"Welcome all once again, for the fourth round of the Annual Magical Knights Tournament!"
The twin announcers Misa and Lisa's voice filled the arena, grabbing everyone's attention. Students, faculty and other citizens of England alike filled the crowd, cheering on as they waited in excitement for the beginning of the next set of duels. Everyone became more ecstatic as the tournament reached its halfway point, with many prominent students alike showcasing their magical prowess and skills.
"And for today's first duel, we have something special!," Lisa's voice went higher pitched, matching the excitement of the crowd. "Misa, would you do the honors?"
"Of course dear sister!," Misa responded, matching Lisa's enthusiasm. "For our first duel of the fourth round, we have none other than the Weakest Mage, Allen Fleming, versus our Blue Rose and Student Council President, Rose Marion!"
The crowd roared with excitement, and the mention of two prominent mages who have showcased their abilities, making the duels much more interesting to watch.
"As you all know, our Student Council President, rank 3A, has shown us amazing techniques, with the flurry of her family's rapier and her immense magical spells!," Lisa spoke as she drew in the crowd's attention. "No doubt everyone has their eyes on the Blue Rose, who is surely shooting for another victory today!"
The crowd went wild, as many of the students who looked up to their Student Council President eagerly awaited her appearance.
"But I'm sure many of you also have your eyes on our Weakest Mage, rank 1F!," Misa continued from where Lisa left off. "While lacking in the ability to spellcast, he has shown us a new kind of strength with the ability to cut down his opponent's spells, and his dedication to each hard earned victory!"
Once again the crowd yelled with excitement, with those who wished for Allen's victory instead. While more favored the popular Blue Rose's victory, those who were lower in rank and status wished on the victory of someone similar.
"But the biggest factor of this duel for our Weakest Mage is it being his fourth and final duel that he needs to secure victory on to continue remaining at our prestigious academy!," Lisa spoke, as the crowd quieted down.
"That's right dear sister!," Misa cut in. "However, with our Weakest Mage going up against our Blue Rose in his fourth duel, this will surely put everyone on the edge of our seats! Will Allen Fleming manage to push through and defeat our strong Blue Rose and pass one of his conditions to remain, or will Rose Marion defeat the Weakest Mage, throwing him back at the bottom? Stay around to find out!"
While the arena was filled with excitement and cheers, Allen Fleming's thoughts tuned it all out as he entered the arena. Just how will he defeat Rose and secure victory? Will his plans succeed, or fail?
While Allen has defeated Rose in the past, they had only been practice duels, and not any official duels that went on his record. With Rose already having defeated Cecily, and will no doubt be using her full strength, will Allen stand a chance?
Allen walked up towards the middle of the arena, where both the duel referee and Rose herself awaited. Rose had an expressionless look on her face, very similar to the look she had before when Allen saw her arguing with Cecily in the hallways.
This duel is not only going to be between who we are now, but as well as who we once were, with our past together, Allen thought to himself, as he tried to piece memories of the past together.
Allen looked at Rose and tried to remember the young, energetic girl who hated losing more than anything. Confident, caring, but with a sharp tongue. Allen hated losing too, but she was always a step above him.
But looking at her once again, she had lost all of that, and was reduced into the puppet who followed her mother's every word. Allen knew deep down, she was still the Rose they all cared about, but it would be difficult to get her back to them.
As the duel referee prepared and the twin announcers kept the audience engaged and occupied, Rose stared Allen down, as if she wanted to say something. Allen stared right back at her, trying to determine what she may be thinking.
After a moment of silence, Rose finally spoke. "Just know Allen, that I will not be holding back, despite your condition I am well aware of. My goal to win the tournament remains consistent, and I won't let anyone get in the way of that goal, even if it's you"
Allen closed his eyes for a moment in thought before speaking. "Well, I suppose I wouldn't have it any other way. What better way to face you in the duel that counts the most for me?"
As Allen tried to fake the confidence he showed, Rose's expression did not change with each word that Allen spoke. Was she trying to hide her real feelings, or was her mother that controlling over her?
This will truly be a duel of resolves, Allen reminded himself. Rose, who wishes more than anything to win the tournament, and please her mother. And I, the Weakest Mage, who seeks nothing more than to prove myself to everyone else.
"I understand your feelings," Allen spoke, breaking the silence once more. "But in the end, we.. no I, will ultimately get you back over to our side with my victory"
Rose's eyes widened, but only for a moment. She said nothing more, and proceeded to unsheathe her rapier and take her stance.
"And without further ado, the duel between the Weakest Mage and the Blue Rose will be beginning shortly!," Misa's voice filled the arena, as Allen finally tuned in to his surroundings.
The duel referee did some last minute preparations, and then made his way over to where Rose and Allen were, no doubt to recite the rules and regulations, and to confirm both of them were ready.
As the duel referee recited the rules, Allen had some thoughts in his mind. He originally was going to unsheathe his sword and prepare accordingly, but a very risky thought came to mind. However, if he does this right, it could ultimately change the future for the both of them.
"Ellen Marion!," Allen called her out, as he turned his attention to the director's seats in the stands.
