The day for Allen's duel against Stephen has already come, and the time draws near. His class had just finished, with Ms. Florence actually teaching. She hadn't actually taught something in the class for awhile.
"-and that's why the water magic is strong against earth magic," she just finished saying.
Thomas looked over at Cecily, to which she proceeded to stick her tongue out at him in a playful way. Defeated, Thomas looked away and looked back up to Ms. Florence in the front.
"That's it for today's lesson. Feel free to study it on your own time, or whatever," she shrugged as she set down her teaching materials, and went straight back to her desk reading her book once more.
Allen had a hard time paying attention to the whole lesson. Although it was rare to see Ms. Florence teach, and when she did he made sure to pay attention, however he couldn't help but be distracted today.
After all, he accepted Stephen's duel just yesterday and it would already be happening today. He had a lot on his mind, figuring out how he wanted to go about the duel. He wanted to win the duel, but he also wanted to get through to Stephen. He had to really think about what was more important to him for the duel.
If he were to lose the duel, he would then be at a score of 0-2 for the academy year already, with 0 wins and 2 losses. Since official duels are recognized at the academy, his current score would be recorded as such.
But, he still wanted to get through to Stephen as best as he could. Stephen has a raging anger, originating at his father, and now after Allen. He needed to straighten things out with him.
"Isn't your duel happening not that long from now Al?," Thomas asked, shifting Allen back to reality.
"Oh- yeah it is," Allen responded, still readjusting back to his surroundings.
"You're worried about the duel, aren't you?," Cecily asked, concerned.
"You read my mind, Lily," Allen nervously laughed.
"Don't worry about it too much, I'm sure you'll do fine," she smiled.
"Yeah Al. Just like what Lily said. You'll do great!," Thomas exclaimed, a big grin on his face.
"Thanks guys," Allen said, smiling.
Not even a moment later, the door to the room swung open, and in came the Student Council President herself.
"Allen, it's time," Rose announced as she looked over at the three of them.
"Doing what you want in my classroom again, hm?," Ms. Florence said without looking away from her book.
"I'm here to get Allen, that's all. He has a duel to get to," she explained.
"Couldn't he just go on his own? Or is this some couple thing you two are now doing?," she sighed, still not looking away from her book.
"I- uh wh-," she could barely say while her face flushed.
"Um wha-," Allen exclaimed, confused.
"Lucky!," Thomas yelled. "I wish I-"
"Shut up, Tom", Cecily exclaimed while slapping the top of his head with a textbook, sending Thomas to the floor once again.
"I'm coming Rose," Allen announced, heading over to the exit to the classroom where Rose was.
"Have fun," Ms. Florence sarcastically announced.
"I-"
"Let's just go Rose," Allen said as he motioned her to exit the room.
"I'll see you two later!," Allen waved Thomas and Cecily off while Thomas was still getting off the floor, Cecily helping him up.
"So, what's going on?," Allen asked, closing the classroom door behind him.
"One second," Rose said, trying to collect herself.
"What's wrong?," Allen asked.
"I-, nothing. I came to bring you to the duel for today," Rose explained.
"Again?," Allen sighed.
"What? You don't want me to walk with you?," Rose did a little 'hmph' and turned her head away.
"No, it's not that. I do like walking with you. It's just, is there something going on that suddenly brought this up?," Allen asked.
"Well just like last time, all the students are catching on about the duel. It may have only been agreed to yesterday, but word can travel fast around here. You'll get a lot of unwanted attention if you were to head there yourself," Rose explained.
"So, just like last time what William said before you took me?," Allen asked.
"Yes, just like last time," Rose sighed.
"Alright then lead the way, Student Council President," Allen said, grinning.
"Alright, I'll lead the way," Rose responded, already starting to walk away from the classroom
.
They finally headed over to the duel grounds, with Rose leading the way. As Rose predicted, once again students noticed them as they passed by, commenting about them with those around them. It was just like last time, but a bit worse.
