Rubber knives and wooden staves clattered as half a dozen people fell flat on the dark folding mats. One loud thump after another, the training ground emptied, until there was only one man standing, face to face against Felix.
Out of breath, an auburn-haired man spoke, "Come on, man. Everyone knows what you can do, so take it easy on us."
"I was going easy, Lance. Any weaker would've been an insult to you as a fighter." Felix replied, trying to hide his smug grin.
"Heh, an insult is being repeatedly knocked down." Lance laughed, "Maybe I should apply for the Implementation, see how you like it."
"Survive it and we'll find out."
"Dick. You know if David were here, he'd give you a taste of your own medicine."
Felix's eye twitched, forcing out an irritated smile, "Who?"
"Don't be an ass, Felix." Lance grinned in annoyance as he wiped off his sweat and tried to calm his breathing.
"You're the one who tried to hit a low-blow." Felix shot back.
"Whatever it takes to win. Anyway, I'm gonna hit the showers."
"Good, you reek." The blue-eyed man gestured fanning his smell away.
"Clean up after us, blue boy." Lance waved.
As Felix's last sparring partner headed to the showers, he was left to clean up the training room alone. He strolled around, picking up the equipment. His eyes were drawn to the dents on the worn-out punching bag hanging in the center.
He picked up a wooden staff and struck the punching bag playfully. Yet without a hint or notice, a familiar voice called out.
"What's this? So you do know how to socialize!"
Sat atop a crate, Maria spoke while a strawberry was popped between her confident, smirking lips.
Her legs swung back and forth, dressed with a black sparring outfit with gold trim, with the Golden Lion's insignia on the top right corner.
"How long have you been there?"
"Long enough... I see the scratch on your face has healed up already." She commented as she pointed to her own cheek.
"Is your head okay?"
"You calling me crazy?"
"That's not what — Sigh. Never mind, you seem okay to me."
"You were shot so many times, every bone in your body should be broken. Yet here you are, already sparring."
"Right. Why are you here then? Weren't you mad at me?" Felix asked while putting back the weapons to the side of the room.
"Mhm… a little."
"Sorry about earlier, it's just… how my mentor used to wake me up, so I wasn't really thinking." He admitted.
"Apology not accepted, you really should start thinking for yourself."
Felix scratched his cheek, "Right. So what did the chief need you for?"
"Just tried to decrypt some files. It was a bit of a hassle. But enough about that, let's talk about you… talking."
"Lance is an old sparring buddy. And, well, I guess your silliness rubbed off on me."
"Hoh? The stoic and somewhat sassy Felix telling an aspiring agent inspiring yet gentle words. Pretty out of character if you ask me." She replied gleefully with wide gestures.
"Nobody asked you. Also, you're the only one who calls me those things." He retorted as he continued to wipe the sweat from the back of his head.
"Cause I'm the only one here who has the balls to do so." She picked up one of the fake knives from the table, "I'm not particularly good at hand-to-hand combat. But how about we go for a round?"
He sighed deeply. "Why?"
"With your enhanced human potential, you're probably tired of knocking down normies. And since you've got no experience fighting other elites, thought you might wanna polish up a bit." Venom spewed from her words.
"Your wounds might reopen."
"Didn't you say you wanted to be the best?"
His eyebrows curled, "Don't twist my words to your favor."
Waving the rubber knife back and forth, she teased, "Was your first time really that scary for you? Don't worry~ I'll be gentle."
"You're still mad, aren't you?"
"Take a wild guess!" She lunged, head low — closing the distance in a single breath.
~