Practical Training

Sheng Jiu dusted himself off and called to Kiana, "What kind of aim is that? I barely moved, and you still couldn't hit me. Are you cross-eyed or something?"

Everyone stared in shock, unable to make sense of what had just happened. Yae Sakura covered her mouth, wide-eyed, and asked Bronya, "How did he do that just now? I couldn't see his movements at all!"

Bronya nodded slightly. "Bronya understands now." She summoned Heavy Trooper Bunny and had it play a video for Yae Sakura. After slowing it down to 0.7 speed, the two of them could finally see Sheng Jiu's movements.

In the replay, Sheng Jiu tilted his head to dodge the first bullet just as it was about to hit him. Then he reached out toward the front and caught the second bullet between his fingers with perfect precision. Immediately afterward, he swung his blade sideways, slicing straight through the third and fourth bullets.

His movements had been so fast that they were impossible to see without slowing the video down. Aside from Himeko, Bronya, and Fu Hua, who was standing off to the side, no one had seen what Sheng Jiu had done.

Kiana looked at Sheng Jiu, who was completely unharmed, as if questioning her entire existence. Then she examined the Glock in her hand, repeatedly checking that it was working properly before saying to him, "You... How is that possible?! I definitely hit you just now!"

Sheng Jiu looked completely innocent. "No, you didn't. I didn't feel a thing. Why don't you try again?"

Hearing Sheng Jiu's casual reply, Kiana flew into a furious fit of embarrassment and raised her Glock. "Aaaaaah! I refuse to believe this! Eat lead, you pervert!" She then unleashed dozens of bullets at Sheng Jiu.

Sheng Jiu gave a faint smile, his figure flashing as he drew his Alloy Katana and swung it twice to either side in midair. Six more severed bullet tips fell to the ground. Then he performed a sideways flip, once again dodging the remaining bullets in the blink of an eye.

"Hmph. Looks like you're pretty good at dodging, huh? Then let me see just how good you are!" Kiana was furious. She tossed aside her Glock and charged at Sheng Jiu.

"Hey, wait, I don't hit gi—" Before Sheng Jiu could finish, a fist as big as a sandbag came flying toward his face. At the same time, he slowly raised his hand and caught Kiana's punch with ease. Kiana was stunned, then swung her right hand in a chop toward his neck.

Just as Kiana's hand was about to touch Sheng Jiu, he suddenly let go and fell backward, narrowly dodging the chop that should have been impossible to avoid. Then he braced himself on the ground with one hand and performed a backflip to put some distance between them.

"Phew... That was close... That woman really is reckless..." Sheng Jiu said, still shaken.

But before he could catch his breath, Kiana charged at him again like a cannonball and kicked the katana from his hand.

Sheng Jiu's pupils contracted. He dodged to the side and swung a palm toward Kiana.

Kiana deftly turned to avoid it and seized Sheng Jiu's ankle, using all her strength to pull.

Sheng Jiu lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Kiana brought a front kick crashing down toward Sheng Jiu. He rolled aside to dodge, then, seemingly without thinking, wrapped his arms around Kiana's long leg.

Kiana was shocked. "Let go, you jerk!" Her movements immediately became disordered as she tried to shake Sheng Jiu off her leg.

Kiana lifted Sheng Jiu off the ground. He seized his chance, clasped both her hands, and pinned her against the wall.

"Giving up?" Sheng Jiu asked with a cheeky grin as he looked at Kiana, pinned against the wall.

"Like hell I am! You ambushed me. Let me go, and let's fight again!" Kiana cursed under her breath, embarrassed and furious.

"Clap, clap, clap—" A round of applause came from the distance. Himeko approached the two of them with a dark expression. "You two are quite something, aren't you?"

"It's not that impressive, actually. It's just..." Sheng Jiu was about to modestly explain, but then he saw Yae Sakura behind Himeko frantically signaling him. He immediately understood what she meant and shut his mouth.

"Do you two want to take a look at what you're doing? Tell me! What exactly are you doing? How did you go from fighting to almost kissing? Are you dating or something?!"

"Kiana, and you too, Sheng Jiu! Both of you are going to run twenty laps around the track! Right now!" Himeko roared.

"Seriously, ma'am?!" Sheng Jiu and Kiana wailed in unison. But under Himeko's authority, they had no choice but to change into their Double Gravity Restraint Training Suits and obediently go running. Only after watching them disappear into the distance did Himeko's expression soften a little.

"I hope this helps them calm down a little..." Yae Sakura said with a quiet laugh as she walked over to Himeko.

Himeko sighed. "Yae Sakura, go see how things are going over at Theresa's. I'll go talk to her in a bit."

"All right, leave it to me." Yae Sakura nodded and turned to leave. Himeko looked at the others who remained. "Had your fill of watching? Do I have to ask you to get moving? Everyone, get back to training!"

"Yes!"

The two ran side by side around the 800-meter track, drawing curious glances from the other trainees.

"This is all your fault! Now I'm getting punished too!" Kiana complained as she ran.

"I'm a victim too, okay? Who knew it would turn out like this..." Sheng Jiu protested indignantly.

"Ugh, what is this gravity-restraint suit? Who would invent something like this? I'm exhausted!" Kiana groaned.

After more than ten laps, Kiana gradually ran out of stamina and slowed down.

"Hey, you! Keep going!" Sheng Jiu encouraged her when he noticed.

"I... I can't run anymore..." Kiana panted.

Sheng Jiu hesitated, then reached out and took Kiana's hand, pulling her along as they ran.

"You..." A hint of red appeared on Kiana's face, but she didn't pull away.

With Sheng Jiu leading the way, the two of them eventually finished all twenty laps. Though they were both panting with exhaustion, a strange feeling stirred in Kiana's heart.

Who would've thought this guy was actually pretty nice...? No, what am I saying! The only person I like is Yae Sakura!

"Hey." Kiana poked Sheng Jiu, who was leaning against the railing and panting. "You're not as annoying as I thought."

"Of course not. I'm a pretty warmhearted guy!"

"Give it a rest. Come on, I'll buy you dinner, since you helped me out today."

"You're buying me dinner? Then I won't hold back!"

"Wait for me! Yae Sakura and Bronya are waiting for us over there!"