Closed Knocking on Iron Fist School's Door... With an Iron Fist

[Shinzu Kaesar]

44th of Summer, 513

"THUD THUD THUD..." The doors of the Iron Fist School shuddered under the weight of heavy knocks. Without even realizing it, Shinzu had actually infused some of the Flux energy he possesed into the wooden knocker, leaving heavy imprints on the door of the school.

"So much for trying to come in peace..." He thought irritably to himself. His first night in Nyaka had not been kind on him, for he had little luck wandering through the streets with any sense of orientation. Only by pure serendipity was he not lost in some shady part of town where he was as likely to lose his life as his purse.

"Perhaps it was just as well that I did that." He muttered to himself. "I would hate to have to spend half the afternoon just fighting off the younger students whilst the Master himself just sits and enjoys his tea."

It was tradition of most martial arts schools, most likely this one as well, that the Master would not immediately test the applicant. Instead, some of the students will begin testing the newcomer, by increasing order of seniority. Therefore, by the time the Master finally approaches the newcomer, part of his strength would already be gone no matter how strong he may be.

By knocking on the doors with Flux, at least some of the weaker (and smarter) students would wisely step aside and allow someone else stronger than them to do the testing.

Yet, despite Shinzu's knocking, there was no reply or movement within the school.

"Perhaps there's been some kind of mistake?" He wondered to himself aloud. He had only heard of this place through word of mouth in the streets. No one knows much about the school, save that the residing Master was skilled in unarmed combat and could possibly hold his own against the monks.

"Where better to resume my training" Shinzu muttered with a dry laugh.

Upon waiting a few more minutes, Shinzu pushed against the doors in frustration, only to find them open easily.

"So much for wasting what precious little Flux I have" He muttered.

He stepped into the quiet courtyard, decorated with a few sparse trees and some miscellaneous training equipment. The entire place was quiet in the afternoon heat, but he felt a sense of forebodding from one of the rooms within the school.

"Hello there, My name is Shinzu Kaesar" He declared loudly. "I seek a Master to help me resume my training and improve my martial skills. Word on the street is that this is the only place for me to do so aside from the Monk's Monastery. Would I be allowed an audience with the Master of this school?"

[Ximal]

Xi was sat upon the roof of his school the air around him warm and still with the summer air. His mind at peace and clam with his seating, Xi held him self still like a gargoyle. Xi then heard a loud calling voice. Somebody else hoping to become a student of his? To learn from him? Xi snapped his eyes open and rose from his seating to look down at the man who had wandered into his schools courtyard. "Y'know, for a "martial artist" your not really observant of your surroundings." Xi called out from above, the hulking frame of his stature now blotting out the sun behind him, the natural air of intimidation round him rolling off of him like a could of darkness. Xi took a slow breath and two steps before dropping from the roof to the ground, the landing groaning and shaking the ground around him. His black hair haing down to around his lower back the beard on his face thicker than it's usual neat trimmed brush. But as usual his eyes stood out the deep black blue depth scanning watching and observing the man before him. Xi stretched out shirtless as he normally was within his own domain. "And why do you request an audience with me? You wish ti progress your skill further? How do you know you've not reached the peak of your skill ? Every man must reach a plateau...Some reach one higher than others, and some can climb forever. And as far as the monks go, they keep mentioning my place...suppose it makes sense as I've trained some of their newest recruits." Xi stepped forwards and now stood towering over the man before him lurching forwards at a designed and constructed slow pace to fool his opponent making his frame look more like a hindrance than it actually was. Xi let the slabs of steel like muscle in his arms constrict and the cords of thick rope that were tendons strain as he rose his arms to fold across his chest. "I take it that you know what the acceptance ordeal involves if not then you really have no clue as to what your in for." Xi smirked as he took another slow breath.

[Shinzu Kaesar]

Shinzu raised his eyebrows as he watched the master of the school leap off the roof and land on the ground in front of him. He was apparently a rather heavyset man, for the ground shook and trembled when he landed. However, Shinzu knew from painful personal experience that some of those who looked heavy could still move incredibly fast.

Y'know, for a "martial artist" your not really observant of your surroundings. The master had declared before he landed on the ground.

"Y'know, for a "martial artist" you sure need to improve your landing skills and control." He retorted back. "I am definitely not paying for any damage that may ensue from your little trial."

He was nevertheless impressed and knew right from the start that this man before him was very dangerous. This is a fight that he could survive only with both smarts and skills.

"Well, as far as I am concerned I am more of a climber than someone who plateaus." Richard retorted back once more. While he was indeed slightly intimidated by the master's built and apparent strength, he was still sure that he could hold his own ground... for a time.

The master made a motion as if to start, shifting his body into a very aggressive stance.

"Wait!" Richard added hastily. "I must impose a few more conditions on this trial."

"Now, it definitely would not do for a master of your stature to be using your full strength on a mere student of the craft." He declared, loudly enough for the few street urchins outside the open doors to hear.

"Therefore, I feel that it is only fair to ask for you to show restraint, as required of any martial arts master, when testing a student. I believe what would be fair is that you refrain from using any type of Flux or strength enhancement, for it would be a bad day for your reputation should word get out that you used your years of experience and skill to bully a young student who barely knows how to throw a punch"

"Furthermore, it is only fair to ask that you control your attacks, for any serious attack from a true master could kill or at least severely injure a student. In order to do that, you should remember to hit at full speed but with only one-tenth of your power. You claim that you want to see my skill. This is the best way for me to show you everything I know without risking the possibility of dying." He added, looking backwards to make sure the street urchins were indeed nodding their heads and agreeing with his statements.

"Now then, if we are all in agreement, perhaps we can finally start." He declared, drawing out a martial arts stance, left palm facing the master, right hand forming a hook away from the master, with his feet in a solid cat stance.

This was going to be quite fun.