ZET-MAN! (Re-Imagined)

~ Omniscient Pov, 1 month Later ~

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Fwish!

Fwoosh!

The sound of fists cutting through the air was sharp, the tempo frantic yet controlled. Carter and Alex both striked each other with lethal finesse; the kind that came only after hours of intense sparring. But while Carter's strikes were measured, born from years of disciplined training; Alex's movements were something else entirely... There was no style to his fight—no real technique that defined him. It was all formless.

And that was what Alex was aiming for, formlessness...

Carter quickly lunged in with a straight jab aimed at Alex's face, but Alex was already gone, his body quickly sliding to the side in a way that almost seem to defy logic. He didn't dodge like someone who had mastered the perfect counters; he just moved. His body seemed to have no rigid structure to it, no predictable rhythm. It was like watching a dance, a fluid art that blended fighting with effortless grace.

Alex's counter came fast—a backfist, thrown from an awkward angle. His arm moved with such ease it seemed like he didn't even know he was attacking either. The punch grazed Carter's cheek, and it was only Carter's quick reflexes that kept him from losing his balance.

"Phew! Close too! You're not bad, kid!" Carter grunted, wiping sweat from his brow. There was a mix of respect and amusement in his voice now as of late. "But you're still all over the place!"

Alex didn't respond to it. His breathing was slightly heavier now, but his eyes were wide, locked onto Carter's every move. He wasn't fighting in the traditional sense—he was aiming for pure reaction and senses, every shift of Carter's body, every twitch of muscle guiding his next move. It wasn't about blocking or punching—it was just instinct, each strike flowing from him without hesitation. It was like his body was learning how to fight on its own.

Carter threw a rapid series of strikes, each one meant to force Alex into a mistake. But Alex's response was immediate—no delay, no hesitation. When Carter tried to grab him, Alex side-stepped, shifting his weight in a way that made it impossible to land a hold to grapple. It was a blend of evasiveness and pure aggression—a fight where you couldn't predict the next move; you could only react yourself.

'Damn it!' The elder cursed, his eyes narrowed as he watched Alex. It was frustrating. There was no reading the kid's movements, no pattern to figure out. Yet each movement was perfectly timed, executed near flawlessly. Alex wasn't just avoiding Carter's strikes—he was turning them against him, using Carter's own momentum to his advantage...

Carter took a deep breath and shifted his stance once again. This wasn't just a spar anymore—it was a challenge now, he had to get a bit serious to keep up with the kid he had trained just a few months ago... He'd trained hundreds of fighters, turned them into well-oiled machines. But Alex? Alex was really something else.

Fwip~

The next exchange was a blur. Alex ducked under a left hook, spun around, and slammed an elbow into Carter's ribs—too quick to predict, too sharp for Carter to react in time. Carter winced as the blow landed, but didn't lose his footing. He countered, reaching for Alex's neck with a quick grab.

But the boy wasn't there. He wasn't trying to escape. Instead, he shifted, his body flowing like water, slipping out of Carter's grasp and landing a kick square to Carter's chest. It wasn't a textbook roundhouse, nor a spinning kick—it was just… movement. A random, fluid movement that, somehow, worked.

Carter staggered back, eyes widening for a moment. That had been too close.

"Damn..." Carter muttered, rubbing his chest. "You don't follow any rules, do you?"

Alex barely heard him, eyes still fixed on Carter, reading the next move before the older man even thought of it. It was as if Alex didn't need time to predict—his instincts were simply faster. He wasn't trying to block Carter's strikes—he was bypassing them, slipping through like a shadow.

"Nah..." He smiled, "I don't fight by rules..." Alex said, his voice calm, but his eyes burning with intensity when they had sparred as of late... "I fight to grow."

Carter blinked, momentarily caught off guard by that bit. He didn't respond right away—he didn't need to. He'd trained fighters for years, but Alex was very different. He didn't fight like a pro. Hell, he didn't fight like anyone Carter had ever trained or seen before. But he was better. Raw, brutal, and perfect, yet smooth in its unpredictability...

However, Carter's body was beginning to slow down, the fight was genuinely wearing him down. The kid was making him work for real hard for it, with progress he had never seen before.... If he wasn't careful, he'd slip up. He lunged, throwing a punch aimed at Alex's head—feinting, trying to throw him off. But Alex saw through it with ease.

