Encrypted Strings (Spamton x Reader)

Chapter 7. Resemblance

You culminated all your strength, gritting your teeth, for one strong blow, a blow to impress Swatch, hopefully. You launched the spear, feeling it slide through your hands and past your fingertips.

Tink

That was the noise of your spears pitifully hitting the feathery wall, failing to even create a dent.

You're ashamed. Your body practically crumpled. All you wanted to do was just jump off the platform and not have a single feeling anymore.

You were tomato red. "Well, that didn't work, did it?" You added.

The spear was shamefully lying on the ground right beside the wall.

"You attempted, Knight. There was no harm in trying. Now we can both get a good view on how strong you are. As you can tell, there is much room for improvement." Swatch had sounded like your mom. Oh, how you missed her. You swear on her name that you'll make it back home.

You chuckled, embarrassingly. "Yeah, I guess I was never the strongest in P.E. anyway."

Swatch gave a smile filled with empathy. He placed his large, feathery hand on your shoulder. "Knight, we have much time to see you improve. Someday, you will become the strongest in P.E." He took his hand off of you and chuckled. "Knight, before I end the lesson, I am challenging you to a quick spar." He turned his face away from you and started to the other end of the platform. "This is simply just another test to see where your skills are."

Another test. Oh boy. You had become tired of tests. Everyone has been testing you over and over again. Test after test. There was no end to it. After you had graduated from school you thought all the tests were over but apparently not.

You picked up the spear that destroyed your self-esteem.

"All you need to do," Swatch started. "Is simply hit me. If you complete that I will end the spar."

"Sounds good enough for me." Although you were crumpled in strength, you had enough confidence to at least hit Swatch. How hard could it be?

"Let the spar begin."

You charged toward Swatch, fuming with determination. Spear in hand, you lunged towards the bird with all you could. Swatch elegantly angled his body towards the side.

"Huh!?" You exclaimed.

The ground came hurtling towards you, scraping your knee in the process.

You could see a small smirk pop up on Swatch's face that was obviously meant to stay hidden. You couldn't tell whether to be ashamed or enraged.

"Please mind your step, I wouldn't want you falling off again, Knight."

"Well, I would mind my step... But I wasn't exactly expecting you to turn sideways like that." You blurted.

"I apologize, but I never told you that I would express some sort of lack of effort towards you."

Determination and fury ran through your veins. I will hit him whether I like it or not. The thought carried you, the same way as you carried the spear.

You tore your head away from the ground and peered behind you. The towering birdman lingered behind you. Staring. Waiting for your next move.

You locked eyes with him. His dark eyes almost looked vulnerable. He was hiding something and that something was about to spill.

"What are you waiting for?" He paused. His voice almost trembled.

You snapped back into the situation at hand. "Nothing." You slowly stood up, placing one hand on your bleeding knee. Staring at Swatch, you pierced his soul, with not fury, but empathy.