Alas, the sparring match had begun.
Right out the gate, Karra dashed forward, keeping her center low to the ground to compensate for her taller height. Kazran appeared to move slowly, but his motions were fluid as started to lunge forward, just to dip his hip as Karra threw a rapid punch. His foot slid out to the side, shifting his gravity to dodge Karra's punch with ease. As he did, Karra planted her feet ahead of her and thrust her center to the side towards Kazran, as she threw her other arm out in an uppercut. Kazran remained expressionless as he simply threw back his center, completely evading the strike. Karra seeing this gritted her teeth as she smoothly lifted her right leg into the air, and when dipping her herself in Kazran's direction, her leg reached a ninty degree angle and was swiftly slung out towards him, as her ground planted foot twisted to increase her range. Kazran lifted his arms to block, and when he felt his core being thrown off, he kicked off the ground, leaping back just out of her swing. Karra's foot slammed onto the ground, recatching her center after having spun one-hundred eighty degrees. Dipping down low, Karra cocked her arm back behind her, and when springing her core forward, she performed a low, floor sweep, thrusting her arm quickly forward from below with all her strength. She let out a shout as her fist came plundering in. Kazran, expecting this, maintained a still face as he dropped down, allowing his center to fall as he curved his pasture, and sharply kicked both feet along the floor, one after the next, spinning himself narrowly along the sleek floor, evading Karra's imminent sweep at a hair pin turn and followed up by slamming his palm on the floor when the time was right. As Karra threw her core around to face him, Kazran planted his feet, and lunged forward with a left hook, but Karra was ready as she shouted out, swiftly kicking her right leg back, throwing the shift in her core further as she came in with a fierce right hook. Just as Karra's open paw strike was about to hit, Kazran dipped his center to the lower left, narrowly shifting his head, breaking his fakeout punch, and swung his head under Karra's attack. He planted his right foot out, and came forward with a right fist.
"Enough!" Kenrir called out.
To everyone's surprise, there was a clear winner, as Kazran's right uppercutted fist stopped barely an inch from Karra's chest. Her attacked had completely missed, and shoot stood there frozen with her eyes wide, fluctuating in shock. She had lost.
Kenrir stepped forward to address the class.
"With today's spar out of the way, today's class... is complete!" he announced. "You are all dismissed!"
Karra's face snapped into a grit, as her and Kazran turned away from one another, and made their way, heading out of class.
With the class over, each of the students were dismissed from the dojo to carry on within the temple grounds. Many of them were discussing the impressive display of skills that were displayed in the fight. However, Kenrir called upon Alena to stay behind.As she remained still, Alena watched as each of her peers left the dojo with curiosity. None of the students spared her a word, nor a single glance as they walked passed her by. Kenrir remained at the front of the class, his eyes locked on Alena with his hands crossed behind his back. The dojo grew empty as Alena looked forward to observe Kenrir, and as she did, Kenrir broke the silence."Come with me please," he said, instructing Alena.As Kenrir stepped off the short platform, he walked passed her, leading Alena out of the training hall and into his private quarters. As they entered his quarters, Kenrir lead Alena behind a shoji screen, which is a sort of portable, multi-paneled divider often used for creating an area of privacy in an otherwise open space. There, he instructed her to have a seat across from him on the provided cushion, the zabuton. Across from her, Kenrir lowered himself down to his knees, resting on the opposite squared mat. Alena mimics his posture, lowering down on her knees as she rested her paws on her thighs."Your father has informed me of your unique circumstance," Kenrir began to explain, "He in an honorable man within our village, and it is unlikely any of us would be here today if it wasn't for him doing everything he has to this day for the sake of our people, but he is too caring for his family, as I can see you still have many questions. Normally, our people wouldn't have their first visions until they're well into their adult years, which is why your father has decided to bring you here before your time. I don't normally train students so young unless they're a special case, and you fall into this category."Alena wasn't sure what to say at this time, as her mind was already overstimulated by the training, and this new sea of information laid out before her since the start of her first class was leaving her mind feeling numb."You see, your father is one of the founding members