In one smooth motion, Alex ducked, spun, and caught Carter's arm, twisting it. The force of the move threw Carter off-balance, and in the next instant, Alex's knee shot up, slamming into Carter's stomach.

It wasn't pretty, but it was damn near effective.

Carter grunted, stumbling back, barely managing to stay on his feet. His breath came in quick bursts now. "Alright~" he said groaning, wiping his mouth. "You're definitely not a kid anymore, at least you don't fight like one."

Alex didn't look all that tired—his stance still low, still ready. But his muscles were starting to ache a bit, the strain of the fight and coupled with his weights showing by the small twitching of his limbs. 

Carter exhaled slowly, stepping back. "That's it for now. You've got your instincts down. But there's one thing you're still missing, kid."

Alex stayed silent, his eyes still locked on Carter. "And what's that?" Alex added.

Carter smiled, "You've got incredible raw talent. But you need more control. You need to pace yourself in a real fight. Right now, you're just reacting blindly—you're relying on too much impulse. That's all well and good, but eventually, it'll catch up with you. What you're doing works, but I'm sure you know that you can't keep going like this forever."

Alex thought about it for a second and nodded. However he had a method to his madness. He knew that there would times that flowing isn't the right option in a battle. And there would likely be a time where he would be the one to go on the offensive. But still, he wanted to build his foundation a bit, he felt with this body, it might be possible...

Carter gave a low whistle. "You've got a long way to go, kid. But damn, you make me think we're in for some fun."

Alex's lips curved into a smile, "Let's see if you can keep up, old man."

As they stood there, catching their breath, it was clear: Carter's training had done more than teach Alex how to fight. It had unlocked something wild. Untamed in the boy. Something that, with time, would become a force to be reckoned with...

'Hell, it's already there...' The elder thought to himself, somewhat proud of his creation. Who wouldn't be?

Carter's body ached as he adjusted his stance, his breathing more ragged than before. His mind was racing at this point as well, trying to anticipate even one of Alex's next move, "Tch! It's a bitch to admit, but I can't keep up with this kid for long.' His muscles felt like they were made of lead, his joints stiffening with each passing moment. But he couldn't stop now. 'Focus. Stay sharp.'

Alex, on the other hand, was barely breaking a sweat. His movements were still just as fluid as they were moments ago, and still equally unpredictable. His eyes locked onto Carter's, reading him like a book, every twitch of his body an opportunity. 'He's slowing down. Finally.' Alex felt a rush of exhilaration, he was finally going to fight Carter on equal terms... But there was no time to savor it. The fight wasn't over until it was over.

Without warning, Carter launched himself at Alex again, his fist swinging wide in a powerful haymaker, aimed to take Alex off his feet. It was a move he knew well, one he'd taught countless fighters. 'This will put him down for sure.'

But Alex was already moving. He could see Carter's arm coming from a mile away, the slight shift in his shoulders, the tension in his wrist before the punch even left Carter's side. 'Hmph, predictable.' With a slight pivot, Alex ducked under the swing, his feet barely touching the ground. His body had already anticipated the move. The punch swished harmlessly above him.

Carter's fist sailed through empty air, and before he could correct his trajectory, Alex was already there, a blur of motion. His hand shot out, grabbing Carter's wrist and yanking it downward, twisting it in an awkward angle, 'He's fast, damn it!' Carter's teeth clenched as he fought to keep his arm free, his feet digging into the mat for leverage. 'I'm not losing to this kid!' The man had his pride too.

But Alex wasn't just trying to disarm him. With a sudden shift of his weight, he brought his knee up, driving it into Carter's ribs with a sharp crack. The impact made Carter's vision blur for a moment, a flash of pain exploding through his side, 'Urghh~ Shit! That one hurt like a bitch.' He staggered back, a harsh breath escaping him as his ribs screamed in protest. But before he could fully recover, Alex was on him again, a phantom figure in his peripheral vision.

Carter barely had time to react. 'Can't let him control the pace'. He sidestepped, hoping to throw Alex off balance even for just a second, but Alex was already moving with him, a step ahead. Carter's breath came in short bursts now, the sting of sweat in his eyes. 'It's like he's getting fast damn it, he's everywhere.' It was like fighting a shadow—every move he made was instantly countered. There was no rhythm to follow, no predictable pattern. This damn brat, he's a freakin' enigma.'

