RECAP

All the other rounds of fighters pass.

Andy: "We got all the combat info we need. Thank you all for participating. This info might decide who your mentor will be, but not for sure, considering we have one more stage left: the Crime Simulation Stage..."

Chapter 4

Andy: "Now we have one more stage left, but first, we must move on to the melee weapon phase of this stage. Alex and Luke, pick your opponents from this screen."

Andy points to a digital board similar to the one that listed all of their test scores. The board contains all the people who have lost twice.

Luke: "That's a lot of names, and I don't feel like reading. Ummm, I pick this Bryan guy." (Bryan won the second match technically but lost due to misbehavior/misconduct.)

I see why he failed the first stage, Alex thinks to himself.

Andy: "Luke and Bryan, set up at the first mat."

Alex: "I pick mmmm... Nigel."

Andy: "Alex and Nigel, you two set up at the second mat."

Andy: "Nisha and Charlotte, you also pick your opponents, then I will explain the rules."

Nisha and Charlotte: "I pick Hakeem." "I pick Mariah."

Charlotte: "You should learn your place before you speak at the same time as me."

Nisha: "Didn't you lose our last fight?"

They both storm off to their mats.

Andy: "Hakeem, go to your mat with Nisha, and Mariah to Charlotte."

All the opponents are standing on their mats facing Andy.

Andy: "This phase will be very similar to the first one, but, of course, this phase is called the 'Melee Weapon Round.' So, if you would please look at the wall behind you, we have multiple weapons that will accommodate your preferences. Choose your weapon, and then you can begin your fights."

Everyone walks to the wall. The weapons are all wooden and separated by the type of weapon. For example, there is a row of swords followed by a row of daggers, etc.

Alex takes the wooden sword. Alex: "I've never really trained with a weapon. This seems the most practical, though," he thinks to himself.

Luke takes two wooden daggers. Luke: "I can still strike fast if the weapons are small," Luke thinks to himself.

Charlotte takes the wooden axe. Charlotte: "Maybe I can grab them with the axe. It is wooden, so it shouldn't do too much damage," Charlotte thinks to herself.

Bryan takes a wooden war hammer. Nigel takes a wooden spear. Hakeem takes a wooden sword as well. Nisha takes one wooden dagger. Mariah takes a wooden spear too.

Everyone steps back to their mats.

Luke vs. Bryan Alex vs. Nigel Nisha vs. Hakeem Charlotte vs. Mariah

Andy: "All you have to do is touch your opponent with your weapon, only from the waist up. When you're ready, begin."

First Fight: Luke and Bryan face off.

Bryan: "Perfect, a little pipsqueak to redeem myself. This should be easy."

Luke: "Oh, please. I could take you out with my eyes closed."

A vein shows on Bryan's forehead out of anger. He then runs in and swings the hammer sideways towards Luke.

Luke ducks and slashes his wooden dagger across Bryan's right leg.

Luke stops. Luke: "I win!"

Bryan swings his hammer down. Luke moves out of the way at the last second.

Bryan: "He said from the waist up, dumbass."

Luke: "I'm still gonna win anyway. You couldn't touch me if I was twice as big as you," Luke says with a smirk.

Luke then flips the daggers into a reverse grip, so that he can imitate his punching motions with them.

Bryan swings his hammer again.

Luke dodges to the side, and all Bryan sees is one dagger reaching his face in a FLASH.

Bryan flinches, and while his eyes are closed, he feels the dagger tap his shoulder.

Luke: "I said I could take you out with MY eyes closed. Why are you closing your eyes?"

Bryan: "I lost again? I have to win the next round."

Bryan doesn't seem as angry anymore as he walks off with his head down.

Luke smiles and walks back too.

Second Fight: Alex and Nigel face off.

Alex: "Good luck."

Nigel: "..."

The fight begins.

Nigel thrusts his spear at Alex. Alex whacks it down with his sword.

Nigel aims for Alex's face.

Alex dodges, and Nigel follows up with another thrust, which Alex blocks again.

Alex remembers his fight with Luke. I see, this fight is exactly like the one I had with Luke, the only difference is I'm in Luke's position. He beat me by closing in the space before I had time to think. Since his weapon is longer, I can attack faster than he can. I should be able to imitate Luke here. I admit he is an idiot, but he has quite the combat knowledge, Alex thinks to himself.

Nigel throws a flurry of thrusts at Alex. Alex blocks them all, and on the last strike, he blocks Nigel's attack, grazes his spear, closes the space, and slashes his wooden sword across Nigel's stomach.

Nigel still hasn't said a word. Alex and Nigel both walk back to their corners, waiting for the other fights to finish.

The Third Fight: Nisha and Hakeem face off. Nisha runs in. Hakeem swings his sword, and it flies out of his hands. Nisha hits him with the dagger, and he falls, even though she didn't hit him that hard.

Nisha: "Why are you even here? You can't even fight." Hakeem: "SHUT UP."

Right before the fourth fight:
Gale: "G-g-go Charlotte!" She raises her fist up for support and accidentally hits someone.

Ethan: "Ow!"

Gale: "I'm s-s-sorry!"

Ethan: "It's okay! It was a mistake, but for that... You must commit seppuku."

Gale: "I-I-isn't it s-s-seppuku?"

Ethan: "YOU'RE RIGHT! FOR THAT-"

Gale: "N-n-no, s-s-seppuku, please."

Ethan: "If you say so!"

The fourth fight begins. Mariah: "Let's have a good match!" Charlotte: "Let's hope you can keep up."

Mariah thrusts her spear. Charlotte blocks it and grabs the spear with the tip of her axe, pulling Mariah in closer, then pokes Mariah with it.

Andy: "There goes the first round. Everyone rest, then we move to the second round."

(20 minutes pass)

Andy: "All fighters, return to your mats!" Everyone returns to their mat except one person: Bryan.

Luke notices a paper on the floor and, after reading it, hands it to Andy.

The letter reads, "I'm sorry for leaving during the exam, but after realizing that I'm weak, I have more self-improvement to do. Thank you for giving me this opportunity, but I must leave to better myself."

Andy: "Due to an abrupt exit, we will have to replace Luke's partner. Who would like to volunteer?"

Someone's hand in the crowd raises.

Ethan: "I would like to take his position."

Andy: "Come on up, then."

Ethan stands in front of Luke.

Ethan: "Let us have a good fight!" Ethan takes a wooden sword out of his sheathe, which he always takes with him.

Andy: "For fairness in the durability of the weapons, you must use one of our weapons."

Ethan goes over to the weapon wall and takes a wooden sword.

Luke: "Try not to lose too quickly."

Ethan: "I am highly trained in the art of the sword. You cannot defeat me."

...