The Martial Arts Prodigy

A month later...

"Alright, everyone. Today, we will have our martial arts practical exam. Leave your bags and books behind, then head to the school hall," the teacher said.

Yūto walked with the other students toward the school hall.

When they arrived, he looked around.

'Gery isn't here again? I think he hasn't come to school for about a week,' Yūto thought.

Yūto frowned.

'Could he be sick? But why isn't it written in the attendance record if he's sick?' Yūto thought.

"Alright, everyone. We will have our martial arts practical exam. I will call your names in attendance order," the teacher said.

Yūto sat on the side of the school hall's stands.

His eyes watched the practical exams taking place, but his mind wasn't really there.

He was still thinking about Gery.

"Next... Yūto!" the teacher called.

However, Yūto did not respond immediately.

"Yūto! Is Yūto here today?" the teacher asked.

The teacher had not called Gery's name either.

Normally, if Gery was absent, the teacher should have called his name first.

But why hadn't Gery's name been called at all?

Yūto was still lost in thought.

"Yūto! Yūto!" the teacher shouted.

Yūto finally came back to his senses and quickly raised his hand.

"Ah. Yes, Sir. Sorry, I didn't hear you."

The teacher shook his head.

"Come to the front and demonstrate the martial arts you have learned during your time at this school."

Yūto nodded.

He then walked to the center of the stage with a wooden sword attached to his waist.

Yūto stood straight in the middle of the stage.

He slowly took a breath.

For a few seconds, his body remained completely still.

Then...

Swoosh!

Yūto stepped forward and immediately began a series of kung fu movements.

He lowered his body.

Both of his hands moved quickly.

One hand blocked to the side while the other shot straight forward.

Whoosh!

He spun around as if avoiding an attack from behind, then jumped high into the air.

In one smooth movement...

Bam!

His foot kicked straight forward.

As soon as he landed, Yūto quickly spun around and threw several punches.

His movements were fast but controlled.

Each punch was followed by a block, while every step flowed into another turn.

He then lowered his body, swept his leg to the side, and jumped again.

Swoosh!

His body spun in the air before both feet landed perfectly.

Without stopping, Yūto changed his movements.

Now he began using Taekwondo techniques.

Tap!

One step forward.

Wham!

A side kick shot through the air so quickly that it sounded as if the wind had been cut apart.

Yūto pulled his leg back and then spun his body.

Bam!

A spinning kick struck the air.

He then jumped and performed a high kick before landing on one foot.

Before losing his balance, Yūto spun his body and immediately delivered another kick.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

His movements looked like a dance.

There was no break between them.

One kick flowed into a spin, the spin turned into a block, and the block became another attack.

After several fast movements, Yūto stopped.

He slightly lowered his body.

His hand slowly moved toward his waist.

A wooden sword was attached there.

Yūto gripped the handle.

Now, the final part of his demonstration began.

Kendo.

Fwip!

He quickly drew the wooden sword.

Yūto stepped forward.

His first slash went straight ahead.

Swoosh!

He quickly pulled his sword back and blocked an attack that seemed to come from the side.

Clack!

The wooden sword struck against an opponent who existed only in his imagination.

Yūto spun around.

One slash.

Two slashes.

Three slashes.

His movements became faster and faster.

He moved forward, backward, spun around, and then jumped.

In one jump, his body tilted slightly to the side as his sword cut through the air.

Whoosh!

As soon as he landed, he spun around and thrust his sword straight forward.

His body lowered, then rose in one quick movement.

Swoosh!

One diagonal slash.

He turned the sword's handle, blocked the next attack, and then moved to the side with light steps.

There was no wasted movement.

Every turn of his body, every step, every slash, and every block came together in one beautiful sequence.

Then...

Yūto jumped one last time.

His body spun in the air.

The wooden sword was held beside his body.

Just before landing, he tilted his body and swung the sword in one final slash.

Swoosh!

Yūto landed with one foot in front.

His sword stopped beside his body.

He then turned the sword's handle and smoothly returned it to his waist.

Fwip!

Yūto stood straight.

He closed his eyes for a moment and slowly took a breath.

Then he opened his eyes and gave a small bow.

The demonstration was over.

For a moment, the school hall fell silent.

Then, all the students and teachers gave him a loud round of applause.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

"Whoa!"

The students' cheers echoed throughout the hall.

"That was amazing... What a performance by Yūto! Let's give him another big round of applause!" the teacher said.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The applause echoed through the hall once again.

Yūto smiled.

He placed one hand over his chest and gave a small bow as a sign of gratitude.