POV, Molly.
Lafonía. 8 years ago.
-Begin!
Kadom! *
The taiko was struck, marking the beginning of the match.
My opponent is a [Fighter] of the bear´s clan, he is at least 2 times bigger and stronger than me.
The use of magic is banned, so the physical strengthening and the wind are something that I cannot use.
Since I´m a cat and tiger hybrid, I´m stronger and faster than most feline clans, but I´m far from invincible. Much less in this match, where my class of [Swordsman] can´t make use of swords.
If he catches me or gives me a direct blow it will be my loss.
-Hmph. Nothing I can´t surpass.
I made sure to keep those words as a whisper; to say something like that in the middle of a fight is a horrible absence of respect that I cannot dare to show.
-Nothing personal, young lady.
-Don´t worry about it, come at me with everything you´ve got, because I will.
My opponent took a stance that made evident his intention to punch me.
Clearly a faint.
-In that case, let me begin. Ha!
A pair of huge fists were coming to my face, when I showed spices to dodge the fists halted and a low kick aimed at my stomach tried to take their place.
I parried his attack with my own foot and jumped front with a fist up.
-Damnit!
His lack of balance made the defense with his arms a hard task to achieve, I took advantage of that momentum to open the fingers of my fist and take a hold of his karategi, then I threw a kick to his knee, forcing him to bow.
After that I pushed downwards his body as my knee rose, it only took a second for his chin to be shaken.
-Ugh...
Thump*
A member of the bears will not be unconscious for a long time, that´s why I restricted his limbs.
-...Ah... Ha?!
-I won´t let you move.
My foe woke up soon as I predicted, his face filled with incredulity by being unable to move as he pleased.
Slowly I began to twist his arm behind his back.
-Hrgh!
His expression was influenced by the pain, and yet, he didn´t stop resisting.
-I wouldn´t do that if I were you.
I twisted more his arm in response.
-AARGH!
-You know what you have to say.
We continued this way for at least 2 minutes. My image of the bear clan went from being "a lot of muscle and a bit of technique" to "a bold stubbornness".
I guess that´s better.... Right?
-I- I give up!
I let go of his arm and his other limbs, the combat had ended.
-The winner! Molly!
The referee rose my arm in victory.
RRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRRRR!! *
A powerful roar of those watching our fight made the ground tremble, the heat in my chest developed a grin.
-As expected from the daughter of the leaders, you are truly someone strong, young lady.
-... I still have a long way to go. I´ll become stronger and I´ll be the next head.
-Haha! In that case, keep the good effort.
-I will.
**
-One more... I just need one more...
I received a sword of orichalcum for my achievement, it was the fourth I won since I began to participate in the tournaments of the clan.
I hang it with the other on one of my walls, they were arranged in a way that looked like golden dawn.
Below my decoration, there was an empty piece of furniture that later on will have a very special sword.
One that I could only obtain after winning 5 tournaments.
-Huhuhu... I can´t wait.
The next tournament will be in a pair of months, it will also be public, so warriors from everywhere will participate.
It was a great chance to improve my skills.
-Huhuhu... Huhuhuhu...
I really couldn´t wait.
Tock* Tock*
-My lady, the lord is calling for you.
The fantasy of my victory vanished after the knocking on my door.
-I´ll go immediately, thanks.
The maid left and I changed clothes quickly. Today I had the afternoon free due to the tournament, so I´ll go out for a walk once I´m done with whatever father has to tell me.
-I didn´t see him anywhere during the fight. Though he may have been watching me anyway.
Father was not a very expressive man, he didn´t talk a lot either, and his temper wasn´t the easiest at times.
But he somehow always managed to be there when necessary. The news also arrived at him without delay; so novities were something that occurred just a few times.
-... Being watched without knowing it still feels kind of gross...
I didn´t want to be rude to my father, but I also wasn´t able to lie to myself.
With slight clothes on my body, I stepped out of my room and head to the main office.
-Great fight, young lady!
-Thanks.
-Your movements were so fluid and beautiful. You will be a great warrior in the future! I´m sure of it!
-Am I not already one?
-Let´s fight someday, my lady. I want to show you how much I´ve grown!
-Tomorrow morning at the dojo, prepare yourself.
