Based on Rias's explanation of the martial artist system and combining it with his own understanding, Caleb referred to that special energy as 'Qi'. There are many types of special energies in this world, and the extracted abilities differ based on the cultivation path. They include, but are not limited to, Magic Power, Cursed Energy, Fighting Aura, Spirit Power, and Qi.
Muneie Miyajima, who was currently wielding a bamboo sword so fast it left afterimages, had initially glimpsed the threshold of Qi. The day the Qi clearly manifested within his body would be the day he stepped into the Master realm, which is equivalent to B-rank power.
Facing the storm-like offensive, Caleb retreated with small, quick steps, dodging. At the same time, he activated his magic power, further enhancing his Clairvoyance and Beginner Flesh Mastery. Unarmed against a weapon was definitely a disadvantage. Caleb's physical strength hadn't yet reached the point of being invulnerable to blades. Fortunately, the opponent's weapon was just a bamboo sword, so a direct block wouldn't be a major issue.
The idea of using his physical strength to overwhelm the opponent flashed through his mind and was immediately dismissed. If he won that way, Muneie Miyajima wouldn't say anything, but he certainly wouldn't be convinced. This would be detrimental to building a good relationship and gathering information later.
After awkwardly dodging for about three minutes, Caleb finally found an opportunity. Taking advantage of the moment the opponent was inhaling, with the old force spent and the new force not yet generated, he abruptly pushed off with his right foot, instantly closing the distance. The wooden floor let out a distressing creaking sound as Caleb appeared like a ghost in front of Muneie Miyajima. He clenched his right hand into a fist, using seventy percent of his strength, and struck the opponent's well-trained abdomen. Muneie Miyajima simply couldn't react to the speed and power unleashed by Caleb's formidable physique combined with his Beginner Flesh Mastery. Taking a punch from Caleb to the stomach, he nearly collapsed onto his knees.
"Ugh..." Enduring the sharp pain, Muneie Miyajima tried to retreat, intending to regain the initiative by relying on the length of his weapon. Caleb couldn't help but look at him with a slight admiration. To take a punch from him head-on and still be able to fight, his previous assessment was correct: Muneie Miyajima's power was close to B-rank. His combat experience, however, was lacking. Overall, Muneie Miyajima's strength was commendable. It was no wonder he ignored his gorgeous, ripe wife and devoted himself entirely to Kendo.
The moment of admiration ended, and Caleb gave him no chance to recover, using the close-combat skills he had learned from countless beatings by the White-Haired Loli to press the attack. He still only used seventy percent of his strength. Using seventy percent of his strength wasn't Caleb holding back, but rather a principle in real combat: unless you have the certainty of a one-hit kill, you must always retain some reserve strength. Otherwise, your fate would be the same as Muneie Miyajima's just now. Once a flaw is exploited, there is no opportunity to counterattack. This is why many people in combat sometimes deliberately expose a weakness. Once the opponent falls for the trap and attacks with full force, they seize that moment to counterattack without hesitation, potentially securing the victory or death blow.
Neither the pre-fight Kiai (shout) nor the subsequent attacks suggested a wealth of real combat experience for Muneie Miyajima. Although the Kiai can boost one's own morale, it also serves as a warning to the opponent. Experienced swordsmen often draw their sword and attack directly, or at most let out a low growl.
Caleb refrained from attacking areas that could easily cause death or disability. Muneie Miyajima struggled to endure for several dozen seconds... No. Muneie Miyajima was brutally hit over a dozen times on his stomach and back before he finally couldn't take it anymore and collapsed to the floor. After Caleb closed the distance, Muneie Miyajima failed to land a single decent counterattack.
Seeing Muneie Miyajima fall to the ground, Caleb instinctively raised his foot, about to stomp on the man's head. The spectators watched the scene unfolding before them in utter bewilderment. They had imagined Muneie Miyajima might lose, but the defeat was too swift and decisive. Their confusion was so profound that not a single person thought to stop Caleb's 'atrocity'.
Muneie Miyajima stared at the constantly enlarging dark shadow above him, instinctively closing his eyes. After waiting for a moment, he didn't feel the anticipated pain. He opened his eyes to see Caleb had stopped his foot just in time.
