They tried to survive.

Henry was different.

He wasn't trying to impress anyone.

He wasn't trying to prove anything.

He wasn't even looking at Damien like he was a champion.

He was simply observing.

And that bothered Damien more than losing.

Because Damien was used to being the center of attention.

Now everyone was watching someone else.

"Again."

Damien's voice was different.

The confidence was still there.

But the arrogance had disappeared.

Henry looked at him.

"You don't need to."

Damien shook his head.

"No."

He tightened his gloves.

"I need to understand."

That sentence surprised everyone.

Because for the first time, Damien wasn't fighting for applause.

He was fighting because he was confused.

How could someone who spent his mornings cleaning floors move like a professional?

How could someone decades older read his movements before he completed them?

The timer started again.

This time, Damien slowed down.

He watched.

He waited.

He tried to think instead of attack.

Henry noticed.

A small smile appeared.

"Better."

Damien frowned.

"Better?"

"You're finally fighting the person in front of you."

The words hit harder than any strike.

Because Henry was right.

For years, Damien had been fighting his own image.

The undefeated champion.

The strongest fighter.

The man who couldn't lose.

But Henry wasn't fighting that image.

He was fighting Damien.

CHAPTER 7 — THE SECRET BEHIND THE JANITOR'S HANDS

During the third exchange, something unexpected happened.