Then...

Tap.

The sound echoed through the dojo.

Jason Cole had surrendered.

Nobody celebrated.

Nobody laughed.

Everyone was too shocked.

The girl they ignored had defeated the person they feared.

CHAPTER 8 — THE CHAMPION WHO FINALLY LISTENED

Jason expected embarrassment.

Instead, he felt something else.

Relief.

For years, he had been protecting an image.

The unbeatable fighter.

The strongest person.

The one who never failed.

But Mia showed him something.

Failure wasn't weakness.

Refusing to learn was.

The next morning, Jason arrived early.

Mia was already training.

"I want to learn."

She looked surprised.

"From me?"