Today, Mahaansh had asked another Martial Knight, who was in the city police department to come. This was a service requested through the school. Ben was right now an important asset to the school. While they could not squander resources for him, things like a sparring partner was easy to arrange. This police constable came from the other side of the city. This was done to eliminate any form of bias and vendetta that can occur.
Mahaansh introduced the constable to Ben : " Ben, this is Malcen Devt, a police constable from the South Sector Police station. He is arranged by the school to be your sparring partner for the day. Malcen, this is Ben. He is a beginner Martial Knight."
Both of them looked at each other. Ben had a slight smile. Malcen did not smile but had a curt node. Mahaansh said : "Ben don't underestimate Malcen. He came out from his 18 month military service with flying colours. He had been to all the borders of our country and even had a 3 month service period in another planet. Within this short period he also received 2 military honors." Ben could not help but be amazed at this. The reason was his obsession with army and his desire to be a Martial. He knew how difficult the various borders of the country was. Naturas and Metallas on either side of the country. Terrorist attacks in the north. No border was safe. Ben had an immense respect for the man in front of him. Ben also became cautious. These types of people had their guard up always. It was not easy to win against them.
Mahaansh prepared a stage for the two to spar. Then he said to them: " Get ready you two. We don't have much time." The arena was made. The space was compressed here and hence, there was a space of about 1 Km. Both Ben and Malcen took their stances. Mahaansh looked at both of them. Seeing both of them were ready, he said "Begin".
Before Ben could comprehend anything, he felt a pain in his abdomen. Then he found himself flying. 'Knights cannot fly. So how am I flying' Ben thought. He landed with a thud. Before he could get a grip of what was happening, a shadow covered him. It was Malcen. He was preparing a punch for his face. Ben dodged it with great effort. Macen's punch hit the ground which produced a huge crack, in the middle of which there was a 1 m deep crater. Ben tried to circumvent him and move to the other side. But Malcen was not going to allow it. He jumped at Ben like a predator. Ben had no choice. He had to fight now. He was cornered. He instinctively activated the claw and punched Malcen. Malcen raised an eye. It was difficult for just anyone to externalize their aura. At most it will be an empty shell. But his attack was not. It was both internal strengthening and external manifestation. Now Malcen understood why he was needed to fight Ben. But Malcen was able to dodge the punch. While dodging, Malcen kicked Ben in his chest. Ben had the presence of mind to move back. But he did bear 80% of its strength, forcing him to move back a few steps.
They both stared at each other for a second. Suddenly Ben raced towards Malcen. Malcen sneered at him. Ben prepared a claw attack and was still moving in a straight line. Malcen seeing this, had a smile of ridicule. He also raced towards Ben. Mahaansh was observing the fight: ' He has a long way to go. I thought he was proficient in aura technique. Though not mastered he can do much better than this. What a waste… wait a minute !!' Suddenly Mahaansh noticed something. Malcen was in the air. His honed reflexes and strong body helped him land on his feet. But he was still not fully able to gain his bearing. ' What was that?' Malcen thought. 'He was aiming to punch my face. But how did he hit my chin using his palm. If I had not sensed in the last second, my neck would have broken.' Mahaansh understood what happened. ' That boy. He used aura reading against his opponents. He started with a claw attack and then suddenly changed it into a palm strike. His claws were a distraction making his opponent think that he was going for a claw swipe but made it into a palm strike. Malcen seeing the claw assumed it was a claw swipe. Crude , but clever.'
The battle entered the next phase. Malcen could understand that Ben was not a total newbie. Ben was getting a bit weary. He could understand that in tense combat he could not retain stamina. It was not only being consumed by physical strain, but also by mental strain. Suddenly electricity crackled around Malcen. A perilous pressure surrounded Ben. He knew a massive attack was incoming. Suddenly Malcen disappeared. Ben narrowed his eyes. He expected a sudden strike, like a while ago. But nothing happened for a second. Ben heard a crackling sound above him. When he looked up, he saw Malcen in the air, like a thunder god. A powerful lightning bolt crashed down on Ben. Ben used the aura claw to block it. But a part of the power did fall on him giving him a numbing feeling. It lasted for 3 seconds. By that time Malcen had rushed towards Ben and punched him with lighting on his fists. Ben blocked it with his aura claws. The impact did make him move a few steps back. But it did not send him flying. When Ben looked Malcen was still missing. Ben sensed the attack and dodged it at the last minute.
Now Ben knew he had to give it best. And he activated it: 'Vasishta Vachanam'. His aura claw took a light red colour. His senses heightened. Adrenaline was pumped. His brain activity relevant to combat increased and he began. He unleashed the three techniques on Malcen. By now the basics and the foundation of these techniques etched to his bones. He just had issues integrating them. He had worked on integrating them and did have some success. With that he attacked Malcen with everything he had. He moved at unpredictable speeds and struck at unpredictable angles. His claws weaved through Malcen's defenses and struck him. Ben was targeting the vitals, but the strikes were being intercepted by Malcen. The defense was not easy for Malcen. The unpredictability and the efficiency of the strike was making blocking them difficult. But Ben did not have the stamina to sustain this state long. So he tried to finish this quickly. Malcen could sense this and he began to stall for time. He did not use his powers. Ben was unaware of this for some time. After about 2 minutes, Ben suddenly thought about this. He understood that Malcen was stalling. But alas, it was too late. His aura claw was flickering and he was getting tired. He had to end it quickly. He suddenly jumped back wards. Crouched down and then like an arrow , he shot towards Malcen. Malcen thought it was foolish and was about to end it with his lighting. But then Ben moved in a zig zag manner. Suddenly stopping and starting. Malcen tried to attack 3 times, but it did not work and Ben reached near him and struck. But Malcen dodged it. But electricity was crackling around him still which number him for a second. Malcen used this chance to strike him unconscious.
Mahaansh came near Malcen. He said " Ha ha, how is it? " Malcen replied " Not bad. If he had a bit more experience and aura, he would have wiped me in the floor." There was silence for a while. Mahaansh activated the healing lights. Then he looked at Ben. Then he turned to Malcen with a serious expression: " How did the investigation go? Did you find anything agent HAWK?" Malcen said " No commander. The superiors are blocking information. They suspect of a spy. But they do not suspect me as of now."