On the other hand, Alex could sense Carter's frustration. 'He's getting slower. Good.' His instincts were on fire now, every fiber of his being tuned to the fight, ignoring the ache in his limbs. The older man's hesitation was clear... 'It's time.' Without thinking, Alex dropped low, his body coiling like a spring. He feigned a low jab toward Carter's midsection. Carter reacted instantly, his hands coming down to block, but Alex wasn't aiming for his stomach. He was already rolling with the punch, his shoulder sliding under Carter's guard.

With a smooth motion, Alex rose, pushing off the ground with his legs, his body twisting in the air as his elbow shot up, connecting with Carter's chin. The impact was immediate, and Carter's head snapped back, the force of the blow sending a ripple of pain through his skull.

'Fuck! This kid's got moves I've never seen.' Carter's vision swirled, but he gritted his teeth and steadied himself, raising his arms to shield his face. His body was slower now, the energy draining out of him with every second. But he couldn't afford to back off. Not yet. I've been through worse.

Alex felt the surge of adrenaline coursing through him, his pulse racing, his senses heightened. 'I've got him. He's definitely slipping.' But even as he closed in, something flickered in Carter's eyes. A flash of determination. 'Not yet brat.'

Carter's arm shot up, slamming into Alex's chest with a hard block. The force of it knocked Alex back, a surprising strength behind the move that sent a jolt through his body. He stumbled slightly, but only for a second. 'Damn! So he's not completely finished yet?' Alex had to give the man some respect, despite him being superhuman in strength, the man was handling himself quite well.

However, Alex's breath was ragged now, his legs starting to burn. He hadn't expected Carter to fight back this hard, this relentlessly. Still, I'm faster. I'm sharper. He can't keep up for much longer.'

He moved in again, aiming for a low strike to Carter's knees. But as his foot came down, Carter caught it mid-air. No! Alex's heart skipped a beat as Carter twisted his body, pulling him forward and attempting to throw him. Alex, however, instinctively locked his core, pushing back with his other foot and using Carter's grip against him. He dropped into a crouch, then exploded upward, smashing his forearm into Carter's collarbone with a sharp crack.

Carter grunted in pain, stumbling back. The hit had rattled him, and for the first time in the fight, he felt an unfamiliar doubt creep into his mind. I've trained fighters to fight like machines... but this kid... he doesn't follow the rules. He doesn't even think.

Alex could see it in Carter's eyes now—an opening. The older man was thinking too much. Now. I've got him.

Without hesitation, Alex pressed his advantage. He dashed forward, reducing the distance between, his body a blur of motion, and his leg shot out in a low arc, catching Carter off guard. The kick wasn't clean, but it landed with a another sharp crack to Carter's ribs, sending him reeling back, winded.

For a moment, Carter's vision darkened at the edges. Damn. I'm not ready to go out like this. He staggered, breathing heavily, every muscle screaming for relief. He couldn't give in. Not yet. Focus. Focus. He blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the dizziness.

Alex, sensing the opening, lunged once more. But this time, his mind flashed back to Carter's earlier words: Control. For the briefest moment, doubt crept in. What if I really can't keep up forever?

But there was no time to second-guess himself. In a blur of motion, Alex sidestepped, throwing Carter's momentum off just enough for him to slip behind, his body moving like liquid. In a move that was part instinct, part desperation, Alex locked Carter in a standing rear choke, his arm slinking around Carter's neck with suffocating precision.

Carter's hands shot up, clawing at Alex's arm, trying to pry it off, but Alex had him now. His grip was tight, unwavering, his body swaying slightly as he pulled Carter deeper into the hold. I'm not letting go.

The room seemed to close in on Carter as he gasped for breath. His head swam, the edges of his vision starting to darken. I can't... lose...

But then, something in him snapped. A surge of energy, a primal instinct, flooded through him. With a final effort, he reached up and grabbed Alex's wrist, his grip like iron. Using his last reserves of strength, he twisted his body, forcing Alex off balance.

Before Alex could fully secure the choke, Carter spun, throwing his weight into a desperation move. His shoulder hit Alex's midsection with bone-crushing force, knocking the wind out of him. For a second, neither moved, both of them gasping for air, their bodies completely drained...

'...'

