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But Iarin was confident.

“Isn’t it a martial art related to volcanoes?”

At least she wasn’t lying.

The martial art she just used was clearly a technique related to volcanoes.

Anyone with even a bit of knowledge about martial arts would recognize it as a technique invented with the image of a volcano in mind, and it was evident that the essence of her recent move, the “one fist” (一拳), mimicked the characteristics of a volcano.

The compression and release of Qi (氣) corresponded to the phenomenon of magma erupting, and even someone who primarily practiced Yang Qi (陽氣) would be able to transform it into Yang Qi too…

In contrast to the ridiculously simple name “Volcanopunch,” it was unmistakably a technique crafted by someone well-versed in martial arts—certainly one of high caliber, possessing the qualities of a Grand Master.

Moreover, in terms of utility, it exceeded mere imagination or technique.

Even while learning other martial arts, it enabled the manifestation of Yang Qi, making it adaptable to various situations and significantly enhancing the mastery of martial arts related to strikes; it offered realizations that broadened one’s understanding of applying martial arts…

Nothing about it was less than extraordinary.

Additionally, the effects of this martial art, while similar yet somehow different from the principles of a strike, would be tremendously helpful when stepping into the outside world as one warrior apart from the school’s protection.

Unlike the school education that taught one-on-one sparring techniques or specific coping strategies for situations, the real world was filled with all sorts of dirty tricks.

Those going into security might have to face multiple opponents in tight spaces or deal with bullets from a sniper aiming for themselves or their clients from afar. Mafia and gangs could rush in with guns, and one might find themselves facing experts trained to counter warriors, feeling like their lifespan was draining in real-time due to stress.

In such circumstances, this martial art could provide significant assistance.

Directional explosions were techniques handy in one-to-many situations, useful for breaking traps, demolishing obstacles, or creating temporary shelters.

Yeah.

It was perfect.

…Except for the fact that the person Iarin brought to show her this volcano-related martial art was actually someone learning the martial arts associated with the Huashan (華山), and that she intentionally didn’t correct or elaborate enough to let her misunderstand, instead amplifying her expectations…

“This volcano! It’s not that volcano! How many times do I have to say it?”

Of course, this was intentional.

No matter how uninterested Iarin was in studies, she couldn’t possibly misunderstand that Huashan (華山) and volcano (火山) were completely different, right?

Unless she really was as muscle-brained as they come, there was hardly any chance of mistaking that.

‘…Hmm, Asha could be mistaken…?’

…No.

I couldn’t imagine Anastasia, who seemed so adorably clueless about life, actually catching on to that. No, she might genuinely confuse them, not just misunderstanding but in a bizarre direction.

『 Huashan (華山) and volcano (火山) are different? Of course, I know that! Huashan (華山) refers to a specific mountain, while volcano (火山) denotes a whole mountain formed by lava and similar materials! Naturally, volcano (火山) is a broader and larger concept! 』

『 What I’m trying to say is that Huashan (華山) could fall under the category of volcano (火山)! Speaking as the older sister of Ella, who’s into TV, there clearly exists the possibility that Huashan (華山) could be a volcano (火山)! So you can’t outright deny they are different! 』

‘…Get out of my head!’

Iarin shook her head vigorously at Anastasia’s auto-replaying voice in her mind.

As if trying to shake off Anastasia that had burrowed into her thoughts.

“Th, this!”

And this movement was perceived differently by the female student who had been conversing with Iarin.

Shaking her head during a discussion on the topic “Huashan (華山) is not a volcano (火山)” was taken as a provocation, suggesting, “Your argument is wrong; mine is correct. Thus, Huashan (華山) must undoubtedly be a ‘Volcano’!”

“Die!”

The fury was akin to that of a volcano erupting!

They say when anger reaches its peak, one’s Qi (氣) can twist— it felt just like that!

The female student unleashed a punch fueled by her anger.

…Of course, she was upset, but since Iarin was a precious friend and rival, she held back a bit.