On my way, I head into a lot of people. Some of them were mates to whom I often trained with, others were servants, and some were mentors or parents of other members.
As the daughter of the leader, I have always had preferential treatment from them.
Is honestly enjoyable, but I also don´t want to be remembered and recognized as just the daughter of the leader.
To gain a name and reputation, I must use my own hands.
That is why I´ve been trying hard to be worthy of such treatment.
Studying more than anyone, training more, fighting more.
Winning more.
Whether is thanks to the goddess or my own effort, I´ve managed to get most people to consider me as someone who deserves to chase after the post of my father.
Tough I would have done so even if they weren´t fine with that.
**
I arrived at the office.
-Father, it´s me.
-... Come in.
The deep voice granted me with its permission, as always, the place was impeccable.
The long white desk had multiple scrolls and documents tidied to the sides. On the walls were paintings of the previous leaders and heroes of history. Behind a golden chair, extremely ornamented with jade and other jewels, were banners stewed in gold and silver with the words "honor", "loyalty" and "compromise".
-You won the tournament, good job.
-I appreciate the words.
The man praising me was my father. It was a man of 38 years whose high was about 2 meters. His long hair and orange tail were decorated with the same stripes that I had, proving that we belonged to the same breed. His shaped body was covered by a black yukata decorated with needlework of cherry blossoms.
His intimidating face didn´t move at all, at least not more than just opening his lips.
-With this, you have obtained your fourth victory... And with just 12 years of age...
-And I´ll get the fifth in the next tournament. Then you´ll have to fulfill your part of the treat.
-Of course, I´ll carry out my words as long as you are the winner.
-That´s all I need to know.
-Hmph. That attitude will only produce problems, if you want to be the next leader you must correct it at once.
I was very young, but the number of times that I have heard that was already impossible to keep counting.
-I´ll keep it in mind, father.
-Good. Now that we are done with that, let us talk about the purpose of my calling.
The light mood was pulverized. My father still had a serene and tranquil voice, but now I was only able to completely focus on him to not lose any of his words.
-Today the recruits will arrive at the west district, I want you to guide them here and execute the preliminary tests.
-... Really?... Shouldn´t a high rank deal with that?...
-Is it impossible for you?
-Not at all.
Every certain time the clan gets a wave of recruits from the beast kingdom of the west. The same happens here, with the people of Lafonía.
The tests admit 500 people to let them try to pass the preliminary tests, the average pass rate normally is 80 to 120. After that comes personal interviews and another number of physical examinations are done, making a filter where only 20 or 40 people manage to pass.
To control such a high number of people we have several high-rank members of the clan to supervise. But this will be the first time that a member of 12 years takes part in the test as supervisor.
My excitement was hard to contain.
-Then get ready, they will arrive at dawn.
-Understood, sir.
I walked to the door reproducing all the rules for the tests in my head.
No matter what, I will not fail in this mission.
-Molly.
-Yes?
Before going out my father called me again, his eyes irradiating me with a warm serenity.
-I suppose you already know it, but you must not establish any kind of affective relationship with the candidates. Impartiality is the most important thing at this moment.
Of course, I had very clear that fact, after all, only 2 years have passed since I was once a candidate.
Not even my mother had any kind of special consideration for her daughter.
-Clear as water father, I promise you I won´t let you down.
-... Good, you´re free to go.
-Excuse me.
My feet increased their speed involuntarily, a lot was about to happen, and my heart was barely capable to endure the wait.
-Huhuhu, uhuhuhuhu.
I returned to my bedroom in a few minutes, I didn´t enter immediately because I wanted to avoid any embarrassing situation with the person inside.
-Iisssshhh* Haaaaaah*
My lungs worked hard to prepare myself before the imminent disaster.
I opened the door.
-Molly! Darling! I saw your combat! You were wonderful as always! You defeated the son of the bear´s clan with so much grace that I tough for a moment that you were fighting against a flower! You´re certainly our daughter!
-.... Thanks, mom...
-MRRIIAAUU!
Just when my body was visible, I was immediately captured by the arms of my mother. My face being asphyxiated by her chest and the sound of her purrs.
The tests haven´t started yet... But I already feel out of breath...