Her eyes widened at the sudden mention of her name. "What is the meaning of this sudden outburst?," Ellen asked, her expression turning to displeasure. "Quiet down! You have a duel to proceed with!"
Allen noticed Mr. Garet look at him with confusion, as of course this wasn't in the original plans for how they wanted Allen's duel to go. But, Mr. Garet would have to trust him.
Rose narrowed her eyes as she tried to figure out what Allen was doing. Allen only gave her a small grin, before turning his attention back to her mother.
"Allen Fleming is suddenly calling out the Head Director of our academy?," Misa asked, as the crowd diverted their attention to Allen. "Just what could he be planning?
"I don't know sister, but it seems we're about to find out!," Lisa added.
Considering if I lose this duel, I will be expelled, I have some ground to work with here, Allen thought to himself as he took in a deep breath.
"Are conditions allowed to be placed upon an official tournament duel, just like how they can be placed in a regular duel?," Allen asked, as Ellen and everyone else in the crowd was struck with awe at his sudden question.
Ellen scoffed, just before she answered him. "And what could you mean by that question? What are you trying to pull, Fleming?"
Mr. Garet suddenly leaned forward in his chair, as his curiosity and confusion turned into concern and worry. This was definitely not a part of their plan, and he surely didn't want Allen to mess anything up.
"Oh, come now Ellen! Myself and the rest of the members are all very aware of how you've been rigging our duels!," Allen responded, in a snarky tone.
As murmurs filled throughout the crowd, Ellen shook with frustration, but she managed to hold her composure.
"How dare you make such an accusation! I had no part in-"
"I don't need confirmation," Allen interrupted her. "I just need an answer to my previous question. Can a condition be placed upon an official tournament duel?"
"Well… yes," she finally responded, not sure exactly where Allen was trying to go with this. "What do you want, knowing that?"
"With that in mind, I hereby want to make a proposition," Allen spoke up, so everyone in the crowd could hear him. "If I win the duel against Rose Marion, not only will Ellen no longer be allowed to rig our duels, but most importantly she will no longer be allowed to control her own daughter and tell her what to do!"
As the crowd buzzed with questions and comments, Ellen's eyes widened in anger with Allen's words.
"How dare you make such a proposition?!," Ellen said as she raised her voice, booming throughout the arena. "Not only you dare to say something like that, but what could you even offer that would be equal in value to the loss of my own daughter you seek to take away from me? You will already be expelled if you lose to her, so what could you put on the table?"
Mr. Garet began to look between both Allen and Ellen, as he tried to determine what Allen's goal was with his sudden proposition. After a moment he relaxed back into his chair, almost making up his mind to let Allen roll with it. Mr. Garet no doubt noticed that if Allen is victorious, no doubt it would be beneficial to all small resistance members, but everyone would notice Allen even more.
"If I lose the duel against Rose, then I promise that I will give up being a mage entirely! Not only would I be expelled from the academy, due to my conditions, but I wouldn't use magic ever again!"
The arena was completely filled with noise, as many students, teachers, and others alike were commenting or shouting based on Allen's proposition. It was almost unbelievable that Allen would ever suggest a thing.
Both Mr. Garet and Rose had to do a double take, almost thinking they heard Allen wrong. Could Allen really suggest a thing, despite this entire time talking about his one goal of becoming a magical knight? Was he that confident he'd win against Rose?
"Our Weakest Mage is willing to give up being a mage?," Misa raised her voice, matching the energy of the crowd. "Just what could be going on?!"
"I'm impressed, Fleming," Ellen's eyes widened in excitement. "You must be a complete idiot, or finally realize the error of your ways to make a proposition that is completely in my favor. Despite my prior annoyance with your proposal, I have no problem accepting such a request that is completely in my favor alone. Once you have lost against my daughter, mages like you will be even further discouraged from being mages, preventing you from harming our future generations of talented mages!"
Allen clicked his tongue in response to Ellen's sudden complete acceptance and response. He didn't think she would agree right away, but the fact she did meant that she had complete faith Rose would defeat Allen.
Allen didn't like the suggestion to begin with, but he needed some sort of leverage to get Ellen Marion to agree. If he was wanting to defeat Rose and get her back to their side, he needed all the leverage he could use.
"Wait-," Rose started to say, but was immediately interrupted by a sudden voice.
"I agree, it is in Ellen Marion's favor," the voice said, coming from the stands as it started to get closer to the director's seats. "It seems we would need to add one more condition that would benefit Fleming"
"Wait," Allen started to say, "That's-"
"Rowland Lyon," Ellen Marion said, with disdain in her voice. "Yet another teacher of our esteemed academy who dares cause a fuss"
Mr. Lyon was Allen's teacher when he was promoted to D rank, alongside his friends Thomas and Cecily. However, since was demoted back to F rank, Ms. Florence became his teacher again.
Allen had no contact with Mr. Lyon since his unfortunate demotion, and was under the impression he was remaining neutral during the whole ordeal with Ellen Marion. However, with Mr. Garet nodding in approval, it would seem that once again Mr. Garet managed to bring in yet another member, and it was a teacher.
"Despite Fleming here going against three students either higher in rank and/or year, he has bested each of them. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't it commonplace for students to rank up during the tournament each year?"
