"Mind telling me why you are here?," Rose asked as she got out of her chair, still having her arms crossed.
"What, I can't stop by to see the student that everyone's been talking about?," Stephen asked as he looked back and forth between Rose and Allen.
"You came here to meet Allen just because he's being talked about?," Rose asked, but keeping her eyes on Stephen. "I'm assuming word about the result of Nathaniel and Allen's duel is getting around then?"
"That's correct, Allen is quite the conversation starter as of late. Figured I'd come here myself to see him," Stephen shrugged.
"Who's this? Do you know him?," Thomas asked Rose.
"Ah, that's-"
"Allow me to introduce myself," Stephen interrupted. "My name is Stephen Windblade, a year 1 rank A at this academy. You may remember me as the student representative from the Entrance Ceremony"
"Stephen Windblade? Ah I do remember seeing you," Thomas said as he recalled the entrance ceremony. "You're the one who called Allen out during the ceremony"
"Indeed I did," Stephen confirmed. "Think of it as a small challenge to Allen from my end"
"He's considered 'The A Ranked Genius' here at the academy, due to his great amounts of mana, high skill in duels and his overall intelligence," Cecily remarked.
"Oh, you don't need to call me that," Stephen laughed. "It's just a title the students have recently given me here at the academy"
"Ah, and if I remember correctly you are also the dire-"
"Yes, we get it Stephen. You like to find 'worthy' opponents," Rose cut Thomas off on purpose. "But Allen is still resting, so he is not fit to duel again just yet"
"I'm actually not here for that. I wasn't planning on challenging him to a duel or anything. I actually was just interested in talking to him a bit. I want to save our duels for the tournament later this year," Stephen explained.
"Uh huh, sure...," Rose said, pretending to sound convinced.
"No no, really. I just had to sate my curiosity, is all," Stephen shrugged. "I was curious as to who this 'Weakest Mage' really was, although I have talked to him before, but only briefly,"
Allen, who hadn't said a word since Stephen came in, didn't quite know how to make sense of the scene unfolding in front of him. Rose had been doing all the talking, and Allen assumed she had a reason for doing so. Allen was also a bit tired, and was honestly looking to take a good nap. He didn't mind if he talked to Stephen later, since it seemed Stephen wanted to talk to Allen more than Allen wanted to talk to him.
"Well you can speak with him after he has healed then. Besides, it's close to after school hours. You'll need to head back to your dorm," Rose informed him.
"Head back to my dorm, really? I still have plenty of time before I actually have to do that," Stephen said, shrugging.
"Well this room is limited to visitors since he is still a patient in the infirmary. Allen does not need to be disturbed-"
"Then why are you still here?," Stephen asked, smirking.
"Well, as the Student Council President, I am here to look out for his well-being, and to-"
"Yeah yeah, all I hear is excuses. What's the real reason you are still here?," Stephen cut her off, with a big smirk on his face.
"I am here as his frie-"
"No no, I'm sure that you two are dat-"
"Excuse me?," Rose's voice suddenly got louder. "Then I suppose I'll have you removed from this room immediately-"
"Pink," Stephen said nonchalantly, almost as if he was stating a simple fact.
"Um, what?," Rose asked, completely caught off guard.
"Their color is pink," Stephen said once again. "I didn't imagine you'd be so into that color for your p-"
For a moment, Rose was completely quiet. It was almost the same as before when Thomas and Cecily walked in. Thomas and Cecily noticed what was going on, and slowly started to leave the room together.
"Uh Rose, are you oka-," Allen began to finally speak, but once again she did what Allen thought she would do.
Rose suddenly drew her rapier, and at a very quick pace moved towards Stephen, with her rapier aimed straight for his neck. Allen knew those few moments she wouldn't actually land the hit, but he knew that she was definitely going to try to frighten him.
Although, Allen saw something completely different than what he was originally expecting. Right before Rose could put her Rapier in position right before his neck, Stephen cast a magic circle and moved her rapier enough to the side to where her Rapier flew past his neck to the left. Stephen did this so quickly that Allen barely saw what happened. It was then after seeing Rose and Stephen up close did he finally realize how powerful and gifted those who are A ranks really are.
"Now now," Stephen said, smiling. "No need to get so violent, now do we?"
Allen could tell Rose was also surprised at what happened, but her face wasn't filled with so much surprise to the point she was completely not expecting what just happened. For what felt like a few minutes, they just stood there like that. Finally, Rose sheathed her rapier away.
"I'll speak with you at a later date, Stephen," Rose sighed with a very annoyed expression and began to walk out of the room, passing Cecily and Thomas on her way out.