Although, it shouldn't be too surprising all things considered. He faced Nathaniel Rivertide, the Infamous C Ranker, not that long ago, and almost won. Now, he's facing Stephen Windblade, the A Ranked Genius, the Director's Son, and the student representative at the opening ceremony. Plus, it will be one of the vice directors personally overseeing the duel, and not just a regular teacher. Not only that, but the Student Council President (also known as the Blue Rose), is personally walking him to his duel for the second time. The fact that he's known as "The Weakest Mage", and yet is involved with all of these "hotshots" at school didn't make things better. Once he gave it some thought, he should've seen it sooner.
"Well, we're here," Rose announced as they just arrived. "I will go ahead and head out to the stands. I wish you the best of luck!"
"Wait, what-" Allen said, Rose not leaving him any room to fully respond to her. Guess he'll just have to quickly head in.
He managed to slip in through the main entrance without too much of a hassle. Didn't seem like anyone managed to recognize him quickly enough (if at all) to stop him.
As he continued further, he noticed the audience for this duel was much larger compared to his first duel, despite being planned just yesterday. Just as Rose said, word does travel fast around this academy. He noticed Ms. Clark and Stephen were already here, both standing in the middle of the duel grounds. They must've been waiting for Allen.
"I have arrived," Allen announced to Ms. Clark and Stephen as he walked over to them.
"Good, we were waiting for you. Glad you could make it Allen," Ms. Clark smiled as Allen stopped next to them.
"Good of you to finally arrive, Fleming," Stephen scoffed, his voice sounding like he had a bad taste in his mouth.
"Nice to see you too, Stephen," Allen sarcastically said, not really sure what else to say.
"Well, since you're both here, we can start to get this duel underway," Ms. Clark announced as she looked at them back and forth, an awkward look in her eye as if she was unsure how to fully go about the duel.
"I've been waiting for this," Stephen said with a mischievous grin.
"Have you now?," Allen responded sarcastically again.
"Just know Fleming, I will win this duel. There is no way you can defeat me," Stephen said, staring at him.
"We'll see about that," Allen stared back at him.
"And once I win-"
"Alright you two, save it for your actual duel, will you?," Ms Clark sighed.
"Hmph, very well," Stephen said, crossing his arms in annoyance.
"No issues here," Allen stated.
"Well unless you two need prep time, we could begin the duel now," Ms. Clark explained.
"I never need any sort of prep time," Stephen scoffed.
"I'm fine with starting it now, if we're all ready," Allen responded.
"Very well, we will begin the duel now," Ms. Clark announced. Both of you, get ready"
They took their positions, Allen drawing his sword and Stephen getting in spell casting position. Allen began to prepare the mana within him, so he could use it at any given moment, if necessary. He already knew this duel could be a lot more difficult than the one with Nathaniel. He could barely win against Nathaniel, and if Stephen was indeed more difficult than Nathaniel, he was definitely in a more tough spot.
"Both of you ready?," Ms. Clark asked out loud, so the two of them could clearly hear her.
"Yes, I'm ready," Allen immediately responded.
"Always ready," Stephen responded right after.
"Very well, the duel between Allen Fleming and Stephen Windblade is about to begin," Ms. Clark announced, loud enough for the whole audience to hear.
Once she announced the duel would be starting, it seemed like everyone in the audience suddenly turned their attention down to the arena, if they weren't already. It seemed like most or all of the audience was excited to watch the duel, no matter who they were hoping to win. Allen knew that Thomas, Ceciliy, and Rose were all watching and waiting for his duel.
"Allen Fleming, rank 1F, with a current score of 0 wins to 1 loss," Ms. Clark continued, taking her position outside of the large duel circle.
Wait, Allen thought. Were rank and duel stats supposed to be said before the duel? Ms. Lynde didn't do that before my duel with Nathaniel!
"And Stephen Windblade, rank 1A, with a current score of 5 wins to 0 losses," Ms. Clark continued.
Wait, 5 wins? 0 Losses?, Allen thought. We're only several months into the academy year, and he's already got 5 wins but has yet to lose once?
"Hmph, I could never lose," Stephen bragged. "And your defeat will mark my 6th win"
So much for telling me that he doesn't like to flaunt his strength, Allen thought.
"The duel will begin once the countdown is finished. Any sort of attacks that do serious damage are prohibited. The duel will end once someone admits defeat, becomes unconscious, or steps outside the duel grounds," Ms. Clark explained.
