“Then why didn’t you come from the back door? And to jump over the fence as well, Backyard has a fence, you know?” Samuel asserted. However, the very next moment, his brows jumped. Thinking about it, they do not have a fence here. It was back at home. Oops.

Shi Mei involuntarily took a step back before hesitantly replying, “I… uh… I… Earlier I was practising — I mean swinging it in the backyard and um… The sword flew out of my hands! Yes! So I followed it out here! So I ended up going off the fence.”

Really? Samuel’s feelings turned odd looking at the inexpressive girl before her trying to lie her way out. Pursing his lips, Samuel shook his head.

Looking at the boy’s disapproving gaze, Shi Mei asked, “W-what’s wrong?”

Samuel rolled his eyes while replying, “Nothing. I mean, everything. How did you jump over that big a fence? It is quite tall, right?”

The girl’s brow wrinkled. Despite her hesitation, she answered, “Y-yes. It was big. But I used Ki Arts and jumped over it.”

“Oh, really?” Samuel closed in, wiggling his brows.

Bobbing her head up and down like a chick pecking grain, Shi Mei nodded fervently.

“Pfft—” Samuel laughed. “Go check if there’s a fence.”

Shi Mei’s brows jumped. Her pupils contracted with fury. Looking at the laughing boy, she walked up in front of him before viciously swinging her foot in an arc, hitting Samuel’s leg.

Choked between laughter and tears, Samuel’s hand grabbed for his leg, causing him to tumble down. Between his unceasing laughter, he forced out, “Do you think… that even you… believe that?”

Shi Mei fell silent in thought. Next, she shook her head. “What about you?”

Swallowing down his laughter, Samuel replied, “Of course I didn’t. Your story had too many holes, and other than that, I saw you swinging it myself…” realising he had misspoken, after feeling the change in Shi Mei’s gaze, Samuel hurriedly complimented, “Y-You looked quite good doing that. Diligent and elegant. Just like a refined lady should.”

Because of the compliment, Shi Mei determined getting angry to be inappropriate, so she swallowed down her anger.

Looking at the girl acting this way, Samuel asked, “Why hide it, though?”

“Because this blade is special. Grandpa said to not let others know of it.” Shi Mei explained. “This blade is one of the three things our founder left behind, along with the staff grandpa always carries with him, and a set of armour our monastery lost long ago. As for other details, I don’t know. You have to ask grandpa about them yourself.” Pausing for a long moment, Shi Mei continued, “…And sorry.”

Hearing the last words, Samuel roused out of his thoughts, asking, “But why—”

Before he could finish asking, the clothes around the boy’s neck tightened as a small hand grabbed his collar. At the same time, heat rapidly spread from the side of his neck. Not daring to move his neck, he slanted his eyes over, finding the edge of the beautiful blade from a little while ago pressing against his neck.

Looking back at Shi Mei, Samuel saw an emotionless glint flashing within her eyes, giving him a great sense of insociability from the girl before him.

“Promise you’ll forget what you just saw and I’ll let you go.” The girl spoke, articulating each word with clarity.

Not daring to move a muscle for fear of his neck falling off, Samuel looked Shi Mei in the eye. Beads of sweat from the back of his neck damped his collar. Why is this girl acting this way?! I didn’t do anything for you to want my tiny little life! I’ll remember this. Just you wait.

Gritting his teeth, Samuel closed his eyes and swallowed down his pride. “Fine. I promise.”

Hearing the boy’s words, Shi Mei’s grip loosened.

However, as soon as she let go, Samuel’s body jerked backwards. The boy immediately tried to make distance. But his legs thought otherwise, shaking incessantly. With a thud, Samuel landed on the ground, breathing deeply.

“Are you okay?” Shi Mei asked.

After all that, how am I supposed to be okay?! You tell me. Someone tries to kill you and then will you be okay?! Are you insane? Samuel swallowed a bellyful of anger, replying in a voice neither too friendly nor too distant: “Yes.”

No. I shouldn’t get angry at her. Fault is that old man’s. He took the staff, causing his opposition to naturally desire the blade. Otherwise, how would they maintain balance? Now, I’m guessing it’s under some pretence like the blade having equal chances to fall on each side so they can swallow you holding the staff.

But now this?! I think I understand what that old man wanted. Now I can’t even jump ships in case something happens. I understand why, but still. It doesn’t help to make me feel better. I get you’d make this girl promise to prevent spreading this secret. But c’mon! Do you people here teach how to solve everything with fighting? Reasoning exists goddammit! First that bald idiot, and now even a little girl. Just wait till I become strong enough to wring your heads.

And damn you too, Dad! Why’re you doing this?! Why’re you forcing your only feeble son to play with his tiny little life? Do you not like me? Did you get tired of me? I get you want me to benefit from their scuffle. But why?! I know I asked you to send me for training, but couldn’t it have been somewhere else? Like, somewhere safer?! I’ll tell Mom. Just you wait.

Finishing his inner monologue, Samuel turned to look at the girl, feeling like crying within. Taking a deep breath, he stilled his mind before pushing against the ground to get up. Immediately, his eyes widened.

Yesterday’s training! Now it all makes sense. Did he already predict something like this? No wonder he didn’t come alongside me. Seems Teacher Mo isn’t as bad after all. I’ll still tell on dad regardless, though. In any case, he deserves it. Good, old man. I’ll follow your plan.

Getting up, Samuel’s fiery gaze landed on Shi Mei. “I challenge you to a du—*cough* hand-to-hand duel.”

Realising that a standard duel implied the use of weapons, Samuel couldn’t help but remember the scene from moments ago. Immediately, he declared the combat to be hand-to-hand, prohibiting use of weapons.

“You’ll lose.” Shi Mei shook her head.

Samuel’s previously swallowed pride crawled back up his throat, shouting shamelessly, “Ten moves. If I am still standing after all ten, I win. Otherwise, you win.”

Thinking it to be acceptable, Shi Mei nodded in agreement.

Calming himself, Samuel took a stance. Glaring forwards, he gestured Shi Mei to start attacking.

Before he could pull back his hand, a soft hand wrapped around his wrist, pulling it forward. The sheer force behind the pull made Samuel’s face turn pale. His stance immediately broke as he tried his best to maintain balance.

However, he was amidst a duel. A fist closed in on his face. Promptly, he tilted his head and body sideways, evading the punch by a finger’s breadth. Yet, it didn’t help. With his odd posture and uncontrollable momentum, he toppled to the side like a sandbag being thrown.

Raising his head, he saw Shi Mei turn to leave.

I’ve seen this scene somewhere. Looking at her back, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity. He blinked. I think I understand how Zack felt back then. I really thrashed him hard, didn’t I? What goes around comes around. Hahaha!

With a bitter smile on his face, Samuel shouted, “Again!”