"Did you just help me up with a bleeding hand?" Wuwu said, as he recovered his composure. He then slightly pouted "Can I have a cloth to wipe my hand, at least?"
The Mad Hatter looked at his bleeding hand, and then just laughed. He proceeded to take his wrestling position again, and the air around him grew colder. The wound just closed immediately. He moved lazily and picked up his swords, slowly placing them in their scabbards.
"You're funny, kid." the Hatter said as he turned to face him "You'll get over it"
Wuwu's pout got visibly bigger, but he remained silent. He hated losing control. He didn't like to admit it, but he really needed this power. He had felt it before, that rage, that need to destroy his opponent. He repressed it every time. He wanted a fair duel, not to become an assassin. Maybe the Mad Hatter could help him with that.
The Hatter interrupted his thoughts:
"Did you know I've only met one person who fought like you?" he said, with a wistful tone "And it was Wulfgar Reid Largengarten, your father. He fought like a beast, you know?"
It was a frigid winter night. It was raining. The rain clouds spoke of a storm brewing. The corpses of the first unit lied, bleeding, on the ground. In front of me, a monster in shining armor. His eyes shone red, same as his weapon. He rushed at me, and I was barely able to dodge the first strike. He lounged at me with his sword, and I blocked it, yet both of my swords broke. He seemed to pause for a moment, and was about to turn around. I dashed at him, grabbed him by the legs, and tried to throw him to the ground. It was like trying to wrestle a boulder. He didn't even lose ground. The red in his eyes faded, and he broke into laughter.
"You're an interesting man, soldier. Please, tell me your name"
It was so absurd, I couldn't help but answer.
"They call me Mad Hatter, sir. Can I ask you yours?"
We were friends, that day. He let me go, almost as a favor. One that I could never forget.
Hatter's mind returned to the present.
"His style was more refined, though. Even though he fought like a man possessed, he never lost himself like you did right now." Hatter said "He also had way better fundamentals. Let's start with that, shall we?"
Wuwu wanted to complain. But at the same time, he was excited. Maybe he really was his father's son.