Alex flashed a bitter smile. “I’m guessing my point total will be close to zero for at least some of my classes,” he said, recalling Fu Shen’s glare in class earlier that day, before proceeding to ignore Alex’s existence as per usual.
Qing Chang smirked. “Probably true. But you also earn points with every cultivator you defeat when you spar for rank and prestige in the ring. For even if you never deliberately wager a single credit earned, you are forever gambling with your status point base with submission matches. Fortunately, you are penalized much less when fighting a superior opponent. Whenever you accept status as a training partner, you are only sacrificing the points earned by the fight, dependent on the difference between your rank and your opponent. If you are a rank three basic cultivator and your opponent is a rank four, your points earned will be twice what he would have earned. And if he happens to be two ranks above you, you will earn thrice the points gambled. Does this make sense? And the same odds occur when credits or silver or gold or actual spirit pearls are gambled, rare as that is. But whether or not you want to bet on yourself with unsecured credits as well as status points is up to you. Of course, betting against yourself is forbidden.
“There are, of course, exceptions. When you are paying credit hour equivalents for a sparring partner in a standard match, status points are not gambled. This allows you to safely spar against different opponents and different styles while still maintaining a vaunted standing, for example. But you must understand why I even bring up submission matches. It’s not unheard of for sparring partners to insist on the hapless cultivator desperate for credits to risk status point loss as well as bruises. Of course, one is more likely to earn more credits, win or lose, and they just might win. But considering the nature of your situation...”
Alex chuckled, nodding his understanding. “I should expect nothing but fights where my enemies can maximize all they can take from me. Even if nineteen out of twenty compensated bouts avoid submission rules and status point loss, mine will always be the twentieth that does. And since those points will definitely be gambled in my case, what happens when your opponent isn’t just a rank above you, but is a full sphere above you?”
Qing Chang blinked, then grimaced. “Ah. I am assuming that your unfortunate acquaintance has ascended to Bronze, then.”
Alex nodded, as if they both didn’t already knew.
The clerk chuckled softly. “Well, that is one advantage. You earn an additional ten-fold for your opponent having ascended to Bronze while you are still basic. So if he were, say, a rank one Bronze and you a rank four basic cultivator, you would earn ten, plus three for the difference between a rank seven and rank four basic, equaling a thirteen-fold increase in the status points gambled in the match. And in your earnings as well, of course.”
Alex nodded. “Is there any minimum or maximum amount you can invest?”
“Five status points is the minimum most cultivators accept when accepting a challenge, and is what you should expect your opponents to force you to wager in a submission match. But should you actually win a challenge as a sparring partner against a Bronze while fighting to submission, you will earn fifty status points at a minimum, assuming you were rank seven basic and he rank one Bronze.”
Alex smiled. “But what about if you’re strictly on the defensive and earning points for someone to attack you?”
“No status points are in play, then. It’s just a form of advanced training practice. And yes, many students spar without ever gambling a status point at all. Basically, any compensated match only costs you credits or coin, as opposed to duels for rank and status. Of course, many skilled cultivators are happy to engage in free duels and avoid the books entirely, but the more skilled you become, the less others want to risk the loss of status without compensation.”
The clerk flashed a bitter smile. “Most cultivators never risk status when being compensated in credit hours for sparring, ending the match with only a handful of bruises and injury to their pride. Needless to say, you shouldn’t expect any offers for these sorts of matches.”
Alex’s return grin matched the clerk’s. He knew damn well the types of matches he would be offered. And he was okay with that.
Because all the trials and tribulations he suffered now would make him stronger in the end. And he was more than willing to let the tatters of whatever reputation he might accrue here blaze to ash, should the heat of conflict be what it takes to hammer his potential into killing steel.
Alex bowed. “This one is grateful, and would like to slot himself for whoever is in need of a full-contact sparring partner or training dummy. Of course, it should probably be noted that I am only a rank six basic cultivator.”
