Summer 5, 121
Makt wanted to be able to completely himself with his own body even if he didn't have aether at his disposal. He knew he would need to develop strong fighting skills in order to do so. He understood that before he could defend and safeguard others, he had to first protect himself. Makt saw a large langhuss that he'd visited recently. His parents had agreed to let him get some training, especially since he wasn't quite sure what he was going to be doing in the future. If he showed promise, then he could potentially join a warband.
Makt walked into the long building and saw that it was packed with people training, with only a few rough looking older folk keeping an eye on everyone. The three main areas of the langhus were the sparring area, an area for exercise and strength training, and a space for training dummy related activities. The bulk of the action revolved around the sparring area, where numerous matches were held. To allow more people to practice at the same time, there were two rings, four in each, that could hold more people.
Makt saw many people who were practicing as he entered. He was asked if he had any prior fighting experience by one of the trainers. The trainer led Makt to another when he shook his head. The new trainer led Makt to a designated area and started going over the fundamentals. He suggested that Makt begin with the most basic punch, the jab, which was the basis for all other punches. Makt was initially under the impression that the trainer was simply striking the bag of sand at random, but he soon realized that the trainer was very quick. The trainer's hand would return to its initial position nearly as fast as it had shot forwards.
The warband trainer then moved aside, giving Makt the order to practice hitting the bag a few times in order to gauge his jab. Makt arranged himself so he was facing the bag, imitating the trainer's posture and gait. Instead of concentrating on speed, the trainer suggested that he concentrate on muscle control and motion. Makt did as he was told, moving his right hand in a jab motion while trying to maintain control over his muscles to prevent any unintentional twitches. He tried to remain composed as he relaxed, slowly pulling his arm back and fully extending it.
Makt repeatedly practiced this, getting better each time, until the trainer got involved once more. This time, the trainer took Makt through each step of the correct movement in slow motion and explained everything in detail before telling him to give it his all. Feeling the shift in his muscles, Makt stepped in front of the bag once more, imitating the trainer's steps. Before attempting a faster jab, he practiced a few slow jabs to help him remember the pattern. He realized he had messed up the form when he barely touched the bag on his first attempt and quickly withdrew his fist.
Makt inhaled deeply several times as he readied himself for another try. He put more effort into his second attempt, getting a form he was happy with but still not quite perfecting the jab. His arm reached out to the bag about a centimeter, then twitched, striking the holder rather than the bag.
Makt's instructor indicated that speed and focus were needed for the jab after he withdrew his hand and felt the pain from the contact. Before Makt could perfect the pattern, he suggested that he concentrate on the motion. Makt nodded and turned his attention to the bag, closing his eyes and focusing on the pattern while he felt the muscles in his lead hand twitch in unison. It appeared as though his hand was to follow a map and an instruction from his brain.
Makt opened his eyes and tried the jab again, thinking that maybe the third time would be lucky. He rehearsed before attempting in earnest. With a sly smile on his face, he confidently delivered the jab by using the mental map he had created. Makt saw approval as he turned to face his trainer, though he wasn't sure if his jab would be up to par.
Makt was gently prodded to the side so his warband instructor could show off another technique. After taking his place, the man started to go over the next fundamental – the cross and the straight. Making sure Makt was paying close attention, the man went over how to execute this punch. Makt watched the instructor perform the movements, paying particular attention to his arm movements and posture, but he was also told to watch his legs because they were a crucial part of the punch. Makt observed his instructor's stance and saw that the entire body was involved. The lead shoulder was in the front, the off shoulder in the back, and the lead hand was in the front, forming a diagonal position.
Following a few more explanations, Makt was asked to try it out by working on the arm motions alone at first, then progressing to the other motions, and finally combining them. Makt practiced in the air by moving his arm first without the bag in front of him while maintaining a semi-crouch position as directed.
He used his lead arm to imitate his warband instructor's arm movements, practicing punching technique first before addressing footwork and posture. Makt felt his muscles and arm adjusting to the new pattern as he went on. First it was a mental map that projected through his arm, then it moved through his body and became real. Makt nodded and took the proper stance when the warband instructor told him to focus on his footwork after a few more punches.
At first, Makt concentrated on changing the spacing between his feet, moving them inward or outward to match his shoulders and adopt the correct stance. A little anxious about learning how to fight, he relaxed his tense muscles and matched his feet with his shoulders after a few seconds. He nodded in preparation as he moved on to his legs now that his body was in the right position.
Following the instructor's lead leg movement pattern, he started to pivot with his other foot. Before harmonizing the motions, he hoped to become proficient in this. Makt made another mental map using the same movements, telling his feet to release tension in his muscles. During a fight, the last thing a fighter wanted was to pull or strain their muscles.
Makt proceeded to combine the techniques after mastering the leg pattern, and his warband instructor made sure he did everything correctly. He tucked his chin down, raising his hands to shield his chin and chest, imitating the jab's stance. He then focused on combining arm and foot movements to prevent muscle strain and lessen the strain on his body. Makt let go of his muscles and practiced the motions slowly at first, synchronizing them, before picking up the pace.
He started moving more quickly as he grew more at ease, his body adapting to the punch and style. Makt took a step up to the bag and continued honing his technique, satisfied with his progress. He was satisfied with how well he executed the movements, but he was curious about his warband instructor's opinion.
