With the duel between Cecily Rivertide and Rose Marion resulting in Cecily's defeat, those of the small resistance members who remain participating in the tournament begin to grow with worry - just what is in store for them for the rest of the tournament? And does getting Rose back to their side remain a possibility?
With Rose's changes in behavior from an almost timid, lifeless puppet turning towards an arrogant and determined follower, there's no doubt in anyone's mind that Ellen Marion has been influencing Rose as much as possible. Will they still be able to return Rose back to the confident yet kind Student Council President they once respected and cared for so much?
However, with Cecily Rivertide in the infirmary, and Allen Fleming's fourth duel around the corner, the small resistance members had much more important matters to attend to than to focus their efforts on Rose Marion.
Most of the small resistance members had checked up on Cecily at one point or another, to make sure she was alright, with Thomas spending the most time with her to ensure her safety and security. But according to the academy's nurses, she would be out in no time, which brought relief to all of them.
But what surprised Allen the most during his check up on Cecily, was the fact he happened to get there when Mr. Garet was also there. Did he truly care about his students, or was he there to merely discuss business with Cecily? Or perhaps a bit of both?
"Perfect timing, Fleming," Mr. Garet acknowledged him with a nod. "Come in, we have matters to discuss"
He says that like this is his office, Allen thought, as he shook his head.
Allen has come to respect Walter Garet, their current only Vice Director, due to his intelligence and similar views. However, he has also found Mr. Garet to be a rather indifferent individual, focusing on logic and reason over emotion and sentiment. He cares more about a person's value over their feelings.
"Thanks for visiting me, Al," Cecily greeted him with a warm smile, as she lay resting in her infirmary bed.
"Of course, and I'm sure everyone else has checked up on you?," Allen asked her, completely ignoring Mr. Garet on his way in.
"Yes, and they were all very considerate," Cecily nodded. "I'm sure the rest I haven't seen will show up at one point or another"
"That's good to hear," Allen responded, as he took a seat next to her bed and Mr. Garet, who still remained standing and growing impatient with Allen treating his existence with no importance. "I hope you are resting well"
"Indeed, although it does get boring at times," Cecily admitted. "But I can't complain too much. I've had extra time to study my books"
Cecily pointed to the stack of books lying resting on a table on the opposite side of Allen's chair.
Allen sighed. "You and your books"
As Cecily and Allen let out a small chuckle, Mr. Garet cleared his throat, almost to grab their attention.
"Enough of pleasantries. While the duel had an outcome I was more or less expecting, we need to plan for what may come later, Fleming," Mr. Garet turned to look at Allen, who furrowed his brow in response.
"More or less expected?," Allen asked. "You mean to say you didn't think Cecily had a chance?"
"Look me in the eye and tell me you were thoroughly convinced that Cecily would win against Rose, with the clear gap in skills," Mr. Garet responded, his expression unwavering.
After a moment of Allen glaring at Mr. Garet and the silence that followed, Allen finally spoke.
"Yes, I get what you are saying. But there are nicer ways to put things," Allen pointed out.
"Of course, I meant in the most respectful way possible," Mr. Garet cleared his throat. "I am not questioning Cecily's skills and potential, but they simply do not compare to Rose's talents and advantages"
"I can't argue with that, but…"
"Anyways, there's a few points to be made regarding your upcoming fourth duel," Mr. Garet changed the topic.
"And undoubtedly my most important one yet," Allen added.
While Allen and Mr. Garet discussed concerns regarding Allen's upcoming duel, Cecily read one of her books as she listened in. With Allen needing to win one more duel in order to pass one of his conditions placed upon him by former Head Director William Windblade, both of them believe that current Head Director Ellen Marion will no doubt pull out the best card in her deck to ensure that Allen does not win and remain at the academy.
Mr. Garet had his suspicions on what card that Ellen will play, but choose to remain silent on his thoughts, to Allen's surprise. Regardless of who Allen may face, he promised himself that he will do his utmost best to train and prepare for what may come.
After a short time of talking, Mr. Garet took his leave to return to his vice director duties. Allen didn't stay for much longer either, as he knew Cecily needed some time to herself to heal and relax, and Allen certainly could use some time to train before going to bed.
The next day came, and Allen Fleming was once again in the F ranked class, as the academy's only current F ranked student.
Ms. Florence once again sat at her desk, where she was occupied with reading books, or other matters to distract herself. Allen didn't care as much anymore, as that left him to study or train on his own. He could always talk to Ms. Florence during their small resistance meetings anyways.
Allen kept himself preoccupied today with thoughts regarding his upcoming fourth duel, as well as Cecily's recent third duel lost to Rose. They still have yet to get Rose back to their side, with her still being in the clutches of her mother. The road ahead seemed very difficult, but if they were lucky they could gain the advantage very quickly.