The clerk actually blinked in surprise, and Alex wondered if he had said too much. Probably not, since here, like nowhere else, he needed to be candid, so no Bronze who challenged him in good faith, as opposed to his enemies, would feel mocked or insulted if Alex overstated or understated his abilities. “Rank six, and so young? And you a Ruidian… truly remarkable!”
He pulled out a separate leather tome filled with graphs, initials, and notations, looking a bit like a bookie’s book to Alex’s mind, frowning over the names and numbers. “Alright. I’ve found a possible partner for you. He is a rank seven basic cultivator open to sparring with anyone between Bronze one and rank five. No doubt he’s looking for a breakthrough to help with his own ascension. I can slot you in for today, if you like.”
Alex grinned at that. “I would like that very much.”
The clerk gave a satisfied nod. “Excellent! He only gives me a day’s notice from time to time, so I can’t promise his availability in the future, but time will tell. Other than that, sadly, there are very few open demands for a basic cultivator of your limited reputation. You are, forgive me for saying it, an unknown. But don’t despair. I will be putting you in the opposite book, listed among those cultivators willing to be either a sparring partner or take on the role of strictly defensive target, which is rarer than not, so I have no doubt you’ll find yourself with a string of matches before long.”
The smile he flashed was outright apologetic. “In fact, I’m almost certain your former… associates will be all too eager to test you. And soon. Are you sure about this, Alex?”
Alex nodded solemnly. “I am. One other thing. The three special jobs you were able to slot me for in the week ahead… I’m not quite so comfortable as I was before my former acquaintances ambushed me so enthusiastically.”
Qing Chang gave a sad nod. “No doubt late night strolls out of the public eye are not worth the risk right now. I can’t say the cultivators effected will be happy, but I will enact only the minimal penalty.”
Alex winced, but nodded. He hated the cost; how damned unfair all of this was. He’d effectively be at a deficit after all his hard work weeding and gardening, but there was very little he could do about it.
Besides, the less attention he drew to them because a certain vindictive alchemist’s nephew was out for Alex’s blood, the better.
But it was only after he made a discreet exit from the job center that Alex realized he had more cards at his disposal than he had first thought. True, he had officially canceled all three assignments, and both his now-nonexistent credit pool and his reputation would take a hit, pleasing Lai Wei to no end when he bullied and intimidated the poor clerk into giving him all the information he wanted, school regulations be damned, Alex was sure.
But just because Alex had formally resigned from the assignments didn’t mean he couldn’t pop by unannounced and offer to assist just like he had scheduled. And, somehow, considering how longstanding those requests had been, how very few students had anything like Alex’s skills who weren’t already firmly in Lai Leng’s camp, meant that he very much doubted too many people would reject him for his unorthodox approach, assuming they could get over him being a Ruidian. If nothing else, he would make it clear that he had enemies he must account for. Perhaps they would understand. If n
ot? One less job to ever worry about again.
Then Alex shook all such thoughts away, readying himself for the sparring match he had just signed up for. He felt a sudden, unexpected surge of exhilaration as he approached the arena for the first time in months, and how surreal it was to find himself upon those sands once more. A far cry from his first experiences, where every duel was a desperate fight for his life. Now, he was there as a fully-sanctioned student of the very academy he had risked his life to attend.
He peered carefully at the frowning rank seven basic cultivator on the opposite side of the twenty-foot-wide training circle serving as their sparring ring upon the vast arena sands.
“Don’t tell me you’re the only sparring partner the clerk was able to get?” asked the six-foot-tall lanky man, glaring at Alex as he finished carefully securing his bronze lamellar armor before donning his open-faced helm, nearly identical to the equipment Alex was wearing, all of it eerily similar to the armaments worn by elite soldiers during the Warring States period of ancient China, save for the Roman style gladius they each wore at their hips. Only then did the cultivator take up his lead-tipped spear, Alex copying his movements, glad to see that the balance of the practice weapon was still acceptable before stepping back and bowing before his opponent.
