Ask Van Helsing to teach me

"I want Van Helsing to teach me." I say.

"Me. Fine. I was about to wrap up my lessons with you anyway, even if Lupin hadn't said anything." Van Helsing says.

"I'm looking forward to it." I say.

"Oh? Caleb, you look like you really want a fight." Nemo says.

"It's fine to be enthusiastic about it, but make sure you don't hurt yourself." Victoria says.

"I can't do that, Victoria. I'm trying to learn how to fight. Getting hurt is part of that training." I say. "Experiencing pain is part of that. Isn't it, Van Helsing?"

"Exactly." Van Helsing says.

"Er... Van Helsing, what kind of training are you giving him, anyway?" Lupin asks.

"Training that will enable him to easily overcome an assailant from Progenitor, if they're alone. Why, are you complaining?" Van Helsing asks.

"My, my. Just don't overdo it." Doreen says.

"It won't be a problem. I don't recall giving him any serious injuries." Van Helsing says.

"I take to mean you've been giving him lots of minor injuries?" Victoria asks.

"I'm fine. I need to do this, and I heal quickly in any case." I say. Everyone else at the table looks at each other, and no further objections are raised. "I'm ready to learn, Van Helsing."

"I have no intention of making this easy for you. Don't fall behind." Van Helsing says.

"Right!" I say.

After breakfast, Van Helsing and I arrive at the riverbed. She and I usually come here for my self-defence lessons.

"What are you going to teach me today? Punching? More throwing?" I ask.

"No, today's instruction will be more of a comprehensive technique. We will train to deal with an armed opponent." Van Helsing says.

"We've done this a few times already. Is this a review?"

"No, you'll be applying your practical knowledge in an actual battle."

"What? I'm going to fight you?"

"Yes. The rock salt will pack quite a punch. Be aware that if I hit you once, it will be considered a loss."

"But--"

She shoots at me, not giving me much time to talk.

Thanks to my training, I am already moving as the gun comes up, and I somehow avoid the spray of salt.

"Good work. That one shot would have been the end of you not too long ago." Van Helsing is serious.

I know the effect of those shots from a previous battle.

It can knock a grown man out in one hit, or even break bones.

That's how Lupin explained it to me.

"Van Helsing, wait...!" I say.

"I said this would be an actual battle. If you want me to stop, you'll have to make me with your own hands." Van Helsing says.

I barely manage to dodge another shot. In reality, I'm not dodging bullets, but am observing the direction the gun is pointing and shifting my position away.

A single hit would be enough to seriously injure me.

I can't help but tense up. I have a few options in this fight. I can raise my hands, pretending to give up. I can move around constantly. Or hide behind some sort of cover. Or I can fight back! "Yah!" I step close to her, as she taught me, and thrust out my palm, aiming for her jaw.

The human jaw is one of the body's weak points. It can't be trained through use, and even a weak hit can achieve great damage.

However, her gun intercepts my strike. Followed by a blow to my forehead, which sets sparks off behind my eyelids.

I lose my balance and take a step back. I take a small breath, waiting for the pain and shock to pass.

This is an actual battle. Enemies won't hold back in a real battle.

That's why Van Helsing is attacking me in earnest, and not going easy on me.

I need to be appreciative of this.

"And will your next move be?" A small wisp of smoke is rising from Van Helsing's gun, where it touched my skin. She doesn't seem to mind though, and points the gun at me again. "It was a good tactic to move into close quarters, but never let that lull you into complacency. You're still in danger. Glaring at them won't defeat anyone. At this distance, you don't have a chance."

"That's not true." I jump to the side, and throw a clod of dirt I had picked up at her face.

"Ugh! Some trickery taught yo you by Lupin, isn't it?" Van Helsing is momentarily taken aback. I don't give her a chance to recover. I pick up a rock and move in close again, ready to throw it. But by the time I have raised the rock, the muzzle of the gun is pointed between my eyes. "Check and mate, it would seem."

"I surrender." I slowly raise my hands.

Van Helsing smiles faintly. "Good. You pass."

"Huh?"

"It's important to know when you're defeated and when to stop resisting. Sometimes, the way you lose is of great importance." Van Helsing says. "If continue to resist and lose your life when at a complete disadvantage, you are dying in vain. You were able to determine the correct moment to give in. Sound judgement."

"It's strange to be praised for losing. But it feels good."

"Don't forget that feeling." She rarely praises me right to my face like this.

It's sort of embarrassing, but I feel slightly happy nonetheless. "Right."

Van Helsing tells me to take a short break, then looks back at me. "I wanted you experience true tension, so I didn't tell you, but the cartridges I used for this battle used less gunpowder than usual. You'll feel some impact, but that's about it. It couldn't possibly hurt you."

"You were looking out for me?"

"Don't be stupid. Nobody's getting a major injury under my supervision. It's not personal at all. That's it."

"Thank you for being so considerate while you're training me. I feel like I've become stronger thanks to you."

"Hmph. You're a quick learner, but don't give yourself too much credit. The best move back there would have been to run."

"I understand. Let's continue."

"You don't need to rest."

"I don't want to rest until I hear you say you give up."

"Hah. You've never going to rest, then." As she says this, she readies her guns. "Let's see your best. I want to know what you've learned from my training."

"You asked for it!" I take a step towards Van Helsing.