April wasn't prepared.
She thought she was, but this training was unlike anything she had ever experienced.
No punches. No kicks. Just raw endurance.
The first task? Holding a horse stance for an hour.
April's legs burned within minutes, but she gritted her teeth and endured. The other students stood firm, barely wavering.
The master occasionally struck their legs with a wooden staff.
"Lower," he ordered.
April's thighs screamed, but she obeyed.
Then came knuckle push-ups—on concrete.
Her fists ached, skin scraping against the rough ground, but she continued.
Next? Repeated kicks against a heavy bag—until her legs went numb.
Each strike sent a dull pain up her shin, but she didn't stop.
By the time training ended, she could barely walk.
Yet, despite everything, she smiled.
This was exactly what she needed.