"Cough..." After a dry cough, Caleb slowly withdrew his foot. "Miyajima-sensei, the floor is cold. You should get up quickly."
Muneie Miyajima's face flushed crimson. He struggled to get up, but the severe pain in his body distorted his movements, and he couldn't manage to stand immediately. He turned his head and glared fiercely at his disciples. "You fools! What are you staring at!"
A few of the more quick-witted disciples finally realized what was happening and rushed forward to help their defeated master.
"Miyajima-sensei, I sincerely apologize for my offense. Please forgive me." Seeing the disheveled Muneie Miyajima, Caleb felt he might have gone a little too hard. He wasn't there to challenge the dojo. Even a loss wouldn't have been a problem... A narrow loss would have been best, preserving Muneie Miyajima's face and still achieving his goal. Caleb shook his head with a slight regret. Unfortunately, my power isn't yet strong enough to fully control the flow of a fight like that.
Muneie Miyajima stood up, shaking off his disciples' support, and said solemnly, "No, it should be me thanking Uesugi-kun for holding back." He was a protective father, but not an idiot. Caleb's seamless series of attacks was full of killing intent. In terms of real combat experience, he was completely crushed. Since he started training at fourteen, he had participated in countless competitions and still sought out other Kendo Masters for sparring whenever he had time, priding himself on his extensive experience. But compared to Caleb, he was merely a flower grown in a greenhouse. Being exploited had been partly his own fault, but it was mostly due to Caleb's keen perception and decisive action. Muneie Miyajima was very curious why Caleb, at such a young age, possessed such ruthless and seasoned combat experience. Since Caleb didn't volunteer the information, as the defeated party, he didn't have the face to ask.
As an alternative, he said, "There are too many people here. Let's discuss my daughter's matter in the quiet room at the back." Caleb nodded, picked up his jacket from the floor, and followed the limping Muneie Miyajima toward the courtyard behind the dojo.
Watching Caleb's straight back, Miyuna's eyes sparkled. She had thought he was a young, innocent boy, but she found a small, aggressive wolf hidden beneath. This is truly... wonderful! She felt wet already. If the situation hadn't been inappropriate, she would have pounced on that solid chest right then and there. She would have kissed his handsome, delicate face while caressing his chiseled abs, then guided his hot, hard member into her body to fully experience that storm-like onslaught.
A disgruntled student next to her said sourly, "Hey, Miyuna, stop swooning. He's already gone."
"Heh, what's wrong? Jealous?"
"Jealous? With that small frame, he definitely can't satisfy you." Caleb's height wasn't short; it was average for his age, but compared to these adult men who trained year-round, he did seem a bit lacking.
Miyuna put her hands on her hips. "That 'small frame' could beat three of you." She added, "Besides, I observed closely. His 'capital' is much bigger than any of yours." With that, she glanced downward, showing a look of disdain. The male students who harbored designs on Miyuna flushed, wanting to retort, but not knowing what to say. In the end, they could only leave in low spirits.
Walking through the courtyard with the small artificial stream, the few houses in the back, built in the Showa era style, were where the Miyajima family lived. Caleb and Muneie Miyajima arrived at a quiet room covered in tatami mats, which also served as the Miyajima family's dedicated reception room.
A curvaceous wife with a gorgeous face opened the wooden door. Her long, slender fenghuang (phoenix) eyes radiated boundless temptation. Her long, purple hair was tied into a braid that draped diagonally from her right shoulder, smoothly resting on her high, round chest. Her slender, form-fitting purple knit top was aggressively stretched by her prominent bosom, which stood firm like two full, fragrant melons filled with sweet nectar, defying gravity. Her impossibly slender, delicate waist supported a weight that shouldn't belong to it, making one worry it might bend or break. Her two perfect, full white buttocks, wrapped tightly in fabric, were flawlessly round and large, yet firm and soft. Looking down from the plump, round hips, her beautiful, long legs were tightly encased in jeans. The outlines of her full, rounded thighs and her slender, well-proportioned calves were a breathtaking sight.