Chapter 70 He Pushed Me Into the Water!
Fencing was a required course at Windsor Academy, divided into épée, saber, and foil.
This competition featured saber.
Unlike épée and foil, saber competitions allowed both thrusting and slashing attacks. Any part of the blade hitting the opponent's valid target area scored 1 point, with the highest scorer winning.
Max had only attended two classes, but he was very interested in fencing and paid close attention during lessons.
Fencing was known as "ballet with swords" - a sport that demanded both skill and elegance.
Max put on his mask and gripped his steel blade, walking to face Mason while the referee connected the electronic scoring line to his jacket.
Max lightly touched his blade, assumed his stance, and raised the steel sword in his hand.
Before the match began, there was a ceremony where the two competitors would lightly touch blades as a gesture of good sportsmanship.
Max and Mason made no such gesture. This wasn't a friendly match; it was a battle for dignity.
Mason arrogantly pointed his sword at Max, eager to settle the score.
Max was studying scoring strategies.
In saber, valid scoring areas were the upper body, helmet, and arms. Additionally, saber emphasized "right of way"; whoever attacked first scored, and the defender had to parry the attack before striking back to score. If both struck simultaneously, neither scored.
He had to score. He absolutely had to win.
Alexander entered the venue carrying Liam, who stared wide-eyed at Max in his fencing gear. "Max looks so cool!"
Alexander was also excellent at fencing.
Alexander gazed at Max, who wore his helmet and focused intently ahead.
The match began.
As expected, Mason launched the first attack.
Max had anticipated this and deflected with a parry, simultaneously thrusting toward Mason's helmet.
Mason nimbly dodged backward.
But he was clearly underestimating his opponent. He hadn't taken Max seriously at all, not expecting Max's lightning-fast blade work. After the parry, Max struck swiftly.
Mason failed to dodge completely, taking a slash to his shoulder.
Max scored 1 point.
Amelia jumped to her feet, torn between nerves and excitement.
She couldn't believe Max had taken the first point!
He'd only attended two classes - how could his reactions be so quick? It was as if he'd anticipated exactly where Mason would attack!
Mason stared in disbelief at losing the first point.
Max returned to the starting line, faced him again, and resumed his stance - elegant and commanding.
For a moment, Grace seemed to see Alexander's noble, inviolable presence in Max.
"Again!"
Mason returned to the starting line, waiting for the referee's command.
At the signal, just as he was about to strike, Max had already attacked like lightning. He hit Mason's shoulder while Mason belatedly struck back at Max's shoulder, a half-beat too slow.
"1 point." Max scored again.
Mason protested, "He's jumping the start!"
The referee rechecked the timing and announced, "Point valid!"
Max hadn't jumped early; his blade work was simply too fast, and Mason had reacted too slowly.
Max smiled provokatively. "I can already picture you crawling around on all fours, barking like a dog."
Mason flew into another rage, jumping up and down. "Don't get cocky! Just wait! I won't let you score another point!"
"Really?" Max assumed his stance. "Your attacks are too slow. Are you really the star student of the fencing class? Hard to believe."
Mason was losing his grip on sanity, gripping his blade tightly to contain his fury.
Another command was given.
Mason immediately attacked Max, but Max deflected with a parry. Mason struck again, deliberately aiming for Max's neck.
Dangerous! That was a forbidden target area.
The neck was the most vulnerable spot on the entire body.
Mason knew this was illegal but struck with intent to injure Max.
Max was caught off guard, clutching his neck as he staggered back.
Grace stood up angrily. "That's a foul!"
She started toward Max but was blocked by the referee. "No entry during competition."
Grace pointed at Mason. "He's breaking the rules!"
The referee turned a blind eye.
Amelia stood to the side with a cold snort. She'd had a word with the referee earlier - as the wife of a Windsor Academy board member, surely she could get this small favor?
Max clutched his neck, feeling pain where he'd been struck.
Yet the referee made no call?
Just then, Alexander's icy voice echoed through the venue: "He committed a foul."
Amelia looked toward the voice, surprised to see Alexander present. She laughed awkwardly. "Mr. Hayes, do you understand fencing? Is that really a foul?"
Alexander replied, "I've been fencing since I was five. Do you think you understand the rules better than I do?" He addressed the referee: "That level of foul warrants a 1-point penalty."
The referee, not knowing his identity, responded rudely, "Who are you? What's your name?"
Alexander said coldly, "My surname is 'Hayes.'"
The referee froze.
"My name is Alexander." Alexander narrowed his eyes slightly. "And then?"
Alexander Hayes.
Even the most sheltered person who'd never met Alexander would certainly recognize that thunderous name.
Silverlight City's Hayes family.
Although Amelia's influence couldn't be ignored, compared to Alexander's status, there was simply no comparison.
The referee didn't dare offend Alexander, lowering his head somewhat guiltily and adjusting the scoreboard to penalize Mason 1 point.
0-3.
Max led by 3 points.
Max said, "Mason, you're not going to lose to me, are you? I've never heard anyone bark like a dog before!"
Mason's composure completely shattered. He suddenly charged forward, raising his sword and slashing wildly at Max.
He struck like a madman, blow after blow, slashing and thrusting at Max.
Max never expected him to attack so recklessly, completely ignoring the rules. This match had devolved into Mason's vengeful assault!
"Die! Die! You're the dog! You bastard, how dare you make me bark like a dog!"
Max kept parrying Mason's strikes, having no chance to breathe, retreating step by step until suddenly his helmet was knocked to the ground by Mason's slash.
Grace's heart leaped to her throat.
"Danger!"
As Max fell while dodging, instinctively protecting his head with his hands, a tall figure stepped in front of him, steadily catching the steel blade aimed at Max's head and gripping it firmly.
Mason looked up in shock to see Alexander's imposing figure shielding Max, gripping the steel sword while glaring at him coldly.
Terrified by Alexander's murderous gaze, Mason released his sword and collapsed to the ground, trembling.
Max caught his breath, panting slightly. He looked up to see Alexander standing protectively in front of him, and in that instant, he felt surrounded by a warm sense of security.
Liam stared intently at Mason, feeling a splitting headache as memories seemed to flood back.
He suddenly pointed at Mason and said, "It was... him..."
In the quiet venue, Liam's sudden accusation drew everyone's attention.
Alexander looked at Liam.
The scene of Mason's frenzied attack on Max had triggered Liam's memory of that day at the swimming pool when Mason had pushed him into the water just like this!
Liam pointed at Mason, declaring firmly, "He... pushed me... into the water!"