of our village, and he takes great responsibility upon himself for the protection and growth of our community. As such, I am taking it upon myself to ensure you are ready for the road ahead. From this day forward, you are to be my disciple, and as my disciple, I expect you to apply yourself and prioritize your trainings. You will remain here on the temple grounds until your initiation begins.Once I deem your skills adequate, you will be permitted to leave the temple grounds as you continue your training, but not before. Do you understand?" Kenrir addressed.Alena felt disturbed by his speech and shook her head. "You mean I'm not going home?" she asked.Kenrir closed his eyes and shook his head in response."Your parents are entrusting me with teaching you everything I can, but I can't do that if you're being permitted free time away from your lessons for the time being. I do apologize, but you will have to remain here. Your parents understood what was necessary when they brought you here."Alena's eyes fell to the floor as she sat in silence. She thought of her father's words from before being brought to this place, and the lessons he laid before her. She reflected on her mother's speeches, and her acts of affirmation, pushing her forward. As a moment of passing silence hung in the air, Kenrir rose to his feet."Chin up," Kenrir instructed her, "You've got a long road ahead, and I want to see my disciple make her parents proud."Alena cocked back her neck to lift her attention to the towering Kenrir. Her thoughts weighed heavily on her, so she lowered herself down on the floor in a great bow; her paws resting palms down. The trust was, this wasn't an act of respect from Alena. She just wasn't ready to turn away from her feelings, nor the memories of her parents aligned with them, as she shed a tear.Witnessing the bow, Kenrir turned away from Alena and collected a keikogi that was roughly her size from a long, straw woven storage chest. The uniform itself was old, as it was evident it has seen use. Kenrir stared at the uniform in his hands, his eyes were still, as if to be remembering something as he was knelt before the chest in silence. He touched the front of the keikogi, and stroked its fibers.As he got up and returned to Alena, he found her propped up again, staring at the floor in thought. There was still silence in the room, and Kenrir knelt down once again across from her before breaking the silence."As your father has requested that I train you as I would my own disciple, I had been brought to the decision that you will be as such. Therefore, I hereby bestow this dōgi onto you."As Kenrir spoke, Alena's attention was drawn to him. She held out her paws to receive her keikogi, the uniform in which Kenrir was granting her. Holding it, she met his eyes, "Is this mine?" she asked to verify. She could tell while holding it that this particular keikogi would be a little big for her.
"This is the dōgi you will be wearing, as it bares significance to the discipleship," Kenrir explained. "This is a gesture worthy of a bow," he instructed her.
Alena merely blinked at him, unsure of how to respond. Taking Kenrir's words at face value, she did as instructed, leaning forward and bowing her head
As Kenrir gave a short bow, he stood up. "Now then, once you've changed, your lessons will begin," he told her.
With that, Kenrir stepped away, giving Alena the space she needed to get ready. A few minutes later, Alena stepped out from behind the shoji screen in uniform, carrying her old attire. Standing in wait, Kenrir held her new obi, the belt to be worn which marked her rank as a new student. The keikogi being worn was a little large for Alena, leaving room for her to grow.
"It's a little big," she complained. That is when Kenrir held out her obi, displaying it within both hands.
"All the more room to grow into, and with your obi, size will be of little issue," he replied to her.
The belt being handed off to Alena was white, and had a marking of discipleship on one end. As Alena got closer to Kenrir, he knelt down to help her put on her obi correctly for the first time. Alena watched curiously as he tied the belt off around her, adding additional support to the stability and fit of her uniform. Tying the belt off firmly, Kenrir rose back to his feet.
"Now then, with that in order, we shall begin your training," Kenrir stated.
Alena stood in front of Kenrir, waiting for instruction.
"The first lesson we must address, is getting your instincts under control," he explained, "We don't want you to charge in recklessly after every prey animal you come across. The outcome of simply giving in to such temptations can easily prove to be catastrophic on the road ahead. Therefore, we will focus on allieviating your primal instincts going forward," Kenrir concluded.
Alena, hearing his speech, just blinked at Kenrir with a presently dumbfounded stare.
"That's... my training?" she asked hesitantly.
It was now time for her first private lesson to begin.