Rose and Allen headed down several different hallways to head over to where Allen's duel would take place. While classes were over, some students were still at the academy for clubs or other activities they stayed at the academy for. The hallways weren't exactly quiet, nor were they loud.
As they headed down the hallways, students started to notice both Rose and Allen quickly. Rose was easily recognizable as the Student Council President, with her more formal academy uniform and her star pin in her hair to indicate her position as the Student Council President. Allen stuck out like a sore thumb walking alongside her. Various students started to comment as they passed by.
"It's the Student Council President!"
"The Blue Rose is here!"
"Wait, who's that with her? Why is some random student walking with her?"
"I heard his name is Allen. He's the one dueling Nathaniel today"
"Doesn't he have really weak magic?"
"He's considered the Weakest Mage"
"Then what's he doing with the Blue Rose?"
Allen could almost feel the glares he received on the back of his neck as they walked down the halls.
"Don't worry about them, just ignore what they say," Rose smiled as they continued.
"Alright, I will try," Allen replied, still trying to ignore the looks he was getting.
As they headed down the hallways, the path to the place where the duel would take place started to feel familiar. As they got closer to the room, Allen realized that it was the training grounds that Rose trained him at for the past three weeks.
"Wait, this is the same place that you tr-"
"Indeed it is," Rose cut him off. "But there's no reason to say that out loud, is there?"
"I-, right," Allen said as he realized what Rose meant. She must have meant that she doesn't want him telling anyone they were using the room, for whatever reasons they may be.
"There are several entrances to the training grounds here, but for a duel you must go through the main entrance so whichever teacher is here to moderate can make sure you arrived for your duel," Rose explained. Allen nodded his head in response.
They arrived at the main entrance of the training grounds. There were a few students walking in and out of the entrance, and a few chatting outside the entrance. Allen got maybe a few seconds to peer into the entrance to see some people in the stands before a familiar face approached them.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Allen Fleming," the familiar face grinned mischievously.
"I'm sorry, who are you again?," Allen pretended to be confused.
"Who am I? You dare ask me who I am, when I am your rival?!," Charles said with a scoff.
"Ah right, nice to see you again, Blondie," Allen smiled.
"B- Blondie?! I swear Thomas why must you do this!," Charles fumed for a moment.
"Can we help you, Charles Rivertide?," Rose asked in a serious tone.
"S- Student Council President?! Rose Marion? W-What are you doing here?!," Charles said as he started to step back a little.
"I could ask you the same thing, Charles," Rose gave him a look.
"I'm- I'm just here to see my rival, that's all," Charles nervously spoke.
"Oh really?," Rose raised an eyebrow. "Allen, do you know him?"
"Don't think I do," Allen put a hand on his chin in thought.
"Wait, but you just called me- no-no-no you just recognized me didn't you?," Charles said as he looked at Allen.
"Nope, I didn't," Allen shrugged.
"Allen my rival, I'll make sure I get back at you for this-"
"Charles Rivertide, must I remind you of the various issues you've caused the student council as of late?," Rose intervened. "If you'd like, I can pull up an extensive report of-"
"No-no, that won't be necessary," Charles nervously spoke. "I shall take my leave now," Charles gave one last look at Allen, and then began to head inside the entrance to the training grounds.
"Well, that was a bit weird," Rose laughed. "Does he do that often?"
"Often enough," Allen shrugged again.
They walked closer to the entrance to the dueling arena. Allen finally got a good look inside. There was a decent amount of people in the stands; definitely a lot more than he expected. He at least expected Nathaniel's friends, his own, and Rose. Either Nathaniel has more friends than he expected, or there were a lot more students who were interested in watching the duel than he thought.
"Well, this is as far as I can take you," Rose said as they walked inside.
"Thanks," Allen smiled.
"Good luck. I will be watching your duel from the stands," she said as she waved him bye.
Wait, Allen thought. She forgot to tell me where to go from here.
"Allen Fleming?," an older woman's voice came from behind.
