Chapter 6

Merv didn't think twice: He dashed forward, and began his signature move: death by a thousand cuts. He got the "weird" name from his favorite artist. But anyway, this move of his is pretty horrifying: even though it looks like a bunch of mindless thrusts, it will catch you off-guard if you're not prepared. But I am. I parried some thrusts and quickly cartwheeled to the side, as I twirled and hit him straight at his side.

"First point, to Star!" Sir Jenkins shouted.

"Argh, how do you get past that, Star?!" Mervin growled.

"I don't know, honestly." I awkwardly smile as I returned back to my position.

Merv and I returned to our positions and took our stance.

"Ready, fight!" Sir Jenkins shouted as he looked at some more papers.

I took the initiative this time, as I cartwheeled back a bit and dashed straight at Mervin. Mervin tried doing a downward thrust, but I managed to do a barrel roll and hit him right at his heart.

"Another point, to Star!" Sir Jenkins said, as he smiled proudly.

Mervin started breathing deeply as he returned to his spot and take his stance, as he looks at me straight into my eyes. I yawned as I took my stance, feeling a bit exhausted.

"Alright. Ready, fight!" Sir Jenkins shouted.

Mervin dashed forward slightly, trying to poke me from afar, which I quickly parried, but he quickly closed in and lunged at me from the side, catching me off-guard and hitting me on the stomach.

"First point of Mervin!" Sir Jenkins shouted.

"HA-HA! Take that, Howards!" Mervin said, laughing triumphantly.

I yawned and stretched my back gently, trying not to stretch it too much.

"I guess my clean record will get broken, huh?" I said as I twirled to my stance.

"Ready, fight!" Sir Jenkins sat upright and paid attention to us.

Mervin moved to the side, trying to poke me from afar, which I dodge and parry effortless. I try going in, but Mervin's handwork suddenly became good and eventually pushed me out of the tape border.

"Out! Another point to Mervin!" Sir Jenkins said as he properly sat upright.

"Watch out, Howards! I've been practicing my whole life for this day, to finally defeat you!" Mervin let out a laugh and a cackle.

"I guess I don't need to hold back then, huh?" I smiled as I return to my position. Only this time, my stance was different. I stood facing him, my epee held on my chest, my eyes closed, as if praying for guidance and power.

Well, that's kinda the goal: I need to assess Mervin and his performance now to unleash something I've been working on since day one practicing fencing. Okay, he's right handed. He tends to thrust right away when he's on the offensive, and he waits when he's on defensive. Okay. I think I got this pat down. That's all I need to know.

"Ready? Final round, begin!" Sir Jenkin's shouts sounds like an echo to me.

To be continued...