Chi?

Noah stepped into the dojo, his boots barely making a sound against the polished wooden floor. The space was nearly empty, save for Master Anng's assistant tidying up some training equipment. Noah dipped his head in greeting but didn't stop, his focus set on the meditation room at the far end.

He noticed the assistant had his hands raised but dropped them and let him go. He wondered what that was about but didn't dig too deep about it.

He found Master Anng seated in perfect stillness, his posture relaxed yet unwavering, as if he had become part of the room itself. The older man's breath was so steady it was almost imperceptible.

Noah cleared his throat. "Master Anng," he said, keeping his voice measured. "I think I've made some significant progress since our last general class."

The master's eyes fluttered open, studying Noah with that ever-present, unreadable gaze. But there was something else there—a slight amusement, maybe even expectation.