“You didn't have to.”
Victor raised a hand.
“Enough.”
Maya stared at him.
“Is this because I refused the exhibition match?”
“No.”
“Because I refused to join the competition team?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
Victor's expression changed.
For the first time, Maya saw something beneath his calm face.
Disappointment.
“You've been training like someone trying not to lose.”
Maya frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“It means you're always protecting yourself.”
“I thought that was the point.”
“Not in competition.”
Victor pointed toward the ring.
“Competition requires more.”
Maya looked at the ring.
Then back at him.
“What exactly do you want from me?”
Victor took a breath.
“One final test.”
She knew immediately.
“No.”
Victor's eyebrows lifted.
“You haven't heard it.”
“I know enough.”
Marcus laughed.
“You're afraid.”
Maya turned toward him.
“No.”
“Then prove it.”
She took one step forward.
“What is the test?”
Victor looked at Marcus.
Then Ethan.
Then back at Maya.
“You fight one of them.”
Maya stared.
“Which one?”
Victor smiled.
“You choose.”
She looked at Marcus.
Former national champion.
Six feet.
Two hundred pounds.
Then Ethan.
Six-foot-three.
Nearly two hundred thirty pounds.
Then Victor.
Older than both, but faster than either.
Maya understood.
It wasn't a test.
It was humiliation.
They wanted her to choose which man would beat her.
She looked around the room.
Some students avoided her eyes.
Others were watching eagerly.
Maya slowly untied her belt.
Victor's expression softened.
“You don't have to prove anything.”
Maya folded the belt.
“I know.”
“Then why are you doing that?”
She placed it on the mat.
“Because you gave me a choice.”
Victor nodded.
“Yes.”
Maya looked at the three men.
“Then I choose all three.”
Nobody moved.
For several seconds, there was complete silence.
Then someone laughed.
Ethan looked at Marcus.
Marcus looked at Victor.
Victor stared at Maya.
“What did you say?”
“You gave me a choice.”
Maya stepped into the ring.
“I choose all three.”
The room erupted.
Students whispered.
Someone actually laughed out loud.
Victor climbed through the ropes.
“Maya, this isn't a joke.”
“I know.”
“You can't fight three opponents.”
“Why not?”
“Because that's not how this works.”
Maya looked him directly in the eyes.
“You wanted to know whether I was serious.”
She stepped backward.
“Find out.”
Victor stared at her.
Then something unexpected happened.
He smiled.
“All right.”
He turned toward the students.
“Clear the ring.”
The laughter stopped.
The students moved.
Marcus entered first.
Ethan followed.
Victor removed his jacket.