The training room was loud, with the striking of swords as the both of them tried to gain the advantage, and win against the other. Both were able to stand their ground, but could never gain leverage over the other.
"You're getting better Allen, however you're going to have to do better if you want to defeat me," his opponent offered him a grin.
"True, but I haven't been training hard this entire time for nothing, August," Allen pointed his sword at him.
"Indeed. Now, come back at me!," August taunted him, with his blade pointed back at him.
For the past few weeks with the time they've had remaining, Prince August has been training Allen how to fight better with his sword without the usage of his magic or mana, as promised.
While Allen has been working with August to improve his own physical capabilities, he has been working with Mr. Garet and Ms. Florence to better his magical capabilities, but with limited progress.
Allen already knew that his spellcasting was not going to improve. His fire mana already makes it very difficult for him to use his air mana, but he of course couldn't tell them that. Mr. Garet had figured it out on his own and promised not to tell anyone, but the same may not be able to be said of August or Ms. Florence.
"C'mon Allen, I know you can win!," Sarah had cheered him from the stands, as she once again neglected her own training.
But what about Sarah?, Allen thought to himself. What if she found out about my fire magic? Would she still look at me the same? Wait, why am I thinking about her, out of all times?
"Hey, get your head out of the gutter, Allen," August advised him as he went in for another strike, which Allen had to quickly parry. "Or are you too focused on Sarah, perhaps?"
"I- No I'm not!," Allen quickly denied him, as he tried to get August off of the offensive.
"Your reactions say otherwise," August grinned as he went in for yet another strike.
"Children…," Mr. Garet sighed as he watched the whole scene play out.
"And you didn't do those things when you were their age?," Ms. Florence glanced at him from the side.
"I could ask the same thing of you," Mr. Garet smirked at the corner of his mouth.
"Hmph," Ms. Florence offered no answer, and crossed her arms.
Allen shook his head to get back to his senses, and then resumed his bout with the prince.
"Let's finish this, Allen!," August challenged him, as he prepared himself to go in.
"Right back at you, August!," Allen matched his challenge, taking his own stance.
They rushed at each other, exchanging strikes as both of them once again tried to gain advantage over the other.
Wait, I'm starting to see openings!, Allen thought to himself, as time seemed to slow down as he kept his eyes on August.
He went in for an opening, just right about to gain the upper hand, and perhaps win.
"Gotcha," August smirked, as he quickly swerved to the side, and before Allen knew it August's sword was already pinned at his throat.
"My loss," Allen admitted, as he sighed at his own defeat.
"Better luck next time," August grinned, as he sheathed his sword away.
"You say that everytime," Allen glared at him for a moment, before sheathing away his own sword.
The two of them shook hands, as a form of respect for each other after their duel.
"Don't let it get to you. I promise, given time, you can become a force to be reckoned with," August offered him a smile.
"Easy for you to say, your highness," Allen rolled his eyes.
"I think you mean to say August," he put his arms on his hips as he gave him a look.
"Yeah I know, you'd rather have me call you by your first name, since we're friends. But I need to get under your skin somehow," Allen only offered a shrug.
"I suppose you're right," August chuckled for a moment.
"Alright, are you two finished up, or what?," Mr. Garet called out, as both he and Ms. Florence approached them from the sidelines.
"I believe we are," August nodded.
"Good, because there are a few things we need to go over with Fleming with time running out," Mr. Garet advised them.
"A shame, but it seems all things must come to an end eventually," August sighed.
"Then I'll just be sure to enjoy the time I have now," Allen grinned.
"Hmph, just have the stress of knowing you'll become the next king, and then we'll talk," August shrugged.
"Yeah, yeah your highness. I'll be sure to be the first one to bow during your supreme reign," Allen playfully rolled his eyes.
"Alright you two, back on topic," Mr. Garet grabbed their attention. "Now Fleming, a question for you"
"Yes sir?," Allen asked.
"Let's go over what we've learned so far: what will you need to do in order to win your duels in the tournament? What is the most important for you, compared to everyone else?"
