I followed her out to the field, and continued to study and re-study everything I could see about her. I needn't, but it is best to be sure.

  Her rapier was about the same length as my sabre, so that would be even. Mine was heavier, an advantage for me. All in all, I would say I have a 87.92125% chance at victory. That is, I lf I ment to.

  It wasn't a good look to simply beat everyone and everything, that gets people upset. So, I plan to put up a fight, and lose. This would hopefully smooth our working relationship, and lead to future underestimation.

  We set up in a circle in a part of the field. There were others like it around, likely for others to practice at the same time.

  "The rules?" I ask.

  "5 contacts, no pauses." She says.

  "This leaves an unfair advantage to me. With no pauses between hits, exhaustion will set in faster for you." I state

  "Perhaps, but when defending yourself, there is no pausing. When fighting in a field of battle, hesitation will yell you faster then lightning. You get it?" She asks, head tilted.

  I pause, then respond. "I predicted dueling in this context to be those of higher class to show off, perhaps to settle issues?"

  "Make no mistake, that happens, quite a bit. But, I teach to keep people alive, not for petty contests." She says.

  I nod, pleased. I was beginning to like this teacher. "Acceptable. I would be pleased to learn by example." I say.

  "Then ready yourself. Count to 3 in your head, then we begin." She says.

  Ah, looking for cheating, a test of character. Interesting. So, I wait, 3 seconds. She shifts stances. 2 seconds. Her eyes flicker. One. She draws, and tenses.

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  She rockets at me, faster then any unaugmented organic should. She slashes at my side. I partially draw my sword then dash back, drawing fully.

  Expectations broken, chances lowered. She backs up, we circle. Silence reigns for now. It isn't time for banter.

  While I had the endurance advantage, she had the match advantage. She needed 5 hits, period. Could be small hits, big, cuts, anything, no matter if it would be effective in reality.

  I stepped forward, and swiped the tip, then jabbed as I stepped back. She didn't take the bait. She slowly walked forward, forgoing circling.

  Suddenly she speeds up, jabbing repeatedly. I stepped back, and the dance continues. I wad losing.

  I had foregone trying to lose. Now I was trying to not lose too bad. There wasn't victory to be had. So, I attempted to hold on.

  She was an elf, older then she appeared. More experienced. She wasn't sticking to one style, predictions were inaccurate.

  The first point went to her, a jab on my arm. The second went to her as well, a cut to my overextended leg. After that, we circled.

  "You are using multiple styles. Predictions are difficult." I say.

  "Well, I didn't get old by sitting still like some monk. Now, you fight very conservatively. You strike when you see an opportunity. Very clinical." She says.

  "You also don't feel like your used to your body. Slight expectations go amiss. Your used to being stronger. Faster. You are doing well, all things considered." She says.

  "But stop going for the perfect hit. Some small hits here and there on arms and legs, sometimes the body, will do you better then waiting." She says, then jabs my chest.

  I couldn't process fast enough, not enough computation.

  I follow her advice, and advance, gaining nothing but the clashing of steel. At times I try to get her with my knife, or with my fist, but when she cuts my hand for the fourth point, I refrain. I back up, and study her again.

  I have miscalculated. Severely. If she ment me harm, I would be destroyed without recourse. But, it was sparing. To learn. A new opportunity...

  I step in again, and continue to advance. When I get close enough, we exchange blows. Until finally, I whip my knife at her head. She jerks back instinctively, and I thrust forwards. She dodges of course.

  I kick out, and miss. She cuts my leg. The fifth point. I stop. I have lost. This was... heh. Heheheha.

  "This... is good. Very good." I say. This class... it has worth. I smile internally, pleased.

  I was exited for the rest of the week ahead. After all... I lost!