"What?"
"Being ordinary."
Silence.
Noah looked away.
Miller continued.
"Your father wasn't a champion."
Noah's jaw tightened.
"Don't talk about him."
"Why?"
"Because you didn't know him."
"I knew him better than you think."
Noah looked at him.
Miller sighed.
"Your father came here every day."
"When?"
"Before you were born."
Noah froze.
Miller smiled faintly.
"He wasn't a great fighter."
Noah stared.
"He lost more matches than he won."
"That's not true."
"It is."
"Then why didn't he tell me?"
"Because he wasn't proud of winning."
Miller pointed at Noah.
"He was proud of becoming better."
Noah looked at the floor.
Miller placed a hand on his shoulder.
"That's what you're forgetting."
Noah said nothing.
Then the gym doors opened.
Maya walked in.
She carried her training bag.
Noah looked at her.
Miller smiled.
"Perfect."
Maya stopped.
"What's perfect?"
Miller pointed toward Noah.
"Your new training partner."
Maya stared.
"Seriously?"
"Noah needs someone who won't be intimidated by him."
She looked at Noah.
"I don't think that's going to be a problem."
Noah almost smiled.
"Good."
Miller stepped between them.
"One rule."
They both looked at him.
"If either of you loses control, training ends."
Noah nodded.
Maya nodded.
Miller walked away.
Noah looked at Maya.
"Ready?"
She raised her gloves.
"Always."
The bell rang.
This time, Noah listened.
Maya was faster than Noah expected.
She didn't try to overpower him.
She moved.
Step.
Angle.
Counter.
Step.
Noah attacked.
Maya disappeared sideways.
He turned.
She was already behind him.