"Right!" he called and I followed his instructions. My arms were burning but I felt more alive than ever. "Left!" and my left hand shot out. This continued until I raised my arms, panting. I could not anymore.

Of course, we didn't start fighting straight away. He first showed me how to warm up, then how to block. Then came the correct posture. We had probably been here for two hours and I was afraid to tell him that I was already exhausted after warming up.

“That was good,” he said and lowered his hands while I was already crouched on the floor, panting.

"But you should divide your strength,"...