He switched to an armbar.
She rolled.
He tried to take her back.
She defended.
Adrian watched carefully.
Maya wasn't overpowering Leo.
She was reading him.
At two minutes, Leo realized something.
She was predicting his attacks.
At three minutes, he changed strategy.
Instead of attacking, he waited.
Maya waited too.
They stared at each other.
The room became silent.
Then Leo smiled.
"You really are good."
Maya smiled.
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I know."
Leo laughed.
Then he attacked.
Maya countered.
They rolled across the mat.
Leo nearly caught her.
Maya escaped by inches.
The timer sounded.
They separated.
Leo stood first.
He extended his hand.
Maya accepted it.
"You've got more experience than you said."
"I never said I didn't."
Leo nodded.
"Fair."
Jake watched from the side.
He was the only one who hadn't changed.
He still looked angry.
But something else had entered his expression.
Fear.
Not fear of Maya.
Fear of what would happen if everyone discovered what he had been doing to weaker students.
Because Adrian had started watching him differently.
The following Tuesday, a new student joined the academy.
His name was Ethan.
Seventeen years old.
Thin.
Nervous.
He had never trained before.
During sparring, Jake chose him.
"Come on."
Ethan nodded.
Jake attacked immediately.
He threw Ethan to the mat.
Then again.
And again.
Ethan looked frightened.
"Jake," Adrian called.
"I'm fine."
"Technical."
Jake ignored him.
He drove Ethan down again.
Maya stood up.
"Stop."
Jake looked at her.
"Stay out of it."
Ethan tried to stand.
Jake grabbed him.
Maya stepped forward.
"Coach said stop."
Jake laughed.
"You're not the coach."
"No."
Maya looked at him.
"But he is."
Adrian walked across the mat.
"Jake."
Jake released Ethan.
"What's your problem?"
Adrian pointed toward the door.
"Leave the mat."
Jake stared.