Both Allen and Stephen nodded their heads at her in recognition of her explanation. Allen once again readied his blade, ready to take down Stephen.
"The duel will begin in three, two, one!," Ms. Clark did the countdown, moving her hand down to mark the duel beginning.
"I will defeat you in this duel, Allen," Stephen shouted, just moments after the duel began. "I will prove that I am better than you!"
Before this duel began, Allen had already decided how he wanted this duel to go. He was determined to make it happen.
"Time to make my first move," Stephen said, smirking.
"Go ahead, I'm waiting...," Allen grinned, waiting for Stephen to finally start casting magic.
"Take this!," Stephen yelled, sending a torrent of air magic at Allen.
Allen used his sword to slash through the air magic that was sent his way with ease. He had a lot of practice when it came to defending against air magic.
Stephen could only scoff when Allen easily cut through his magic, dealing no damage whatsoever. "Fine, take this," he shouted, sending magic once again at Allen.
Allen once again cut through the magic easily, still doing no damage. Allen may have easily cut through the magic, but he noticed Stephen had yet to actually cast a magic circle. If this was Stephen's magic without a magic circle, then what was his magic with one?
The audience seemed to be waiting for the duel to get more exciting, since all the duel consisted of was Stephen sending air magic Allen's way, to which Allen easily cut through.
"Looks like I'll have to actually use my magic, for once," Stephen mischievously grinned.
"Well, I'm waiting," Allen tried to egg him on.
"You want magic? I'll give you magic!," Stephen yelled, casting an air magic circle.
It was a good sized magic circle, definitely comparable to some of the magic circles Nathaniel casted in the previous duel. Allen knew that with a magic circle, he could better use his magic and cast it how he wanted to. He suspected how Stephen would cast his magic, and prepared to defend.
"Take this, Fleming!," Stephen cast his air magic at him.
However, this wasn't regular air magic. Stephen was able to cast it so they would be sent at Allen as slashes of air, instead of just a powerful gust of air. Allen recognized this type of air magic, one he was all too familiar with.
While it was a little difficult to do, Allen managed to cut through each air slash that would've hit him, taking no damage in return once again.
"Really, that's all?," Allen sighed, trying to get a reaction out of Stephen. "This magic reminds me of your father's magic, but his magic has always been stronger, huh?"
For a moment, the audience was confused. Almost everyone knew who Stephen's father was, which was the Head Director, William Windblade. However, it was not commonly known throughout the academy that Allen was mentored by William. Only a few people knew about this. So when Allen mentioned Stephen's magic being similar to his father's, it brought confusion to the audience.
"Don't ever compare me to my father!," Stephen yelled, getting really angry. He proceeded to launch another magic attack at Allen, slightly stronger than the last.
"C'mon, is that all Stephen?," Allen continued to egg him on. "I thought you were going to defeat me in this duel? This is nothing compared to your father's magic"
"I said, don't compare me to my father!," Stephen yelled even louder, his face completely filled with anger.
He then released a high amount of slashes of air magic, which would be difficult for Allen to dodge or fully cut through. While Allen was cutting through the magic, part of the slashes of air magic managed to barely graze his right shoulder, resulting in a small wound. After the magic dissipated, Allen held his left hand over the wound, in slight pain.
"How do you like that?," Stephen yelled, slightly laughing.
This isn't like him, Allen thought. As I thought, that's what is bothering him.
Allen closed his eyes for a moment, preparing the mana inside of him. He concentrated to move it to his legs, to allow him to move faster. He wanted to remove the distance between Stephen and him.
"Don't tell me you're-," Stephen started to say, realizing what Allen was doing.
Before Stephen could fully react to stop him, Allen was already running at full speed towards him, ready to strike him down. Right before Allen could strike at Stephen, he managed to release a gust of air magic, starting to push Allen away. Allen tried to use his sword to cut through it, but it was powerful enough to send him flying back over where he was before.
"You'll never be better than me!," Stephen shouted after Allen landed on the floor. "I will prove to you that I am better than you, and my father!"
Just as Allen was getting up, Stephen sent more air magic over to Allen. Allen had to quickly move the mana inside of his body to his arms, so he cut through them fast enough. He managed to cut through them, but at the cost of most of his remaining mana.