"Yes?", Allen said as he turned around.
"I am Jane Lynde, and I teach some of the C ranked classes," she said with a rather cold look on her face. "I will be overseeing your duel today. You may refer to me as Ms. Lynde"
"Thank you, Ms. Lynde," Allen responded as he studied her for a moment.
William told me he would make sure the teacher who watched over the duel would be fair, Allen thought. Is she really one of the teachers that William could trust? She doesn't seem the type who would be fair, but who knows? Guess we'll see.
"You may proceed down the arena towards the back. Once you reach the back of the arena, you'll see a small gap. Go through there, and you'll find a room on the left. You may use that room to prepare for your duel until it is ready to begin," Ms. Lynde explained.
"Alright I will," Allen nodded as he began to walk away.
As he headed towards the back of the arena, he tried to look around the stands for Thomas, Cecily, and Rose. He spotted Rose to the right of him, and Allen could barely spot the nod and the small smile she gave him. He kept looking around for Thomas and Cecily, but to no avail. He gave one last look behind him towards the entrance of the arena, hopefully to see them just walking in. Instead, he spotted Nathaniel Rivertide finally walking in.
As Nathaniel walked in, a few people behind him followed. Allen guessed they must've been his friends. Upon further inspection however, he recognized them. They were the same group that messed with Thomas and Cecily one morning while they were having breakfast about a month ago. Allen remembers Nathaniel "apologizing" in their place, but he believes that still doesn't excuse their unnecessary behavior.
None of his friends noticed Allen, however Nathaniel did. He looked over at Allen with such a mischievous grin. He seemed to mouth the words "I'll see you soon," before he turned around and proceeded to talk with Ms. Lynde.
Allen almost wanted to walk over there and give Nathaniel a piece of his mind, but he decided he would wait until the duel began. He continued towards the back to the room on the left.
Once he was inside, he noticed it was some sort of small training room that must've doubled as a waiting room. There was another one across from his, which must've been where Nathaniel's was.
Allen used the time that he had to do a few practice swings with his sword. He also gave himself time to think and prepare for the duel. He thought about what Nathaniel may try to do to win in the duel, and what he could do to counter it. He also focused on his mana from within, so he could better use it when the time came.
Not long after he was in the training room, he could hear his name being called out from the arena. It sounded like Ms. Lynde was calling for him. More than likely, his duel would be happening not long after he went out of the room. He needed to be ready.
He saw Nathaniel already there, with Ms. Lynde not too far away from him. He walked up to them, mentally preparing himself. This duel will not be easy, but Allen has already decided to give it his all.
He looked up in the stands. At this point in time, there were quite a number of people here to watch the duel. Not a whole lot, but a lot more than Allen had expected. He could almost feel the crowd's excitement to watch this duel. Whether it was because of Allen's reputation as the "Weakest Mage", Nathaniel's reputation as the "Infamous C Ranker", or both, Allen had a bad feeling about this.
"So, the time has finally come, Allen," Nathaniel mischievously smiled as Allen walked up.
"So it has," Allen responded with an irritated look on his face. He had to make sure not to erupt in anger at Nathaniel, at least not yet.
"So, are both of you ready?," Ms. Lynde asked in a monotone-like voice.
"Not quite, Ms. Lynde," Nathaniel responded. "Allen and I have some conditions we must set for this duel"
"Oh? And what might that be?," Ms. Lynde asked, crossing her arms.
"Well Allen, go ahead and tell her yours," Nathaniel stared at Allen as he awaited his response.
At first, Allen didn't know what he meant by "conditions", but then he remembered. When he first met Nathaniel and accepted his duel, he had proposed his condition.
"If I beat Nathaniel in this duel, I request that he leave Cecily Rivertide and Thomas Terrastone alone from this point forward," Allen proposed.
"Very well," Ms. Lynde responded. "Then what may Nathaniel's condition be?"
"Well, it must be a condition of equal value to the one Allen proposed. Say Allen, what can you offer to lose of equal value?," Nathaniel looked at him.
