Once the rules were confirmed, both contestants took their positions, and even the uninvited spectators sat down quietly.
The sparring match was about to begin.
Following karate etiquette, Makoto Kyogoku gave Lin Xinyi a slight bow, then assumed his stance and announced himself:
"Beido High School, Kyokushin Karate, Makoto Kyogoku."
He stated his background, school, and name one by one, making it all very formal.
Lin Xinyi could not imitate that. His background was not exactly convenient to disclose.
"Lin Xinyi."
He gave only his name, then followed local custom and assumed a karate opening stance.
In his experience, what mattered in a real fight was maintaining one's center of gravity and adapting to circumstances. Which school the opening stance came from was not particularly important.
"You practice karate too?" Makoto Kyogoku asked curiously.
"Yeah, Shotokan Karate."
Lin Xinyi named the school of the dojo instructor who had refunded him triple the tuition and begged him not to come back and wreck the place.
Then, very modestly, he added:
"Though I only know a little karate. What I mainly practice is Chinese Kung Fu."
"Oh?"
Makoto Kyogoku rarely fought people who practiced Chinese Kung Fu, and his interest was piqued.
"Then what school does Mr. Lin Xinyi practice?"
"Baji Quan, Xing Yi Quan, Tai Chi, Wing Chun, or what?"
He casually named several more famous styles. Lin Xinyi's answer was:
"I know a little bit of everything."
The air immediately fell silent.
"Looks like this match will be over quickly."
"What a shame. We will not get to see Senior Makoto Kyogoku fight seriously."
Wada Hina sighed in disappointment from the sidelines.
"Hey, Beido High School girl!" Suzuki Sonoko asked unhappily. "How can you tell that Lord Lin Xinyi is going to lose again?"
"Do I even need to watch?"