Chapter 3: MC Always Have Plump Friend

Inside Levi’s Class;

"Levi, did you hear the news about the Martial Arts Master Roshan?"

A man with a fat belly moved his head closer to Levi and whispered.

Levi rolled his eyes.

"Who hasn’t heard that news?"

"I know, right? Roshan has achieved the perfection on Dragon and Tiger Strengthening Technique, becoming the top student from Blue Star University."

"Man! I have barely practiced Black Bear Strengthening Technique to the Beginner Realm."

The man with a fat belly sighed.

"At least, your blood energy is growing."

Levi couldn’t help but show a look of envy. He had practiced the Roaring Tiger Strengthening Technique to Minor Mastery.

Whether it was the Dragon and Tiger Strengthening Technique, Black Bear, or Roaring Tiger, they were all Body Tempering Techniques.

Of course, the Roaring Tiger Strengthening Technique was a Second Grade Body Tempering Technique, while Black Bear was only First Grade.

On the other hand, the Dragon and Tiger Strengthening Technique was a Third Grade Technique.

The grade of the technique was also the limit of a martial artist.

For example, even if someone practiced the Black Bear Strengthening Technique to perfection, they could only remain as a Martial Apprentice.

To become a proper Martial Artist, one not only needed the blood energy level of ten but also practice second grade technique.

"Come on! Don’t give up so quickly. We still have two years of high school."

"It’s easy for you to say, Mike."

Mike rubbed his head when he heard that. Indeed! He didn’t know Levi’s situation.

Levi had never stopped training and also practiced Second Grade Technique to Minor Mastery, but his blood energy level never improved.

Clack!

Just when he was about to say something, the door of their class opened, and a middle-aged man walked in.

He wore a black jacket and had a very square face. But the students could feel an indescribable feeling from him.

Levi was already used to this kind of feeling. His parents were also Martial Masters. This was the blood energy pressure of a martial master.

Without having a powerful blood energy level or being close to them for a long time, people would feel discomfort around them.

Of course, there was another way. By being connected through blood, one could also resist that pressure.

That’s why the children of powerful people wouldn’t collapse around their parents as a child, but others could feel the dangerous pressure.

"Class! Today, we will be talking about the Martial Arts. Does anyone know the difference between techniques and arts?"

One of the students raised his hand.

"Teacher Ettle, is it the control of our blood energy?"

Ettle nodded and explained.

"Technique represents the control, but then, what about arts?"

"Huh? I thought both do the same thing?"

The student who had just answered murmured.

"Idiot! If both did the same thing, why don’t we use arts to improve our blood energy level?"

Another girl stood up and answered.

"Teacher, Technique is about controlling the blood energy, while art is about performing special moves to utilize that energy."

Ettle nodded.

"This is a better answer. Technique controls energy; art utilizes energy. But we can’t summarize them within just these few words."

"Techniques can also generate the energy. They can also regulate and use the energy for different purposes."

"Art does utilize the energy, but it does one thing that technique can’t do. It gives form to the energy."

"As Martial Artists, we train our body to generate blood energy. But where does this blood energy come from?"

"Can anyone answer that?"

"Our Genes!"

One of the students replied.

Ettle shook his head.

"The energy generally comes from blood. That’s why it’s called blood energy. The Gene only stores the genetic information to generate that energy."

"But the blood itself comes from the bone marrow. So, the most important part of a martial artist’s journey is to strengthen their bone."

"Red Marrow, Yellow Marrow, and Stem Cells are the key parts of the bone marrow that produce the blood cells."

"So, Martial Apprentice starts by strengthening their bones. In this stage, you only train your bones."

"That’s why the First Grade Technique only has a set of movements that affect the bones even if you are doing exercise with the whole body."

"The techniques are about control, and when they are used in proper regulation, the control part of the technique takes effect."

"But the Second Grade Technique trains bones and muscles while also strengthening the blood vessels connected to those."

"So even as a Martial Artist, you still focus on improving your blood energy level. Only this time, your blood energy can be used to reinforce your muscles."

"That’s why a Martial Artist hits harder than a Martial Apprentice. But there is another reason."

"That is Art. If technique is about control, art is about form."

"Does anyone know why the academy has given the same set of Martial Arts to everyone?"

This time, Levi raised his hand and explained.

"Five Beasts Form is a martial art that allows a martial artist to be as strong as a tiger, as balanced as a crane, as fast as a leopard, as flexible as a snake, and as majestic as a dragon."

"Because martial artists have different kinds of strength, they need to be able to develop in different directions."

"So, Five Beasts Form gives them a proper understanding of the basic stats of a martial artist, while also allowing them to understand their own strength."

Ettle nodded.

"That’s right! Since a Martial Artist’s birth could affect their strength, nobody wants their children to waste their time practicing the wrong type of martial art."

"Five Beasts Form allows everyone to develop in a way they want. Of course, some parents can figure out their children’s strength early."

"And then, they generally stop practicing the Five Beasts Form."

"You could also do that, but unless you have a Second Grade Martial Art, it is always better to practice Five Beasts Form to Perfection."

"The reason is simple. Five Beasts Form allows you to maintain the peak form of the basic stats."

"This means against the opponent with equal strength, your chances of winning increase exponentially."

Hearing that, one of the students raised his hand and said.

"But teacher, I heard most of the students who become Martial Artists abandon the Five Beasts Form."

Ettle nodded.

"That’s correct! Reaching perfection is harder than getting started with a more powerful technique."

"Five Beasts Form is essentially just a First Grade Martial Art. Its power is limited; its utilization of blood energy is diverse but not high."

"This Martial Art doesn’t teach you powerful attacks or defenses. It teaches you the true meaning of a Martial Art. That is Form."

At this moment, Mike elbowed Levi and whispered.

"If I remember correctly, you have already reached the Major Mastery of Five Beasts Form, right?"

"Doesn’t that mean you can master this technique to perfection before you become a Martial Artist?"

"Tsk! He can only become a Martial Artist if his blood energy level increases. It has been a year, but his blood energy level is only three."

A snarky remark came from the front.

It was a tall boy with blue hair, showing an arrogant look on his face as he spoke.

Just when Mike was about to rebuke, an extremely uncomfortable pressure fell upon the three of them.

"Are you three talking while I am teaching here?"

Ettle’s eyes showed a sharpness that they feared the most.

The other students looked at the three of them with contempt and anger.

Although this pressure was only affecting three of them, they could also feel some of it.

And that much was enough to make them uncomfortable.

Despite having the lowest blood energy level, Levi was the one feeling most comfortable.

"Humph!"

After a snort, Ettle removed his pressure and turned towards Levi.

"Since you are close to perfection, do your best to improve it! Even though your blood energy level is not improving, Five Beasts Form will give you some maneuverability during a battle."

Levi couldn’t help but feel speechless.

Only Mike knew about his situation, but now the whole class knew about it.

Sure enough! The moment he said it, everyone’s eyes fell on him with scrutiny and suspicion.

It was normal. Levi’s blood energy level was only at 3.

For him to practice this martial art to Major Mastery meant he should’ve a great talent, but his blood energy was so low-level that most people thought he had no talent.

Levi sighed, and Ettle’s class continued.

After hours of studying, the class ended, and everyone started leaving the class.

During this time, Mike and Levi also walked out of the class together, but they were quickly stopped by a classmate.

"Josh, what are you doing?"

Mike angrily asked.

"Humph! Because of you, I got scolded by the teacher. I want to take a little interest for that."

Josh snorted as he clenched his fists.

With his level six blood energy, he didn’t need to be worried about Mike, who had level five blood energy, and Levi, whose blood energy level was a meager three.