Marcus frowned.
"Coach—"
"I said no."
Marcus looked at Eli.
"What's he afraid of?"
Raymond's voice became cold.
"I'm not afraid of anything."
"Then why won't you let him fight?"
Raymond looked at Eli.
Eli finally turned.
"I'll fight."
Raymond's eyes widened.
"Eli."
"I'm ready."
Marcus smiled.
"Finally."
Eli stepped onto the mat.
Then he looked at Marcus.
"One at a time?"
Marcus laughed.
"Obviously."
Eli shook his head.
"No."
The room went silent.
Eli looked at Marcus.
Then Derek.
Then Noah.
"All three of you."
Nobody laughed.
Not immediately.
Marcus blinked.
Derek stared.
Noah slowly crossed his arms.
Raymond's face became pale.
"Eli."
The boy didn't look at him.
Marcus finally smiled.
"You want all three of us?"
"Yes."
"You understand who we are?"
"Yes."
"You've never even trained here."
"I know."
Marcus looked at the crowd.
"Did everybody hear that?"
A few students laughed nervously.
Raymond stepped between them.
"This isn't happening."
Eli finally looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because this isn't a game."
"I know."
"You could get hurt."
Eli nodded.
"So could they."
The room became silent again.
Marcus's smile disappeared.
"Careful."
Eli looked at him.
"I'm always careful."
Noah stepped forward.
"Let's do this."
Raymond shook his head.
"No."
Noah looked at him.