Why challenge me to an arm wrestling match out of nowhere?
Seeing the expression on her face, though, I could tell she had some kind of personal reason, and it was probably something very important to her. So I went with it.
“All right. You’re on.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m talkin’ about!” Spinoza grinned. “You really gave me a good thrashin’ the first time we met. Now it’s payback time!”
Placing our elbows on the table, we locked our hands together tightly. The moment we did so, I thought I saw a sudden expression of realization on Spinoza’s face—but it was quickly overwritten by an amused smile.
“All right—let the battle begin!” Seira, our referee, gave the signal, and we immediately started pulling our arms in our respective directions.
She really is an absolute beast when it comes to physical strength. I was sure she’d be powerful from the get-go, but it’s also evident how battle-hardened she’s become.
“Heh, what’s wrong? That all you got?” Spinoza taunted.
“You’re right,” I murmured. “I should probably go ahead and start taking this seriously.”
As I shifted into a higher gear, Spinoza, taken aback, let out a pained grunt. She resisted the sudden pushback as hard as she could, but it was all in vain. Overwhelmed by my crushing offensive, the back of her hand connected with the table.
“Sieg wins!” Seira cheered.
“Gah! Lost again!” Spinoza groaned in shock and frustration. “You are one tough bastard. You absolutely obliterated me.”
“So, we’re doing this my way, then, as promised?”
“Yeah, yeah, fine,” Spinoza muttered, and a self-deprecating grin came to her face. “Man, this sure feels dumb to me, though.”
“Why?”
“I’m a girl who grew up in a bandit gang. I’ve been stealin’ from people and beatin’ ’em up all my life. Now I’m supposed to fight to save the world or whatever?”
“Who said you had to fight to save the world?” I asked.
“Huh? What am I fightin’ for, then?”
“Drinks taste better after a hard day’s work, don’t they? Just fight for that refreshing after-work ale. That’s good enough, right?”
Spinoza stared at me blankly for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing. “Hah! I like it!”
I must’ve said something hilarious, because she ended up doubling over with laughter. Eventually her fit subsided, and she looked back up at me, tears in the corner of her eyes.
“Oh, man. I always knew you were top-notch, Sieg.”