Miller dropped his hands to his sides to mock her defensive stance.
He gestured with his fingers for her to step forward first.
Miller: That's all you've got?
The soldiers watching near the wall burst into quiet chuckles again.
They believed Miller was completely in control of the sparring match.
Clara did not let the disrespect break her intense focus.
Her breath remained steady and slow through her nose.
She adjusted her footing on the gray mat boundary line.
Clara: Try again.
Miller stopped smiling and raised his heavy fists back into position.
He did not like being dismissed so easily in public.
He lunged forward with a full power right hook toward her face.
Clara ducked low under his wide swinging arm instantly.
She closed the distance before he could reset his stance.
Her arms wrapped tightly around his lower torso with high speed.
She drove her shoulder into his hip to break his balance.
With a clean leverage turn, she forced him onto the floor.
The heavy mat rattled as Miller hit the ground flat on his back.
A loud gasp escaped from the onlookers standing nearby.
Miller groaned loudly while holding his ribs on the mat.
The pride on his face vanished in an instant of shock.
Clara stepped back smoothly into her fighting stance above him.
She did not celebrate or show off for the crowd.
Clara: Then stand up.
Miller slammed his palm against the floor in pure frustration.
His face turned red as he pushed himself off the ground.
He growled while regaining his footing on the red center circle.
The atmosphere in the gym changed from light teasing to real tension.
Every soldier in the room stepped closer to watch carefully.
Miller stared at Clara with anger in his eyes now.
He was no longer taking this exercise as a joke.