I smiled.
“You showed me what you were going to do.”
The students looked surprised.
Alexander frowned.
Nobody talked to him that way.
He attacked again.
Harder.
This time with frustration.
That was his mistake.
Because frustration creates openings.
I stepped forward.
Redirected his movement.
Used his own momentum.
And within seconds…
Alexander was on the mat.
The room went silent.
Nobody laughed.
Nobody spoke.
Alexander looked up.
Not angry.
Confused.
Because he wasn't defeated by strength.
He was defeated by experience.
Alexander stood up slowly.
He looked at me differently now.
Not with arrogance.
With curiosity.
“Who are you?”
I adjusted my shirt.
“Daniel.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“I mean really.”
I didn't answer.