Shifting Stances

The professor threw his head back and laughed, as if Ezra had just told the funniest joke he'd ever heard. "Exactly! See, now you're getting it. Don't worry, kid. I'm not going to kill you—at least not today. But I do expect something in return. It's all about the balance of life, you know? You're still breathing, so you owe me." He flashed another wide grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

" Are you really in your right mind , first muttering about your dear Lisa then trying to murder your student ." 

The professor's grin faltered for a brief moment, but only for a split second. He ran a hand through his messy hair, the wild strands shifting but never falling neatly into place.

"Lisa, huh?" The professor muttered, his tone suddenly turning a little darker. "She's a part of the past I'd rather forget. But you're right about one thing." He leaned in slightly, his gaze sharp now. "What happened yesterday… I might have gotten a little carried away."

He paused, his eyes flicking up as if considering his next words carefully. "But that's what happens when you've been living in your own head for too long, don't you think?"

Ezra felt a chill run down his spine. There was something unsettling in the professor's tone—an unsettling mix of regret and bitterness.

"You can't just go around trying to kill people," Ezra shot back, his voice a little more forceful now. "What kind of teacher are you?"

The professor let out a deep sigh and placed the wine bottle on the ground beside him. "The kind who doesn't take kindly to being disturbed. But I suppose that's not really your problem, is it?"

He straightened up, running his fingers through his hair once more as if trying to shake off whatever mood had overtaken him. "Alright, alright. Let's forget about that for now. What do you want from me?" He asked, now more nonchalant.

" Teach me "

The professor leaned against the nearby tree, his arms crossed, looking almost bored as Ezra stood there, still processing everything. His earlier erratic behavior seemed to settle into something more calculated, a flicker of indifference in his eyes.

"Teach me," Ezra said again, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts racing through his head. He had come this far, and he wasn't going to back down now.

The professor let out a small, dry laugh, his eyes glinting with amusement. "No. I already have a student. He's already a handful," he replied, waving a dismissive hand. "I don't want another one."

" Go back to school , your classes should be starting now"

Ezra sat cross-legged on the mat, his thoughts racing as he waited for his teacher to arrive. The morning's chaotic events still lingered in his mind, the professor's strange mood swings and his cryptic words about Lisa. Ezra had expected to get some clarity, but now he was more confused than ever.

Around him, the other students were sparring, their grunts and the sound of fists hitting pads filling the air. 

As if on cue, the door to the training hall slid open, and Master Vox walked in. His presence alone commanded attention, the aura of discipline and authority practically radiating off him. His sharp eyes scanned the room, landing on Ezra for a brief moment before he gestured for the class to quiet down.

He looked around as majority were in pairs . Only one person stood single as they sat in the back . Ezra walked up to her." Hey , Ruihan right ?"

" What ?"

" Do you want to be partners ?"

She narrowed her eyes as if observing him before she nodded dusting her clothes as she got up . 

Ezra followed Ruihan as she walked towards the sparring mat, his mind racing with thoughts. Her usual makeup, which usually accentuated her features, was absent today, making her appear younger, almost softer than what he had grown accustomed to seeing. It was as if this version of her was more grounded, more approachable—yet he knew better than to let his guard down.

She set herself in the middle of the mat with an air of quiet confidence, her maroon hair neatly tied in a bun, strands loosely framing her face. Ezra took his position opposite her, watching closely as she flexed her fingers, preparing for whatever kind of combat she preferred.

Master Vox stood at the edge of the sparring area, his gaze stern, waiting for the two to begin. The other pairs around them were already locked in combat, the sounds of feet shuffling and weapons clashing filling the air.

Ruihan, however, was focused entirely on Ezra. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her expression unreadable, and it felt as if she were measuring him up.

"You ready?" she asked, her voice calm but sharp, as if she had already decided she would push him to his limits.

Ezra nodded, steadying himself and trying to channel everything he had learned so far.

" Yes " he said, his voice betraying just a hint of excitement beneath his calm demeanor.

Master Vox gave the signal, and without another word, they both moved into action.

Ezra lunged forward, throwing a quick jab aimed at Ruihan's shoulder. But she was faster—almost too fast. She sidestepped the attack with ease, her body shifting in a way that seemed unnatural, yet perfectly controlled. Her movements weren't just quick; they were fluid, as if she was anticipating his every move before it even happened.

Ezra took a step back, assessing her stance. There was something about her form that was different from what they'd learned in class. While the other students adhered to a more rigid, traditional fighting style, Ruihan's was unpredictable, almost like a dance. She flowed around him like water, moving with grace, her feet barely making a sound on the mat.

"You're not using the standard style," Ezra said, trying to catch his breath as he circled her.

She ignored him as she continued her attack .Before Ezra could respond, she was on him again, her foot sweeping low, aiming to trip him. His instincts kicked in just in time as he jumped back, narrowly avoiding the strike.

Ezra's breath quickened as he tried to regain his balance.

Ruihan, relentless in her assault, closed in once more. With a precise shift of her foot, she tripped him, sending him stumbling backward. Before he could recover, she struck, her arm sweeping through the air with practiced efficiency.

Ezra hit the mat hard, the breath knocked out of him as he landed on his back. 

" Call me Rui "