Victor ignored him.
"Now, Evan."
The young student stood and walked away.
Mara watched him leave.
Victor approached her.
"Miss Ellison, I want to apologize for the confusion. Our senior students can be competitive."
"Competition isn't the problem."
"What is?"
"The way people behave when they think the rules don't apply to them."
Victor looked uncomfortable.
"Northbridge has a strong tradition."
"Traditions are worth protecting when they make people better."
"And when they don't?"
"Then someone should have the courage to change them."
Victor studied her for a long moment.
"You're welcome to return tomorrow for a formal evaluation with another instructor."
"Thank you. I will."
Mara collected her bag.
As she reached the exit, Felix called after her.
"You know, most people would be happy to earn the attention of three black belts."
Mara turned.
"Most people don't confuse attention with respect."
Then she left.
The door closed behind her.
Ronan stood motionless in the center of the mat.
Adrian watched the entrance thoughtfully.
Felix attempted a laugh.
"She got lucky."
"Perhaps," Adrian replied.
Ronan turned toward him.
"Perhaps?"
Adrian looked directly at him.
"You lost your balance three times. She never lost hers."
"You're saying I can't handle her?"
"I'm saying we know almost nothing about her."
Ronan's fists tightened.
"Then we'll find out."
Neither Felix nor Adrian answered.
They did not need to.
Mara returned to Northbridge the following evening.
The rain had stopped, leaving the sidewalks dark and reflective beneath the streetlights. She arrived fifteen minutes early, signed in at reception, and waited patiently while Claire contacted the training staff.
This time, nobody mistook her for a fitness-class participant.
Students watched her openly as she crossed the lobby. Conversations slowed when she passed. Some looked curious. Others looked amused, expecting the previous evening's encounter to become a story they could exaggerate over dinner.
Ronan had already made sure of that.
According to his version, Mara had caught him off guard during a routine demonstration. He claimed he had been holding back because Victor had instructed him to use minimal force.
Felix had added that she refused to engage properly.
Adrian had said almost nothing, which only made the rumors more confusing.
Mara ignored them.
She had come for one reason: to determine whether Northbridge was a place where she could train without compromising her principles.
Victor met her near the main floor.
"Thank you for coming back," he said. "I've arranged for Coach Bennett to conduct your evaluation."
"That's appreciated."
Unlike Ronan, he did not seem interested in establishing dominance before the session began.
He shook Mara's hand.
"I understand you've trained in several disciplines."
"Yes."
"What are you hoping to achieve here?"
"Consistent training. Good coaching. A place where technical development matters more than reputation."
Bennett nodded.
"Those are reasonable goals."
He led her toward a smaller mat area, where two students were practicing positional drills.
The assessment began with movement exercises, balance tests, and controlled grappling. Bennett watched carefully, occasionally asking Mara to repeat a sequence from a different position.
Her skills became increasingly obvious.
She understood leverage, maintained excellent posture under pressure, and transitioned between defensive positions without wasting movement. More importantly, she knew when not to force a technique.
After twenty minutes, Bennett stopped the session.
"Where did you learn to move like that?"
"From several instructors."
"Anyone I might know?"
"Possibly."
He smiled.
"You're not very forthcoming."
"I prefer to let my training speak first."
Bennett considered that, then nodded.
"Fair enough."
Instead, Bennett appeared impressed.
Felix approached him.
"She's better than I expected."
Ronan glared at him.
"You're changing your story already?"
"I'm saying she has skills. That doesn't mean she can beat us."
Adrian joined them.
"Coach Bennett is going to recommend her for the advanced group."
"Then we need to test her ourselves," Ronan said.
"Victor already refused."
"Victor refuses everything that might cause trouble."
Adrian glanced toward the office.
"Because he knows trouble when he sees it."
Ronan ignored the remark.
By the time Mara finished her assessment, several students had gathered near the mat.
Mara approached them.
"How did I do?"
"Very well," Bennett replied. "Your fundamentals are excellent. I would recommend advanced training, with the usual orientation sessions."
"Thank you."
Victor cleared his throat.
"There is one complication."
Mara waited.
"Our advanced sessions involve regular rounds with the senior students. Given yesterday's incident, I want to ensure that everyone understands the expectations."
"That seems sensible."
Ronan walked over before Victor could continue.
"I have a proposal."
Victor's expression darkened.
"Ronan, not now."
"One controlled round. Me, Felix, and Adrian. We rotate partners. That way, everyone gets a clear picture of her abilities."
Bennett frowned.
"Three senior students?"
"One at a time," Ronan replied. "No one is suggesting anything unreasonable."
Mara looked at the three men.
"Why do you need three assessments when Coach Bennett has already completed mine?"