The Judo Club

"Since this student doesn't want to introduce himself, I won't force him. I just think it would help everyone get to know each other quickly. I don't see anything wrong with that."

"You're only asking him to introduce himself. It's not a big deal."

"Shut up. What's it to you?"

The red-haired delinquent walked out of the classroom under everyone's gaze. With him leading the way, several others followed, leaving one after another.

Qiuyue took the opportunity to slip out with them. Horikita, too, slowly got to her feet and left the classroom.

After leaving the classroom, Qiuyue Qi headed straight for the Judo Club.

"Are you here to check out our club? But the tour isn't until after tomorrow's entrance ceremony."

A senior who looked like he was still in middle school smiled warmly at Qiuyue.

Qiuyue sighed inwardly.

I can't help it. If I came tomorrow, wouldn't what I'm about to do end up in the school news?

"I just wanted to take a look ahead of time. There'll probably be a lot of people tomorrow, and I'm not really into that..."

"Oh, I see. That's no problem. Our Judo Club is one of the most popular clubs at school!

"If you're interested in judo, or want to learn some self-defense techniques, joining our club is a great choice. We'll patiently teach you and help you master the techniques and finer points of judo, step by step."

He waved Qiuyue over.

"Come on, I'll show you our training area and let you see how our members practice. Maybe their energy and enthusiasm will rub off on you!"

After following him into the training hall, Qiuyue locked the door behind him and spoke with conviction.

"Senior, I'm here to challenge the club."

The room fell silent in an instant, as though time itself had frozen. Every gaze focused on Qiuyue like a spotlight.

Some looked astonished and confused, as if they couldn't believe what was happening. Others wore mocking smiles, thinking Qiuyue was just an arrogant fool who didn't know his limits. But a few looked impressed, as if they could see the confidence deep inside him.

"All right, kid! I'll take you on!"

A burly man stepped out of the crowd, glaring at Qiuyue as he walked onto the mat. His eyes never left him.

"Not so fast. What's the point of a fight without a wager? I've got a hundred thousand personal points. If you win, they're yours. If I win, you give me a hundred thousand personal points. How's that?"

All that free food I ate yesterday wasn't for nothing. I need to get some starting capital today.

"Enough talk! Get up here!"

"Senior, that's no fun. Fine, I'll sweeten the deal. You can also have all the personal points I earn from my class each month for the rest of the semester. Can you accept that?"

"You said it, and I accept! Get up here! Don't start crying when you lose! Hahaha!"

His laughter set everyone around them laughing, too.

Qiuyue still looked harmless, but inside, he was ecstatic. He ambled onto the mat.

"The judo match begins!"

The man charged at Qiuyue like a savage beast.

But with [Martial Arts Talent] backing him, Qiuyue had spent three years teaching himself martial arts, including judo. He shifted slightly to one side, neatly avoiding the man's head-on charge.

Qiuyue took a small step back, putting some distance between them as he adjusted his stance.

Just as the man thought Qiuyue was about to retreat, Qiuyue suddenly counterattacked. He bent forward and lunged with blinding speed, like a cannonball exploding out of its barrel.

In the blink of an eye, Qiuyue was right up against him, both hands clamped around the man's shoulders like iron tongs.

Qiuyue Qi drove his hips forward and twisted sharply, hoisting the man high into the air. The man struggled to fight back, but Qiuyue Qi's technique was flawless, and his strength overwhelmingly superior. To the amazement of everyone watching, Qiuyue followed through with a shoulder throw and slammed him onto the mat.

Thud! The man hit the ground hard. The whole room fell silent, everyone stunned by what they had just witnessed.

Qiuyue stood still, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Senior, it's time to pay up. What, are you thinking of welching?"

The man slowly got to his feet and reached for his aching back. The pain twisted his face slightly.

Once he had recovered a little, the corners of his mouth lifted in a sly grin. He said softly,

"Welch? Heh. Do you think I'd do that? But if I did welch, what could you do about it?" His voice carried a taunting edge.

Qiuyue met his gaze. The atmosphere was tense, as if the air itself had grown suffocating.

"Ota! Don't bring shame on the Judo Club!"

The middle-school-faced senior who had brought Qiuyue to the club frowned and shouted at him.

Ota panicked. Ignoring the pain, he jumped to his feet and bowed ninety degrees.

"Yes!"

He quickly turned back to Qiuyue, his manner suddenly ingratiating.

"Sorry about that, junior. I'll transfer the points right away. Don't take it to heart, haha."

Seeing the extra hundred thousand points on his phone, Qiuyue Qi felt much better.

"Junior, with skills like yours, why not join the Judo Club?"

"I'll pass. I don't plan on joining a club weaker than I am."

Everyone was instantly enraged, their anger erupting like a volcano. Their eyes grew sharp and hostile.

"Don't be so ungrateful! The club president personally invited you, and that's your attitude?"

"You call us weak? Our president could beat you with one hand!"

"Exactly! Exactly!"

The president raised a hand, and the room quieted down. Looking at Qiuyue, he said, "Let's have a match. If I win, you join the Judo Club."

"No problem. If I win, you give me three hundred thousand personal points."

"Deal!"

The president stepped onto the mat and asked, "Are you ready?"

"Of course!"

"Begin!"

The president tested Qiuyue cautiously, throwing several punches. Qiuyue dodged them with ease. When the president finally threw a full-power punch, Qiuyue suddenly caught his arm and yanked it behind him. Unable to stop his momentum, the president stumbled forward.

Qiuyue took the opportunity to move in behind him, wrap his arms around him, and throw him to the ground. Then he locked down the man's arms and upper body with his limbs, leaving him unable to resist.

Qiuyue Qi won again.

"Senior, it's time to pay up. And, if you can, please keep what happened today to yourself."

"You're strong. I'd have given you the points without you even asking."

The president showed no resentment and immediately transferred the points to Qiuyue. Watching him leave, he sighed with feeling.

"This year's freshmen are something else."