"Today, we are learning the movements of Basic Leg Skill."
Just as when he taught Basic Fist Skill, Lin Zhiquin first demonstrated the techniques, then broke down each movement for instruction.
However, unlike the last class, he didn't provide one-on-one instruction to everyone.
Only Lu Yuan and two other students received this special treatment.
These two, like Lu Yuan, were attentive in class and practiced diligently afterward.
In reality, the Basic Leg Skill movements were much more difficult than those of Basic Fist Skill.
"Practice freely. I need to step out for a moment."
After teaching all the moves, Lin Zhiquin "had something to attend to," as usual.
The students responded sporadically, many unconsciously pausing their hand and leg movements.
Lu Yuan paid no attention to the others. Once Lin Zhiquin's figure disappeared, he immediately activated his skill.
"Absolute Focus, activate!"
Instantly, he entered a state of Absolute Focus, oblivious to his surroundings, and immersed himself in practicing Basic Leg Skill.
***
"Lu Yuan! Lu Yuan!"
A voice, distant at first, grew louder, pulling Lu Yuan's mind back to reality.
It was like suddenly breaking the surface after being submerged underwater; a cacophony of sounds rushed into his ears.
"HUFF, HUFF."
Lu Yuan stopped, shaking his sore and numb legs. This time, at least, he didn't collapse directly onto the floor.
"Would you like some water?"
Liu Yue, the round-faced girl, stood beside him, offering a bottle of water.
"Thank you."
As usual, Lu Yuan didn't refuse. He took the water and gulped it down. GLUG, GLUG.
After finishing the entire bottle, Lu Yuan wiped his mouth and asked Liu Yue, "How much time is left in class?"
"One minute."
Liu Yue glanced at her digital watch, then corrected herself, "Oh, no, class is already over."
Lu Yuan was slightly taken aback, feeling rather surprised.
Class is over already?
The free practice time in today's class was much longer than the previous one.
He had remained in the Absolute Focus state longer than last time, yet his stamina wasn't depleted.
It seems my physical fitness has indeed increased a lot; this point in Constitution wasn't added for nothing.
Lu Yuan immediately checked his class panel.
[You have focused on combat training for ten minutes, Class Experience +1]
[Your Skill: Basic Legging has improved, Experience Points +3]
[You have focused on combat training for ten minutes, Class Experience +1]
[Congratulations, your Fighter class level has increased!]
Even though he had anticipated this, seeing the notification about his class level upgrade still sent a thrill of joy through Lu Yuan.
[Fighter LV2 (6/200)]
[Basic Professional Skills: Initial Body Forging LV2 (123/200)
Basic Fist Skill LV2 (57/200)
Basic Leg Skill LV1 (34/100)]
The panel showed one additional free attribute point and one skill point.
Lu Yuan hesitated briefly, then allocated the newly acquired attribute point to Constitution.
His Constitution attribute, which he had increased not long ago, instantly changed from 8 to 9.
WHOOSH.
It was as if a crumpled piece of paper had been instantly smoothed out by some magical force, all its creases vanishing.
In mere seconds, Lu Yuan felt the fatigue accumulated from his practice disappear, leaving him feeling completely refreshed and full of energy.
The soreness and aching in his limbs were also rapidly receding.
It was like he had consumed some kind of miracle elixir.
I didn't expect allocating points to have this kind of effect. It's amazing...
Liu Yue, standing beside him, evidently hadn't noticed the change in Lu Yuan and continued her chatter.
"...You're really amazing, Lu Yuan. You practiced for the entire class without stopping. Everyone else quit half an hour ago..."
Just then, a man in the martial arts hall's uniform ran in from outside and announced loudly, "Class is dismissed! We start at 8 AM tomorrow. I hope no one is late."
With that, he turned and left without a backward glance.
"PHEW."
A collective sigh of relief went through the students. Some stood up, while others began gathering their belongings.
A few started complaining.
"What's the deal? Every class is only half instruction; the rest is just free practice..."
"Exactly! And today, he only taught a few people. I haven't learned many of the moves yet."
"I'm going to complain! If this happens again, I'm definitely filing a complaint!"
Lu Yuan glanced at the complainers and recognized them as the same young men who had arrived with the one with the hair bun.
They seemed quite dissatisfied, loudly threatening to complain about Lin Zhiquin.
Lu Yuan ignored them, said goodbye to Liu Yue, and left the training room.
After showering and changing in the martial arts hall's locker room, he waited in the main lobby for a while. Soon, Cheng Peng emerged, his hair dripping wet.
"Why didn't you dry your hair?" Lu Yuan frowned, worried Cheng Peng might shake his head and spray him with water.
"It's refreshing!" Cheng Peng nonchalantly ruffled his hair, then asked Lu Yuan, "How was it today?"
"Not bad. I don't feel as tired as last week," Lu Yuan replied.
"A week of training has made you stronger. Progress is always most obvious at the beginning. I was the same way."
Cheng Peng glanced towards the second-floor staircase, smiled, and asked Lu Yuan, "Want to go upstairs for a massage? I still have two free sessions on my card. Let's use them both today."
"No, thanks." Lu Yuan shook his head decisively. "You should save those two for when you really need them."
Lu Yuan had found out later that the massage therapy he received on the second floor of the martial arts hall was extremely expensive. A single session, if purchased, cost a four-digit sum!
Cheng Peng, being a senior member, had three complimentary therapy sessions, which was why he could invite Lu Yuan.
Although the massage was incredibly effective, almost magical, Lu Yuan felt uncomfortable mooching off Cheng Peng any further.
Cheng Peng might not mind, but his parents might object if they found out.
Even though they were good friends, Lu Yuan felt uncomfortable taking such a significant advantage.
Senior membership requires depositing over 100,000 at the martial arts hall. I can't even think about that for now. However, official disciples of the Origin Martial Arts Hall also get free massages. That's something I can definitely strive for.
The benefits and treatment for official disciples of the Origin Martial Arts Hall were excellent, and Lu Yuan had considered it from the beginning.
Since unlocking the Fighter panel and making rapid progress in Martial Arts, his desire to become an official disciple had grown stronger.
"Want to go to the internet cafe with me later? I'll treat you to fried chicken for lunch," Cheng Peng tried again, as usual, to lure Lu Yuan to the internet cafe.
Lu Yuan, of course, refused immediately.
"No, thanks. I want to go home and practice the leg techniques the instructor taught today..."
"You can practice anytime! What's the rush? Come to the internet cafe with me!"
"I have homework this afternoon. There's a lot this week. Even if I subtract the time spent on martial arts practice over the weekend, I might not finish it all."
"Uhh... well, you should head home early then. Homework is more important. If you don't finish it, I'll have nothing to copy..."
"..."
***
The midday sun blazed like fire.
To make matters worse, the air conditioner on the bus was broken.
Lu Yuan arrived home, sweat pouring down his forehead, and immediately grabbed two bottles of iced water from the fridge in their family's small shop, chugging them down. GLUG, GLUG.
He ate lunch alone again.
His mom had prepared the food. His dad, Lu Xinghua, had just left, hastily packing some food before heading to the hospital.
Lu Yuan went upstairs, found a large bowl (usually for soup), filled it to the brim with rice and other dishes, then brought it downstairs to eat while watching TV with his mom.
Of course, his main attention wasn't on the television but on his class panel, pondering how to allocate the skill point he had just earned.