"I'm- I'm not sure," Allen thought about it. He wasn't expecting Nathaniel to ask him and instead offer his own.
"Hmm, something of equal value to me not being able to interact with two students at this academy, including both who are each from one of the three most prestigious families here in England," Nathaniel seemed to lean in a bit closer. "So Allen, what might that be?"
"I'm still not sure. There isn't much I could offer you," Allen said while still trying to think.
"Well, my condition could be for you to be expelled from the academy, but that would be no fun," Nathaniel sighed. "You'll probably lose in the tournament anyways"
For a moment, Allen got really fired up. He had to calm himself down for a second. He took a deep breath to calm himself down.
"There really isn't that much for you to offer, is there?," Nathaniel laughed.
After Allen calmed himself down, he looked over at Ms. Lynde for a second. Despite Nathaniel's very rude comments, she didn't say or do anything. It didn't appear she would do anything aside from monitoring their duel for today. Is this teacher really one that William trusts? Allen is starting to doubt William managed to get a reliable teacher for this duel.
"Well, if you have any ideas," Allen started to say. "Go ahead and say them-"
"Oh, I know," Nathaniel interrupted. "What about your nice little sword there?"
Nathaniel had pointed to Allen's sword, which was currently sheathed on his hip.
"No!," Allen suddenly yelled. "I cannot offer you this sword"
"Oh? And why's that?," Nathaniel asked, suddenly curious.
"Because this is the only thing I have that is from my mother. And it was also a gift. I cannot give this sword away, it means too much to me," Allen said, irritated.
"Well, that's too bad. If you want me to agree to your condition, you need to offer something of equal value if you lose. And there isn't that much for you to offer, is there?," he mischievously grinned.
As Nathaniel laughed and was trying to anger Allen a little, Allen tried to keep his anger down and try to think. The whole reason he agreed to duel Nathaniel was in hopes to win and to get him to finally leave Thomas and Cecily alone. While Thomas and Cecily ultimately didn't want Allen to duel him on their behalf, they were still happy that he stood up for them. They would still cheer him on regardless, and Allen knew this. This whole duel would be almost ultimately pointless if he couldn't get Nathaniel to finally leave them alone.
However, this was his first major and official duel, and he wasn't intending on losing. He knew this duel would be difficult, but he would put in everything he's got and push to win. He was ready to make a dangerous bet.
"Well Allen? We are waiting on you," Ms. Lynde reminded Allen.
"Very well Nathaniel," Allen finally spoke. "If you win, I will give up my sword"
After he said that, he almost regretted it. He knew that if Thomas and Cecily knew that he would be willing to give up his sword in an attempt to get Nathaniel to finally leave them alone, they would flip really hard. He also knew if Rose found out, there would be a short amount of time he'd have left to live, least mentally.
Nathaniel mischievously grinned so much, Allen thought the look on his face would become permanent.
"Well Nathaniel?," Ms. Lynde looked over at him.
"I agree. My condition if I win will be Allen forfeiting his sword, and it can be mine if I wish," Nathaniel responded.
"Very well, about time. Let's get this duel started," she spoke as she walked outside the duel.
"Are you ready, Allen?," Nathaniel asked while he stared at Allen.
"More than ever," he responded, while preparing himself.
"Any sort of attacks that seriously damage your opponent are strictly forbidden," Ms. Lynde spoke as she was outside the duel boundaries. "This duel will be over when one side gives up, steps outside the boundary zone, or becomes unconscious"
As Ms. Lynde spoke, Allen drew his sword. He gave it one good look as it seemed to shine. He got into his battle ready stance, while Nathaniel seemed to do the same.
"Let this duel begin!," Ms. Lynde shouted as she moved her arm down to signal the beginning of the duel.
Allen pointed his sword towards Nathaniel, ready for any attack Nathaniel may suddenly make. He awaited his first move, but Nathaniel didn't budge an inch. He didn't know what tactics Nathaniel would use, or actually how powerful he truly was. He needed to be careful moving forward with this duel.
