Eric had been careful to pull his punches when dealing with Charlie. He understood that the senior's sudden flare of aggression was largely fueled by alcohol, which made his movements sloppy and his balance precarious. Eric's own strikes had been a display of speed and precision rather than raw, bone-breaking weight; it was a flashy performance designed to end the confrontation quickly without causing permanent damage. To a sober observer, it was a masterclass in restraint, though Charlie's dramatic collapse was more due to his intoxicated state than the actual power behind the hits.
'That should be enough to settle things, right?' Eric thought as he lowered his guard and began to walk back toward the freshmen.