“This lowly one will do his best to serve as a worthy opponent. My name is Alex, by the way.”
His opponent smirked. “Lu Su. Now let’s see if you’re worth a single one of the credits I’m paying.”
You have successfully countered flank thrust. You have successfully mastered the bind.
Opponent takes one touch strike. Opponent unleashes Viper Spear onslaught. Viper Spear onslaught partially countered.
You have suffered 2 Light Wounds.
Soul Sight skill check failed. Find Weakness skill check failed.
And after a flurry of exchanges they leaped back, taking each other’s measure, Alex wincing from what had been an unexpected flurry of spear blows. Lu Su’s breathing had become ragged, however, and Alex suspected his opponent had used a Qi attack and was now paying the price. He was just a half step away from Bronze, but not quite through, so any use of Qi would be taxing. Still, Alex was impressed. To the best of his knowledge, he was the only basic cultivator capable of launching Qi attacks. Of course, he did his absolute best to hide his strengths, and for all he knew, others did as well.
But perhaps, when one sought a breakthrough, the benefits of pushing oneself as hard as one could trumped the virtue hidden cards so vital to those who had yet to ascend.
Lu Su gave Alex a nod of respect. “You actually managed to endure my Viper Spear without collapsing.” He flashed a grim smile. “I think this will be an interesting fight, after all. Have you caught your breath yet? Good. I come for you!”
And thrice more Alex remained on the defensive, ignoring Lu Su’s feints, slipping free of his binds, and doing his best to keep the tall, lanky cultivator out of grappling range. At least for now.
Lu Su’s fierce grin became a thin, hard line. “Quit toying with me, Ruidian. If you think you can take me, do so! But toying with me accomplishes nothing.”
And that’s where you’re wrong, he thought, finally getting the notification he had been striving for, at last seeing the flow of brown Qi rippling through Lu Su’s form.
Alex flashed a smile at his opponent’s furrowed brows.
Lu Su blinked and frowned in consternation, but Alex had already made his move.
+2 familiarity bonus now in effect. Soul Sight skill check successful! You sense your opponent’s Earth Qi affinity. You can now sense your opponent’s physical cues and have the advantage at spotting all feints and winning in the bind.
You have successfully slipped past your opponent’s defenses! You have inflicted 1 Light Wound to opponent’s skull. You have successfully pulled your blow. Damage minimized! Opponent saves versus Stunning Blow.
Lu Su grunted in surprise once they stepped back from each other. “You struck the side of my temple with the shaft like you would a polearm! The way you hesitated even to strike me, I feared this match was a waste of credits, but that was no beginner’s blow.”
Alex grinned. “True mastery of the spear means striking from all angles, whether thrusting to impale, or using it like a quarterstaff. For those two weapons are the foundation of all other polearms, no?”
Lu Su gave an approving dip of his head. “They are indeed.” He then flashed an approving grin. “Now let’s see if you can do that again!” Before stepping into close range and taking the offensive once more.
And Alex happily let him take the initiative. For as much as many martial instructors back on Earth counseled seizing the Vor and setting the tempo of the battle above all else, forcing one’s opponent to defend against an onslaught of attacks before eventually breaking through, Alex knew that would achieve him nothing save a quick victory.
He was here to sharpen the keen edge of his martial prowess, just as was his opponent, and he had other skills he was desperate to master as well.
He flashed a fierce, sharp smile when he finally got the message he was looking for, after endless moments of enduring his opponent’s deadly spear, attacking just enough to keep him off-balance and taking Alex seriously, and paying the price with throbbing ribs and a knee that he had just barely pivoted away from his enemy’s thrust in time.
For all that they had the advantage of blunted spears and full armor, Lu Su was not pulling his blows. Both of them were now fighting in earnest, at least in terms of speed and technique, technically to submission, though Lu Su was anything but a sadistic savage, and Alex was gracious enough to say absolutely nothing when the bell rang and the time slot was over, signaling that he was game to continue if Lu Su was.
