Cocky As Ever
The cart brimmed with jackets in a vibrant array of colors—red, blue, green, yellow—each hue designating the team the wearer would fight for.
While it wasn't exactly a solo battle against a multitude, this exercise was the closest approximation for practice, igniting a wave of excitement among the students. After six months of only engaging in one-on-one sparring or practicing against inert dummies, the chance to participate in this more dynamic activity was a welcome change, infusing the atmosphere with a palpable sense of anticipation.
Eagerly, each student selected a jacket. Friends gravitated towards the same colors to align themselves, while rivals deliberately chose opposing hues to underscore their competitive spirit.
To ensure fairness and a balanced challenge, Professor Mae strategically assigned specific colors to certain students, crafting as even a playing field as possible before the exercise commenced.