Chapter 86: Stressful Day
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.
"You’ve learned another 10% of the technique, Adrian. Impressive for a day. But I’m disappointed... you haven’t mastered the 10% from yesterday. That tells me you didn’t practice."
Adrian’s eyes widened. ’How the hell would I have practiced? We just learned it yesterday!’ he wanted to shout. Instead, he bit his tongue and muttered, "I didn’t have time, sir."
Von’s gaze sharpened. "You’ll need to drill the movements you can manage alone without my guidance or joint loosening. It’ll speed our progress. Understood?"