--- Somewhere far away, during the C-rank exam

  “Congratulations Julian, and congratulations Daisy! You’ve both made it to the fourth, and final, round of the C-rank exam! Unfortunately, only one of you will have the opportunity to pass the exam…” – Host

  “Of course… There’s always a twist at the end…” – Julian

  “That’s right, wouldn’t be any fun otherwise!” – Host

  “Just tell us the rules already. We’re not here to have fun, we’re here to win.” – Daisy

  “Right… Well, you see, the C-rank exam is often where the royal guard exam is held too. Low ranked royal guards are expected to be on the level of a C-rank hunter, so holding the exams together is killing two birds with one stone. While you were off fighting in the earlier rounds, the royal guard candidates were competing in their own exam simultaneously. Just like with you guys, there are only two of them left… Both of you, come here!” – Host

  --- [Leon’s perspective]

  That’s our cue.

  Right as we enter the building, my gaze meets theirs.

  I can tell from just a look that they’re a pair of weaklings.

  Whatever this final task is, it’ll be easy.

  “These are the royal guard candidates, Leon and Molly.” – Host

  He points to us, and the exam participants give us an awkward greeting out of what feels like obligation.

  I don’t do the same back.

  These idiots will be on the floor, bleeding out, soon enough anyways.

  “Anyways, let’s get to the point. Out of the four of you, only one will leave having accomplished what you came here for. First, the two royal guard candidates will fight. Then, the two exam participants will fight. The winners will then clash at the end. Whoever remains victorious will pass their respective exam. Is that clear?” – Host

  “Yup.” – Leon

  The others nod along.

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “Good. Then we can start right away. Leon, Molly, get in the ring.” – Host

  In the middle of the room is a ‘ring’ resembling one you see in boxing and other combat sports.

  “To spice things up and make it more fun, there will be some rules. First of all, if either of you step foot outside the ring for any reason, you’ll be disqualified. Additionally, if you’re knocked down to the ground three times, you’ll immediately lose the match. When you’re down, you will have ten seconds to stand up again. If your opponent attacks you while you’re down, they will be disqualified. The same applies to the person lying down. Other than that, anything goes. Got it?” – Host

  “Yup.” – Leon

  “Same here.” – Molly

  We both lift the ropes and step onto the canvas.

  I saw her fight a little in the earlier rounds; she won’t be an issue.

  She lifts her fists, entering her combat stance.

  Just as she’s about to rush towards me, the host yells out.

  “Wait!” – Host

  She quickly halts and looks over at him.

  “What?!” – Molly

  “I almost forgot…” – Host

  “Forgot what?” – Molly

  “There’s one more rule… A special rule. To make things even more fun, there will be a randomly selected special rule unique to each match. I prepared a bunch of them earlier today! Just think of it as the unpredictability of a real-world scenario… Or something.” – Host

  This guy…

  He’s obsessed with making the matches more fun for himself; the bit about ‘real-world scenarios’ was clearly a last-minute justification he came up with on the spot.

  I bet he took this job because it’s an opportunity to make hunters weaker than himself dance to his whims.

  We’re his personal entertainment, he doesn’t care about the exam.

  But…

  I don’t mind.

  I’m here to win; that’s all.

  I don’t care what the rules are, one way or another, I will find a way to be the last man standing.

  This is the day I become a royal guard!

  He fiddles around in his pocket for a few seconds before pulling out a curled-up piece of paper.

  He straightens it out and reads it to himself while a grin slowly forms.

  “Ahh, this one! That’ll be fun!” – Host

  The two C-rank exam contestants walk up to him and read it over his shoulder.

  “Really…?” – Daisy

  “Don’t tell me we’re gonna have to fight under dumb restrictions like these too…” – Julian

  …

  What the hell does it say?!

  I wasn’t really worried before, but they’re hyping it up a lot…

  Well, as long as it applies to us both equally and I keep my agency, I should be okay.

  “I call this rule ‘turn-based combat’. You will take turns attacking your opponent, and they will not be allowed to dodge or block. All attacks will hit your opponent directly in the chest. Charged ‘attacks’ will not be allowed; neither offensively nor defensively. Breaking that rule will result in instant disqualification, so don’t even think about it. Lastly, the person who goes first, is whoever is shortest. Which in this case is… Well… It’s you, Leon.” – Host

  Is he mocking me…?

  Well, whatever.

  At least I get to go first.

  For once in my life, I will gladly throw away my pride if it means winning.

  I will take any advantage I can get, no matter how insignificant.

  If I don’t win, then…

  …

  No, I’ll win.

  No doubt in my mind about that.

  “Well then, for real this time, are you ready?” – Host

  “Yes.” – Leon

  “Give me your best, Leon.” – Molly