The place to go for muscle for hire is the place where the strong go to get stronger.

The gym.

The academy's gym was unsurprisingly large, with everything from a boxing ring to even a full length rock wall.

The gym was like a testament to the academy's recognized sports teams, with a message that stated for the strong to come and become stronger, and the meek to learn strength.

I quickly noticed that a boxing match was going on as I walked in, with a sizable crowd around the ring.

Inside the ring, I saw two men trade blows, one much taller than the other.

The taller man wore a chain across his chest, and a regular workout outfit.

He was something else.

As I made my way into the crowd, I heard the crack of a heavy uppercut, and the shorter man fly over my head.

Amidst the amazed gasps and cheerful yells, the man spoke to the crowd.

Nekomaru: Who's next!? Who wants to take on the Ultimate Team Manager!? Come on! Don't chicken out!

The crowds prideful cheers quickly turned into nervous whispers, as no one was foolhardy enough to face that beast of a man.

Though, in my quest for more crew members, I was.

Vesper: I'll take you on!

God give me strength.

Nekomaru: Haha! Yes! A new student steps up to the plate! The rest of you can learn from this guy!

I entered the ring, receiving pats on my back and shoulder from the crowd, out of both pity and respect.

As I settled into my corner, I took off my shirt, leaving my chest adorned with only the suspenders on my pants.

The man approached me.

Nekomaru: My name's Nekomaru, let's have a nice, fair fight, ok!?

Vesper: Yeah, sure. And if I win, you listen to a business proposition I have for you.

Nekomaru: Business? Sounds good! But you gotta beat me first!

I put up my gloved hands.

Vesper: May the best man win.

Nekomaru went to his corner and readied his gloves, and soon after, the fight bell rang.

The cheers of the crowd consumed the gym as we circled each other, both of us waiting on the other to make their move.

I had to act, throw him off, his strength was his weakness.

I struck his stomach with a hard left hook, followed by a equally powerful right hook.

My blows sent Nekomaru back a step, but he quickly recovered, and followed up with a blow to my left cheek, which stunned me.

I managed to regain my composure, and put my focus on Nekomaru's face, as it was the spot I needed to strike to make a opening.

I circled Nekomaru, striking him in his mid region on all sides, his reactions telling me that I had weakened him.

I struck Nekomaru on the right cheek, followed by the left, and though I managed to stun him momentarily, he quickly regained himself, and struck me on the right cheek, effectively shutting down my senses.

As I tried to regain my senses, I saw Nekomaru approach me, and delivered a final blow to my right cheek, sending me to the mat, passed out.

Though I was unconscious, my hearing was still operating.

Nekomaru: Man, that was a great fight! Is he ok?

Ref: He is out cold, we need to get him to the infirmary.

Nekomaru: I will take him.

I felt Nekomaru pick me up and throw me over his shoulder to take me to the infirmary.

Nekomaru: I wonder what the business proposition was he was talking about....