Three hours later, Adrian's body screamed in pain, as the intricate footwork and drills he had to go through pushed him to his limits.
Sweat dripped from his brow and his muscles trembled as he noticed the time.
[11:30 AM].
With only an hour before the cafeteria opened and a full slate of classes ahead, he couldn't keep going. "Master Von," he called in a hoarse voice, "I need a break. I have classes all day."
Von, standing with arms crossed, nodded curtly. "Rest, then. You've earned it."
Adrian let himself collapse onto the dojo floor, his chest heaving. The session had been brutal, but he'd made remarkable progress, his body beginning to grasp the technique's fluid dodges.
Yet, the cost was evident; his joints ached, and his stamina was nearly drained.
Von approached, his expression a mix of approval and critique.
