The two stared at each other.
The dojo was silent.
Then—
The girl moved.
Fast.
April barely had time to react before a brutal kick shot toward her ribs.
She blocked—
And almost buckled from the force.
Shit, she's strong.
April countered, aiming a punch at her face—
But the girl dodged, weaving around her strike and landing a precise knee to April's stomach.
April grunted, stumbling back.
The girl didn't let up.
She came at April like a storm—punches, kicks, sweeps—each attack sharp and calculated.
April blocked, dodged, and barely managed to keep up.
But she wasn't going down.
She adjusted.
Her instincts kicked in.
She matched the girl's rhythm, countering with her own brutal strikes.
The fight became a blur of motion.
The girl swung a high kick—
April ducked and swept her legs.
The girl caught herself mid-fall and retaliated with a spinning elbow.
April blocked and countered with a gut punch.
They separated, both breathing hard.
Then—
The girl smirked.
"…Not bad."
April wiped blood from her lip and grinned. "Not bad yourself."
The master finally stepped forward.
"…Enough."
April straightened, cracking her neck.
"Did I pass?"
The master studied her for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"You begin training tomorrow."
April exhaled, letting a slow smile creep onto her face.
Barrier Three… here I come.