Jin didn't press his advantage. Instead, he reset his stance, returning to the calm, centered position he had begun with. His bokken was held loosely at his side, ready but not threatening.
The courtyard fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by Kenji's ragged breathing and the distant hum of the city beyond the academy walls. The crowd watched in stunned awe, many recording the exchange with their devices, capturing what would undoubtedly become legendary footage at the Yamashiro Institute.
Kenji finally regained his footing, his face flushed with humiliation and rage. He could feel dozens of eyes boring into him, the silent judgment of his peers burning into his skin. With a guttural cry of frustration, he charged once more, abandoning all pretense of technique in favor of raw aggression.
