"That's not my problem."
"You made him look foolish."
"He did that himself."
Richard's expression hardened.
"You haven't changed."
Arthur laughed quietly.
"Neither have you."
Richard stepped closer.
"I know what happened years ago."
"Then you know why I left."
"I know what you think happened."
Arthur looked at him.
"Careful."
Richard paused.
For the first time, uncertainty crossed his face.
Then he recovered.
"I have a proposal."
"No."
"You haven't heard it."
"I don't need to."
Richard smiled.
"Twenty thousand dollars."
Arthur stared at him.
"What for?"
"A private exhibition."
Arthur shook his head.
"No."
"Fifty."
"No."
"One hundred thousand."
Arthur stepped closer.
"You still think money can solve everything."
Richard's voice hardened.
"Money gives people choices."
Arthur answered:
"No. Money gives people the illusion that consequences belong to someone else."
Richard said nothing.
Behind them, Julian had been listening.
He stepped forward.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Arthur looked at him.
"Tell you what?"
"That you were someone."
Arthur's expression softened.
"I'm not someone important."
Julian looked angry.
"You beat me without even trying."
"That's not the same as being important."
"Then what is?"
Arthur paused.
"Being responsible for what you do with your ability."
Julian looked away.
The words hurt because he knew they were true.
But Richard interrupted.
"Julian needs another fight."
Arthur frowned.
"No."
"Tomorrow night."
"No."
"In front of everyone."
Arthur turned toward Richard.
"You want revenge."
Richard smiled.
"I want my son to learn."
Arthur looked at Julian.
Julian said nothing.
Then, quietly, he spoke.
"I want the fight."
Arthur stared at him.
"Why?"
"Because I need to know whether yesterday was luck."
Arthur almost smiled.
"It wasn't."
Julian clenched his fists.
"Then prove it."
Arthur looked at the young man.
He remembered being twenty-two.
He remembered believing confidence was the same thing as strength.
He remembered the price of learning otherwise.
Finally, he nodded.
"One fight."
Julian's eyes widened.
"Really?"
Arthur held up a finger.
"On my terms."
"What terms?"
"No humiliation."
"No money."
"No cameras."
"And when it's over, you shake my hand."
Julian hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Deal."
Arthur extended his hand.
Julian shook it.
Neither man knew it yet, but the second fight would change both of them.
The Second Round
The next evening, Apex Striking was packed.
Word had spread.
The quiet janitor was going to fight Julian Vance again.
People arrived early.
Some came to watch Julian reclaim his reputation.
Others came because they wanted to understand the mystery surrounding Arthur.
Marcus Bell stood near the cage.
He had insisted on strict safety rules.
Headgear.
Gloves.
Medical supervision.
No unnecessary escalation.
Arthur entered the cage first.
He wore simple black shorts and a plain gray shirt.
Julian followed.
This time, he did not laugh.
He looked nervous.
That was progress.
Marcus checked both fighters.
"Ready?"
They nodded.
The bell rang.
Julian did not charge.
He moved carefully.
Arthur noticed.
"Better."
Julian threw a jab.
Arthur parried.
Julian followed with a low kick.
Arthur checked it.
Julian smiled faintly.
"You're going to talk now?"
"Maybe."
They moved around the cage.
This was different from the first fight.
Julian was thinking.
He was not trying to impress anyone.
He was trying to learn.
Arthur recognized the change.
"Good."
Julian attacked.
Arthur countered.
Julian defended.
The exchange continued.
Minutes passed.
Julian's breathing became heavier.
Arthur remained calm.
But then Julian made a mistake.
He became frustrated.
He threw too hard.
Arthur caught his wrist.
Julian tried to pull away.
Arthur swept him.
Julian landed hard.
The crowd gasped.
Arthur stepped back.
"Stand up."
Julian did.
He attacked again.
Arthur blocked.
Julian changed direction.
For the first time, he caught Arthur with a clean body shot.
Arthur stepped back.
Julian froze.
"I hit you."
Arthur nodded.
"You did."
Julian smiled.
Arthur smiled too.
"Now learn what comes next."
Arthur moved.
Three controlled strikes.
A sweep.
A pin.
Julian was trapped.
Arthur could have finished the sequence.
Instead, he released him.
Julian stared.
"Why?"
"Because you already learned."
Julian sat up.
"I don't understand."
"You were looking for permission to beat me."
Julian frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"You've spent your whole life trying to prove you're better than someone."
Arthur stood.
"That's why you lost yesterday."
Julian remained silent.
Arthur continued.
"Today, you stopped fighting me and started fighting your own mistakes."
The gym became quiet.
Julian slowly stood.
"I don't know how to do this without proving something."
Arthur nodded.
"Most people don't."
The bell rang.
The round was over.
Julian removed his gloves.
He looked at Arthur.
Then he extended his hand.
Arthur shook it.
The crowd applauded.
Not because someone had won.
Because someone had changed.
But outside the cage, Richard Vance looked furious.
He had wanted spectacle.