As the few weeks they only have started to go by quickly, the "small resistance" has been working to train Allen as best as they can, to really prepare him for the tournament ahead, that could determine if Allen will make it to his second year, and see if they can return William back as their Head Director.
They have mainly been focusing on what unique abilities Allen possesses, and how he can use this to his advantage. In addition, they work with him on his weaknesses, to not only not let his future opponents use that to their advantage, but allow Allen to become a well rounded mage… well at least as best as possible.
"One of your major issues with your abilities is what you call 'magical release'," Mr. Garet had pointed out.
Allen's "Magical Release", or at least that's what he called it, is an ability his sword possessed. After "cutting through" his opponents spells for a short time, his sword is actually absorbing the magic, turning it back into mana (at least, that's the current theory). Allen can then use the mana his sword has absorbed, and release it back out at his opponent in an arc, which can really give him an edge over his opponent.
"The issue with it is that, at least at the moment, it's a one time use ability, and once you've used it you become very exhausted," Mr. Garet explained. "In short, if you use the ability, you would be very limited in what you can do from the duel onwards. It's become a last resort, and not something you should be using in duels for the time being"
"But, can't it make or break a duel?," Allen pointed out. "If I do use it, I could then-"
"Yes, it's a very powerful ability, if wielded correctly," Mr. Garet interrupted him. "But the main issue is that it's a double edged sword, no pun intended"
"I suppose you have a point, but not use it altogether?"
"For the time being," Mr. Garet repeated himself. "With the time we have left, we are going to work with you to turn this ability from a one time, last resort, into something you can use and keep on dueling"
"Thanks Mr. Garet!," Allen had grinned at him.
"Hmph, whatever," Mr. Garet had rolled his eyes. "You can thank me later, when you win your duels in your tournament"
The reason, or reasons, for why Allen may be so exhausted afterwards after using his "Magical Release" ability could be the mana absorbed itself. His sword absorbs the magic that Allen cuts through during his duels, converts it back into mana, and then Allen's body could be taking the brunt of the energy released.
One of the solutions that Mr. Garet suggested is to begin to "work with" his magic, instead of "trying to control it". If he begins to work on that, he could potentially tap into the untouched abilities he may possess. While Allen still doesn't fully understand what Mr. Garet means by that, he still tried his best as the days passed.
Everything for the most part remained the same, until one day Mr. Garet had advised them that they would be having a new member joining their small resistance. And it was perhaps someone Allen was least expecting, and someone he hasn't seen in awhile.
"Mr. Garet, care to elaborate to me why you've invited me here of all places at an inconvenient hour?," the guest asked, as he had entered the room.
"Ah there you are, your highness," Mr. Garet respectfully greeted him.
"Oh come now, I've already informed you there's no need for such formalities," he chucked for a moment. "You can just call me August, like I have my classmates do"
August Lionheart, the First Prince of England, and future King of England, was the mysterious new member that Mr. Garet had mentioned to them previously. Once referred to as the new transfer student, August had gotten involved with Allen and his friends' previous training club, and had been the one to invite Allen and Rose to his families' royal banquet held once each year.
"Wait, you invited August?," Allen asked, caught off guard. "Not that I am against him joining us, but-"
"Mr. Garet, I would have assumed that you of all people would understand what form of neutral position I must remain in situations like these, correct?," August asked, giving him a look.
Mr. Garet cleared his throat before continuing. "Yes yes, I am aware of your position and don't think I am trying to belittle or change it. But, wouldn't you agree that it would be in both of our best interests if you were to provide us your assistance, even if minimal?"
"Hmm, you do have a rather good point," August agreed as he thought about it.
"Wait, what's going on?," Allen asked, now confused. "Why would you need August to join?"
"August Lionheart would be a vital part to our plans if we received his assistance," Mr. Garet answered. "He would be the one to further help you with your training"
"Wait-"
"Well August? Will you be making your decision, or are you just going to stand there?," Mr. Garet crossed his arms.
"I did want to keep a neutral position during this whole situation regarding Ellen Marion as the new Head Director, replacing William after the fire mage incident," August advised them. "However, as a student of this academy with its best interests in mind, I simply can no longer ignore how Ellen Marion has been treating her own students"
"So, I take it as you'll be joining us then?," Mr. Garet asked, with one curious eye open.
"I wouldn't say joining. I would call it… mutual cooperation," August advised him. "I will help to the best of my ability, but keep my assistance minimal"
"Understandable," Mr. Garet answered, but he seemed a little disappointed with his answer.
"Well Allen, we have quite a bit to catch up on, but how about some training first?," August asked as he walked up to Allen, with a small grin on his face.
"Uh, yeah right," Allen answered, still processing everything that has happened so far.
Allen and August stood in the middle of the arena, to give themselves some room. Mr. Garet, Ms. Florence and Sarah stood on the sidelines, watching them, while Mr. Garet still attempted to get Sarah to do something other than just watch.
"So Allen, it's been quite some time, hasn't it?," August asked with an amused look on his face.
"Yeah, it really has," Allen said as he scratched the back of his head.
"I understand current events aren't really treating you well, so I think it's best if we skip all that for now," August recommended, as he crossed his arms. "Instead, why don't we do a small training session so I can get a good idea of where you are at in terms of skill?"