However, today seemed to be very different, as Ms. Florence promptly got out of her seat and approached Allen's desk with a piece of folded paper in her hands. Allen knew exactly what that meant, and he didn't know if he was ready for it.
"The results are in, Fleming," Ms. Florence spoke as she handed him the sheet. "I think we all deep down were expecting this result, but it doesn't make it that much easier to swallow"
Allen opened up the sheet of paper to see a very familiar name, with his suspicions and worries coming true. Ellen Marion was very aware that Allen's fourth duel would be the most important, and she surely pulled out the best card she had in her deck to ensure Allen's defeat, as they expected.
"Rose Marion…," Allen read the name out loud, as his mind began to fill with worry.
"What better person to purposely put you up against than the daughter she thinks so high and mighty of," Ms. Florence sighed. "Not to mention, your current tense relationship with her"
Allen did not respond to her, as he wasn't sure how to react. Could this be the best possible outcome, allowing him to not only win against her but bring her back to their side? Or perhaps, the worst possible outcome, as Ellen uses her own daughter to be the reason Allen is expelled, and never return? Just how will Allen manage to defeat Rose, who can go par to par with Allen's sword skills?
"I understand this might be difficult for you to process, so we'll discuss it later with the others," Ms. Florence spoke, sending Allen out of his thoughts. "For now, just do something to keep your mind clear and focused"
Was Ms. Florence being understanding and caring for once?, Allen thought to himself as he wore a bewildered look.
"Just don't bother me or be too loud," Ms. Florence added, before briskly walking back to her desk.
Nevermind, Allen thought, as he shook his head.
After class time was over, the small resistance members met up in Mr. Garet's office to speak about the new predicament presented at the table - Allen's future fourth duel against Rose Marion.
Everyone agreed that this will be the most difficult and important one yet, and Allen will need to do his best to win, or he will be expelled from the academy, which equals a major victory for Ellen Marion. If they ever want William Windblade to return as Head Director, then Allen will need to win this duel to help secure that future.
However, the biggest issue presented from this is not Ellen Marion, but in fact Rose Marion herself. Rose is determined to win the tournament through and through, whether it be her own goal or influenced by her mother. If Allen claims victory, she will lose her goal, with this being her third and last year at the academy. But if Rose wins, Allen loses his goal, and is expelled from the academy. This will be a battle of resolves, as Rose will definitely not hold back, her mother involved or not.
As the small resistance members talked amongst each other and discussed ideas on how to best handle the situation when the time comes, there was only one thing on Allen's mind - his forgotten past with Rose.
Allen is unsure as to the reason he has lost so many memories from the past he has adored so much. Why forget most of the time spent learning under his former mentor, William Windblade? Why forget most of his time spent with his first friend, Rose Marion? And why did he forget the promise they made to each other?
"I promise, the next time I face you, I will win!," Allen's words from the past echoed in his head.
"It's a promise!," Rose's words echoed in Allen's head.
Allen breathed a deep sigh, as he said his thoughts out loud. "This will truly be a duel to face memories of the past…"
Rose Marion sat in a chair within her mother's office, which used to belong to their former head director, William Windblade. Despite all of the time that had passed, she still sat in the same seat she chose in the past, when everyone met in William's office for meetings.
"-and I fully expect you to win and do your best, if not better," her mother spoke, as she got into the habit of her rants. It was very common for her to never leave a second open for Rose to speak, so Rose always learned to remain silent and listen.
"Failure is not an option, do you understand me?," Ellen spoke, the same cold look on her face, that always lacked love and attentiveness, and saw Rose as nothing more than a tool to pursue her own endeavors.
Rose only nodded in response, not uttering a single word out loud.
"Good. Now then, you have more Student Council matters to attend to. Go, and help turn this academy into my vision - the academy how its meant to be"
Rose nodded as she got up from her seat, and gathered the documents from Ellen's desk. As they left the room, Ellen opened the door for Rose, and followed her out.
"Damn, this stupid door!," Ellen let out a sigh of frustration, as she struggled to close it properly. "Yet another thing to take care of which that detestable William left behind for me!"
Rose said nothing, and let her mother rant for a moment. Over time, she learned it was best to not say anything, lest she want her mother to take her anger out on her instead. In addition, Rose didn't want her mother to know it was actually her fault the door was like that, and not William's.
"Let's go, and not waste anymore time," Ellen advised her, as she finally got the door closed. Rose nodded, and followed behind her.
As Ellen continued to talk about current events surrounding the academy, the tournament or even the Triumvirate, there was only one thing on Rose's mind - her present relationship with Allen Fleming.
Rose never understood how Allen forgot all of those important memories that they created together, and did not remember her when he finally came to the academy. The important promise they made together before he left, all but forgotten.
Rose's thoughts drifted to her current relationship with Allen, both affected by the past, as well as the present. With Allen no doubt facing their past, Rose would need to face their present.
"-and to come to terms with the present…," Rose spoke out loud, as through she was finishing a sentence.