First Duel

"Arrghhh," a groan sounded out and Bao Bao and Xi Lian both looked to the east wing of the restaurant. A scrawny boy was smashed into the table surrounded by four older-looking guys. Bao Bao was about to get up before Xi Lian held her back and told her, "Check their badges first. The tags of the four older ones are sophomores and blue rank. The boy is just a freshman like us, red rank."

"But I want to help him! Wouldn't we gain more allies that way?"

"Bao Bao, it's not worth it to gain an ally but have four enemies instead." When saying that, Xi Lian realized that she had tempered down a lot more after coming here and she hadn't even experienced anything yet. Could it be because she was in a foreign environment? That's right...her grandpa prepared her for everything except being in a new place. Even the rain forests she explored were man-made by her family. No! This isn't good! How could she have tempered down so much just from a day's stay here?

Xi Lian's eyes hardened when she put down her plate full of delicious food. Wait for me, my fellow sushi! She marched over to the east wing and poked the back of one of the sophomores. In the background, Bao Bao was startled and ran after her, "Ah, wait! Lian!"

When the five turned their eyes to them, Xi Lian said, "Excuse me big brother, I want to challenge you to a duel."

Her skinny figure and soft-looking skin made her seem frail and weak at first. Just using a straw could blow her over. On her side, the Lolita's short figure made them even more surprised. The other party's guard was already being let down each second.

The corners of the sophomore's lips curved up and he introduced himself first, "I am Zhang Wei, may I help you?"

Xi Lian put her hands to her hips as if she was impatient, giving off the impression that she was a naive, easily-provoked girl. "Say, are you deaf? I already said, I want to challenge you to a duel!"

Zhang Wei's smile was still there and no signs of anger were seen. "Oh? Little girls, you want a group fight? Why are you doing this, to save this boy?"

Bao Bao nervously looked at her hands, and Xi Lian responded "I'm just one year younger than you, why are you so arrogant? And no, this boy doesn't mean anything to me! I want your points through a one-on-one fight. Higher ranks aren't allowed to decline the challenge of a lower rank."

A few of their faces showed startled expressions. Zhang Wei's patience minimized, "I'll accept your challenge since you're so ignorant. But don't you know that only when you defeat someone in three different duels could you win a fourth of your opponent's points?"

Xi Lian smiled, "Of course. The three duels don't have to consecutive in a single day. If I defeat you one time today but perhaps defeat you in two other duels in the future, the badges would add up the duels and give me a fourth of your points won't it? But that's not what I'm doing right now. On page twenty-five of the guidebook, it says when you challenge someone to a single duel you only need to scan each other's badges and it would be submitted into the badge. On page fifty-five, it says that students are allowed to transfer points to each other after a duel. However, the winner can only take three points which makes single duels worthless to some people. I'm a freshman though and a single point is worth a lot to me. That means I can challenge you to a single duel, win, and take three points off of you."

Each word was clear and concise, with no hitch between the sentences.

Bao Bao's eyes were wide as she stared at her newly made friend in amazement. She's a real gem alright, I knew I picked a good ally! So commanding! So amazing!

Zhang Wei finally frowned. He declared to his three friends, "No need to check the guidebook, I also have photographic memory and what she just said is true."

"Ah? Big brother Zhang also has photographic memory? Why don't we duel in that then? Someone will give a random page in the guidebook, we will take turns stating the contents on the pages given, and whoever stops first wins. How about it?"

At first he thought the girl wanted a physical fight which was why he was so sure he would win. But she wanted a duel in memory? Judging from what she said earlier she should have remembered the guidebook thoroughly...

"What? Scared?" Xi Lian giggled wickedly.

Under her provocation, he had no time to think and retorted back "I was just worried this duel wouldn't be fair to you. You're a freshmen which means today was your first day reading the guidebook, you probably haven't even finished it. I was trying to be nice yet you want to court death. We'll duel in this then!"

Amusement danced in the girl's eyes. When Bao Bao pulled at her shirt, she thought she was afraid. But when she looked back she saw a grin on the Lolita's face and her fist pumped in the air, "You can do it, Lian!" Warmth filled Xi Lian's heart and she nodded back in gratefulness. Since her new friend really believed in her, then she shouldn't let her down..

Xi Lian and Zhang Wei first scanned each other's badges to enter the duel. One of Zhang Wei's sophomore friends came back with a copy of the guidebook. The two opponents stood at opposite ends of the smashed table and the friend with stubby legs announced like a referee, "May the duel begin!"

"Page 67!"

Xi Lian started off first and enunciated each word sharply "The referee is in charge of overseeing a duel and must verify that the two opponents have scanned each other's badges and transferred any potential points or fulfilled the end of a deal or bet. If by any chance the referee doesn't do what he is binded to do, then he will be kicked out or punished severely."

"Page 81!"

Zhang Wei's voice was steady and clear, "Through the mission center, the ----"

"Page 64!"

"The facilities of these ----"

The two voices kept turning on and off, taking turns every few minutes.

A voice in the background could be heard, "Oh man, that referee guy has been wanting to judge a duel for ages. Guess he finally got the chance to today."

A deeper voice responded, "Who do you think's going to win?"

"Of course boss Zhang!"

"But I've never heard that he had photographic memory..."

"Boss Zhang has lots of hidden talents. Remember last time he was able to crack the crab shells with his bare hands? We never thought he could do that, so we must have faith in him!"

"...The crab shells were already cracked, and look...boss Zhang's started sweating and his voice is wavering."

The onlookers saw that it was true. Not only was Zhang Wei's voice shaky, his opponent still had the same amount of energy left. Her eyes were bright and she didn't hold back at all.

"Page 14!"