The master watched as April launched herself at the heavy bag, delivering a devastating low kick.
The force rattled the bag, but he wasn't impressed.
"You're still holding back," he stated.
April wiped sweat from her brow. "I'm not."
The master shook his head.
"You fight like a predator—but Kyokushin demands absolute power. No hesitation. No retreat."
He gestured toward a concrete brick.
"Break it."
April frowned. "With my fist?"
He nodded.
She had punched a lot of things—metal, walls, people. But breaking solid concrete was a different level.
April took a breath, focused, then—
Slammed her fist down.
CRACK.
The brick didn't break.
Pain shot up her arm.
The master sighed. "You hesitate at the last second. You fear the pain."
April clenched her jaw.
She hated this feeling.
The master folded his arms. "If you want to to learn further more, you'll need to overcome that hesitation."
April exhaled slowly.
She would.
No matter what.