A/N: Hello! I'll be taking a break from my other story (The Lioness) for a little bit to get a few chapters out on this story. I do apologize if there are any typos or false lore. I'll be using Christopher Nolan's adaption of Batman (the Dark Knight trilogy), so if you hated his version, welp. Probably shouldn't read this.
Another FYI, I'll be using some Latin throughout this story, but I'll be providing the (hopefully correct) translation for the terms at the end of each chapter (in which Latin is used).
Also please keep in mind I probably will not update as frequently as I would like to. I work usually 6+ days in a row, then run a lot of errands on my days off, so please have patience with me.
"You must become more than just a man in the mind of your opponent!" a man with short brown hair instructed. "You've grown sluggish. Use your anger to fuel your punches."
The man paced back and forth at the side of a large boxing ring, watching as an adolescent woman with copper hair pulled back in a short ponytail danced around the ring with a man in his mid-20s. Her body was slick with sweat, just like the man before her. She weaved around a combo that was thrown by the man in front of her, dodging with ease.
"I am!" the girl huffed, throwing a powerful right hook to her opponent. She could feel the impact as her fist knocked into his jaw. The force of the punch was so great that the man whirled around before collapsing onto the ring's floor. With a heavy sigh, she looked away from the unconscious man on the floor and threw a towel over her shoulder, wiping the sweat from her brow. She leaned on the ropes and looked down at her coach. "And I'm not a man. I'm pretty sure a man can't pull off a forest green sports bra like I can."
"You're focusing your attention on the least important thing I said to you, Jala," he sighed, looking at her wearily.
"Come on, Henri, all you do is focus on the negatives, and you wonder where I get it from," she countered.
"Come here, Cynthia," Henri urged, taking a step back, gesturing for her to approach him.
She ducked under the ropes and slid out of the ring, another exaggerated heavy sigh leaving her. She stubbornly put her hands on her hips, poking it out to the side slightly. She could smell the lecture coming on, and she really didn't want to hear a lecture at the moment. It was always the same thing with him. It was always about how she could do some much more with her life, how she was destined for greater things.
"Do not be this way," he frowned, putting his hand on her shoulder, and lifting her chin with the other. "I only desire what is best for you, Jala. You are like a daughter to me. My flesh and blood. I cherish you."
"I know…" she said, her voice cracking.
She could feel the tears swelling up, and she tried to fight it. With a deep breath, she attempted to regain control of herself. The relationship she had with her coach was also something she cherished. He was like a father to her. He was there for her when no one else was, and it made her emotional. She took another deep breath, feeling her nerves calm, helping her relax.
"What clouds your thoughts?" he asked suddenly, knowing by her silence and behavior during today's session that her mind was elsewhere.
"I have news," she admitted, looking at him from under her lashes. "I… I got accepted into Columbia University."
"That's wonderful news, Jala. I knew they would enroll you. They'd be fools to deny you," he praised, pulling her into a hug. "Do not fret over the cost. I will support you."
"Wait… You'll pay for my college?" she asked, breaking the hug slightly to look at him.
"Of course. I told you when we met that I'd care for you. College is included," he stroked her hair, looking down at her. "I told you not to worry over it though. I will handle things. Now, you should return home. It is getting late."
"All right… Will I see you tomorrow?" she asked.
"Yes. I will pick you up from school. Tomorrow we will celebrate," he smiled.
"Vale, Henri," she bowed before gathering her sports bag and bolting out of the gym.
Vale - "be well"