XIII. It's Time to D-D-D-D-Duel!

(A/N: I am using actual stance positions, just search them up if you want a proper image in your mind. I'll be using longsword stances for Val, and naginata for Abe.)

I approach Abe in an inside left longsword stance, ready to deflect the naginata's blade.

In return Abe readies his naginata in an upper level position. An offensive stance. He knows his advantages.

Once I'm in range, instead of going for a downward slash, Abe butts me with the end of the handle, taking me by surprise.

I defend with the flat of my blade, switching to an inside right stance with minimal movement, and stab at him in response.

Abe, using the momentum from my deflection, moves a full step back and swings down his naginata. This causes him to keep his advantage in range.

I take a quick step back and change to a low stance, keeping my sword far infront of me.

I need to get inside his range to even hope to pass this test. That'll be hard, considering he's more skilled in combat than I am. I'm not looking to win this fight, though. I'm looking to rank up.

I decide to use my speed to quickly enter his defenses, but Abe, while definitely slower than me, uses a lower level position, with the blade side of his naginata facing up. His swing upwards is faster than my charge.

Instead of stopping and defending, I take the chance and jump towards his upper body, while still maintaining a low stance, and once again use my sword to change the trajectory of Abe's blade.

After successfully deflecting while still in the air, I let go of one hand and elbow Abe's face.

Abe, taken by surprise, quickly ducks down, my elbow only grazing the top of his head.

He steps further back and regains his range advantage and speaks up.

Abe: "He he, yer use of hand techniques is a good way to diversify yer fighting style, making you more unpredictable. Good thinkin'."

I only smile back at him. If I continue to innovate in this test, I'll definitely pass.

Since I'm a beast, I'll fight as unpredictably as one. In my elf form that is.

Letting go of my defensive stances, I change to a back right stance with my sword lowered to my hip.

I charge again and Abe swings down his naginata from his upper position stance.

Just as the blade reaches the apex of his swing, I let go of my left hand and try to deflect it while moving my body a few centimeters to the side.

I bring up my sword from it's lower position to a slash upwards.

Abe uses the momentum of his swing to change his attack into a block, using the long handle of his naginata to stop my sword in its tracks.

Instead of stopping my blade there and trying for a contest in strength by pushing against his defense, like some shitty action shows, I use my free hand to form a fist and aim for an uppercut to Abe's face.

I strike his chin, causing Abe to cock his head to cock back at the force behind my punch.

Still aware of his surroundings, Abe stumbles back quickly trying to gain is range again.

Abe holds his chin in pain, but quickly recovers into a middle level stance and spits out a bloodied tooth.

Abe: "You be fightin' like a beast, kid. I think I'm startin' ta like yer determination ta win. Been awhile since this one bled from a rank up test."

Abe shows a wicked smile.

Abe: "Now that I know yer made of tough stuff, let's see how ya handle me like this..."

I sense mana gather around Abe's body. He's using mana to enhance his movements.

I haven't learned that magic technique yet, since Mom is a mage-type she didn't teach me. I'm kinda jealous.

(A/N: Maybe I forgot to mention it, but Daria is a Wind Mage. The reason she's physically strong is due to the Wolf God's Blessing she received in the beginning. She knows basic sword techniques for back up incase she runs out of mana.)

Since I know I wouldn't be able to land another hit on him with my base form while he's enhanced, I steel my resolve and try to defend for as long as I can to solidify the chances of me passing.

Maybe if I get a lucky hit in, he'll give me a good evaluation and pass me.

Abe, now much faster than me, charges at me in his middle stance ready to stab me.

While he's faster, I can still see him clearly due to my enhanced sense. That doesn't mean my elven body can keep up with him though.

Using most of my concentration, I focus on predicting his movements and defending, using both my sword and free hand to block and deflect as much strikes as I can.

Successfully blocking a few attacks form Abe, I use some openings to think of a way to get at least one attack in.

What can I do? I can't use my sword as I'm blocking with it. I can't use my free hand because I'm deflecting with it.

I can't use kicks, because I'm using my legs to retreat.

I gotta think.

I gotta use my head.

...

Use my head.

A smile creeps on my lips.

Now focusing on deflection with my hands, I throw my weapon to the side. Throwing at Abe would be useless as hell just move out the way, and throwing a big sword like mine won't be effective at all. It's not balanced for throwing anyways.

With both hands now free, I use the self taught hand techniques, which I would use in my werewolf form, I try to grab on to the handle of the naginata.

Since he's using mana to enhance himself he is also stronger than me now, so I only have less than a second to grip his weapon.

Deflecting a few blows, I wait for a good opportunity to grab on. I'm starting to feel the fatigue of battle creep in my body

Suddenly, a wave of adrenaline pumps to my brain. It's telling me 'this next strike is your chance!'.

Is that... my Spidey Sense kicking in?

Nah, it's just my instincts.