"Shoot, if this keeps up-," Allen muttered to himself. He knew that if he didn't do this correctly, he wouldn't accomplish what he wanted to, and lose in the process. He decided to try a different method, but it would be risky.
"Stephen, stop acting like this is between you and me!," Allen shouted, starting to slowly walk over to Stephen.
"This is between you and me!," he yelled back, sending air magic at Allen.
"This never has been between you and me, and you know it!," Allen yelled back, cutting through Stephen's magic as he kept walking.
"Shut up!," Stephen yelled, sending more air magic at Allen.
"Getting angry if someone compares you to your father?," Allen scoffed. "Don't make me laugh". He didn't have to cut through Stephen's magic, as it didn't even get close to grazing him.
"Shut up, shut up, shut up!," Stephen roared, getting even angrier. He sent a large amount of magic this time, and Allen would have to attempt to dodge or cut through it this time.
"This has never been between you and me, nor has it really been between you and your father," Allen remarked, cutting through the magic as he kept walking. He got a few cuts on his legs and his arms from parts of the air magic he wasn't able to cut. Even so, he kept walking as if nothing happened.
"Just shut up already!," Stephen roared, casting a very large air elemental circle.
This is going to be rough, Allen thought, as the air magic was being casted at him. He used all of the remaining air mana in his body he could use, and sent it to his arms. He cut through the air magic as fast and as much as he could, but still ended up getting a few cuts on his face, body, and legs. It started to become harder to walk, but he kept pushing forward.
"This has been because you've felt guilty, haven't you?," Allen asked, just now reaching Stephen's position.
"I-," Stephen started to say, but was immediately caught off guard. It seemed like his eyes started to tear up, but Allen wasn't completely sure.
"You may have tried to push the blame over to William, but it's really you who feels the guilt, isn't it?," Allen asked, looking right at him. "You challenged me to a duel to try to get further from your feelings. You feel guilty because your mother-"
"Don't you dare!-," Stephen yelled, sending air magic right at Allen. While Allen was right next to him and would've gotten hit directly on, luckily it just somehow barely grazed his side. However, it sent his sword out of his hand, flying straight up into the air.
Shoot, my sword!, Allen immediately thought. If I don't do something now, he'll send more air magic at me, sending me far out of the arena. If I don't do something quick, this duel will be quickly over.
Stephen suddenly getting surprised and diverging his attention for a moment that Allen's sword got sent flying up in the air gave Allen the sweet time he needed. He put his left hand out, as if he was going to cast a spell directly at Stephen. Even if he wasn't out of mana to use, he could barely cast a spell at all. The most he could do is cast a small gust of wind, just barely enough to move a piece of paper or a stray leaf.
"You're going to try to cast a spell-," Stephen started to say after he noticed what Allen was doing, really surprised.
But before Stephen could finish, Allen caught his sword in his right hand after it finally started to fall back down from the air and reach him.
"This duels over, Stephen," Allen announced, quickly pointing his sword at Stephen's throat.
"N-No, I-," Stephen tried to say something, but couldn't make anything out due to the shock he was in. He fell to the floor, his attention facing the ground. "I-, I admit defeat…"
"The duel between Allen Fleming and Stephen Windblade is over!," Ms. Clark announced to the audience. "Allen Fleming has won, putting him at a score of 1-1, and Stephen to a score of 5-1"
The audience erupted into a mixture of excitement, shock, anger, or just about any other emotion one could get from a duel that they had just witnessed. No one was truly sure what just went on, but they definitely knew that Allen had somehow won.
Now that Allen had won, he finally dropped his sword down and almost collapsed on the floor. He managed to catch himself and just sat on the floor, exhausted. He saw Stephen in front of him, his attention still focused on the floor as if he was deep in thought.
In the corner of Allen's eye, just a little past where the entrance to the duel grounds was, he thought he had saw William. He wasn't completely sure, but when he turned over to look, the figure was already gone.
Despite being really exhausted, and covered in several wounds still probably bleeding, Allen still managed to stay conscious. He knew he would have to go back to the infirmary, and Rose would give him hell for it, but he decided to deal with that later. He felt like he needed to have a very long discussion with Stephen to clear up a lot of things between him and Allen.