Billy vs Youri

The challenge has been issued, likely due to an excess of enthusiasm or a bit too much freedom following the stopover in Staoslam City.

The fight begins. Youri advances with the grace of a pachyderm, throwing punches that could turn a rock into dust. Billy, on the other hand, is not looking for a confrontation; he seems instead to be practicing a very strange and poorly controlled dance. Every time Youri's fist draws near, Billy performs a clumsy pirouette or a recoil so abrupt it looks as if he had slipped on a banana peel.

Youri: Is that all you've got, kid?

Billy, breathless and with disheveled hair, dodges a backhand that could have taken his head off. He isn't looking to strike; he is just trying to survive. Taking advantage of a moment when Youri seems too proud of his own strength, Billy uses his agility as a cabin boy to slip between the giant's legs.

As Youri tries to pivot and grab him, Billy seizes an opportunity that requires no strength, but all the cunning necessary for our apprentice cook. He throws himself to the ground, sliding across the deck as if searching for a lost spice, and delivers a quick and utterly underhanded kick to the colossus's shin.

The impact is minimal, but the effect is devastating: Youri, surprised by this totally unpredictable low blow, loses his balance. The giant staggers, his massive arms flailing in the air like windmill blades. With a crash that startles even Captain Bright, Youri sprawls out full length across the deck.

A deathly silence falls over the deck. Billy stands up, breathless but wearing a mischievous grin.

Billy: Uh... I think I won!!!

The crew members on deck burst into laughter, while Youri, sprawled on the wood, stares at the sky with an expression of pure incredulity, defeated not by strength, but by an improbable mix of flexibility and pure tactical dishonesty.

Anna watches the scene and remains perfectly still at first. Her instinct is to maintain discipline and seriousness during training. She keeps her arms crossed, her steel-blue gaze scrutinizing Youri's fall with an almost severe intensity.

Then, a slight twitch appears at the corner of her lips. She cannot help but note the formidable effectiveness of Billy's "tactic." In her mind, she analyzes the scene: "Low blow, unstable target, exploitation of momentum... technically, it's a victory."

She lets out a short, almost imperceptible laugh before resuming her officer's mask. She walks toward the giant sprawled on the ground and, without even looking at Billy, says in a calm voice tinged with undisguised amusement:

Anna: Well played, Billy. Using the environment and surprise are key elements of combat... even if I'm not sure our regulations provide for slipping on the deck to win a duel.

She then turns toward Youri, who is still digesting the humiliation.

Anna: And you, Youri... next time, try not to let a 16-year-old cabin boy make you eat dirt with a simple pirouette. Strength without balance is worth nothing!

She finally casts a knowing glance at the crew, her authority restored, but with a small spark of satisfaction that shows she found this moment of chaos absolutely refreshing.