Ellen gritted her teeth in frustration and hesitated before answering. "Yes"
"Bearing that in mind, I suggest another condition be added if Fleming wins: he will be promoted back to D rank"
Wait, Mr. Lyon wants to help me get back to D rank?, Allen thought. Was this an agreement Mr. Garet made with him, or does he genuinely want to assist me?
Ellen sighed in frustration before she started to speak. "Wait, but Rowland-"
"Let me put this another way that even you could understand," Mr. Lyon said with a snarky grin. "If Allen Fleming can manage to defeat our Student Council President, who is a rank 3A, shouldn't he be at least entitled to D rank?"
"But Mr. Lyon," Ellen leaned forward, an expression on her face as though she thought Mr. Lyon was an idiot for making that suggestion. "Allen Fleming-"
"It wouldn't be a problem if he is added to my class," Mr. Lyon interrupted, as though he had an idea what Ellen would say. "After all, I was his teacher to begin with. Allen has posed no problem to my classroom previously, and it certainly wouldn't be a problem for him to return. No other teachers teaching D rank would be bothered"
Ellen grit her teeth and clenched her fist for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Well, I can understand why you think that way, Mr. Lyon, however given the circumstances, I simply cannot-"
"Wait! Mother!," Rose raised her voice, interrupting them. Ellen, Mr. Garet, Mr. Lyon, Allen and everyone in the stands turned their attention to her.
"Quiet down, daughter," Ellen shushed her. "We have important-"
"Let them add that condition!," she interrupted her. "It would only be fair for Allen, who is putting his entire career as a mage on the line! We shall match his resolve!"
While Ellen considered how she would refute and correct her daughter, Rose remained strong in her words and her confident look as she stared down her mother. All eyes from the crowd were on Ellen right now.
"Ugh, very well. Allen Fleming, you have no issues with these conditions?"
"None at all!," Allen responded, raising his voice for everyone to hear.
"And there you have it!," Mr. Garet stood up, not letting Ellen Marion respond. "Should Rose Marion win, Allen Fleming will be expelled from the academy, and give up being a mage. However, should Allen Fleming win, he will be immediately promoted to D rank, Rose Marion will fall to our side, and Ellen Marion must promise to never rig a duel, provided she was doing that in the first place"
Mr. Garet kept a grin on his face as he said the last part, already knowing she has been doing that from the start. But it only made it better for him to say out loud, to everyone in the crowd. He took a second to look at Ellen before taking his seat again, who glared at him. Mr. Garet was taking pleasure in every second that Ellen Marion squirmed in her seat, clearly frustrated how everything she had been trying to do has been falling apart.
"Well, that's certainly been some development!," Lisa said, as the crowd within the arena buzzed with excitement or confusion. "Should we move forward with the beginning of the duel?"
"The duel will proceed as planned! We are falling behind on schedule!," the duel referee announced, as he practically pushed Allen and Rose into their positions.
"Well, you heard that everyone! The duel is just about to begin!," Misa and Lisa announced together.
Allen took a moment to take a deep breath, and he unsheathed his sword. He took a moment to inspect the blade, reminding himself of all the hard work he has put in so far. With the only thing connecting him to his real mother, Allen felt a small ping of happiness, as though his mother was helping him.
No matter what, no matter the cost, I need to win this duel, Allen reminded himself. This is the duel to test my resolve, and truly show everyone that I, the Weakest Mage, can become a mage!
"With our duel about to begin, I will continue to match your resolve, Allen," Rose spoke up, getting Allen's attention. "Bearing what you are putting on the line, I promise not to use any external assistance in our duel"
Allen's eyes widened as he noticed something on Rose's finger as she raised her hand up - a ring-type magical artifact! She exaggerated the way she took it off of her finger, to clearly show she wouldn't be using it. She then turned around and threw it out of the duel boundaries, leaving a confused duel referee rushing to pick it up.
"Wait, Rose-," Ellen started to speak, as Rose turned to look up at her, with a determined look on her face. "You can't-"
Ellen immediately stopped herself, once she noticed the duel referee looking up at her. No doubt she realized that if she told Rose to keep it, she may indirectly reveal that she did indeed rig the duel.
"But Allen, this does not mean I will be holding back," Rose spoke up again, as she unsheathed her rapier. "I will be using all of my own power, this rapier included. With my rapier and my magic against your sword and mana abilities, we will truly have a duel we've surely both been waiting for"
"Agreed," Allen nodded in response. "Despite everything going on, I have wanted nothing more than to go head to head with you outside of training"
"I just wish it was under better circumstances," Rose mumbled, just quiet enough for Allen to barely hear her.
Both Allen and Rose took their positions, reading their weapons. They each looked each other down, ready to move at a moment's notice. They would need to be best prepared for a duel that will determine their futures greatly.
"If both of you are ready, we can begin!," the duel announcer said as he looked at both of them.
With acknowledgement from both Allen and Rose, and with a worried Ellen in the background, the duel referee announced the usual rules and regulations to both of them.
And with a final countdown, the duel referee announced the beginning of the duel.
"And let the duel commence!"