The laughter was deafening. They seemed to be making a mockery of his unsuccessful attempts to beat his trainer. He sat still on the floor, trying to get over what he had just witnessed.

"What the heck just happened?" he managed to utter his first post-defeat words, looking at Rae.

Managing a grim smile, Rae reminded him how he had warned him to be on his toes whilst being trained by her.

"You can't say I didn't tell you."

"But I didn't see that coming!" he protested.

"What is rule number ...