He simply made sure Blake was not putting additional pressure on it.
When Marcus returned, Arthur helped keep the area clear.
The academy's first-aid procedure was followed.
Blake was taken for medical assessment.
The initial examination suggested a sprain, possibly with a small fracture. Further imaging would be needed.
The class ended early.
Members left in silence.
Trevor sat near the wall, looking shaken.
"I didn't mean to hurt him."
Marcus sat beside him.
"I know."
"He was moving fine."
"Then he lost his balance."
Trevor looked down.
Marcus continued.
"That's why we train control. That's why we stop when something feels wrong."
Trevor nodded.
Arthur stood nearby.
He had removed the floor marker that Blake's heel had caught.
He examined the area.
Then he looked at Marcus.
"This needs to be fixed."
Marcus nodded.
"Immediately."
Arthur picked up the marker and carried it toward the equipment storage room.
The incident had been minor compared with what could have happened.
But it had reminded everyone how quickly a routine exercise could become an injury.
And it had happened on the very first day of Arthur's official program.
Blake returned to Apex the following afternoon wearing a wrist brace.
He was not scheduled to train.
He came to collect his belongings.
Marcus met him near reception.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine."
"Doctor's report?"
"Sprain. No serious damage. I have to rest it for a while."
Marcus nodded.
"Good."
Blake looked toward the training floor.
"Did Trevor get in trouble?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because he followed the drill and stopped when Marcus called."
Blake frowned.
"I fell."
"Yes."
"Doesn't someone have to be responsible?"
Marcus looked at him.
"Sometimes accidents happen without someone doing something wrong."
Blake looked away.
Marcus continued.
"We're reviewing the floor markers. We should have caught the problem before the class."
Blake seemed surprised.
"You're blaming the academy?"
"I'm saying the academy has responsibility too."
Blake was silent.
Then he asked:
"Where's Arthur?"
"Storage room."
Blake nodded.
He walked toward the back.
Arthur was checking the replacement floor markers.
He looked up when Blake entered.
"How's the wrist?"
"Sprained."
"Sorry to hear that."
Blake looked at the floor.
"I wanted to apologize."
Arthur placed the marker down.
"For what?"
"For getting angry yesterday."
Arthur waited.
"And for saying you didn't know what you were doing."
Arthur nodded.
"All right."
Blake looked at him.
"That's it?"
"What else do you want me to say?"
"I don't know."
Arthur picked up another marker.
"You're injured. Rest. Follow the doctor's instructions. When you return, start slowly."
Blake smiled faintly.
"You really don't hold grudges."
Arthur looked at him.
"I've held enough."
Blake's smile disappeared.
Arthur continued.
"Don't confuse forgiveness with pretending nothing happened. What you said was wrong. You know that now."
Blake nodded.
"Yeah."
"Then do better."
Blake looked toward the main floor.
"Do you think I'll ever be good?"
Arthur considered the question.
"Good at what?"
"Fighting."
"Maybe."
Blake laughed softly.
"That's encouraging."
Arthur smiled.
"You're asking the wrong question."
"What should I ask?"
"Are you willing to become better than you were yesterday?"
Blake thought about it.
Then he nodded.
"Yeah."
"Then start there."
That evening, Marcus found Arthur in the office.
The instructor was reviewing the incident report.
Marcus sat across from him.
"How are you feeling about yesterday?"
Arthur closed the folder.
"Concerned."
"About Blake?"
"About the floor marker. About the drill. About the fact that we didn't notice the problem."
Marcus nodded.
"We'll correct it."
"We should also review the exercise."
"Agreed."
Arthur looked at him.
"I don't want people thinking that a safety class means nothing can happen."
Marcus smiled faintly.
"Nothing can be guaranteed."
"Exactly."
Arthur stood.
"That's why we prepare."
Marcus looked at him.
"You sound like the coach now."
Arthur shook his head.
"I sound like someone who has seen what happens when people assume everything will be fine."
Marcus did not respond.
He understood that Arthur was thinking about Daniel.
But he also understood something else.
Arthur had not walked away from the class because someone had been injured.
He had stayed.
He had helped.
He had reviewed the incident.
He was willing to improve the system.
That was the difference between fear and responsibility.
Fear made a person hide.
Responsibility made a person learn.
Two days later, Blake returned for his first light session.
His wrist was still protected.
Marcus assigned him to footwork without striking.
Blake followed the instructions.
He did not complain.
When he lost his balance, he stopped and reset.
When Diego corrected him, he listened.
At the end of the session, Marcus approached.
"Good work."
Blake nodded.
"Thanks."
"Keep it slow."
"I will."
Blake looked across the room.
Arthur was standing near the coaching desk, reviewing the next class schedule.