Part-236

  James didn’t answer. Instead, he turned and walked away, leaving the men to their pain and fusion. As he rouhe er, a familiar chime echoed in his mind, and a notification appeared before him:

  **[You have defeated the ambushers. Bonus EXP awarded for utilizing a training on in bat. +2000 EXP.]**

  James smirked. "Looks like the system’s happy, too," he muttered, his body still buzzing with adrenaline.

  He made his way home, every step a reminder of his growing strength. Despite the aches and bruises, James felt more alive than he had in a long time. This battle, like the ones before it, had brought him oep closer to his goal. He couldn’t wait to see what challenges awaited him .

  The m air was crisp, carrying with it the faint st of pihat wafted through the open windows of the dojo. Sunlight filtered in, casting warm, golden patches across the wooden floor. Kashem Chowdhury, the Judo instructor, stood tall at the ter of the mat, his voice firm yet encing as he guided James and the others through a series of teiques. Despite the iy of the session, James's mind wasirely focused on Judo today. He had another challenge waiting for him.

  "James, that's enough for today. You're pushing yourself hard, and that's good," Kashem said with a hint of approval as the css came to a close. "But remember, bance is key in martial arts. You 't master everything at once."

  James nodded, bowing respectfully. "Thank you, sir. I'll keep that in mind."

  As he left the mat, James couldn't help but gnce over to the far side of the dojo, where he saw Mili standing with his sister, Lily. Mili's gaze met his briefly before she looked away, her expression thoughtful. Despite their ret iions, there was still a sense of distaween them. James felt a pang of frustration; he couldn't pinpoint the reason, but it seemed like something was holding her back.

  Meanwhile, Lily, his older sister and the kickboxing instructor, was engaged in a versation with Mili. Her long hair was tied back, and her sharp, focused eyes betrayed the she felt as she watched her younger brother.

  "Want to go meet him?" Lily asked, noting the way Mili's eyes kept drifting toward James.

  "No," Mili replied, shaking her head, but she didn't seem entirely certain. "But I am a bit surprised that he's ied in swordsmanship now. I thought he was attending karate csses, then I heard he joihe Judo Club, and now he's training with a sword. It’s like he ’t settle oyle, and that’s not ideal. How he bee good at anything if he’s always switg?"

  Lily’s eyes softened as she tinued watg James set up his practice area with his wooden sword. "James has always been a bit... different," she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "He’s never beeo follow the beaten path. I used to think it was a fw. But now… I think he’s just searg for something—something that resonates with him."