/hangs on for dear life
[Saber scrutinizes Hei in turn-- not quite believing those words-- but eventually she sighs and gives him the benefit of the doubt. If he wanted her advice on how to make it through this...] ...That is dependent on what you wish to accomplish, I believe. To attempt to keep me at a distance, a lance. To better defend when [Not if] I close in, a sword and shield.
[The despairing thought that it won't matter at all lingers in Saber's mind, and very barely shows on her face. She still determines to continue on with this match, though; partly out of tradition, and partly because she knows no other way to obtain retribution from this boy than physical punishment. She won't go easy on him.