𝐉𝐮𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭 | 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐲 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐞 (DISCONTINUED)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 33

Yoon was demonstrating one of their combos for the class. They called it the viper attack, or at least that was the English translation; she was learning but her Korean still sucked. It was a double kick then a side punch into a hard roundhouse kick. The wooden board at the height of the other student's head broke with the power of Yoon's kick. Alora watched him closely, going over the moves step-by-step again in her head. She heard Kwon scoff and glanced toward him as he pushed another boy out of the way to walk up to the student holding a new wooden board. He gestured for him to hold it up and took a step back.

He yelled and then launched himself into the air in a perfectly executed 360 jump spin hook kick. The wood splintered and flew everywhere as he landed back on his feet with another shout. "That's how you do it!" he yelled in Korean, turning to face all of the other students.

Alora rolled her eyes and mouthed, Show off, in his direction. He grinned back at her, his eyes still wide and wild.

"Kwon Jae-Sung!" Sensei Kim called. Alora immediately schooled her expression and posture when she saw her and Sensei Kreese by her side. "You did not follow the lesson."

"It's a waste of time," Kwon scoffed. "Just go straight for the head. No head, no fight." Alora scrunched her face up slightly at that.

"No shortcuts. And for your defiance, you will have a new assignment," Sensei Kim said.

"Whatever it is, I can do," he shrugged proudly.

"I am sure you can. Go and clean my grandfather's toilet."

Kwon's face dropped and all of the students began laughing at him. Sensei Kim instructed them to get back to work and Alora flashed him an awkward smile as he walked away from the training ground to Master Kim's bathroom. He shoulder-checked two boys on his way out and subtly flipped off Alora who just chuckled. They continued working for a while longer and Kwon eventually returned looking disgusted and disgruntled.

"You had fun?" Alora teased, kicking the air in quick sync with the rest of the class.

"Haha, very funny," he deadpanned, joining the row beside her.

"Attention!" Sensei Kim interrupted their combos. They all stopped and waited for her to continue. "I'm sure you're all curious as to who our new visitor is. Sensei Kreese is one of the strongest senseis to ever train at this dojang. He brings an invitation for us to test our strength against the best fighters in the world. You will give him your full attention and respect. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Sensei!" Alora drew in a deep, quiet breath. The Sekai Taikai. They wanted them to compete in it. She should've known.

Sensei Kreese stepped forward, his hands folded neatly behind his back, his calculating gaze slipping over every one of them. "A long time ago, I had a student. I trained him to be the best of the best. He dominated every opponent he ever faced. He was destined to become a world champion. And then, one day it all changed. He lost, to an insignificant, scrawny little runt with maybe six weeks of training. And why did he lose? Because this opponent had more heart." Alora had heard enough about the past to know that this was a story about Robby's dad and Daniel Larusso. She wondered about them briefly, not having had many interactions with either of them. "So, class, how do we defeat an opponent who has more heart?"

"More practice, Sensei!" One of the boys answered.

"No."

"More offense, Sensei!" Another one replied.

"Wrong."

"Have heart yourself, Sensei!" Yoon said.

"Or kill their heart with strong kick to ribs," Kwon mocked. Alora subtly elbowed him in the side.