The students of Unit 92 sat in the meeting room as Benji entered, his expression as contemplative as ever. John, Alex, and Gordon exchanged glances, each wondering how their performances would hold up under Benji's notoriously keen eye. This analysis was almost like a second test—if they hadn't given their all in the matches, they'd certainly hear about it now.Benji took his time, pacing in front of them with his hands clasped behind his back, his sharp gaze passing over each of them. Finally, he stopped, turning to face the group. "You all fought well, that's for certain. But fighting well is one thing—fighting smart is another. Let's start with you, John."John sat up, bracing himself, though he couldn't help but flash a cocky grin. "I went all out."Benji raised an eyebrow. "And that's exactly my concern. Your instincts to protect are excellent, but you dive in recklessly. That match could've ended differently if your opponent had caught onto your overuse of power strikes." He met John's eyes, the intensity of his gaze firm. "Your energy is your greatest asset, but also your greatest vulnerability. Remember, control can be more intimidating than raw power."John nodded, his grin slipping as he absorbed the advice. "Understood."Benji nodded, pleased. He turned to Alex next, who wore a small, nervous smile. "Alex, your adaptability was impressive. You read your opponent well, adjusted your approach, and used your physical strength effectively."Alex's smile widened slightly, but Benji continued. "However, your final move—while effective—required too much preparation time. You're fortunate Brad couldn't see through your feint quickly enough. A quicker, less concentrated version of that energy blast might serve you better next time."Alex took a deep breath, nodding with more confidence. "Got it. I'll keep working on it.""Good." Benji's gaze landed on Gordon, who sat with his arms crossed and an unreadable expression on his face. "And now, Gordon."Gordon tensed, but his face remained neutral.Benji tilted his head, scrutinizing him. "Your offensive was relentless. But your strategy relied heavily on power alone. Abbot's unexpected forfeit wasn't an outcome you earned by your own design." He paused, allowing his words to settle before continuing. "You're strong, Gordon, but your strength needs to be matched with focus. We've talked about this before."Gordon's expression darkened slightly. "He was just...weird. I would've won eventually.""Maybe." Benji held Gordon's gaze, his tone unyielding. "But if you want to rise above brute force, it's time to look past it and develop a strategy. That's your real test in this tournament."Gordon's jaw tightened, but he nodded reluctantly. "Fine. I'll work on it."Just then, the door creaked open, and Chris entered, leaning casually against the frame. "Well, looks like someone's grilling his students a little harder than usual."Benji crossed his arms, smirking. "I only do what's necessary, Chris. But I'd be careful if I were you—focusing on Victor and Isabel's strengths too much can give them a little too much confidence.""Confidence?" Chris chuckled, moving further into the room. "I'd call it preparation. Besides, they're doing just fine. Both of them won their matches without much effort."Benji's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "It must have been a good matchup, then.""Or they're just that strong," Chris countered, his voice light yet with a competitive edge. "Sometimes, strength is the only strategy you need."Benji gave a short laugh, though it was clear he wasn't entirely amused. "Strength alone can be blinding, Chris. It's a double-edged sword, as your students might discover."Chris folded his arms, watching Benji with a raised eyebrow. "You always think it's about balance. I prefer my students to go all-in, to embrace their power without hesitation."Alex and John exchanged curious glances, sensing the subtle tension beneath the banter. They'd heard bits and pieces of the rivalry between their instructors, but seeing it up close made it all the more intriguing."Maybe that's why Victor and Isabel didn't seem all that strained in their matches," Chris continued with a shrug, as if their victories had been inevitable.Benji tilted his head, his gaze lingering on Chris. "It's good that they won, but remember, the prelims were just a warm-up. The real test comes in the later rounds. Let's see how they fare when the matches aren't so simple."Chris's eyes flashed with something unreadable. "Oh, they'll be ready. Just like the rest of us."Benji regarded him silently for a moment, then broke into a slight smile. "I hope so. After all, you and I are responsible for preparing them, aren't we?"The group watched as the two instructors exchanged a subtle look of mutual respect tinged with challenge—a glimpse of something deeper in their history together. Neither would admit it, but beneath the competitive banter, there was an unspoken acknowledgment of the unique strengths they each brought to their teaching."Right," Benji said, returning his focus to his students. "The next round will only get harder from here, so get some rest. We'll go over individual strategies tomorrow."As the students filed out of the room, Chris lingered by the door, watching Benji carefully. "Still giving them those cryptic life lessons, huh?"Benji shrugged, unbothered. "They're here to learn more than just bending. That's something we owe them, isn't it?"Chris sighed, almost as if he wanted to argue—but in the end, he only nodded. "Yeah. Guess we do."He left with a final nod, leaving Benji alone to his thoughts.