"I'll see you later!," Stephen said as he happily grinned and waved her goodbye.
Thomas and Cecily for a moment stood there surprised, but finally followed behind Rose on her way out. They were originally leaving anyway, but due to the awkward and surprising scene that just happened, it left them speechless for the remainder of the time they were in there.
"So, after causing a ruckus in the room and making the Blue Rose act suddenly like that, what did you really want to talk to me about?," Allen asked, wanting a direct answer from him.
"Ah, nothing really," Stephen shrugged. "Just wanted to talk to you in private, that's all"
"About what exactly?," Allen awaited his response.
"Nothing in particular. But if I had to say if I was here for any reason, it was to get to know you," Stephen grinned.
"So, you're saying that you made a whole scene in here with Rose, causing her to leave and then my other friends to follow just so you could talk in private?," Allen asked, giving him a look.
"Yep, pretty much," Stephen shrugged again.
"Well before I tell you anything about myself, care to explain how you already know Rose?," Allen asked, curious.
"Oh, I've known her for a few years before I attended the academy," Stephen explained. "I knew her as sort of a childhood friend, I guess? But I wouldn't really say that since I met her when I was about eleven"
"Hm, interesting. Do you guys always talk like that to each other?," Allen asked.
"Oh that?," Stephen said as he recalled the events before Rose left. "Yeah, I suppose. We don't hate each other, I just tend to get under her nerves a lot. In fact, my very existence seems to get her riled up sometimes"
"Why's that?"
"Well, our personalities conflict at times. But we get along for the most part," Stephen shrugged again. "Any other questions for me?"
"I think my last question would be why you randomly said the word 'pink', and Rose suddenly left after that. Why would that word make her want to leave?," Allen asked.
"Well, about that...," Stephen laughed.
"Does she just not like the color? Is that it?," Allen asked once again.
"Well, between you and me," Stephen started to lean in a bit closer. "She is wearing pink-"
Stephen was about to finish his sentence, but both Allen and Stephen felt an intense, deadly aura that shook them for a second. Stephen decided not to finish his sentence, knowing what would happen if he did.
"Well, nevermind about that," Stephen said while his eyes were open wide looking at the entrance to the infirmary just in case. "Was that all?"
"Yeah, that sums up what I wanted to ask you," Allen said, as he looked at the door just in case as well. "So what did you want to know about me? You did go out of your way to get here and talk to me"
"My main question for you would be how you were able to hold your own against Nathaniel for so long," Stephen asked, a curious look on his face.
"You mean how I was able to prevail against Nathaniel in the duel?," Allen asked.
"Exactly. I saw your magic at the entrance ceremony. You barely have an ounce of mana, don't you?," Stephen asked, staring at him.
"Unfortunately, yes," Allen responded awkwardly. He has been dealing with this issue since he had started using magic before he turned eight.
"And, you are also regarded as 'The Weakest Mage' at this academy, which would normally indicate you as, well, the weakest mage," Stephen continued.
"Well, I didn't give myself that supposed nickname," Allen smiled awkwardly.
"You also fight with a sword, something very uncommon with regular mages. Normally, this is seen as something weak mages would do to make up for their weak amounts of mana," Stephen explained.
"Well, I suppose you aren't entirely wrong. I got this sword from my mother, although I have no idea where she could be if she's out there somewhere," Allen explained.
Stephen stiffened at the mentioning of the word "mother", but only for a moment.
"All this adds up to you being an F ranked student at this academy. F ranked students normally can't take down someone of higher ranking, like a D rank, and much less a C rank. Yet here we are, you managing to put Nathaniel on the edge of his toes," Stephen continued, looking at Allen as if he expected a certain answer.
"I, I don't know what you are getting at," Allen asked, confused.
"Although Nathaniel is a C rank, he would more than likely be a B rank, and possibly an A if he wanted to. But he didn't. Meaning you didn't put a C rank on the edge of his toes, you put a possible A rank at the edge of his toes," Stephen still looked at Allen, but surprised to see Allen still confused.
"I still don't know what you are getting at," Allen asked again.
"This makes me wonder, is the ranking system really that balanced out? Are there other attributes the academy should look at to determine someone's rank?," Stephen asked.
"Wait, did you really just say all that just to ask me that?," Allen asked, staring at him in confusion. Stephen was starting to sound a lot like someone else he knew - William.