Lu Su grinned. “You didn’t call submission every three minutes or claim false injury, and you’re not looking to scamper off the minute your credits are earned. Good! That’s a point in your favor, Ruidian!”
Alex smirked back. “Why would I leave now? The fun’s just getting started.”
His opponent gave an appreciative chuckle. And why wouldn’t he? He had been able to fight a serious opponent all out, and enjoy the sweet exultation of scoring clever hits, earning each one, yet never getting seriously hit in turn. He got to feel a constant rush of victory, and feel like he had earned every strike. “Well then let’s continue! And since we’re going beyond the allotted hour, you can call pause as you like as well, friend Ruidian.”
Alex smirked. “I believe in giving value for credits spent, so let’s see if I can make this next round more interesting than the last few.”
Lu Su flashed a fierce grin. “I look forward!” he said, though his easy-going expression soon turned deadly serious, eyes first widening with surprise, then furrowing with concern.
For Alex had gotten the messages he had long been waiting for.
You have gained added familiarity with your target! +4 to Perception checks! Additional Soul Sight skill check made! You can now sense the flow of Qi within your opponent! Find Weakness skill check made! You sense the flaws in your opponent’s technique! You have successfully paired sense of Qi flow with your opponent’s strikes! You now know what he’s going to do before he does! Your opponent now suffers a -6 penalty to all skill checks!
And now with every enthusiastic thrust, Alex was countering before his opponent had even finished launching his attack, twisting Lu Su’s spear off-line and miming a killing strike. Every time his opponent attempted to master the bind, Alex pivoted and shifted, slipping free and striking the moment his now-frustrated opponent was vulnerable.
Of course, he deliberately acted the consummate gentleman partner, never countering with more than a firm tap, and snapping kicks that could have bruised thighs, crushed toes, or shattered knees were delivered with gentlest force.
And his opponent’s rueful chuckle made it clear that he sensed the courtesy he was being extended, even as he fumed at his own sudden impotency, being unabl
e to pierce Alex’s suddenly impervious defenses before throwing caution to the wind, slamming their staves together and attempting to shove Alex off his feet.
Before crashing to the ground, courtesy of Alex’s spring hip throw, shaking his head in disbelief.
Alex didn’t hesitate to help him back to his feet, stepping back and offering the slightest of bows.
“An excellent match. And against someone not well-trained in unarmed combat, your attempted blitz just might have worked.”
And a sound tactic it was. Even knights in the middle ages would quickly shift from polearms to grappling if they could maneuver to their advantage, quickly drawing one of their roundel daggers and plunging it into the eye slits of their opponent’s helm or, in more noble times, accepting their fellow knight’s ransom the moment the opportunity presented itself. For the glorious era of swords besting all else was as much a fiction in European history as it was here in this world.
Of course, Alex thought to himself with a wry smile, gazing at a distant pair of Bronze cultivators dueling with dao flashing through the air in what his Qi Perception-enhanced eyes saw as showers of Fire and Snow, advanced Qi techniques meant that maybe a glorious era of the sword wasn’t entirely the fantasy he had first thought it to be. Speaking of which…
He gazed at his opponent who was giving a frustrated chuckle, the man’s expression an odd mixture of frustration, irritation, and genuine appreciation.
“I’ve never had an opponent quite like you, Alex,” the tall lanky cultivator admitted at last.
Alex grinned. “I don’t suppose you favor the dao, by any chance?”
Lu Su’s surprised expression widened into a genuine grin. “It is, in fact, my preferred weapon! I can discharge my Qi attacks with it far easier than I can with a spear, where I was tired after a single Qi assault!” He shook his head. “Not that I should be telling you this, but I have a sense for the most ruthless cultivators among us, and you’re as much an honorable duelist as any I’ve seen, to be honest.”
Silver Fox & The Western Hero: Warrior Forsworn: A LitRPG/Wuxia Novel - Book 3 Page 24
