Michael knew something was going off the rails. His only mistake had been failing to step in before the bravado took over.
Angela turned back to the three senior fighters. A faint, unreadable smile touched the corner of her lips. "Why not all three?"
The room went dead silent once more.
From somewhere by the equipment bags, a juvenile student whispered, "What did she just say?"
Jason laughed first, a short, disbelieving sound. Derek shook his head in amusement. Ryan’s polite smile vanished for a fraction of a second, replaced by a momentary flash of genuine confusion, before his defensive charm snapped back into place. "All three?"
Angela gave a single, firm nod. "Yes."
Jason looked past her to Michael. "Is she actually serious right now?"
Michael didn't respond to Jason. He took two deliberate steps toward Angela, his eyes searching her face for any sign of grandstanding, panic, or delusion. "You're asking to step onto the mat with three experienced black belts?"
"Technical rounds," Angela corrected softly.
"That's not what I asked you," Michael said, his voice dropping into a stern, measured register.
"I know."
"Are you sure about this?"
Angela paused, taking a slow, quiet breath into her chest. "No."
The answer caught everyone off guard. A few of the teenagers exchanged puzzled glances. Before anyone could comment, Angela finished her thought. "But yes."
Derek scoffed, crossing his heavy arms. "Well, give her credit. She's got guts."
Angela turned her head to look directly at him. "No."
Derek's grin faltered slightly under the weight of her steady gaze. "No guts?"
"This isn't about courage," Angela said.
"Then what is it about?"
She glanced over her shoulder at Ethan, who was staring at the floorboards, his knuckles white against his water bottle. "Understanding."
Michael stepped directly between Angela and his senior instructors, planting his feet firmly on the vinyl. "Everybody stop talking," he commanded. The dojo became instantly still. Michael looked at Angela, his expression solemn. "If we do this, we follow strict rules."
Angela nodded. "Three rounds."
"Two minutes each," Michael stated, asserting control over the conditions. "One at a time. No hard takedowns. No submissions held beyond the point of clear control. No striking of any kind. And no ego." He turned his head, sweeping a cold, authoritative glare over Ryan, Jason, and Derek. "That last rule applies to my guys most of all."
Jason shrugged nonchalantly. Ryan gave a crisp nod. Derek rolled his heavy shoulders, loosening his neck muscles.
Angela added her own terms. "If I tap, you stop instantly."