Chapter 273: Portrait photography--a staple of the adult film industry (1/2)

At the end of his first blue belt BJJ class, as Ben was about to go to the locker room, he froze when he received a series of unique system notifications.

[Congratulations, you've been granted access to a higher level of training at the Dojo: Barbosa MMA Gym]

[Your development speed will accelerate while training in more advanced classes]

[Your status in the Dojo has increased]

[Earn further rewards by improving your status through obtaining stripes and higher belt colors]

[Distributing partial reward for status upgrade: PUA Points + 2000]

'Partial reward…' As he glanced down at his waist, Ben didn't need to think much to figure out why the system said that. The circumstances were obvious. Although he got access to the blue belt class, he was still a zero-stripe white belt, which meant his status wasn't yet that of a proper blue belt. Having asked Fariq about it earlier though, he understood why.

An MMA gym and in particular a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school, that had roots in traditional martial arts, placed great emphasis on tradition. So even if Ben was a god-like talent, they wouldn't grant him a higher belt without him spending more time there, and once he learned what the more advanced belts meant, he realized it made sense.

Higher belts didn't only signify the instructors recognizing his skills but also that he represented the school. As such, they implied a two-way street of trust. The reality was, if Ben used his skills in the outside world for improper purposes, that would reflect poorly on the school and such a loss would be too great. After all, the martial arts community was a place where reputation was paramount. So in both an honorable and lucrative sense, the gym's image was everything. It was that simple.

In addition, this principle became even important as the student's status elevated. In theory, at the black or even brown belt level, Ben could go out and open his own school under their brand, meaning these belts also carried authority. So even if it was only a blue belt, how could they give that signboard to a kid who only trained there for one week?

With as little as a blue belt, he could then go to tournaments or fights, competing under their name with his actions affecting them. Giving such a right to an unknown young man would be reckless. That's why in order to promote Ben, besides demanding talent, they needed to vouch for his character. However, they didn't know anything about him, let alone enough to declare such a relationship. Thus, he could only wait.

After receiving the notifications though, he expected that he'd earn the full rewards once he did receive higher belts. For now, he'd just have to do his best job as a protagonist by jumping levels...

In any case, this was a good development. Points were points, and now, Ben's understanding increased in regards to how to gain them at the dojo. So, as he walked back to the locker room, he looked forward to training more in this new class and believed he'd found a foothold in it, having responded well to everybody's warm welcome today. Yet, not everyone else agreed.

Like the last time in this locker room after Ben dominated a class, certain sore losers got a similar idea to those who stood in their positions before. On this occasion though, there was a hidden hero to save the day.

As one of the blue belts who lost to Ben prepared to drop trow in a phallus face-off…another student place a hand on his shoulder, showing a stern expression as he shook his head in slow motion. This well-informed student had heard certain rumors…tales of a particular up-and-comer…whose talent in BJJ was matched only by his prowess in the pants…