Nobody expected anything else.
Adrian stood relaxed.
Hands down.
Smiling.
"Whenever you're ready."
Samuel adjusted his stance.
And the entire room changed.
CHAPTER 4 — THE PUNCH THAT SILENCED THE GYM
Samuel didn't rush.
He didn't create drama.
He simply breathed.
One time.
Slowly.
Then he moved.
The punch wasn't wild.
It wasn't angry.
It was perfect.
A short movement.
A clean connection.
The sound echoed through the gym.
Nobody laughed.
Nobody spoke.
Adrian's body moved backward.
Only one step.
But everyone saw it.
The champion had moved.
From one punch.
Adrian looked shocked.
Not because it hurt.
Because he understood.
That wasn't the punch of an old man.
That was the punch of someone who had spent decades mastering his craft.
The students looked at each other.
"What just happened?"
The instructor didn't answer.
Because he knew.
He had seen that technique before.
Years ago.
On television.
During championship fights.
Adrian lowered his hands.
"Who taught you that?"