"I hurt people."
"Yes."
"I thought I was making them tougher."
"You were making them afraid."
Marcus sat down.
For the first time, he looked less like a black belt and more like a young man who had spent too long defending a version of himself he no longer believed in.
"What do I do now?"
Elias answered simply.
"Start again."
Marcus looked at him.
"As a beginner?"
"If necessary."
There was no mockery in Elias's voice.
Only an invitation.
Chapter 11 — A Different Kind of Training
Weeks passed.
Marcus stopped leading classes.
He trained quietly at the back.
At first, the younger students avoided him.
He understood why.
He did not demand their trust.
He earned it slowly.
One afternoon, Leo approached him.
"Can we work on footwork?"
Marcus looked surprised.
"You're sure?"
Leo nodded.
Marcus showed him a movement.
Then he stopped.
"Actually, you tell me what you think."
Leo smiled.
It was the first time Marcus had asked him for an opinion.
Across the room, Elias watched.