"Alright, I'm totally okay with that," Allen said, with a small grin on his face.
After all, when he had first dueled against August, he had lost against him. Granted, the first time they dueled they didn't use magic, so it all came down to skill with a sword. Allen was totally down for a rematch, even if he lost again.
He hasn't had anyone to really train with for the past few weeks, due to the new rules and restrictions placed upon by their new head director, Ellen Marion. While he has been grateful for Mr. Garet and Ms. Florence's help, there's only so long he can go with Mr. Garet yelling in his ear about something magic related.
"For this first duel, you probably know what I am going to ask for?," August asked, as he drew his blade.
"No magic, right?," Allen sighed.
"You got it," August nodded his head, a small grin forming on his face. "Let's see if you've improved at all with your skills in swordsmanship"
Both of them drew their swords from their sheaths, preparing for their duel to come. Each took their own position, and awaited for it to begin.
"Your move," August advised him, a smirk forming on his face.
"I'll use that to my advantage," Allen grinned.
Allen already knew that when it came to swordsmanship, that August was definitely more formidable than he was. The two of them may have trained with a sword for a big part of their lives, however August has had better training with his family and was his main focus, while Allen was training with both magic and sword use.
In addition, while William may have been very excellent when it came to training him, swordsmanship was not his specialty. Allen would not be surprised if August was trained by the best of the best for a majority of his life.
Allen finally used the first move he was given to his advantage, with an immediate strike at August. August immediately blocked, and then they began to continuously strike and block each other's attacks.
Allen could try to remain on the defensive this match, but he already knew that even if he did that, August would still break through his defenses and still win in the end. If he wanted to accomplish anything, he needed to put August on his toes.
"You're certainly going on the offensive, aren't you?," August commented, as he continuously blocked Allen's strikes with ease.
"Well, how else am I going to try to win?," Allen grinned.
"Indeed, but you still have a long way to go if you wish to beat me in swordsmanship alone," August grinned as he quickly dodged a strike and went in for an attack of his own.
After a few minutes of them going back and forth, August caught Allen off guard, and it was Allen's loss.
"Well, looks like I've lost again," Allen sighed, as he sheathed his sword away.
"Indeed, however I can tell you are getting better, even if a little," August nodded, as he sheathed his own sword away. "But don't let that discourage you, because you certainly have the potential to get better"
"Do you really believe that?," Allen asked.
"Of course I do," August nodded, with his arms crossed. "I've told you that before and I'll tell you again - you have the potential to surpass even me when it comes to swordsmanship"
Allen had a hard time believing him. He knew he wasn't lying, but why would he really think that? Of course Allen wanted to get better, but seeing August's skills up close and personal gave him a really good idea how far behind he was from him.
"So, what do you think your highne-, I mean August," Mr. Garet asked, clearing his throat as he remembered what August advised him of previously.
"Hmm, of course he needs a lot of work, but I did notice he's definitely better than he was when I first met him several months ago," August noted.
"Good. Now I believe it's time to move to the next phase of the training," Mr. Garet answered.
"Next phase?," Allen asked, confused.
"He means that from this point forward, my assistance should help you improve your newest skill, you call 'magical release', was it?," August asked for clarification.
"Correct," Allen nodded his head.
"Right. Mr. Garet informed me beforehand that there's two things he wants to focus on with you. One, bettering how well you can use your sword and two, improving your overall endurance. With these two factors in mind, they just might help you use your skill much better in the long run," August explained.
"We need to train your body both physically with your sword, and mentally with your magic, if we are to hopefully get you to a point where using your magical release ability isn't a last resort," Mr. Garet added.
"I think I understand now. So you wanted August to join since he would be an excellent choice to train me physically, while you and Ms. Florence work with me with my magical abilities?," Allen asked.
"Correct," Mr. Florence answered as she jumped into the conversation. "If you wish to win your four consecutive wins in a row without difficulty, we need you to be on par, if not better than most of the contestants you may face"
"You will need to work on your strengths, to allow you to have a better edge against others, and work on your weakness, so your opponents cannot use those against you," Mr. Garet advised him. "If you can turn your weaknesses into strengths, and turn your strengths into your trump cards, then I'm sure you'll do just more than passable"
Allen took a moment to process everything they have said so far.
So in the end, the answer is once again training, he thought to himself as he sighed. It's not like I don't like training, but it just feels like with all of this new stuff going on, it feels like my previous training was all just for fun.
"I, who is a prince to this kingdom, and you, who could be considered a peasant in the grand scheme of things may create a large gap between the both of us, but in the end class, status, and nobility has nothing on your skills, strengths, and what you do to make yourself stand out," August advised him.
Allen took a deep breath as he had his left hand on his sword's hilt, and clenched his right hand.
"Alright," Allen said, as he opened his eyes. "I think I am ready"
"Great," August nodded, a grin on his face. "Let's begin, with the time we have left"
"Alright you two, draw your swords," Mr. Garet advised him. "We have a lot to do in the little time we have left before this tournament"
This time, I for sure will truly push myself to get better, Allen thought to himself. Just you wait my friends, I will find a way to help make things right, and see you all again. And just you wait William, for your favorite student is awaiting your deserved return!