Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse! Chapter 1169: Defensive Techniques - Just a fling, huh?

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 ho, but I did the sa thing as well—and surprisingly enough, Artem picked a handful of willing participants from the back and taught them so defensive techniques.

'Well, that's rare…'

It was because Artem taught through spars, aning, he usually taught people with their bodies and what they could glean on from the short match he'd put them through but this ti, 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 , 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."

"Ah…"

"I an 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-Sothing 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 ans attacking before the attack hits you."

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

"..."

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

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

"Ah… I see."

"I will apologize in advance because what I know, I taught myself, so, it'll be difficult for 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 sa spot."

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

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

"Are you sure?"

"You can't hurt ."

"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 the first ti 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 and she made a perfect reference from it:

"Kinda weird to say this but isn't this like the ti 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 sa 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 na?"

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

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

"? 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 an 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 ca 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 CA 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 ASSESSNT! AN ASSESSNT! 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 ANS!"

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 sa 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, ca in with three people: two gentlen and a middle-aged woman, looking around carefully. However, Cindy who looked like she'd pass out any mont jumped up in fright and his behind Quinn's back.

"What gives—"

"SHHH!"

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

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

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

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

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 so physical activity.

"June?!" they exclaid at the sa ti.

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

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

"I can barely lift my arms— soone, 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 .

I scratched the side of my cheek, "Is there sothing 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 but you're leading the way! Co on now!"

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

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

"Help!" June exclaid as she turned to .

"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 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 ca across:

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

As I introduced everybody, Quinn's slight movent 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!!!"