Chapter 19: Martial Arts 101
The man frowned as Garion casually blocked his fist with just one hand.
"H-how can you stop my Bear Fist with just one hand?!"
Garion tilted his head, smiling.
"It was quite easy, you know. You threw a punch with only the power of your arm. All bark and no bite."
He turned his head slightly.
"Dahlua, listen carefully. I’ve seen a lot of martial art techniques in this world, but they all share one weakness."
Dahlia was surprised to hear that and couldn’t help but ask.
"Weakness, Master? How can it be? All the techniques I see could even destroy huge stones? Just what is the weakness master is talking about?"
Garion nodded and smiled, hearing Dahlia’s question.
"Yes. They all depend too much on mana without any real form. If the mana runs out, the strikes will be useless."
The big man growled, struggling to release his hand from Garion.
"Shut up! I don’t care about form or anything! Just let my hand go, you bastard!"
Garion grinned, turning back to the big man.
"Alright then, I released you."
Garion also called Dahlia, without turning back.
"And Dahlia... watch closely. I’ll show you how to land a real, powerful punch."
He released the man’s hand, shifted his stance, and planted his feet shoulder-width apart.
His hips twisted, his shoulders rolled, and then... WHAM!
Garion drove his fist straight into the man’s stomach.
It was a strike without any mana in it. Just raw power and a perfect form.
The big man’s eyes went wide.
His body folded as he stumbled backwards, coughing and finally vomiting on the ground.
Garion dusted his knuckles and smirked.
"That’s how a punch should be. Use the whole body power, not just the arm."
Dahlia nodded quickly. She had seen how his master moved his whole body to deliver that one punch.
"I see it, Master."
The rest of the bandists started at the downed big man, frowning.
The youngest one took out his sword, snarling.
"You think you’re smart, huh? Fine! Watch this! Tiger Claw Strike!"
He dashed forward, slashing down his sword in a sharp arc.
Garion didn’t even flinch and called out calmly.
"Dahlia, do you see it? Look at the line of his strike. It’s quite obvious, isn’t it? It’s just a flashy swing with no form."
Dahlia squinted, following the sword.
"Yes... I think I see it now!"
Garion sidestepped smoothly, teh sword whistling past his arm.
After that, he quickly caught the young man’s wrist before the strike could continue.
"Good. And now, let me give you another lesson."
With a swift motion, Gairon yanked the boy off balance, twisted his arm, and locked it against his chest.
He then dropped to the ground, dragging the boy down to the floor.
"This is called an Armbar."
Garion then tightened the hold until the bandit screamed while explaining the move.
"It was very effective against a swordman or people who relied heavily on their arms. Once you control their arms, they become useless."
The young bandit kicked and thrashed around, shouting in pain.
"Let go! I said, Let go of me, you bastard!"
Garion leaned back slightly, increasing the pressure, making the bandit’s joints crackle.
"See, Dahlia? With this technique, even someone smaller and weaker can control and defeat a stronger opponent."
Dahlia quickly smirked, hearing that.
"I understand, Master. It’s also quite easy... for me to use."
Garion laughed before releasing the young bandit back to the group.
The young man only rolled on the ground, clutching his arm and wailing in pain.
Garion stood up, brushing some dust from his clothes.
"Remember this, Dahlia. Flashy moves might scare people. But in a real fight? Only true form, balance, and technique can win a fight."
Dahlia nodded, keeping his teaching on her head.
"Yes, Master. I understand it now. Strength without form is wasted."
Garion nodded and smirked as he turned to the rest of the bandits.
"Now, Dahlia. Let me show you some simple moves that even a girl like you can do easily."
Dahlia blinked. "Moves that even I can do?"
Garion nodded, gesturing for her to stand.
"Yes. Come here and watch me carefully."
He turned back to the group and pointed at them lazily.
"You... don’t just stand there looking like a dumb monkey. Come at me."
One of the smaller bandits growled, stomping forward with his knife raised.
"You bastard! You think we’re toys?! I’ll show you how real this is!"
The bandit lunged, and Garion simply caught the man’s wrist and twisted it outward.
Garion then used his free hand to throw a clean palm strike into the bandit’s nose.
The man howled and stumbled back, blood pouring down his face.
"See that, Dahlia? That’s a palm strike. Easier for you than a fist and less chance of breaking your knuckles."
Garion then pointed at his own nose, chin, and chest.
"And remember. Aim for these parts I show you. Nose, chin, and chest. Not only were they the easiest, but they also dealt more damage to them."
He then motioned her to copy him.
Dahlia hesitated a bit, but still, she mimicked his stance, pushing her palm into the air.
Garion nodded proudly.
"Good. Now add your hips, and don’t just slap forward. Push your body into it."
Dahlia tried again, twisting her hips with the movement. Her strikes quickly cracked the air louder this time.
Garion smiled, seeing that Dahlia did it even better than he thought.
"Good. Now, that’s a strike that can knock teeth out."
The other bandits were fuming.
"Stop treating this like a lesson!"
Garion ignored them and pointed to his legs.
"Next is a simple kick. Dahlia... for you, the front kick is the best. Aim for the stomach, the groin, or the knee."
"It doesn’t matter how big your opponent is... if he can’t stand, then he can’t fight. It’s simple, right?"
Another bandit charged forward, swinging his club at Garion.
Garion only smiled and sidestepped smoothly, planted his foot, and kicked the man right at the knees.
The man quickly screamed in pain as he collapsed to the ground, holding his leg.
Garion dusted his hands, turning back to Dahlia.
"And that’s a basic front kick. No mana or even fancy technique. It’s just a front kick, and even a girl like you can do it if you have good form."
Dahlia nodded as she already understood what Garion meant.