"If you last one minute, you win."

Everyone expected Eleanor to refuse.

She didn't.

She slowly stood.

"One minute?"

Marcus nodded.

"That's all."

Eleanor looked at him.

"Are you sure?"

The students laughed again.

Marcus smiled.

"Very sure."

The instructor watching from the side looked concerned.

Not because he thought Eleanor would lose.

Because he knew something Marcus didn't.

Marcus had no idea who he was challenging.

CHAPTER 4 — THE STANCE THAT CHANGED THE ROOM

The timer started.

Marcus stepped forward confidently.

Eleanor didn't move.

That confused him.

Most opponents reacted immediately.

They attacked.

They defended.

They panicked.