And so, a fist that seemed to contain a volcano hurtled toward Iarin’s solar plexus.

With a hint of plum blossom fragrance, a hit to the solar plexus would definitely leave Iarin gasping for breath and regretting her previous outburst.

If it hit, that is.

Swish.

Just before the fist reached her solar plexus, Iarin’s body bent.

Her waist curved, pushing her solar plexus back from its usual position and seemingly trying to avoid the punch, her body bending like a crescent moon. Remarkably flexible, as if practiced in yoga for a lifetime.

Well, if she had indeed trained in martial arts related to yoga, she might have bent in a way that made her seem almost made of rubber, proving the ‘yogi’ comparison was merely a metaphor.

“Hit! Just let me get hit by a plum blossom one punch (梅花一拳)!”

“I’d rather not. That plum blossom punch looks painful.”

“It’s not plum blossom punch! It’s plum blossom one punch (梅花日拳)!”

“Not true~ It’s a plum blossom punch~ It looks like a punch to anyone!”

“Die!”

And the agile movements continued.

Her supple body twisted, folded, bouncing off the ground and walls as if she were a rubber ball…

It was almost like something out of a beastly movement.

In that way, Iarin dodged all the punches thrown by the female student.

And naturally, as you might expect, the female student came to feel as if she might explode from the frustration.

“Enough!”

Finally, she snapped.

It was as though she couldn’t take it any longer; she screamed angrily, marching fiercely toward the door with rage evident in her stomping steps.

Then, one by one, she released the locking mechanisms installed for safety and scanned her student ID.

Beep.

[ Would you like to exit? ]

After confirming her grade, class, and name—Yesuhwa—on the display, she touched “Y” for yes on the “Would you like to exit? Y / N” prompt. Once she noted that the usage time for the martial arts practice room had ended and confirmed her exit, she moved to leave.

Thud.

But in that instant, Iarin fell down from the sky.

Using martial arts, she sprang off the floor and walls, landing right before Yesuhwa.

Iarin blocked Yesuhwa’s path to outside, gazing at her with a playful smile and tilting her head, mimicking some squirrel from an animation featuring a blue crescent moon.

And then she asked, “Are you angry?”

It was infuriating.

A stance that strangely incited anger.

The very embodiment of ‘calling forth a punch’…

“…No, I’m not angry. Move!”

Yet Yesuhwa held her cool.

Yeah.

She held back…

“Are you angry? You’re definitely angry! Are you going to hit me? Huh? Going to hit me?”

Wham!

“Ugh!”

…She couldn’t hold back.

Yesuhwa could no longer resist Iarin’s teasing and had no choice but to smack her on the top of her head, almost like being enchanted.

…Of course, she wasn’t using Qi (氣) or exerting force, though.

In other words, it was a loud strike with no real impact on Iarin.

“Ouch! That hurts. It really hurts when you hit me, Yesuhwa~!”

But Iarin exaggeratedly feigned pain, playfully clinging to Yesuhwa as if to mimic a drama queen. She even shoved her head, which she’d just gotten hit, into Yesuhwa’s solar plexus and began spinning it like a drill.

“Ha… honestly…”

It was a sight that made it impossible to hate her.

That appeared like a ferocious beast being adorable left Yesuhwa sighing.

“You’ve gotten much better at joking lately. Please tone it down…”

“Hehe.”

Then, gazing at Iarin with a peculiar friendship look, as if saying, “Who else would play with you if not me,”

“…It seems your mental age has regressed…Seriously, just hurry and touch the student ID to exit…. Let’s go to the food court.”

“Ooh, food court~ Sounds good~ Let’s go!”

And with that, the two of them stepped away from the martial arts practice room.

A paradise where those undergoing immense physical training can enjoy energy replenishment and relieve stress.

For female students with little physical activity, it’s labeled as “The enemy of dieting,” filled with wicked temptation that, if wandered into carelessly, might cause their weight to skyrocket in an instant.

The food court, that is.

 

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