Chapter 50 - Training with Lucius (2/2)

”Just try to attack and pin me down. I need to gauge your strength and skill before we begin. I won't even counter any or your moves and just block them.”

”OK,” said Balthazar as he began to attack Lucius. Being taught how to fight from when he was a kid at his family and at the military, he had learnt to never let his guard down even when being trained. Even though Lucius just wanted to find out his best and really didn't have any intention to counteract his moves, Balthazar wasn't the kind to believe it.

He attacked Lucius the best he can while always maintaining his guard. Lucius and Salazar could easily notice that Balthazar had his guard continuously up against Lucius. ”Attack me seriously like it is the end of life if you don't put your all in attacking me,” said Lucius who was getting irritated.

”Do as he says dude. Don't get him angry,” said Robert while Salazar nodded beside him indicating the same.

Balthazar trusted Robert and Salazar a bit and he thought that the worst thing that could happen is him being beaten up a bit. Thus, deciding to attack all in, he began pounding on Lucius.

Whatever he tried, he never managed to land a hit on Lucius. He got blocked by Lucius which ever angle he attacked him from. Lucius was very fast. Soon, he began blocking Balthazar's hits with only his left hand without even looking at Balthazar. Though Balthazar tried to change his attack patterns, Lucius still managed to block without even looking at him.

”Am I that predictable?” asked Balthazar unable to believe that even after getting a second chance and all his experience in his previous life, he couldn't lay a hand on this man. He stopped attacking that he couldn't land a hit on Lucius even after trying for more than 15 minutes. Moreover, fighting at that pace without any results had him exhausted both physically and mentally.

”No. You are actually quite talented. You continuously try to improve and try to observe your opponent, but you are limited by your speed. Your muscles are not fast. I could look at the corner of my eye and guess what your next move would be. I could even let you land a few hits on me and you wouldn't even budge me by a bit. You don't have muscles tough or fast enough.”

”Hmm, I guess, my hardware couldn't match up to yours,” said Balthazar agreeing with Lucius.

”Yes, in engineering or technical terms for you young kids, though your body has a decent software you haven't got the proper hardware to process it before the deadline. I guess, I have got the right reference, is it?”

”Close enough. So, what can be done for me to improve or upgrade my hardware?”

”Robert, he needs to improve on his speed and toughness in equal amounts. He has a relatively balanced improvement in his standards. You on the other hand have good tricks and speed. You were actually very quick. In fact, I should rather say that way you fight focuses so much on quick and sudden movement borders on the extreme. You might actually cause a muscle tear or injury.”

”I am not that bad,” said Balthazar slightly offended as Lucius sounded like he was criticizing his fight style.

”But I agree you got a good control on it like you have been used to this style of fighting for a long time. So, you don't need change it. Just focus on toughening up a bit for the speed to be of proper use. Though you are probably good at evasion techniques, it is always good to be tough too and not completely rely on evading attacks.”

”I guess so. I realized that myself few days ago and am working towards it,” said Balthazar. After the second chance he had been given, he had been trying to improve back to the stronger physique he had during the last moments of his previous life. Most of his techniques and skills would be more effective if his physique gets better.

”Good. I am glad that you realize and accept you short comings. Always try to grow into something better. You also need to work on your stamina, if you are going to pursue such a high paced style of attack. People having that style tend to have lower stamina and that is one of the biggest drawbacks and a common flaw seen among many who pursue that style.”

”Frankly speaking, you have a relatively lanky build for a military man. I suggest you exercise towards that end. I will prepare a project schedule and exercise regimen towards that aim. For now, you both take your leave. No weapons training this morning. I need to talk with Salazar,” said Lucius sending them both off.

As they both went off the ring and out of the combat room, Lucius beckoned for Salazar to enter the ring and have a spar. ”So, how do you really think they are?” asked Salazar.

”I have told them exactly what I think. Robert is exactly what I expected him to be. But Balthazar is somewhat odd. It is just not that he fights at a high speed, but I think that some of those moves are instinctual. That is what I couldn't understand. If I didn't feel so I would have asked him to stop that quick style of fighting as it has a high-risk factor.”

”Yes, he was always a bit weird. I don't understand where or under whom did he practice those. It isn't like that he got them naturally.”

”I agree. There is a very low chance of him learning them by experience. We had his data double and triple checked and couldn't find anything that suggests him being taught by such an expert. So, the thing that frightens me most is that, I think he actually realized or created those tricks himself.”

”That is preposterous. How can a kid like him do something like that?”

”You do understand that without someone creating them, we wouldn't know of it. He is a very good talent in that regard. Moreover, I trained John too remember. He always gave me a similar feeling like they were meant to be assassins or similar assets. He was also a bit crazy at improving his skills like his life depended on it. I never understood what inspired him to be like that,” said Lucius.

”So, what is your plan with Balthazar?”

”I need to think further. He is an odd case.”

”Be that as it may, but why don't we start with your training,” said Lucius as he started attacking Salazar.

”What training?” asked Salazar confused with Lucius.

”You screwed up bad with Abel. There were more three of you and you were still unable to subdue him. If you are going to Balthazar's guard, you need to improve. Walter specifically asked me train on both you and SIlas up to the mark.”

This a complete shock to Salazar that he also would have training sessions with him along Balthazar and Robert.