Coach Adrian stepped between them.
"Enough."
Marcus looked at him.
"Coach, I'm just asking for a roll."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because you're not asking."
Marcus stared.
Then Maya spoke.
"It's okay."
Adrian turned.
"Maya."
"I'll roll."
Adrian didn't like it.
But he knew something else.
If he kept protecting her, the three men would never learn.
"Fine."
Marcus stepped onto the mat.
The room gathered around them.
Maya bowed.
Marcus didn't.
The timer started.
Marcus immediately attacked.
He tried to take her down.
Maya sprawled.
He adjusted.
She changed angle.
He grabbed her leg.
Maya twisted.
Marcus drove forward.
She moved with him.
Suddenly Marcus was on his knees.
Maya had taken his back.
The room erupted.
Marcus fought to escape.
Maya tightened her position.
He turned.
She transitioned.
He rolled.
She followed.
Then she stopped.
Marcus was exhausted.
Maya released him.
The timer beeped.
Five minutes.
No submission.
But Marcus had spent the last two minutes trying to survive.
He sat on the mat.
Breathing heavily.
Maya stood.
Marcus looked up.
"Where did you learn that?"
Maya answered honestly.
"My sister."
Marcus frowned.
"Your sister?"
"Elena Ellis."
The room went silent.
One of the advanced students whispered:
"Elena Ellis?"
Another nodded.
"She was incredible."
Marcus stared at Maya.
For the first time, he didn't see a small beginner.
He saw a fighter who had deliberately hidden her ability.
And suddenly he wasn't sure who had been embarrassing whom.
Leo challenged Maya next.
But this time he didn't joke.
He didn't insult her.
He simply asked:
"Five minutes?"
Maya nodded.
They started.
Leo was different from Marcus.
He didn't rely on strength.
He used speed.
Angles.
Traps.
Feints.
For the first minute, neither fighter gained control.
Leo attempted a triangle.
Maya escaped.