After getting the all-clear, Makt allowed his instructor to take control once more and started teaching him a new technique called a "hook" which was a simple punch. The man demonstrated how to move the body and the workings of the hook while he positioned himself. Makt perceived the body movement as being similar to the previous punch he had learned, but this time there was more than just a symbolic meaning.
The instructor demonstrated every movement, from his arms to his legs, in slow motion with his lead hand. He instructed Makt to concentrate on strengthening the muscles in his hips, legs, and arms. The hook was basically a way to land a hit, possibly a big hit, using the entire body. One of the few simple punches Makt would have to master before moving on to more intricate methods and practicing dodging.
Makt was instructed by his warband instructor to practice over and over again. Makt practiced a few of the previous punch he had learned on the bag, using his memory of the motions, before switching to the new attack. Prior to trying the new move, he performed about five practice "straights" or "crosses". Before attempting to give it his all on a "Hook," he practiced his body motions and warmed up all of his muscles. He didn't want to hurt himself, so he stretched completely before trying, twisting his hips while still.
Makt was all flexed out and prepared to go, going through the motions with his hips and legs before attempting the hook punch. His warband instructor complimented his speed and expressed admiration for the amount of progress he had made in a short period of time.
With a smile on his face, Makt coordinated his movements, growing accustomed to the sensation of his body contorting in the middle and utilizing his legs to generate force for the blow. After the stretch, his legs felt fantastic, and he was ready to twist his waist. He continued practicing, making sure to twist as much as he could before combining it with his fist. He started with his punching after he had smoothed out his movements.
With his arm extended and curved at the shoulder, he solely used his hips to move, supporting the punching motion with his body. After finishing this, Makt tried to work faster to finish the assignment and get ready for the last starter technique that his warband instructor had mentioned. He practiced his punch using his hips for a minute or two, then relaxed those muscles, preparing to put it all together.
Makt took his position, ready, his gaze fixed on the bag. He mentally sketched out the pattern first, planning the fastest path to the strongest hook and the fastest way to deliver the punch. His arm, legs, and hips received the message and map, and together they executed the motions, bringing his muscles into perfect harmony. He increased his speed gradually and paused for a while before trying to give it his all. It was easier because his muscles were used to the motion. But as he came to a stop, Makt turned to face his warband instructor, asking whether his performance was satisfactory or if he still needed to improve a little.
Makt would then move on to the final of the fighting world's four fundamental punches. Makt was led the instructor to a different bag.
"If you get the chance to open up your opponent's chest, you can try to land an uppercut. You can use the other punches to create an opening and then deliver the finishing blow." The man stepped in front of the bag and instructed Makt to observe his movements and explanations, assuming that verbal and visual cues would be adequate to show the technique.
Makt was given the opportunity to attempt it out once the instructor had completed his explanation and demonstration. Makt would then be prepared to practice the uppercut, albeit slowly at first. Keeping his arms and fists in their correct positions, he started going through the body motions. He would push off with his back foot, rotate his hips, right shoulder, and back, and then follow through. Makt would finish his first run of the positions by repositioning himself into the starting stance.
Makt kept working on his technique, switching between arm and body motions. To maximize the attack's potential, he had to train his body to maintain composure. Every muscle needed to be free of tension. Makt nodded after a while, satisfied that he had learned every fundamental punch.
Just as he was going to rest, he was pushed towards where the spars were held. "No rest, not yet. Now I'm going to teach you a thing or two about dodging. Try to land a hit," he said in a rough voice. Makt got to his feet and launched a quick jab attack to see what he would discover next. The instructor dodged to the right of Makt's punch, as seen from his point of view, and punched at his right ribcage, stopping short of hitting him. This was almost immediately after Makt delivered his punch.
He stopped, held out one finger, then retracted his hand until the finger was pressing against Makt's ribcage. Makt was perplexed at that moment, wondering how the instructor had managed to pull this off without him noticing. "How did he...?"
The instructor jabbed at Makt's face, saying, "you think you're so good after just one short training session? You're making so many mistakes it's embarrassing." Makt felt his muscles tensing up, making it seem impossible for him to duck out of the way of the next impending blow. He closed his eyes and tried to dodge the blow like the instructor had at the last second, thinking that he couldn't possibly move fast enough."
Makt moved to the outside of the punch so that the instructor's pinky would be directly in front of his face. Because his body was still tense, he did not fully dodge in time and was struck. Fortunately, the man held back, or things might not have worked out too well for him or his face.
. The instructor waited for Makt to compose himself before saying, "you should try to always keep your body loose when dodging." The instructor immediately did the same jab which took Makt by surprise. He got hit by it but was able to successfully move slightly out of the way of the uppercut and took a blow to the ribs as a result.
"Better. Now try throwing in some attacks of your own." Even though the man was a strict instructor, Makt still wanted to knock him out. Even though he threw his strongest punch, the man sidestepped and then lunged for the point where Makt's arm and shoulder connected, hitting him hard enough to make his arm go numb.
Makt yelped in pain while the instructor said, "like that."
"No more, I can't," the student said as he dropped to his knees.
"Heh, so be it. We can pick up where we left off, tomorrow."
