Emily answered:
“Different ones.”
That response irritated him.
“Different ones?”
“Yes.”
Jason smiled.
“You mean you don’t specialize?”
Emily looked at him.
“I specialize in understanding people.”
The room became silent.
Jason didn't like that answer.
Because he realized something.
She wasn't trying to beat him.
She was studying him.
Jason increased his intensity.
He stopped treating the match like practice.
Now it was personal.
He moved faster.
His footwork became sharper.
His attacks became more aggressive.
The younger students watching became nervous.
Master Anderson noticed immediately.
“Jason.”
But Jason ignored him.
He wanted to prove a point.
Emily continued defending.
She didn't attack.
She didn't show frustration.
She waited.
Jason became impatient.
And impatience creates mistakes.
Master Anderson knew that.
So did Emily.
Jason rushed forward with a powerful combination.
A move he had used many times in competitions.