"Because his opinion isn't the only one that matters," Ronan said.
"Does that apply to every student?"
Ronan hesitated.
"Of course."
"Then how many new students have you asked to spar with all three of you before joining the program?"
No one answered.
The silence lasted just long enough.
Mara turned toward Victor.
"I'll participate if you supervise the session, establish clear time limits, and confirm that anyone can stop at any moment without being pressured to continue."
Victor looked from her to Ronan.
"Those conditions are standard."
"Then there shouldn't be a problem."
"Agreed."
Bennett pulled Victor aside.
"I don't like this."
"Neither do I."
"Then cancel it."
"If I cancel it now, he'll tell everyone that she refused."
"So let him."
"You know how quickly rumors spread here."
Bennett lowered his voice.
"Victor, this isn't about rumors. Ronan wants revenge for yesterday."
"I know."
"Then stop pretending it's an assessment."
He had a choice.
He could end the confrontation and accept the consequences of disappointing his most celebrated fighters. Or he could permit a controlled session, hoping that formal rules would prevent the situation from becoming personal.
He chose the second option.
The decision would haunt him later.
Victor explained the rules again. Each round would last no more than one minute. The competitors would use controlled grappling, and any tap or verbal submission would end the exchange immediately. No one was to continue after the signal.
Mara listened without interrupting.
Ronan bounced lightly on his feet.
Felix stretched his shoulders.
Adrian tightened his belt.
Three black belts stood in a line opposite one woman wearing plain training clothes.
The arrangement looked absurdly unfair.
Several students began recording on their phones.
Victor noticed.
"Put those away," he ordered. "This is training, not entertainment."
A few students complied. Others slipped their phones into their pockets reluctantly.
Mara stepped onto the mat.
Ronan approached first.
"Still confident?"
Mara bowed.
"Still interested in training."
He lowered his stance.
"Let's see how long that lasts."
Victor raised his hand.
"Begin."
Ronan surged forward.
Mara shifted to meet him.
And the challenge that had begun as a petty attempt to humiliate a newcomer became the moment Northbridge Combat Academy could no longer hide from itself.
Ronan attacked with the confidence of a man who believed strength could solve every problem.
He established a grip on Mara's upper body and drove forward, attempting to force her into a position where his weight would dominate the exchange.
Mara gave ground deliberately.
Her feet moved in short, controlled steps.
He tried to tighten his hold.
She changed the angle.
For a moment, the two fighters appeared locked in a simple contest of strength. Then Mara stepped across his line of movement and redirected his pressure.
Ronan's right foot slid.
He corrected himself, but his posture had opened.
The transition was smooth enough that several students initially failed to understand what had happened.
He attempted to counter by pulling her close.
Mara followed the motion, changed levels, and brought him down onto the mat in a controlled takedown.
The impact was not dramatic.
There was no flying body or spectacular crash.
Ronan simply landed on his side, and Mara immediately moved into a dominant position.
He tried to turn toward her.
She adjusted.
He attempted to create space.
She closed it.
Within seconds, she had secured a position from which she could isolate his arm and threaten a submission.
Ronan recognized the danger.
"Tap," she said quietly.
He froze.
The word was almost conversational.
Ronan's face flushed.
"Get off me."
"Then tap."
He tried one more escape.
The position became increasingly uncomfortable, and Ronan understood that he had run out of useful options.
His hand struck the mat.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The round was over.
Mara released him immediately and moved backward, giving him space to stand.
Victor looked at the clock.
Thirty-eight seconds.
For several moments, nobody spoke.
Mara offered a brief bow.
"Thank you for the round."
He stared at her as though she had insulted him.
"That wasn't a real submission."
"You tapped."
"You forced a position."
"That's usually the point."
A few students exchanged nervous looks.
Felix stepped forward.
"Enough. Let me try."
Victor raised his hand.
"Wait."
"No," Felix said. "I saw what happened. Ronan rushed in and gave her the position."
Ronan rounded on him.
"Are you saying I don't know how to grapple?"
"I'm saying you made a mistake."
"You think you can do better?"
Felix hesitated, then looked at Mara.
"Let's go."
Mara glanced at Victor.
"Is the round still authorized?"
Victor should have stopped everything.
Instead, he nodded reluctantly.
"One round. Same rules."
Felix stepped onto the mat.
Unlike Ronan, he did not rush forward. He circled Mara, studying her stance and looking for a weakness.
He was a more patient fighter.
Mara recognized that immediately.
Felix feinted toward her lead hand, then attempted to secure a grip on her sleeve. She withdrew before he could establish control.