After taking a moment to process his question, Allen answered. "I will need to limit using my mana as best as possible to conserve it, while keeping my opponents on their toes. In addition, I will need to keep them off balance and confused to turn the tides into my favor. And most importantly, to not underestimate your opponents"
"Good, it seems you do not have a thick skull after all," Mr. Garet nodded in approval as Allen grunted and August tried to hold in his laughter. "But the same can not be said of someone else"
Mr. Garet turned his attention to Sarah, who had a clueless look on her face as she held a finger to her mouth.
"I have absolutely no idea what you could be talking about!," Sarah playfully answered, as she twisted a few strands of her hair.
"Hmph," Mr. Garet turned his attention back to the rest of them. "Now that we have Sarah's intelligence established, let's get back on topic"
Sarah let out a grunt of frustration as she glared at him from behind as Allen and August tried to hold in their laughter.
"Fleming, you seem to have everything down we have been drilling into your head, but there's something you still seem to be missing"
"Transitioning from the idea of controlling magic to working with it, right?," Allen sighed, as he still didn't fully understand what Mr. Garet has been trying to get at.
"Correct Fleming," Mr. Garet nodded. "Once you can truly grasp this concept, will you be able to majorly improve your skills, and become a formidable adversary"
Allen crossed his arms, and pondered the thought. Just how would he become that much stronger, by simply changing the ways he viewed his own magic? Though, he believed part of it, as it didn't seem too far fetched.
"I don't expect you to change overnight, but you can at least attempt to grasp the concept each waking day," Mr. Garet expressed. "But there's one more thing we need to go over before I dismiss you"
"His current goals, right?," Ms. Florence asked to confirm.
"Indeed," Mr. Garet answered, as he cleared his throat.
"What about my current goals?," Allen asked, his eyes darting back and forth between the both of them.
"Correct me if I am wrong Fleming, but your current goal is to become a magical knight?," Mr. Garet asked.
"That's correct sir. I wish to become a magical knight of this country to protect others," Allen nodded.
"Is that all? Is there more to your goals boy?," Mr. Garet asked, with one eye open.
"I-"
Allen was just about to answer him, when he realized that truly was it. He simply wanted to work hard to become a magical knight, and to protect those weaker than him. To keep people safe. Was there anything wrong with going after a simple goal like that?
Mr. Garet glanced at Ms. Florence for a moment, as she shrugged her shoulders. Mr. Garet sighed before turning his attention back to Allen.
"Boy, your goals are too shallow if that's all. You're not going to get anywhere if that's it," He exclaimed as he cleared his throat.
"Too shallow?," Allen asked as he raised his voice. "What do you mean too shallow?"
Allen took a slight offense to this, as this was his main goal they were talking about. To just call it shallow was insulting.
But then again, he might be right, Allen thought to himself. It's a simple and straightforward dream, nothing more, nothing less.
"You say you want to become a magical knight, but your reasons are too shallow," Mr. Garet began to explain. "You simply say you want to protect people, but why do you want to protect people? Is it because you feel you need to protect the weak, or because you feel it's necessary and expected of you?"
"But-"
"Fleming, what does elemental magic mean to you? What is magic's purpose? Why do us mages feel the need to study and learn the magic we are gifted with at birth?"
Allen quickly realized the questions he began to ask alluded back to the questions Ms. Florence asked him, back when she told him of her past, back when she attended the academy, alongside William, Martha, and Ellen.
Although Ms. Florence told him not to answer, and rather ponder the questions instead, Allen realized he couldn't have answered her even if he wanted to. And it's the same even now.
Allen knows he wants to become a magical knight to protect others. To become an upstanding individual others can count on. But was that really it? Was there really nothing else to that? Should there be more to it? Was he giving Allen trick questions?
No, Mr. Garet isn't really the type to do so. When he asks a question, it's mostly to get me thinking, Allen thought. There must be something I am missing, right?
Then a thought dawned on him. Why would Allen want to become a knight to serve under the Triumvirate, which believes that Allen and other fire mages should be executed immediately if found out? That almost sounds like it's a backwards thought. Trying to become something he should be staying away from.
Another thing he started asking himself is if he is chasing after becoming a magical knight because he truly wants to, or because he respected his mentor that taught him, and is trying to follow in his footsteps.
William if you were here, I'm sure you'd know the answer, Allen thought to himself. No wait, I cannot ask him. This has to remain something I need to answer myself. This is about me, not others.
