"So, you really think that's a good idea?," Thomas asked, concerned their plan would actually work out.
"With the little amount of time we have to plan, I would say my idea is better than nothing," Allen responded. "Cecily, what do you think?"
"I think it's solid, all things considered. What it really falls down to is what they plan to do as well," she gave her thoughts.
"True. If what they decide fully goes against our plans, then we would have to improvise from there," Allen agreed.
"That's what I am saying. Your plan is based on the fact that they will react how we expect them to," Thomas pointed out.
"If you have any other ideas, I'm more than happy to hear them. I just don't know of something else that could be better, with the time we have left," Allen said.
"I don't really have anything," Thomas admitted.
"So, do we go with this strategy then?," Allen asked.
After a moment of silence, both Thomas and Cecily gave a nod in response.
"You three, be quiet back there!," Ms. Florence raised her voice from across the room.
"Sorry, Ms. Florence," Allen apologized.
"I don't understand why she's complaining about us talking when she refuses to teach us anything anymore," Thomas shook his head in annoyance. Cecily nodded in agreement.
The day after the incident with the D ranks Adam, Sybil and Oliver, the three of them began to come up with a strategy in order to defeat them in their duel today.
The three of them still did not understand why the D ranks decided to randomly pick a fight with them, but they figured they would find out after the duel was over, hopefully in their victory.
During the little time they had to prepare, Allen has been unable to speak with William. Any attempts to find him, including at his office, have been futile. Even his attempts to find Rose or any other student council member have failed. Just what could they be up to, and did this duel have something to do with it?
At this point, Allen figured it has to be a coincidence, considering it's only been a day that he hasn't been able to speak to William. After all, he is the Head Director, and has his own duties to attend to. But even so, something about this whole situation kept him thinking about it.
After spending the rest of their class time attempting to actually study (they needed to, if they wanted to be promoted to D rank), it was finally time for them to head towards the training grounds for their duel against the D ranks Adam, Sybil and Oliver.
Once the three of them finally reached the duel grounds, they noticed quite a number of students in the stands, ready to watch the duel happen.
"Wait, I thought this would be considered an unofficial duel?," Thomas asked, confused.
"It is, but that doesn't mean students can't come by and watch. Unofficial or not, a teacher still has to oversee the duel to make sure no one gets terribly hurt, and students can still watch it," Cecily explained.
"Yeah but, no one watches when we train for our training club…," Thomas continued.
"True, but that was club activities with students we know," Allen added. "This time, it's a duel against three students whom we just met, so we need to make sure everyone plays fair"
"Ah, fair enough," Thomas nodded, but it still looked like he was still confused about it.
They walked towards the center of the training grounds, where their duel will be taking place. Their three opponents were already there, looking impatient. A teacher, which Allen slightly recognized, noticed the three of them and put up his index finger, as if to say he would be with them in a minute.
"Hmph, so, I see the failures have finally arrived," Sybil said as she rolled her eyes.
Before Thomas spoke up, he looked over at Cecily, who nodded. He then turned back to face them.
"We'll show you just what these failures are capable of," Thomas said with a proud expression.
"Don't tell me you're happy to be considered a failure. If only you weren't born a failure," Sybil added.
"I'm sorry, what?," Thomas began to step forward, but was stopped by Allen.
"Sybil, you can save that for the duel," Adam barked before she could continue taunting him. He looked over at Allen. "We'll settle our score today, agreed?"
"Agreed," Allen gave him a nod.
After a few minutes had passed, the teacher finally approached the six of them. He looked at the D ranks first, then looked over at Allen's group before speaking.
"Cecily Rivertide, Thomas Terrastone, and Allen Fleming, correct?," the teacher asked. The three of them nodded in response.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Rowland Lyon, but you may refer to me as Mr. Lyon. I am one of the D Ranked teachers, and just so happen to be these three's teacher," he spoke respectfully.
"Is that even allowed? I thought the teacher overseeing the duel wasn't allowed to be the teacher of any of the students involved," Thomas spoke up.
"You bring up a fair point, Terrastone, however since this is regarded as an unofficial duel, meaning the outcome will not affect your duel score during this academy's term, any teacher is allowed to oversee the duel. Do not worry, I shall oversee this duel fairly," he explained.
