April spent the rest of the day searching.
She didn't tell Jax or the others—this was her test.
By evening, she finally tracked down an old dojo at the edge of the city.
It was small, barely noticeable, but the moment she stepped inside, she felt the intensity in the air.
At the center of the room stood a middle-aged man, arms crossed, his gaze sharp as steel.
"You're not a student here."
April met his eyes. "Not yet."
The master studied her for a moment. "You want to learn Kyokushin?"
"Yes."
He scoffed. "Do you even know what it is?"
April smirked. "A full-contact style. No holding back. No retreating. Just power."
The master raised an eyebrow. "Then you know we don't just accept students."
April shrugged. "Didn't expect you to."
He smirked slightly. "Good. Because before I consider training you… you'll have to pass a trial."
April crossed her arms. "Name it."
The master gestured toward the back of the dojo, where several students were practicing.
"You will fight."
April's smirk widened. "Perfect."
The master's expression darkened. "You will fight all of them."
April's smirk vanished.
"…Excuse me?"
"You will take on every student in this dojo—one after another. No breaks. No resting. If you can last until the end, you might be worth training."
April stared at him.
Then she grinned.
"Fine. Bring it."
This was going to be fun.