Chapter 2 - Master Vance’s Test
Master Vance stepped out of the frosted-glass office, his hands tucked behind the back of his faded black belt. He was an older man with silvering temples and eyes that had seen decades of young men broken by hubris. His applause was slow, rhythmic, and cold. The student holding the phone slowly lowered his arm, looking visibly terrified.
""Clean hip toss,"" Vance said, his gravelly voice echoing across the rafters. ""Minimal exertion. Maximum kinetic transfer. Marcus, get off your back.""
Marcus scrambled to his feet, cheeks burning a dark crimson beneath his skin. He smoothed his dobok with aggressive, jerky movements, his jaw clenched so hard the muscles jumped. ""She slipped in when I wasn't set, Master Vance. It was an off-tempo move.""
""A street attacker doesn't give you tempo, Marcus,"" Vance answered sharply, never taking his eyes off Maya. He walked closer, stopping three feet from where she stood. ""You have clean hands, Ms. Thorne. But a single throw on an arrogant brawler doesn't prove you can run my tactical division.""
Maya met the old master’s gaze without bowing her head. ""I was told this position was open for someone who could teach survival, not tournament points.""
""It is,"" Vance nodded slowly. ""And tomorrow morning, we begin our quarterly seminar with the Metro Police rapid response team. They don't want forms or kata. They want brutal efficiency. If you want the contract, you take point on tomorrow's live drill.""
Marcus let out a grim smirk from behind his master. He knew the police squad. They weren't high school students looking for an after-school hobby; they were grown tactical officers with bruised egos and something to prove.
""I’ll be here at six sharp,"" Maya said evenly.
May you like
""Good,"" Vance turned away, pausing before opening his office door. ""And Marcus? You’ll be her demonstrative target for the entire four hours.""
Marcus froze, his face drained of color. As Maya picked up her duffel bag to leave, she caught a glimpse of Marcus's eyes—and they were full of venom.
