Helping Out

Day 115, Year 3000.

Semi-Finals, Round One.

Celia Romeé, against Thomas Maxwell.

A rematch from last year's event. Last time, Thomas won, but just barely.

"We had to meet here. It was destiny."

Thomas was already in position.

"The champion believes in destiny. Color me surprised."

It was all bullshit. He was playing mind games with her.

"With no disrespect to you, last year's victory is very embarrassing to look back at. I gave up too much leeway in that fight. This year?"

Thomas smiled.

"Ready?"

The officiator of today's proceedings was Siegfried himself. Both of them looked at the overseer and nodded.

"Begin!"

He raised his hand.

'Regulated breathing, turtle foot movement.'

The strike was here. Thomas was exceptionally quick with his attack set-up and execution. She brought her feet on the heels, applying high pressure on the ground within a second.

'I can see it.'

There was an opening.

'But I won't fall for it.'

Instead of going for a faint, he went straight for a standard slash.

'It doesn't matter.'

The collision happened, but it was short-lived. She pushed back and deflected his attack immediately after the sword touched the shield.

'Same here.'

He smiled, and stretched his body backward, putting high tension on his spine.

'Pop.'

Springing back with an even stronger attack, he launched his sword down on the shield.

'Countering with the sword is impossible.'

He had to completely rely on the shield once again. He was too close to her.

'Will this be enough?'

The second collision followed, and the screeching was even louder.

'Crap.'

The shield broke away from her grip. Keeping it some distance away from her body had backfired.

'5 points.'

After knocking the shield to the ground, Thomas chose speed to overpower. A quick blow and this round would be his.

'Clang!'

Keeping her head in the game, she didn't panic. The blow was fast, but it was weak enough to be blocked. Her sword came to the rescue and intercepted the attack before it could get too close.

'Push him away.'

Raising her front foot and stomping forward, she pushed him back once again.

'Get it back.'

Leaping towards her shield, she rolled over and grabbed it. Getting into a sitting position, she turned in his direction.

'Swoosh!'

The third collision. Right on time, she had managed to block his attack while one of her knees was planted on the ground.

'Push forward.'

He contracted his muscles and pushed his sword ahead.

'I can't fight a battle of attrition.'

"Aghhh!"

She pushed herself off her knee.

'I can't let her do that.'

"Hngghh!"

He added more pressure, intending to keep her down.

'One decisive push.'

She put her shoulder into it.

"AghhhhhAAAAA!"

Screaming at the top of her lungs, she pushed his sword backward.

'A chance.'

He took some pressure off his left foot and performed a quick pirouette while extending his sword with one hand. Easily cutting through the air, his sword arrived at the back of her neck.

'Stop.'

"5 points, Thomas Maxwell!"

-x-x-x-x-x-x-

"Knock knock!"

Two slight taps on the door. Rimu placed his book on his desk.

"What do you want?"

He had recognized the boy's sneaky footsteps.

"Am I intruding?"

The librarian was looking more exhausted than usual.

"You can come in if you have no place to go. By the way, congratulations."

Gawain smiled. He could always rely on the librarian.

"Thank you."

He walked inside.

"Back to the topic. What do you want, champion?"

"Do we have any books on Poseidon?"

He sheepishly asked while getting closer to the desk.

Rimu grabbed the small cup from the corner.

"We have four books centered solely on Poseidon. There are over 50 books that mention his name, and/or his exploits as a god."

'I have three days until my arms recover.'

"I would have to trouble you, Sir Rimu."

The librarian finished his tea and looked back at him.

"50 or 4?"

"54."

'Tch.'

He placed the cup back on the table.

"You intend to stay here for a long time, so I expect you to help me sort the books out every once in a while."

"Sure!"

Gawain didn't mind helping out. Rimu closed his eyes, and lethargically raised himself from his chair, saying,

"Follow me."