Over the next few days, training continued.
April's body adapted.
Her strikes became sharper.
Her footwork became firmer.
Her endurance increased.
The other students began to respect her.
Even the girl she had fought before, who introduced herself as Ren, started acknowledging her skills.
But something was brewing beneath the surface.
One evening, after training, April left the dojo and felt it.
She was being watched.
She kept walking, her senses on high alert.
Who the hell is tailing me now?
She turned a corner and, in a blur of motion—vanished into an alley.
She pressed herself against the wall, waiting.
Seconds later, a shadow passed by.
April didn't hesitate.
She struck.
Her hand shot out, grabbing the person by the collar and slamming them against the wall.
"Why are you following me?" she demanded.
The figure—grinned.
"Tch. You got faster."
April's eyes narrowed.
"Vance!"
She tightened her grip. "You've got a lot of nerve showing up here."
Vance's smirk didn't waver. "Relax. I'm not here to fight. I just wanted to see how strong you've gotten."
April's instincts screamed at her.
Something was off.
"You should leave," she warned.
Vance chuckled. "Oh, I will. But tell your little team—Ragnarök isn't done with you."
Then, before she could react, he disappeared.
April clenched her fists.
What the hell is Ragnarök planning now?