004: Choosing an Opponent

"Brendon Greene. Step down onto the stage, please."

Lara looks blankly at the boy as the words 'Brendon Greene' echo in her head. 'So he is! He is the old man's grandson, isn't he?!' She looks at the Head Master and he seemed to be looking at her at the same time. He slowly nods his head in confirmation.

'You old fox! You could have told me before!... Brendon Greene, huh? I look forward to a fight with you. You have to pass the exam!' Her eyes glow excitedly as she grins.

The boy steps down onto the stage and turns to the stands. "So, I have to select a first year to fight with?" He asks calmly.

"Yes." Teacher Henry replies. "All the students in the first three rows are First years."

"Then....." He looks straight at Lara at lifts his arm to point at her. "You!"

"Boy.. She's a section 'S' student." Teacher Henry says.

"Section S?" Brendon tilts his head in question. "Is she not a first year?"

"She is.... but....."

"It's alright." Lara interrupts teacher Henry. "Let me speak, Lil' Ri"

'Lil Ri?!' What did she just call the teacher?!' The examinees all look at her in shock.

"So, Brendon, was it?" She turns to the boy. "Why'd you choose me? Because I look weak?"

The boy blinks his eyes in surprise. "Are you? I hope you're not."

Lara smirks. "I'm the strongest first year here. How 'bout that?"

"That's the best I could wish for. Let's fight!" Brendon grins. "I can, right?"

"Of course you can. Why not?" The headmaster answers.

"Master! If Lara fights, it'll simply be a one-sided massacre!" Teacher Henry protests.

"Since the old fox said yes, what's there to worry about Lil' Ri?" Lara turns to the headmaster. "Don't complain later if your grandson breaks a few bones. You're the one who agreed."

"I'm not that weak, you guys. Don't talk like I'm not here." Brendon interjects.

"Fine. Let us see." Lara says and jumps down from the stands onto the stage.

Teacher Henry clears his throat. "Ahem, alright. The both of you please chose your weapons from the table to my right."

On a table were all kinds of weapons- swords, daggers, spears, bows, shields and even ropes.

Lara shrugs her shoulders. "Don't need one."

Brendon looks towards the table. "Ah, guess I'll take one." and picks a dagger that could fit into the palm of his hand.

Teacher Henry stares at the both of them blankly until Lara reminds him. "Lil' Ri?"

"Ah, yes." He steps off the stage. "The fight will last until either of you clearly loses, gives up or is unable to move. Are...are you sure you don't need any weapons?"

The examinees start whispering amongst themselves. "Do they think this is a children's argument or something? The girl hasn't even picked a weapon... And she claims to be the strongest amongst the first year students... If even children like her can be accepted, don't you think getting in will be easy..?"

"Yup." Lara answers the teacher leisurely with her hands behind her head.

"Yeah." Brendon replies at the same time.

"Then..." Teacher Henry steps off the stage. "Begin!"