"Ethan Dawson, do you want to join the special training?"

Ethan Dawson replied coldly, "Yes."

"Good, next, David Brooks, what about you?" Old Shaw continued asking.

David Brooks glanced at Ethan Dawson, gritted his teeth, and said, "Yes!"

"Henry Wood, what about you?"

"I'm in!"

"John Sanders?"

"In!"

"Ethan Dawson?"

"In!"

……

"Adam Thompson?"

"In!"

Old Shaw was calling out the names of students from senior to sophomore year who were at least amateur sixth rank or above. Most chose to participate, but there were quite a few who didn't agree.

"Brian Carter?" He called out to this group of freshmen martial artists.

Brian Carter answered without hesitation, "Coach, I won't join. Academics come first!"

Old Shaw didn't mind and kept reading:

"Peter Parker?"

"I—I won't join either," Peter Parker replied.

"Ashley Green?"

"In!"

……

After finishing, Old Shaw took out his flask, took a sip, and then said slowly:

"Of course, the Martial Arts Club is open to everyone. Even if you're not amateur sixth rank or above, you can still sign up for the special training. Isn't there an old saying, participation is key, the main thing is to strengthen the body. Hmm, for students like that, the requirements during special training will definitely be lowered accordingly. Alright, anyone else want to join? Raise your hand and sign up yourself."

The Martial Arts Club members looked at each other in silence. Although they loved martial arts, spending so much time every day practicing, sacrificing most of their leisure time, was another matter entirely. Besides, special training would definitely be exhausting and tough, even if the requirements were lowered!

In the midst of the silence, someone suddenly raised their hand. Brian Carter turned to look and almost had his eyes pop out, unable to believe what he saw, because the one raising his hand was Eric Dawson!

Eric Dawson said loudly:

"Coach Shaw, I want to join the special training!"

His voice was a bit loud, echoing through the group.

Running allowed the "Golden Core" to slowly operate on its own. Would formal, rigorous martial arts training help him digest and absorb it?

Chapter 009: The Thunder Department's Ultimate Technique

A tree that stands out in the forest is sure to be blown down by the wind. In just a few seconds, Eric Dawson gained a deeper understanding of this saying. After he shouted "I want to join the special training," countless gazes shot at him from all directions like a rain of arrows—some surprised, some puzzled, some curious—making him instinctively feel afraid and nervous. It was just like that time he gave a speech to the whole school, standing on the flag-raising platform, looking at the sea of heads below, feeling uneasy and almost stuttering. Luckily, he wasn't the main speaker back then.

Old Shaw saw this and smiled:

"Not bad, this student seems to have a genuine passion for martial arts. Hmm, what's your name?"

"Eric Dawson." Eric Dawson took a deep breath and answered.

Old Shaw flipped through the list in his hand, searching for Eric Dawson's name, and casually asked:

"What year are you? What amateur rank are you? Seventh or eighth?"

The gym fell silent. Ethan Dawson looked at his nose, his nose at his heart, as if none of this concerned him. David Brooks, relying on his height, looked over at Eric Dawson, wondering who this guy was and why he had no impression of him. The other Martial Arts Club members waited curiously for the answer, while only the few who knew Eric Dawson—Brian Carter, Peter Parker, and Grace Bennett—were more surprised than anything.

Eric Dawson didn't think much and answered calmly:

"Freshman, no rank."

"No rank and you still want to join the special training?" Old Shaw blurted out, losing his composure for the first time since entering the martial arts gym.

As soon as he said this, the gym erupted in laughter, and a cheerful atmosphere filled the air.

At this moment, Eric Dawson felt a bit embarrassed, his face flushing slightly.

"Not bad, not bad." Old Shaw pressed down with his right hand, signaling everyone to quiet down, then smiled and said, "A newborn calf is not afraid of tigers. Reminds me a bit of myself back in the day. Remember to come to special training tomorrow. If you can't handle it, just quit. Don't push yourself too hard. If something happens, I won't take responsibility."

Are you praising me or yourself? Eric Dawson thought to himself as he replied:

"Yes, Coach Shaw."

After speaking, he instinctively searched for Grace Bennett in the crowd, and saw that she happened to be looking his way, her eyes smiling as she made an encouraging gesture.

Old Shaw ignored the club members' discussions and continued asking:

"Eric Dawson is the first to sign up for special training, the first to eat the crab. Anyone else?"

"Coach, I'll join too." A sweet and familiar female voice reached Eric Dawson's ears. He turned to look and, to his surprise, it was Grace Bennett.

She—she's joining too?

Is it simply a love for martial arts, or is there another reason?

"One of life's illusions: she did this for me..." Next to him, Brian Carter quickly shattered Eric Dawson's fantasy.

"Can't you just let me be happy for a few seconds?" Eric Dawson glared at Brian Carter.

Brian Carter chuckled, "Getting rid of self-flattery is an important prerequisite for chasing girls. But, Orange, you really impressed me. To chase a girl, you're willing to get up early every day for four hours of special training. That's perseverance, that's courage. In this, I can't compare to you! Where there's a will, there's a way! Heaven rewards the diligent!"