Chapter 18 - Pencak Silat ( 1 )

Cyril entered the only Martial Arts Training Hall in the town.

He purchased a month of membership within the hall and started practicing various Martial Arts.

They have complete sets of equipment and there's even a ring where he could spar against other Martial Artists.

This hall mostly practices an Ancient Martial Art called Pencak Silat though there are other arts that can be learned.

"Cyril, are you planning to spar again? I found some decent opponents for you."

Dalton, the Martial Arts Trainer, approached him as soon as he entered the building.

The balding man is only in his thirties and his huge frame would easily scare many people. However, he's very kind to his students within the dojo.

He was only an E-Rank Awakened and worked as a Helper for about 5 years before getting injured. He couldn't continue his work as an Awakened and decided to stay here to teach the younger generation before they get Awakened.

Aside from that, he would also share his experience in the Arcane World before they decided to work as an Explorer or perhaps, a Helper like he was before.

"Instructor, I'll warm up for a bit and I'll take them on..." Cyril replied with confidence.

"Hahaha! That's good to hear! This time, it won't be easy for you." Dalton laughed as he let Cyril change his clothes and allowed him to warm up for half an hour.

Cyril fought against many young practitioners of his age and he was never defeated in a fight. He gained a bit of reputation within the hall and some elite or a bit older practitioners started noticing him.

'I guess I'll fight someone older today, huh… Sir Dalton looks so confident this time…' Cyril thought as he even smirked for a bit.

He wasn't afraid of losing against other practitioners. After all, this will make him realize what he needed to improve on and allow him to get stronger.

However, it doesn't mean that he would like to lose. Since he has an advantage due to his experience or life-threatening battles he fought in his past life, he knows that he has an edge against them and he should be able to defeat them with his skills.

Cyril then started warming up and found a punching bag to check his current condition.

Pah! Pah! Pah!

His fist is quick and his control on his strikes was still impeccable.

Pencak Silat is a form of Martial Arts incorporating strikes, grappling, and even throwing. It is one of the best techniques that a low-ranked Awakened should learn.

Apparently, only cold weapons can be used within the Arcane World. If someone entered with hot weapons or firearms, those weapons will just be wasted as they will disappear during the entry.

This is why Martial Arts and Artifacts, which can be found inside the Arcane World, are very important.

Nevertheless, even the cold weapons from Earth still have weight limitations whenever you try bringing them inside.

"I'm ready…"

Cyril muttered after conditioning himself… He looked around the Hall and found about 10 young ones around his current age practicing the Pencak Silat.

This Martial Art specializes in decisive blows and guerilla tactics so matches between two practitioners can be really quick.

Aside from that, the art allows you to use fists, open palms, feet, elbows, knees, shoulders, or even fingers.

Of course, the Ancient Martial Arts also has variations where you can use small weapons. In this Hall, the Trainers can teach them how to use Kerambit, a small curved knife resembling a claw, once you're already qualified.

However, only unarmed combat is allowed in the ring unless they have been certified already.

There are many variations of this martial art considering the origin of the word itself. Pencak means Dance or Distraction and Silat means Attack and it was said that there are over five hundred styles of this Martial Art…

'I wonder how will I fair against larger practitioners.' Cyril pondered after seeing Dalton bringing three practitioners around the age of 25.

Their muscles are well-built for combat and he can feel that they've already entered and killed some Magical Beasts or Creatures inside the Arcane World.

'Why are they even here in this small town?' He pondered after being confused.

He hasn't even reached 18 years old yet and he was already about to fight against an Awakened. Though they will not use other techniques aside from Pencak Silat, it doesn't mean that the fight will be fair.

'I see… He's probably pissed off after I defeated all his young trainees.' Cyril mused after recalling how he easily defeated all the practitioners similar to his age.

Anyway, there could also be another reason… These three guys were probably recruiters of some guild acquainted with Dalton.

Of course, it doesn't matter that much to him as he entered the ring.

"Dalton… I'm ready!" Cyril called.

The balding middle-aged man smiled at him as he urged one of the three men to come up to the ring.

"Alright, I'll be your opponent then… Don't worry kid, I'll go easy on you. You just have to show me your best skills."

The man then easily jump into the ring after he taunted Cyril.

"Very well. I won't disappoint you." Cyril replied with a grin.

This man is perfect to try his Martial Arts…

'Since he's Awakened, he should be fine even if I go for the kill…' The young man thought.

After all, this man should have life-saving abilities with him once he's in trouble.

This made Cyril very excited. He wanted to have a good fight!

On the other hand, Xagan was just watching his Contractor on the side looking very bored.