"Can you defend your beliefs? Can you fight for them?" Mr. Ridge's inquiry resonated, lingering alongside his earlier proclamation, creating a palpable tension in the air.
Perplexed, I stammered, "What...?" The wooden sword's weight felt light in my hands as I struggled to comprehend the sudden challenge.
Leon, sensing the tension, stepped forward and questioned, "Father, what are you doing?" He stood by my side, ready to confront whatever unexpected situation unfolded.
Unfazed, Cliff maintained a measured gaze on me, holding his own wooden sword with precision. The tip pointed in my direction, creating a subtle intimidation that put me on edge.
With a mild smile, Mr. Ridge reassured, "Don't fret; this is merely a measured spar. I'm keen on exploring just how far young Reo's unique approach to strength can take him." His smile, though mild, subtly shifted the solemn atmosphere that enveloped him.
"Whoa, Reo's going to square off against Mr. Leon's dad!" Don marveled, the rest of the gang echoing his excitement from the sidelines.
Trise, exasperated, snapped at Don, "Are you crazy? Do you even understand what's happening right now?" She aggressively twisted at Don's left ear, prompting yelps of protest.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow. I'm pretty sure none of us do, actually! Not since they started talking about being the best and whatnot. Ow, ow ow..."
Trise's stern tone shifted as she addressed me, "Reo." Her voice cut through the chatter, pulling me out of my reverie. Blinking myself back to reality, I slowly redirected my attention towards the concerned group.
Wearing a worried expression, Trise let go of Don's ear and continued, "I'm not sure what exactly is going on since...," she paused, "for a while now, actually. But are you really going to have a go with Mr. Ridge?"
Before I could respond, Leon cut in, adding an air of anticipation to the gathering.
"Are you kidding? There's no way he can!" Leon protested fervently. "My dad isn't just some regular guard —" Before he could finish, I cut in.
"It's fine, you guys." With an even glance at the faces of the group, I weighed the wooden sword in my hand. Redirecting my gaze across the backyard, I smiled, skillfully masking my inner thoughts.
"This is just going to be a friendly spar between Mr. Ridge and me. Plus, he's right. I should be able to fight for and defend my logic, shouldn't I?"
In response to my statement, Mr. Ridge gave a measured smile. "I can't consider you a man otherwise."
A playful grin formed on my lips. "Oh? Well, I'm flattered. It seems I'm not just another kid in your eyes then?" The banter added a layer of intrigue to the unfolding challenge.
While this exchange went on, I suppressed the panic that was raging on internally from making a crack in my expression. Of course I wasn't a fool or an idiot. He says it's a friendly spar, but it's obvious he's trying to determine something from this. But I'm not sure what exactly he wants to see. Or is he really just merely trying to measure the extent of my belief like he says?
If I were asked if I were worried, then I'd most likely say I wasn't. I really wasn't, that was the truth. But it's not for reasons such as I foolishly think I can take him or I'm severely underestimating him or anything like that. If anything, it's the opposite.
It's obvious this isn't a battle of skills or anything, and I'm sure someone of Mr. Ridge's caliber wouldn't go all out on a kid too.
As my thoughts began to solidify, Mr. Ridge interjected, injecting a new layer into this unfolding development.
"Well then, since you've agreed to indulge me, I'll lay out the rules now."
A mental sigh escaped me. 'Guess there's no going back now.'
"This friendly exchange will be deemed your win if... you can get me to move from this very spot," declared Mr. Ridge. With that, he thrust the tip of his practice sword into the ground beside him and meticulously drew a relatively small circle around his position.
"That's it?" I inquired, raising a skeptical brow. The simplicity of the condition struck me, prompting a curiosity about the hidden challenges within this seemingly straightforward rule.
"Yes. In addition to if you can land a single successful hit on me," Mr. Ridge paused, his tone measured. "However, if I successfully dodge or parry three of your attacks, I'll make you admit defeat, and hence, my win. I believe these are fair circumstances?"
On the surface, it seemed fair. But deep down, it was far from it. 'Fair circumstances? Screw that! This just goes to show how challenging this will be for me!'
Reviewing the rules, I realized the daunting task ahead – land a single clean blow or compel Mr. Ridge to move, all while navigating the challenge of three blocked or parried attacks.
'That's exciting,' I thought, dripping sarcasm.
As I processed the rules, Mr. Ridge chuckled briefly. "I know what you're thinking, so how about I throw in an extra handicap for you?" With that, the seasoned man switched the wooden sword from his right hand to his left and placed his right hand behind his back.
Unexpectedly, this action provoked a reaction from me. I struggled to restrain a frown. "You're going to fight with your non-dominant hand only? You're not looking down on me because I'm a kid, right, Mr. Ridge?" I forced a half-smile, my lips twitching to each word I uttered.
"This isn't an exchange to compare skills. I'm only ensuring I provide you with the most optimum environment to display the extent of your said conviction and mentality," Mr. Ridge replied evenly.
"I see," I responded, biting down on my tongue. "But that's too bad for me then. I was also hoping to see the extent of your strength as well, and how well you match up against my father." I added a provocative smile.
Mr. Ridge responded with an amused smile, chuckling heartily. "I understand Cliff's condescending tongue rubbed off on you. Except only, he had the skills to match it up."
"Will you two stop with the petty quips and just get this over with already?!" Leon complained with a sigh, echoed by head-shaking and whining from the others.
And so we did.
The gang spread out, creating a small arena in the backyard. Mr. Ridge positioned himself directly opposite me, standing upright within the boundary circle he had marked.
'Landing an actual hit is too ambitious. Despite all my bravado from a few seconds ago, I'm better off getting him to move a single step outside that circle,' I concluded, my mind racing through various strategies.
"Young Reo, I want you to show me the extent of your determination. The determination to be the best!"
Taking that as my cue, I assumed a natural sword stance, gripping the hilt of my weapon placed in front of me.
'If I'm going to do this... might as well give it my all. No holds barred!'
I concentrated deeply on my opponent a few feet's away, drawing deep and steady breaths. I cast away the doubts and all unnecessary inner thoughts from my mind, focused entirely on only the sensation of my tightening grip on my wooden sword hilt, the breath control and circulation of air throughout my lungs and body, and the single figure of the opponen
t before me.
Then I lowered my center of gravity.
"Here I come!"