"I'm guessing we can call this a draw?" Alex huffed a bit, his muscles literally burning, a sign that his limits had came for the day.

"Yeah... Definitely." Carter has had enough of the spars today. He was completely out of commission.

There was a beat of silence, then both men lowered their stances, bodies still tense but acknowledging the end of the spar. Carter slowly took a step back, his body groaning in protest. He was used to being the one who called the shots, the one who stood tall after a fight. But right now, for the first time in a long while, he wasn't sure if he had the strength to continue standing. 'This kid's a damn monster.'

Alex, sensing the change, finally allowed himself to sag a bit, his body uncoiling from the ready stance. He was in pain. His legs felt like rubber, his arms heavy, and his ribs were sore from Carter's strikes. But he was too proud to show it. His head lifted, and he gave Carter a half-hearted nod.

But before Alex did anything else, he closed his eyes briefly, allowing a red glow to slightly permeate from his body...

'Oh... Yeah, definitely feels a heck of a lit better...' Alex used his internal energy to boost his body,.. 

'I'm so glad I practiced controlling my energy around my body... My recovery has practically tripled...' Alex could feel his muscles cooling off, like a iced water gracing the lips of a man not having to drink anything for days in the desert.

Soon, he sat up, however, he swiftly transitioned into a meditative form... Carter huffed seeing this.

"I guess I should leave the kid alone for now...' He quickly dragged himself away to recover in his own time.

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"Phoo~" Alex exhaled slowly, feeling his aura fade as he relaxed. He stood up, stretching his body before shifting his focus to his energy control practice.

Guess it's time to get to work... he thought with a sigh. Ever since last month, Alex had been pushing his telekinetic abilities to the limit, honing his control and boosting his capabilities. His routine always started with telekinesis. At first, he wasn't fond of the massive piles of rubble around the hideout. But after a while, he'd stopped complaining about it.

In fact, he'd come to realize that the rubble was perfect for testing his strength and pushing his limits.

He lifted both arms, his red energy flaring around him. With a determined exhale, he focused and effortlessly lifted the rubble scattered across the room.

'This should be about twelve and a half tons.' he thought, glancing around as the debris hovered mid-air. His power pulsed with intensity, but after some minutes, hit his limit. Still, he was relatively pleased.

'Not bad, at least I can hold this much for just about ten minutes... maybe a little more.'

With a controlled release of energy, he gently set the rubble back down, making sure to keep the noise to a minimum. The last thing he needed was to attract attention.

"Set weights to zero," Alex mumbled to himself, feeling his body lighten immediately. The strain in his muscles eased a bit, and the usual weight of his energy faded away.

"That feels much better," he said, stretching again before moving on to the next part of his training: control exercises.

The best way he'd found to refine his control was through creating complex energy projections and maintaining them indefinitely. So far, the most he could manage was a nonagon, a nine-sided shape. It was a bit of a challenge to hold, but he kept it intact for as long as he could, each attempt pushing him to add more sides as his stamina grew.

His goal was to at least maintain that shape for an hour before he even thought of increasing the side by even one, it served as a good benchmark to progress. Same with his telekinesis, if he could maintain the weights suspended mid-air for at least 10 minutes, he would deem it sufficient to continue. However, unlike the projection control, he could theoretically increase that limit by 10 fold, but that would make it only go down to 1 minutes instead and additive cost, meaning he could maintain a weight of 125 Tons for a minute tops before he gave out completely...

Knowing this, he continued his practice. For about 34 minutes, feeling his control over his energy growing as the time passed, but it was taxing holding that kind of shape for so long, so he quickly de-conjured it.

"Hmm, that should be enough... Now to increase my Capacity." He remained in his meditative position, however, he pulled the energy from his surroundings towards his body, absorbing it into himself...

When he balanced himself and meditated for a few hours a day, he could increase his capacity overtime. Although the speed was nothing compared to when he abused his body, it was still relatively fast.

Compared to the 16 times increase it underwent when he first started, albeit using less than ideal methods abuse, he could just about double his current reserves by going about it the right way for a month straight, with consistency.

And that was more than enough for him, if he was correct, by the end of the year he estimated that his sheer capacity should be in the thousandth range by then easily. And that thought put a smile on his face, not to mention what his overall strength would be by then.

'Ahh~ It's good to progress...'

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END