand aside and enjoy the show?" Caleb said to the princess, who nodded eagerly and moved to join the others.

Now standing face to face, Caleb calmly looked at the instructor, who looked back at him with a competitive glint in his eyes. Though a few inches shorter than Caleb, the instructor was by no means any less.

The instructor looked to be in his thirties with long dishevelled black hair tied at the back. "You're free to use the abilities that allow you to match your opponent's fighting skills."

Saying this, the instructor gestured at one of the knights to come for the sword props in his hand. "Of course, there will be no use of damage-dealing spells or abilities." He looked around to make his point.

"Naturally."

With a distance of about twelve meters between the two men, the spectators watched with anticipation. Jess and Crusher, on the other hand, weren't particularly caring about what was about to go down.

Caleb might not have proper fighting skills, but the little that he knew, he used well. Moreover, the instructor made a mistake when he proposed that Caleb use his auxiliary skills in addition to his speed and power.

Whether he was worthy enough to be shown those abilities was an entirely different thing.

"Ready when you are," Caleb extended his right hand forward, gesturing for the instructor to make the first move, which the instructor did.

Without hesitation, the instructor abruptly closed the short distance, arriving before Caleb and launching a right fist at his face. His stance was well placed, and the distance was perfect, showcasing his battle experience.

Unfortunately for the instructor, Caleb was faster, a lot faster. He saw the instructor close in on him as if it were in slow motion, giving him all the time he needed to make a decision.

'Huh?' The instructor furrowed his brows when his target disappeared. Before he could make another move, the instructor heard a voice from behind.

"I'm still waiting…"

"!"

Caleb instantly bent backwards when the instructor directed a high back kick towards his face. The move generated a rush of air that flew over his head. He took a step back as the instructor fully turned around and pressed forward.

The instructor's expression was no longer relaxed as he realised Caleb was more than he had anticipated. He threw another punch forward, and this time, Caleb blocked the blow with minimal movements.

The follow-up strikes and kicks were equally blocked or evaded as Caleb took calculated steps backwards and to the side, falling into the instructor's rhythm. Every blow or feint made, Caleb would respond calmly, his moves gradually irritating the instructor.

He didn't attack, yet the instructor knew he was on the losing side. 'Tsk! What was I thinking? The man clearly said his strength lay in his speed and power, yet here I am challenging him.'

"Wow…Caleb is so cool!"

Princess Celine's eyes sparkled with interest as she watched the fast-paced exchange. Had they moved any faster, most would have missed what was happening. Regardless, it was clear to those watching that Caleb looked very relaxed.

"Fight back, Mr. Zane." The instructor growled in annoyance. "Staying passive isn't revealing anything about your fighting skills!"

"..."

For a moment, Caleb did not reply, still evading and blocking the attacks of the instructor. From the corner of his eye, he noticed the prince slowly approaching the training grounds.

"Very well."

Caleb returned his attention to the fight and made his move. It was a move that was so sudden that it took the spectating knights by surprise.

When the instructor attempted to attack with a high kick, Caleb went low and swept the instructor off his remaining feet.

Before the instructor could even react or fall to the ground, Caleb followed up with a swift manoeuvre that positioned him behind the instructor, where he grabbed the instructor by the neck and slammed him to the ground.

BOOM…!

"Oouu… That was heavy."