"Alright," Thomas nodded, but he still looked a little concerned. Allen gave him a reassuring look, although that didn't seem to help.
Allen knew Thomas wasn't exactly happy with the current outcome, especially with all the insults Sybil had thrown at him. He wasn't exactly happy, and hopefully this duel will be settled fairly.
As Mr. Lyon began to converse a little with his own students, Allen couldn't help but wonder where he had seen him before. It was only once, but if Allen recalled correctly…
"Mr. Lyon, if I may," Allen spoke up, getting his attention.
"What is it, Fleming?," he asked.
"I seem to recall you from the entrance exams. You were the one issuing out a number for each examinee, is that correct?"
"If memory serves, that does sound correct. They have me perform that duty each year, so it wouldn't be out of the ordinary if you recognize me from then," Mr. Lyon confirmed.
"I seem to recall that you had told me I would have been better walking away instead of taking the exam, considering I wasn't from any prestigious air family, is that correct?," he asked, giving him an intriguing look.
"Hm, I don't recall, but I might have said something along those lines," he responded as he was thinking to himself, with a look on his face like he wouldn't doubt that would be outside of what he would say.
"Well, I was accepted of course, and am on my way to become a magical knight," Allen responded proudly, as if to counter what Mr. Lyon had once said previously.
"Is that so?," Mr. Lyon gave him a curious look. "You still have a long road ahead of you if you are still an F rank this far into the year"
"Oh, don't worry. Thomas, Cecily and I are working hard to get promoted to D rank," Allen responded with a grin on his face as Thomas and Cecily nodded.
"Hm, then I expect to see you in my class when the time comes"
"And without a doubt you shall see us in D rank soon," Allen responded with a big grin on his face.
Sybil had looked at the three of them with a disgusted look on her face as they had spoken to Mr. Lyon. However, Oliver and Adam just regarded them with curious expressions.
"Well, if that was all, I suppose we should get this duel underway?," Mr. Lyon asked the six of them.
"Of course," Allen responded.
"We've been waiting," Adam said with his arms crossed.
"Good," Mr. Lyon said as he went outside of the duel boundary zone, where he could properly oversee the duel.
"This will be a three-on-three duel. Giving up, going unconscious, or stepping out of the boundary zone results in that participant going out. A team wins by defeating all duel participants on the other team by one of those three conditions. Any attacks that can do serious harm are strictly forbidden," Mr. Lyon announced. "Are both teams ready, and agree to the aforementioned rules?"
"We accept!," Allen responded.
"We accept as well," Adam responded next.
"Very well, may the duel between the three D ranks and the three F ranks commence!"
Just as the duel began, Allen, Thomas and Cecily looked at each other and nodded. They would go with their plan.
As the three of them nodded to each other, Adam's team all seemed to have a plan of their own. Allen wasn't sure exactly what they would try to do, but he had a vague idea.
"C'mon Terrastone, show me what you've got!," Sybil yelled, already getting her magic ready.
"Allen?," Thomas asked.
"Go for it," he said, as he drew his sword.
"Gladly," he grinned, as he already prepared his magic. Allen could see his training was paying off, because now his earth magic on his arms reached up to the sleeves of his shirt. He knew Sybil wouldn't have an easy time against Thomas.
Oliver already began to prepare his spell, most likely targeting Thomas. However, Cecily had already moved in, following behind Thomas, throwing Oliver off guard. She then began to start throwing magic spells at Oliver as Thomas and Sybil went head to head.
"Guess that leaves you and I, Fleming," Adam said as he began to prepare his own air magic.
"Of course," Allen responded, readying himself for an attack.
He didn't know how powerful Adam was, but considering he was a D rank and a first year, Allen didn't think he would have a hard time. After all, he bet this strategy on the fact that Adam's team was highly underestimating them.
He did figure, however, that Adam would be cautious with Allen. After all, Allen has the ability to close in on his opponents, something that puts most students at a disadvantage.
"Take this, Fleming," he said, as he began to cast magic at Allen.
As Allen prepared to cut through the spell, he watched as it soared over to him. As he figured, it wasn't that powerful, but he still needed to be a little cautious until he knew what Adam was fully capable of.
