The next morning, April strolled through the school halls, lost in thought.
Martial arts…
She needed something raw. Something that fit her instincts.
A sudden thud snapped her out of her thoughts.
It was coming from outside.
She followed the sounds, slipping past the back entrance of the school.
When she reached the courtyard, she paused.
There were clubs.
A dozen different combat-focused groups were scattered across the area—boxing, judo, kendo—but one, in particular, caught her attention.
A group of students stood in a circle, watching as two fighters clashed in the center.
But this wasn't ordinary karate.
It was Kyokushin Karate.
Full-contact. Brutal. Designed for real combat.
April watched, her silver eyes narrowing as one fighter—a girl with sharp eyes and a disciplined stance—drove a kick straight into her opponent's ribs, sending him crashing to the ground.
She didn't hesitate. No wasted movements. No flashy tricks.
Just raw, overwhelming power.
April's pulse quickened.
This is it.
This was the style she needed.
The girl adjusted her gi, her expression unreadable.
April exhaled. As she knew she needed to find a real Kyokushin master to learn under.
And she knew it wouldn't be easy.