บท 83: ### Chapter 83: Can Surrender Reduce Punishment?
"Richard, you're here quite early today."
In the morning, Paul walked in with his chest puffed out and shouted loudly.
"Morning!"
Richard responded, shirtless, with his arms hanging from a horizontal bar, and four sandbags tied to his waist. He was working on his arm strength, covered in a layer of sweat.
"The weight has increased to 80 pounds. You're improving, but still a bit behind me."
Paul walked over, nodded, and said.
Richard couldn't be bothered to deal with this guy. The first round was coming to an end. Paul had 11 fights with 10 wins, 1 loss, and 8 KOs. Among the remaining heavyweight fighters, he had the highest KO rate.
The media praised him again, saying that if it weren't for the coach's poor pairing, Paul would have entered the semifinals undefeated and even won the title of 'Challenger of the King of Fighters.'
Paul was like a balloon, puffing up with praise.
"Paul, Richard has done 150 pull-ups with 80 pounds. How many can you do?"
Jim Moritz asked from the side.
"That can't be compared. He weighs 180 pounds, I weigh over 200 pounds, I'm much heavier than him."
"Then how many can you do with 40 pounds?"
Jim asked again.
"That, that can't be compared either. I'm an explosive power athlete. I can do a few pull-ups with 200 pounds. Richard can't even do one with 200 pounds. Look, aren't my arms much stronger?"
Paul flexed his biceps.
"So strong!"
Jim looked at his big arms with envy. He also flexed his arms. He used to be skinny, but now he had some muscles, which he was quite pleased with.
"Eat more meat, strength comes from eating well."
"I know. I eat at least 400 grams of beef a day now. My mom suspects I turned into a werewolf."
Jim laughed.
"Haha, that's nothing. Richard and I used to eat at least 5 pounds of beef every day, medium rare with just salt. We did it for a year and almost got sick of it."
"Five pounds a day?"
Jim and a few others were shocked.
"Yes, but don't worry. You can't eat that much now. You'll go through this when you compete. You'll understand then."
Paul patted the heads of a few kids and laughed heartily.
"Paul, guys, good morning!"
Norman Holliday yawned, walked over with his thin legs wobbling.
"Norman, why are you here so early today?"
Paul went over and punched him.
Norman clutched his chest, coughed a few times, and said, "Home is boring, and everywhere else is too quiet. I like hanging out in the gym more and more. What do you think about me opening a bar in the gym?"
"Good idea! Many gyms have bars, pool tables, bowling alleys, and trampolines."
Jim clapped his hands.
"Great idea, two pool tables in the leisure area would be perfect."
Norman gestured with his hands.
"Stop daydreaming. The gym is for training. Alvin would never allow you to mess around here. Didn't you read the rules when you joined?"
Paul grinned.
"No, I just glanced at them."
Norman shook his head.
"No drinking, smoking, drugs, gambling, or horsing around in the gym. If you're caught, you'll get beaten at best, expelled at worst."
"That strict?"
Norman frowned.
"Strict? Five years ago, you couldn't bring food, medicine, women, or pets into the gym. The rules are much more humane now."
"That's crazy."
Norman complained.
"Coach Alvin is here."
Jim reminded, and the kids went back to training.
"Good morning, Alvin!"
Norman waved.
Alvin nodded and shouted, "Gather up! Richard, keep training!"
Paul was about to train too when Alvin said, "Paul, you stay. Stand there!"
Paul grinned. Here we go again, being singled out. I'm almost a champion, you know?
When Paul, Norman, Jim, and the others were lined up, Alvin looked them over and took a cigarette butt out of his pocket.
"Who smoked this?!"
Richard jumped off the horizontal bar, looked at the cigarette butt. It was hand-rolled marijuana. Not illegal, but against gym rules, and getting caught was a big deal.
They looked at each other and finally at Norman, who hadn't changed much after two months of training. Still tall, thin, and pale, he didn't look healthy.
"Why are you all looking at me? You think I smoked this? Haha, no way!"
Norman waved his hand.
"No one stepping forward?"
Alvin frowned.
Thud~
Suddenly, Norman stumbled forward.
Swoosh~
Everyone looked at him.
"Who kicked me? I'm not stepping forward willingly."
Norman stepped back and glared at Paul. I treat you like a brother, and you betray me at a critical moment.
Paul grinned. I'm helping you.
"No one? Then we'll search the lockers. If we find anything, you're out!"
Alvin snorted and headed to the locker room.
"Wait, wait!"
Norman shouted, "Alvin, lockers are private. Isn't this an invasion of privacy?"
"You can sue me."
Alvin kept walking.
"Wait, wait!"
Norman said again, "Alvin, you didn't mention any incentives for coming forward. In court, surrendering can reduce punishment. Do we have anything like that in the gym?"
"You idiot, if you did it, just come forward. Why drag this out?"
Paul complained.
"Shut up!"
Norman shouted, then smiled at Alvin.
Alvin sighed, "According to the rules, smoking here means expulsion."
"Alvin, I donated $30,000 to the gym. It's prettier and has better equipment now. I've contributed."
Norman patted his chest.
"I can refund your donation, including your tuition."
Alvin said.
"No, donated money can't be taken back. Alvin, give me a chance. I love boxing and the gym. It's my home now. If I leave, I'll be homeless. Please don't kick me out."
Norman wiped his eyes.
Alvin looked at him and sighed, "If you come forward, I'll give you another chance."
"I did it. I was exhausted after training, lying on a chair. I found that thing, forgot the rules, and smoked a bit. Alvin, I was wrong. I'll never do it again."
Norman confessed loudly.
Alvin rubbed his forehead and sighed, "Now we'll vote. Those who want to give him a chance, raise your hands."
They looked at each other and raised their hands. Norman, though flawed, was rich and fun to have around.
"Thanks, guys!"
Norman wiped his eyes and thanked everyone.
Richard smirked. Does he think this is over?
"Norman, since everyone agrees, you get another chance."
Alvin said.
"Thanks, I'll change."
"Not so fast. There are two more conditions."
Alvin said.
"Huh?"
Norman was stunned, "Didn't they all give me a chance?"
"Yes, but gym resources are limited. No room for the useless. Pick an opponent, beat them, and you can stay."
Alvin said.
Norman looked around, smiled, "Anyone?"
"Yes, even me."
Alvin said.
"Then no, I'll pick from them."
"How about me? I'll go easy on you."
Paul grinned.
"I don't trust you!"
"Hmph!"
Finally, Norman chose the youngest and easiest to bully, Jim.
Jim grinned and waved his fist, "Norman, I won't go easy."
"Haha, joke's on you. I don't need you to go easy. I'll beat you fair and square."
185cm Norman towered over 155cm Jim, shouting.
"Hmph, we'll see!"
Jim and Norman went to prepare.
"Paul, you referee!"
Alvin said.
"Got it!"
Paul grinned and stepped into the ring.
"Richard, let's go to the office."
"Okay."
Richard nodded, then said to Jim,
"Jim, Norman has long arms but poor stamina. Wear him out first, then beat him however you like."
"Got it!"
"Hey, Richard, don't you want me to stay?"
Norman complained.
"Haha, if a 22-year-old can't beat a 12-year-old, why stay?"
"Hmph, who said I can't beat him? Jim, come get beaten!"
Norman put on his gloves and taunted.
"Bring it on, we'll see who gets beaten!"
Jim put on his gloves and faced Norman, full of fighting spirit.
"Alright, ready?"
Paul stood between them and checked their gear.
"Box!"
——
(End of Chapter)
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