This level of magic is nothing compared to Stephen though, Allen thought to himself. He couldn't help but grin at the fact he managed to handle Stephen just fine, so this duel shouldn't be a difficult matter.
As Adam's spell reached Allen, he cut through it rather easily.
"Got anything else?," Allen asked, taunting him.
"How?!," he exclaimed. "I didn't know your sword could cut through my magic!"
Allen could only grin as a response. It's time to see how Adam will react to his sudden attacks. No need to use mana, either.
As Adam began to prepare for his next spell, Allen was already rushing in towards him. Adam probably wasn't expecting that, he most likely expected Allen to begin to cast a spell.
Seems he really wasn't informed on my skills, Allen thought as he closed the distance to Adam.
He began to try to strike Adam a few times, resulting in Adam trying to dodge him. On his last swing, Adam used his magic to push himself back, otherwise he would have been hit by Allen.
Interesting, I never would have thought to use air magic like that before, he thought as Adam moved out of the way.
In the time he had before Adam got up, he quickly checked to see how Thomas and Cecily were doing.
Thomas and Sybil were going head to head, as he suspected. As Thomas threw his punches, Sybil would dodge and try to send her own magic his way up close.
Cecily and Oliver were in their own bout, with them both sending magic at each other, but their magic would cancel out by the other before it could reach their opponent.
Seems Cecily has someone on her intelligence level, Allen thought.
As he turned back to Adam, he already knew everything was still going according to plan. It was only a matter of time before they started the next stage.
"I'll admit you got me there Fleming, but don't think you can pull the same trick twice," Adam declared as he got up.
"Then I'll be sure to do something different," Allen gave him a grin as he swung his sword around. "Show me what else you got"
"Will do!," he yelled, as he began to cast more of his magic.
As Allen began to cut through each spell Adam threw his way, he noticed he tried to hit him on any openings he had. A sound strategy, but Allen's movement was faster than Adam's magic.
Just as Adam cast another spell, he could tell that he was starting to run low on magic with how desperate his attacks started to become.
With another spell he cut through, Allen took a second to look over at Thomas for a moment, and Thomas gave him a nod in return. It was time to execute their plan.
Just before Adam could register what Allen was doing, Allen was already switching places with Thomas. Thomas began to already rush towards Adam, throwing punches at him.
"What the-," Adam said as he tried to react quickly to Thomas' sudden attacks.
Allen knew Thomas would be at an elemental disadvantage against Adam (Since air magic is strong against earth magic), but he knew Thomas could hold his own.
Allen rushed in towards Sybil, already throwing attacks at her with her sword.
"Just what are you doing?!," she yelled as she frantically tried to dodge Allen's swift attacks. She may have had almost no issues with Thomas' attacks, but since Allen was faster than Thomas, she was now having a hard time. Not to mention, she is probably already somewhat exhausted at this point.
As he continued to put Sybil on edge, Cecily and Oliver were still going head to head, no one gaining any leverage over the other. Allen had suspected this, and would be vital for the next part of the plan.
Cecily had already noticed the change, and knew it would be her turn next. She had to keep Oliver distracted for as long as possible, so he wouldn't notice the current change of battle.
Just as Sybil went in close to cast a quick spell at Allen, he already began to prepare mana in his legs. It was time for him to make his next move.
Just as Sybil launched her attack, Allen quickly moved forward, cutting through her attack and passing by her.
At this point in time, Oliver and Sybil finally noticed what was going on now with Allen and Cecily. Sybil began to cast magic towards Allen to stop him, but Cecily already sent a spell, intercepting hers.
"Dammit!," she cursed, already seeing what was about to take place.
Allen quickly closed the distance to Oliver, who had almost no time to react. Before he could finish casting his spell, Allen was already right next to him, hitting his head with the end of his sword. Oliver was then sent straight to the ground, becoming unconscious.
"Oliver has been rendered unconscious, therefore he is out!," Mr. Lyon finally announced, sending waves through the crowd.
Allen almost forgot that there even was a crowd to begin with as the crowd began to grow more with excitement.
"What just happened!?," Adam yelled, finally noticing Oliver unconscious on the ground.
