Having finished signing up as a member of the MMA gym, Ben read down the unexpected system alerts he received.
[Unique conditions detected]
[Dojo detected: Barbosa MMA Gym]
[Dojo Membership Qualifications: Paid monthly membership]
[You've acquired official entry into a Dojo. Train here to improve your stats. Earn rewards for increasing your status in the Dojo and completing special achievements]
[Special Event initiated for user's first Dojo entry]
[Special Event: Dojo Mojo – 30% bonus to stat development in the Dojo for the next 7 days]
Reading this, Ben grinned. 'A dojo…' As he looked around the gym a second time, it gave him a different feeling now, like this was a place that forged heroes, where one raised their stats to the maximum before setting out of the newbie village…
He even scanned around for a training dummy and some wooden swords…
When he failed to find them though, Ben returned to reading his system info, relishing in the fact that he'd gained a huge opportunity. It was another special area! That meant extra challenges, rewards, and other unknown benefits!
In addition, the 30% bonus was just what he needed! With his manliness already being a 7, he wasn't sure if one mid-level multiplier would be enough to get it to an 8, but he was much more confident now. However, as he read the description again, he was unclear about one thing.
Ben glanced at Fariq. "How do you determine people's statuses at this gym? How would I increase my status?"
Fariq and the receptionist both stared at him…thinking, 'Status? What the f*ck kind of question is that?'
Yet, Fariq gave an answer. "The typical method of judging…status…would be the belt system, bro" He pointed to a thick cotton belt wrapping around his waist. It was a deep purple. "In the two stand up aspects of striking and grappling, there is no belt system; For the most part, those people compare between each other with their fighting records. For BJJ though, there are colored belts separating skill levels."
Ben nodded. "So it's by the belt around your uniform. I see you're a purple. Is that pretty strong? How long would it take for me to advance from white to grape drink?"
Terrence grimaced at Ben…
Fariq didn't mind the joke though. "Bro, we call this uniform a gi, and the colored belt system goes white-blue-purple-brown-black."
Since Fariq was purple, Ben understood his achievements weren't small. He must've been training seriously since back in India.
Fariq continued. "Between belts, you can also gain up to four white stripes." He pointed to a single white stripe taped around the end of his belt. "These show the differences between students of the same rank. Then, to advance between each color, it often takes one to three years, depending on your speed of growth. Although, that is only a guideline, since everything goes by the whim of the instructor."
Ben held a decent grasp over it now. "So the instructor decides…Is that the head of the Gym?"
Shaking his head, Fariq replied. "Bro, various black or brown belts may be instructors of different classes, but when you say the head of the gym, we only refer to one man." He glanced to a photo on the wall, of a large muscular tanned man with short black hair in a white gi, with a red belt around his waist.
"Red belt? I thought the highest was black?" Ben asked.
Fariq gazed at the photo for a few seconds longer with reverence in his eyes. "The red belt is reserved for the most influential and famous masters of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It's not something you can gain through skill alone, and the head of this gym, is such a man!
One of the first to bring BJJ to the USA…
Former MMA champion…
Son of the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu…
The master, the legend, Ricardo Barbosa!"
Ben blinked. "Hickory Barbecue?"
…
Terrence and Fariq stared at Ben in disbelief, before having him repeat it several times until he got it right…
Fariq then continued. "The Barbosa family is famous in martial arts circles. They created BJJ and helped spread it all over the world from Brazil, and now, it dominates the grappling arts. Most members of this founding family are powerful martial artists too, so being able to be a member of one of their gyms is an honor."
After Ben nodded, Fariq then pointed out one of the training rooms at the side. "The beginner's class will be coming up soon, bro. It's taught by a brown belt, who's also a member of the Barbosa family. It should be a good chance for you to get used to everything."
Then, Fariq helped Ben purchase the necessary equipment which included a white belt and a gi. "Ben, which color gi do you want? Most people were plain white but some also like black because it's easier to clean."
Ben browsed along the wall where they had uniforms of various colors, and soon narrowed his eyes. 'Yes, for a poison dragon, it can be only that…' He then pointed to a gi outfit hanging all the way on the end.
Following his finger, the receptionist chuckled. "Colors like that are just for display. No one buys 'em." Yet, he stopped laughing when he saw Ben kept his arm extended, pointing to the uniform with a serious face. Terrence raised an eyebrow. "You for real?"
Ben returned a slow nod, then turned back to stare with intensity at his chosen gi. 'Without a doubt, I can't choose anything else. What other color would be more appropriate for a poison dragon? It has to be…baby-vomit green!'
…
Shaking his head, Terrence removed the uniform from the wall and sold it to Ben. Then, after saying thanks to Fariq, Ben went into the locker room and changed into the gi's top and pants, hurrying because the class was already starting.
Several minutes later, bare-footed, he ran to the room where his first BJJ class was happening. 'So the teacher's going to be a member of the famous Barbosa family. I wonder what he'll be like…'
As Ben entered the space, he saw the other white belt students were already stretching on the mats. Meanwhile, they all looked at him with strange expressions, wondering why the class now included a giant booger…
He didn't care about their lack of style though… Instead, he took an empty spot by the wall and imitated their stretches, when soon, the instructor walked in, a master of the famous Barbosa family.
When Ben saw the teacher, his jaw dropped…
At the same time, his bright green uniform also caught the attention of the instructor, who glanced at him, leading to the two locking eyes…
Ben couldn't believe it. This teacher, was far from what he expected, because this renowned BJJ practitioner…was a woman!
And that wasn't all! This powerful brown belt, with tanned skin and a powerful physique, was no stranger to him. In fact, they'd crossed paths not too long ago. No, they not only crossed paths, they crossed cantaloupes!
She was the one whose shamelessness was only equaled by her sexiness!
The heinous cantaloupe thief!
——
*Author's Note: MPUAS is in first place in the new default semi-annual rankings in the app! Thank you all for your support!
