Adrian walked toward him.
"I want a real fight."
Samuel looked up.
"No."
Adrian was surprised.
"No?"
"You already got what you needed."
Adrian shook his head.
"One punch doesn't prove anything."
Samuel smiled.
"Exactly."
"Then fight me."
Samuel looked at him carefully.
"Why?"
Adrian hesitated.
Because the real answer wasn't simple.
He wasn't angry.
He wasn't trying to win.
He was trying to understand.
"I need to know."
"Know what?"
"Why everyone respects you."
Samuel placed the cloth down.
"Fine."
The training room became their ring.
No audience.
No cameras.
No performance.
Just two fighters.
This time, Adrian didn't enter with arrogance.
He entered with focus.
The timer started.
And immediately, Adrian noticed the difference.
Samuel wasn't the same person who threw one punch.
He was faster.
Sharper.
More precise.
Every movement had a purpose.
Adrian attacked.
Samuel defended.
Adrian adjusted.
Samuel adjusted faster.
For the first time in his career, Adrian felt like he was fighting someone who was always one step ahead.