This is my first time I've felt my instincts. I guess because I've never really battled this hard with someone before.

Listening to my instincts, I grab on to Abe's next attack.

As if my body moved on it's own without my thinking, I violently force my head forward to meet Abe's face.

*BONK*

I knock my head against Abe's and my vision gets blurry.

So this is a concussion. Doesn't feel very good.

After the blow we both stumble backwards, Abe still standing with a bloodied nose and eye, and me falling to my back, my forehead bleeding where I hit it.

(A/N: Abe isn't crying blood, but that a vein inside the whites of his eye had burst causing it to make his eye whites to become red.)

Valister: "Ugh... damn that hurt... can't feel my toes."

Abe shakes his head softly to get rid of his shaking vision.

Abe: "Ha...Haha! Ahhahaha! Boy, yer a surprisin' one, ain't ya! This'll be the first time some newbie managed ta make me bleed an' bruise! Hahaha!"

That's great... that means I passed right? I'm D rank now, right?

While thinking I passed the rank up test, darkness covers my vision and I pass out.

---------------

(POV 3rd Person - Abe)

Abe looked at the boy passed out on the ground and ponders.

'What an interestin' lad. I had expected the son of Daria-chan ta be a mage, but instead I was greeted by a fighter. A good one at that, despite only learnin' basics. First he makes me use mana, then he surprises me by almost keepin' up with me, then he literally uses his head ta get a strike in. He actually hurt me, too. Been ages since I last tasted battle. He passed with flyin' colors.'

Going around the boy to pick up the thrown sword, he takes a closer look. He seems to find the weapon familiar.

'This is that weapon that the shop owner had said he made. I remember, the ship owner lied about makin' it. He actually found this thing in a dungeon from his adventurin' days. After he opened up shop he couldn't sell it due to it's appearance. He tried to pass it off as one of his designs to make it more popular, but that didn't work either. Now that I'm holding it, I can also sense a small amount of mana. Must be a magic weapon.'

After looking at the sword for a few more seconds, Abe turned to grab the boy's bag, the. turned to hoist up Valister onto his shoulder.

Abe opens the door to the arena and enters to the guild's infirmary and lays Valister on a bed.

Abe: "Hey, doc take care of this boy, will ya? Hit his head on a rock, ya see."

The infirmary's doctor, a beautiful mature woman with dark red long hair tied to a loose ponytail, bright green eyes, and full red lips, looks up at Abe with an annoyed smile.

Doc: "I told you, Abeecchi, to knock before you enter."

Abe: "I will after ya stop callin' me that damn nickname! I ain't ecchi no more! That was in the past, and I'm already married, unlike ya!"

*Snap*

The pencil the Doctor was hold had broken in half.

*Gulp*

Abe had realized his mistake.

Doc: "Ha~? What was that~?"

She gave a large smile that was more terrifying than death itself.

Abe: "Sorry-"

As quick as lightning the sexy Doctor grabbed the ear apologetic Abe and pulled hard.

Abe: "Gahh! I said I'm sorry! Didn't mean ta bring that up! Yer gonna rip my ear off, lady!"

The Angry Doctor let go of Abe's ear and he stood back up with tears in his eyes.

'Jeez, fer how strong this old lady is, she sure is sensitive...'

Doc: "Huh~? Did you just think of something rude just bow~?"

The Doctor smiled at the red eared Guild Master again.

Abe: "No, nothin'! Just take care of that kid there, awright? Gotta go do my guild duties an' all."

Abe shakes his hands and quickly turns to leave.

(POV 3rd Person - Doc)

'Haa... What a stupid man. Doesn't he know not to mention marriage to an older woman?'

The doctor then glances to the bow occupied bed.

'Ooh, what a handsome boy... Maybe today's gonna be a fun one...'

The doctor makes her way to the sleeping boy with a potion and cloth.

'That monkey of a guild master said he got his head... Consuming a potion won't work with internal brain damage, so I'll just pour a potion on a cloth and wrap it on his head, while I cast healing magic.'

The doctor pours a potion to a cloth and places it on Valister's head. She then sits on the side of the bed and starts to chant a healing spell. Greenish light emits from her small hands and she places them to the boy's ears for a couple of seconds.

'That'll do for now. Ugh, he's all sweaty. If my workers were here, they'd take care of it, but since they're not here, I'll have to do it. At least this one is good looking.'

The doctor starts pulling off the boy's clothes and removes his soft armor.

'He has a good body and ... wow... that's a big one...'

The doctor traces her finger down the shaft of the boys flaccid dong.

'I'd like to play with it, but I'm not a fan of doing it while they're sleeping.'

The doctor removes her hand and starts properly cleaning off the sweat of the boy.

Unknown to her she releases a certain scent, causing Valister's body to unconsciously react.

'...'

The doctor trues not to notice and continues her cleaning while rubbing her thighs together.

'Maybe I'll just ask when he wakes up.'