As Allen racked his brain for an answer, Mr. Garet seemed to be examining him, almost trying to read his thoughts. He sighed before he spoke.
"As I am sure you're starting to realize, your goals are simply too shallow. There's no depth or layers to them. You seem to spew out all the time about how you want to become stronger and become a magical knight, but there's no solid foundation under that. Simply put, you have a path you want to walk, but you're not wearing shoes"
Allen wanted to say something, but he couldn't. He knew Mr. Garet was right, and he couldn't refute him. It frustrated him, but he can't be frustrated with anyone but himself. He's been chasing a dream without knowing why he was.
"I understand you're starting to question yourself, which is wise. Do you remember one of the things I told you the first day we really spoke to one another?," Mr. Garet asked him.
"Yeah, I do," Allen answered. "You said it's smart to question yourself"
"Indeed," Mr. Garet nodded, before clearing his throat. "As I have said before, an intelligent mage is one who always thinks, questions, and observes. This should also include your own thoughts. Truly think about who you are, what you are, and what you want to be"
I understand what he's saying, but still…, Allen thought. It's a lot for someone like me. But, I will take his advice. Why wouldn't I?
"Once you have solid goals, a solid will and a solid understanding of magic itself, will you be able to ascend further and become a mage like no other," Mr. Garet explained. "You can and you will do this. That is, if you wish to accomplish the goals you have, despite everything placed upon you"
"You talk as though this is from firsthand experience," Allen brought up. "Just what kind of mage are you?"
"Hmm," Mr. Garet closed his eyes, as he seemed to be going through several emotions at once. "That's a discussion for another day. But if you want an example of someone who has done what I've said, you can simply use Christina Windblade as a prime example"
"But she was-"
"Yes, she was one in a million. However, one could argue she had the same amount of restrictions placed upon her, if not more than you. It's just, what those restrictions are is one thing that separates you from her," Mr. Garet explained.
"Back to your idea of me being an outlier again," Allen sighed.
"Hmph, perhaps one day you may see it as I do. But you are still a young lad with much to learn, a lot of room to grow, and many things to adapt to"
"I may not fully understand, but I will try to follow your advice, Mr. Garet," Allen respectfully nodded.
"Hmph. Ms. Florence, anything to add to that?"
"Me? No, I don't believe so. You covered all if not more than what I would've told him," Ms. Florence answered as she crossed her arms.
"How about the upstanding prince?," Mr. Garet asked, as his eyes drifted over to August.
"Very interesting advice, especially coming from you," August chuckled for a moment. "But, I see where you are coming from. In the end, I feel like Allen just needs to take a moment to not think of others, but of himself for once. It's not selfish to learn more about yourself. I would in fact argue you need a better understanding of yourself before you look outward and try to understand the environment you are placed into"
"Hmph, good enough I suppose," Mr. Garet commented as he stroked his facial hair. "I think that does it for today. We can discuss more about the tournament later"
"Agreed. I need my sleep and I am sure the old man needs his too," Ms. Florence had a small grin on her face as she looked over at Mr. Garet.
"Yeah yeah," Mr. Garet shook his head. "Just keep in mind Fleming, we only have a few days left. Make the most of them"
"Of course. Just who would I be if I didn't devote myself to become better?," Allen grinned. "I promise I'll take your words to heart, as I continue out my training"
"Hmph, I suppose that's good enough for now," Mr. Garet sighed, but had a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"And of course I'll always be there to cheer on my dear Allen!," Sarah mischievously grinned as she clung onto Allen's arm.
"You're attached to him so much, I would've thought you two were engaged," August covered his mouth, trying to hold back his laughter.
"Huh?!?," Allen exclaimed, his eyes really wide. "Wait-"
"Shhh, That's a secret," Sarah teased, as she held one finger to her mouth.
As Sarah continued to tease Allen while August tried his best to hide his laughter, Mr. Garet and Ms. Florence began to quickly leave to avoid the fuss that would follow.
With the announcement for the Annual Magical Knights Tournament just around the corner, Allen will need to do a lot of thinking with the limited time he has left. But first, he'll need to start with getting Sarah off of him.