Kai used the moment while Lira was talking to launch another combination.
Not because he expected it to work differently.
Because he kept searching.
Side kick — she twisted her torso five degrees.
Jab — deflection with two fingers, angle outward.
Elbow — this time Lira dodged backward instead of taking it with her forearm.
She changed again.
Every time she finds something new in my pattern, she adjusts.
But the adjustments are responses to what I do. Not anticipations.
She's still responding, not predicting.
How long before she starts predicting?
---
'System,' Kai thought, never stopping moving. 'Is Lira right? Is there something I don't know?'
[The system confirms Lira's observation is correct]
[The user has an ability they haven't used consciously until now]
[Qi — Internal Energy]
[Definition: the force that every martial arts practitioner develops over time through real physical training]
