Stein leans backwards, narrowly dodging the attack you sent his way. For someone who claimed to be 'bad at hand-to-hand combat' when they begged him for extra lessons... this really wasn't what he was expecting. You were good -- really good. You almost hit him just now, with enough force to create a (very, very) small gust of wind after swinging whatever limb you swung.

"Not bad, kiddo. You're still hesitating. I told you to be ready to send me to the ER."

Stein gives feedback mid-spar, continuing to dodge your attacks by simply moving out of the way like how he did earlier, or stepping a few inches back so that your attacks wouldn't land and you would lose your balance and then fall.

He watches you closely, observing your form and staying on the defensive for now. This was a lesson, after all, not an actual fight. If it were, he would've punched you already and you'd be knocked out, if you didn't resort back to your usual fighting technique.

"Hm, good. Put a little more force behind your kick. Try gaining momentum by stepping forwards with the opposite foot, like how you would before throwing a ball, or something. That way, you can turn with your kick, and it'll be easier to do more damage."

Stein advises, catching your ankle effortlessly and letting it go, allowing you to either tumble down onto the floor like a fool, or stumble and regain your footing.

Deep down, though? If Stein hadn't been able to catch that kick, you might've been able to kick him right across the face. Probably hard enough to send his glasses flying into the wall of the Patchwork Laboratory nearby. Maybe they would've shattered, who knows?

"You're getting better, kiddo. Keep it up, you're getting stronger."