The Raptor Experiment

Chapter 5 - Same Script, Different Cast

One by one, the kids lined up in front of weapons like arrows, knives, swords, and stuff. Tintin was the only one who was picking out guns.

"A very unique specimen that is." the professor commented as Tintin picked up a thing that looked kind of like a semi-automatic gun.

"Have you shot a gun before?" Annabeth asked. "The way you grab it seems pretty professional."

Me, having no knowledge about guns, kind of just nodded along.

"A couple times." Tintin said. "In absolute emergencies."

"You seem to have shot it many times." Annabeth commented.

"Perhaps." Tintin said. "So where are the targets?"

I looked at him in alarm. "Should I bring them out?"

"If today is just going to be weapon-picking class, then no." the professor answered instead. "If the students finish picking weapons and want to move on to the next level, then yes."

Baylee and Zeke started dueling. From what I learned the last time I fought with them, Zeke was more a wizard type, while Baylee was more of a sword fighter. Darian was neither, and he relied more on his death-related powers.

So obviously, Baylee was able to kick Zeke's butt mercilessly.

"Ouch." Zeke whined after Baylee twisted both his swords out of his hands.

"You're doing a fine job, miss Turner. I suppose we should bring out the targets." the professor said.

I sighed. Then I shouted "Accio targets!" since I was too lazy to go and lug them down myself.

"So Harry, you are a DADA assistant and you don't know how to sword fight?" Annabeth asked, turning to me.

"No." I said.

"Then let me teach you how." Annabeth said.

"Okay..." 

She picked up a random knife lying around and pointed it at me. I grabbed a random sword lying around (ich too heavy) and stared at her. 

"What am I supposed to do?" I asked. 

"Fight me." 

"Oh no. I got my butt kicked by Percy last year." I said, remembering when Ron was very ignorant and said there was nothing Percy was good at. My, what a long time that was. 

"Don't worry. I'll go easy on you." Annabeth said, although I could already see her sizing up my grip. I had to admit, shouting at her and insulting Jason was probably not the best idea I ever had. Sure, she forgave me for that, but she was still scary. 

"Um..." I meekly stabbed outward. 

"Try your best to gut me." Annabeth said. "That's the way you learn." 

"For real?" I asked. The class stopped picking out weapons to look at me and Annabeth. Oh, goody. An audience to see me get my butt whipped by a girl who's actually younger than me. 

"Go hard. Let me assess everything." she said. So I shrugged and stabbed at her. Or, I tried. She grabbed the blade with one hand and yanked it out of my hand. Everyone gasped. 

"What the—" I muttered. Her hand didn't even seem to be a bit scratched. 

"The blade is wobbling. You need to straighten it out. Maybe find a sword that fits you." Annabeth advised. 

So I went through the pile. And finally, I found a black steel thing that was about as long as my wand. It was more of a knife than a sword, but whatever.