"Well, aren't you going to make a move?," Nathaniel asked, while he also waited for Allen to strike.
"I dunno, am I?," Allen shrugged, while also still watching just in case Nathaniel was trying to catch him off guard.
Allen didn't hear anything from the crowd watching, but he could feel them waiting in anticipation for someone to begin to make a move. After all, not one of them had yet to make their first move.
"Well then, I suppose I shall begin this duel," Nathaniel shrugged while preparing a spell.
Nathaniel summoned a rather good sized elemental magic circle. It was larger than the ones his younger brother Charles summoned when Allen had dueled him. A good sized blast of water was sent straight to Allen, which Allen easily cut through.
"So… the rumors of you being able to 'cut' through magic as they call it, are true. My younger brother wasn't lying when he told me that you had easily cut through his magic," Nathaniel said with a curious look on his face. "Seems he told everyone in his class, and word got around about it. He wasn't very happy with his defeat, you know"
"So? And what of it?," Allen asked, ready in case Nathaniel suddenly sends another spell at him.
"Well, you defeated him fair and square after all, so I have no means to defeat you for revenge. But I will still defeat you, Allen Fleming," Nathaniel smirked as he prepared his next spell.
"Funny, cause I was going to tell you that I would defeat you instead," Allen said as he waited for Nathaniel to cast his spell.
"Well, let's see if you can cut through this!," Nathaniel said as he finished casting his spell.
Several blasts of water were sent hurling towards Allen at great speeds. However, Allen was able to keep up with the speed, and cut through each one that would've hit him.
"So, it seems you can cut through one large blast, or even cut through several, smaller blasts of water magic," Nathaniel said as he observed Allen's sword strikes. "Let's see how you fare at both!"
Nathaniel began to repeatedly cast water magic at Allen, all in large amounts. Allen was able to hold his ground as he defended each attack, cutting through the attacks and dodging a few that he felt he wouldn't have cut through in time.
Allen could almost feel the crowd's excitement level beginning to rise. The duel was now starting to get somewhere.
"So this is how you defeated Charles, I see now!," Nathaniel grinned in excitement. "This duel is going to be fun!"
Allen kept repeatedly cutting though, but getting nowhere. He had yet to make his first move, only defending. However, he had yet to use an ounce of any of his air mana, which he knew he had to conserve. Nathaniel, however, was expending his mana at a pretty quick pace. Allen didn't know how much mana he had to use, and wasn't wanting to push Nathaniel to use it all in one attack. Allen didn't know how well he'd be able to cut through or dodge such an attack.
"Are all you going to do is just keep defending my attacks?," Nathaniel asked, while still sending magic Allen's way. "Is this all you have to offer me?"
Allen quickly rushed in towards Nathaniel at a very fast pace, almost as if to answer his question. However, he didn't use any of his mana to do so. "Allow me to offer you this then!," Allen said as he got extremely close to Nathaniel and made his first strike.
"So, this is how fast you are," Nathaniel grinned as he quickly dodged Allen's attack. "Quite impressive, actually"
Wait, how did he quickly dodge my attack?, Allen thought, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Surprised, are you?," Nathaniel laughed once he made some distance between the two of them. "Maybe you should ask Rose about our duel"
That's right, Allen thought. He beat Rose in a duel. Rose is really quick, so he has to also be really quick in return in order to dodge her strikes from her rapier, or he would've been done for the moment their duel began.
"Our duel is just beginning, Allen Fleming!," Nathaniel laughed. "I can't wait to absolutely pummel you into the ground!"
The crowd could most likely hear everything going on in the duel, including what they were saying to each other. Allen could once again feel the crowd's excitement rising, as the main part of the duel approached. He knew that Thomas, Cecily and Rose were worried about what would happen. Ms. Lynde kept her eyes on the duel at all times, but has yet to make any comments of her own. Allen knew from just that last strike he tried to pull that this duel would be much harder than he originally anticipated.