"Oh no you don't!," Sybil yelled with frustration, beginning to cast a spell at Allen.
However, before she could, Thomas was already again on her, throwing punches her way, putting her off balance.
Adam was unable to back her up, as Cecily had swiftly taken Thomas' place, beginning to cast quick spells at Adam, which put him in a spot where he couldn't reach Sybil.
As Sybil began to try to catch her balance, Allen swiftly moved into her position. He gave her a push with the flat of his blade, sending her outside of the duel boundary zone.
"Sybil has stepped outside the duel boundary zone, therefore Sybil is out!," Mr. Lyon once again made an announcement, not too long after his first one.
Once again the crowd shook with excitement, with the unexpected swift defeat of Sybil.
"No!," Sybil yelled in sheer frustration, noticing her defeat.
Allen finally looked over at Adam, who seemed to be in a bit of a shock. He probably did not suspect things to come out this way. And now, it was time to finally finish this duel.
Cecily and Thomas began to prepare their spells, in case Adam begins to try anything. But before he even could, Allen was already at his position, sword at his neck.
"I admit defeat!," he yelled, with his hands in the air.
"Adam admits defeat, therefore he is out! All team members on the D ranked team have been defeated! The F Ranked team claims victory!," Mr. Lyon announced.
Despite the small crowd, Allen didn't expect this level of excitement. He looked through the crowd, but didn't see anyone he knew. Guess the other members of the Training Club didn't hear about the duel, or weren't able to come.
He was even half expecting to see August's face, though he was half glad that he didn't, considering he just dealt with August's banquet he was kind of forced to go to. Just what was going on with William and the Student Council?
Shortly after the duel, Adam had helped Sybil get up. Not too long after, Oliver finally woke up and Mr. Lyon helped get him up.
Luckily Oliver wasn't in any bad condition, so he didn't need to be sent to the nurse. Allen was glad he was okay, not just for his health, but because the academy's nurses can be scary (he knew this due to the time spent after his duel with Nathaniel and then Stephen).
Once Oliver and Sybil were in a good condition, the three of them approached Allen, Thomas and Cecily.
"It's our loss," Adam admitted again. "I apologize for the inconveniences the three of us have caused you. We treated you three with disrespect, and made you agree to a sudden duel. We underestimated you three, and it showed with the outcome of our duel"
Oliver and Sybil nodded their heads in agreement. Despite Sybil's outrages against Thomas, she seemed to be genuinely apologetic.
Allen looked at both Thomas and Cecily, who both nodded in agreement.
"We thank you for the apology. I'm- we're glad that we could settle our differences fair and square. We accept your apologies, and we also apologize for any trouble we may have caused you guys"
"Oh, there's no need to apologize," Adam shook his head. "We were the ones who caused you trouble"
"How about we just forget about all this and move on. Is that alright?," Allen asked.
"We're in agreement," Adam responded, with Oliver and Sybil also in agreement.
The six of them all shook hands, officially signaling their short-term rivalry.
"Well, if that is all settled, I shall take my leave," Mr. Lyon interrupted their moment. "I'll see you three in class tomorrow"
"Thank you for your time, teach," Adam spoke up.
"You can thank me by studying harder," he responded as he walked away.
Mr. Lyon left the training grounds, with the rest of the small crowd slowly following pursuit. All that was left was the six of them.
"Well, we will be heading back to our dorms to rest before tomorrow. Hope to see you guys soon," Allen said as Adam's group began to walk away.
"Hmph, sooner than you think," Adam grinned as the three of them all gave them a wave.
"Sooner than we think?," Allen asked.
"Guess we'll find out," Thomas shrugged as Adam's group had already left.
"Hope you two get some rest, because we will have some more studying to do tomorrow," Cecily said as the three of them began to take their leave.
"What? Studying?," Thomas complained. "C'mon, just give us one lenient day!"
"Nope, especially since we didn't study at all today!," Cecily insisted.
"Please," Thomas pleaded. "Just one-"
He suddenly stopped what he was saying, as he noticed Cecily giving him an icy cold glare. Allen began to crack up as the three of them made their way to their dorms for the night, unaware of the interesting day to come.