"Well, why else would I?," Stephen shrugged. "You see, you seem to be an exception compared to the rest of the academy. The academy is filled with all sorts of talented mages who would love nothing more to showcase their talent on a stage. But I want nothing of it, and nothing to do with them. I am more interested in the outliers, the ones who are also strong, but don't go around flaunting their abilities to boost their ego"
"Are you referring to me, then?," Allen asked. "I would assume that's why you are here"
"Indeed. I, as well as yourself, are both outliers of this academy. While I am of an A rank and you of a F rank, we both possess talent and strength. Although for you, this academy does not recognize your strength due to its factors put into the ranking system," Stephen pointed back and forth between the two of them as he explained.
"You consider me to be strong?," Allen asked, confused. "While I may lack the ability to produce a magical circle, I do admit I am good in other ways with my mana and using my sword. But honestly, I do those things because I lack mana"
"For someone who refuses to underestimate their opponents, it's funny how you underestimate yourself," Stephen chuckled.
"I- I underestimate myself?," Allen asked, waiting for Stephen's answer.
"For someone who put Nathaniel on his toes, do you really have to ask that question?," Stephen asked, looking at him.
"Even so, I still didn't beat him," Allen said, looking down. He was still frustrated at the fact he lost.
"Nathaniel has technically remained undefeated since he has been here. Even the Blue Rose couldn't beat him, and she's an A rank and the Student Council President. But never before have I seen someone put Nathaniel so on edge like that. Just what exactly are you?", Stephen inquired, awaiting his next response.
Now that Allen thought about it, it seems like he really had been underestimating himself. He honestly thought he had gotten this far mostly to luck. He won't lie and say he is skilled when it comes to utilizing his mana and using a sword, but in the end what matters as a mage is using magic. He does want to become a powerful magical knight, but at the same time he wonders if he truly can if this is how the system is - focusing only on how you can use magic.
Despite that, he has managed to beat Charles in a duel in the opening entrance ceremony, defeat both Thomas and Cecily at the same time in a practice duel, defeat Rose in a practice duel during his training with her (even if she hadn't used all her strength), and put Nathaniel on edge in his latest duel. All of his opponents have come from high class families, all being strong in some way. He hasn't really faced anyone of "lower status", so he doesn't really know how well he'd do against them. Even thinking about it more, William was the one who trained him, and William is one of the most powerful mages in London (or so he's heard). While Allen has a long way to go before being on William's level, he still can give William quite the duel.
Putting all those factors together, how strong is Allen really? Would he be still considered an F rank if the system took into account his other abilities?
"You're thinking about this a lot, aren't you," Stephen smirked.
"I guess I am," Allen shrugged, after Stephen put him back to reality. "But why bother telling me all this?"
"As I said before, I was interested in getting to know you. Not just as 'The Weakest Mage', but who you actually are. I am also interested in being friends. I did say before that I am not interested in any of these arrogant mages who flaunt their power, I wish only to talk to those like me - powerful or not, they don't go flaunting their power. It's so boring and dull seeing these arrogant mages everywhere," Stephen scoffed.
"All of that, just to be friends?," Allen asked, really confused.
"Exactly!," Stephen grinned.
"Why not?," Allen asked. No mistake in gaining another friend, right?
"Then I'll see you after you get out of the infirmary. We can talk more another time," Stephen said as he began to leave.
"Sure, I'll see you later," Allen waved him out.
"Oh also, if you are ever interested in a practice duel, do let me know. I am rather curious how it would turn out," Stephen suggested as he walked out.
"Will do!," Allen responded as Stephen walked down the halls.
Stephen Windblade, Allen thought. What an odd student.
Stephen was nothing like Allen had expected. The only time he had conversed with him before was at the entrance exam, and then again at the entrance ceremony. However both times it was mainly a one-sided conversation, as Stephen didn't really leave him room to respond.
From what Allen could remember, he is William's son. And he sure acts like it too. Allen could see the resemblance in both looks and personality. But William has never once mentioned ever having a son, and Allen still doesn't know why. He does remember at one point when everyone was in the room with him, Thomas almost mentioned him being William's son, but Rose quickly shot him down. Was there something between William and Stephen he didn't know about? Allen would have to ask William when he saw him next.
He would also have to discuss with William how the duel went and what William thinks. The teacher overseeing the duel didn't do anything when Nathaniel was belittling Allen way too much. Also, Nathaniel had put on some weird ring that was most likely a magical artifact, which quickly turned him around in the duel. Exactly what it did and where it came from, Allen has no idea.
Either way, it seems that the next coming months will be interesting. What's to come with his meeting with William, as well as Stephen wanting to be Allen's friend, will be determined as the weeks go by.