"One day Rose, I will defeat you in a duel!," Allen shouted at a young Rose, with a very determined look on his face.
"It's a promise!," Rose pointed at Allen, as the carriage she was in was about to leave. "I'll see you again one day!"
"I'll see you soon!," Allen yelled after her, as her carriage began to move, with one last wave from William, who was taking her home.
Why am I remembering all of this now?, Allen asked himself in his thoughts, as the duel between him and Rose was seconds away from happening.
His memories from the days of his training with William Windblade, his former mentor, flooded back at the most important times for him. But this time, memories specific of the time he trained alongside Rose, for a few years.
No matter how many times Allen faced her in a practice duel, Rose was always one step ahead of him, more talented than him. No matter how much hard work he put in to better himself, or any attempt to cast a spell, Rose was always better.
But rather than being envious of her, he had mostly respect for her. He knew Rose was putting in the same amount of effort as he was. But regardless, there was a small part of him that wanted to defeat her, at least once. The similar desire where he wanted to beat William once, too.
But all of his memories, thoughts, and desires came down to this current single and crucial point. Defeating Rose here for the first time meant he could continue down the path of being a mage, and becoming a magical knight. But losing meant giving it up altogether - all that hard work for nothing. It was a high stakes gamble, but at the same time he wanted this duel more than anything. To finally face Rose in a proper, formal duel. With all of the tension aside, this was his chance to use everything he's learned and worked so hard for, and prove to be Rose's equal.
"And let the duel commence!," the duel referee shouted, announcing the beginning of their long, awaited duel.
With only a mere second of both of them staring at each other, they wasted no other time or movements to get the duel started. They both charged at each other, their vision focusing only solely on the other, as their swords clashed, and they began to follow with a series of strikes and blocks.
"And the duel between the Weakest Mage and the Blue Rose has already started very quickly, with no room for a breath!," Misa raised her voice, matching the arena's excitement.
She must be thinking the same thing as me, Allen thought, as both of them continued with strikes, blocks and dodges, without the use of mana or magic. We're first both testing each other out.
With each of them testing each other out in their skills of swordsmanship, they both understood the other - they both wanted an idea of how to end the duel as quickly and efficiently as possible.
While both of them surely wanted this duel to begin with, they also both knew the duel could go on forever unless something major was done. Therefore they both tested the other, to gauge their current skills and find any openings.
I will claim victory, I have to, Allen reminded himself as dodged another strike from Rose. She must be thinking the same thing. Regardless, I must use what I've learned, and defeat her here today!
As he went for another strike at Rose, he noticed the calm and collected look on her face, as her mind took in every single important detail about Allen's fighting style in order to counter it. It immediately reminded him of the times they trained together, back before the tournament started and William was removed from his position.
"You can't do it like that!," Allen heard Rose's voice as he recalled another memory, the days when Rose trained him to prepare for his duel against Nathaniel Rivertide. "Our styles of swordsmanship may be different, but you're still lacking efficiency!"
"Efficiency?," Allen asked, confused. "Aren't I being efficient already? I'm striking you, keeping you on your guard while looking for a good opening"
"Ugh, you're wasting movements and time," Rose advised him, as she slapped her forehead. "You need to learn to be more fluent in your motions, to waste no time in closing the gap to your opponent, and offering them no breathing room. You're going to need to know this if you want to defeat Nathaniel"
"I know," Allen sighed a deep breath. "I want nothing more than to defeat that jerk. I won't allow myself to sit here and do nothing while he could be out there bothering my friends again"
"And I'm sure your friends understand that," Rose gave him an understanding look. "So put in a little more effort, because we're going to be doing this all night if you don't keep up"
"Oh, that's nothing," Allen laughed. "Nothing like my training with William"
"Geez, just how difficult did he make it for you?," Rose shook her head. "I swear, one of these days I am going to remind that idiot-"
Allen's eyes widened as he was thrown out of his memories by another quick but precise series of strikes from Rose's rapier, aimed straight for openings on him. Allen had to keep up by dodging or blocking each one, but even then, he could never match his speed without using mana.
That's right, Allen reminded himself. Rose taught me how to improve my endurance both physically and with my magic. Time to up things with our duel.
Allen made some distance between the two of them, so he could begin to concentrate to use his mana. He willed his mana to condense to his legs, so he could then move much quicker to match Rose's speed.
But I need to be careful not to overdo it, Allen reminded himself. While we both aim to end things quickly, this duel can go on for a while. This will be a test of endurance, just like what Rose taught me back when she trained me before my duel against Nathaniel.
Rose immediately noticed what Allen was up to, after he had put some distance between the two of them. In order to counteract Allen's usage of mana, Rose began to prepare elemental circles, so she could then begin to use mana to cast her water magic at Allen.
Alright, let's get moving, Allen thought to himself, as the mana flowing through his legs allowed for quicker movement.
But before Allen could start to close the gap and get closer to her, Rose already began to cast spells his way, forcing Allen to cut through or dodge the spells.
This is annoying, but this will at least let me charge up my sword, Allen reminded himself.
Rose was already aware of Allen's magical release ability, and she can fight without magic, which left Allen thinking why she would cast spells at him, as it only benefits him in the end. More than likely she knew that Allen using it would be inevitable, and she probably wanted to wear Allen down as much as possible.
Well, I am not going to let her do that, Allen thought, as he cut through another spell.
However, without another second to waste, Rose already began to move in towards Allen position, throwing swift jabs and strikes at him, forcing him to remain defensive the entire time. Despite his mana usage, it's taking everything he can to keep up with her.
"And Rose has already begun to use her magic!," Lisa raised her voice, as the crowd kept their attention on Allen and Rose. "It's taking everything we have to keep up with their movements!"
"That's right dear sister," Lisa agreed with her. "It was already hard enough to watch them go back and forth with their swords. Now Rose has already begun to cast magic on top of that!"
As Allen kept blocking each of Rose's rapier strikes, he realized she began to prepare a magical circle, which meant she was going to cast a spell at point blank range!
I can cut through spells, but I am not sure how I would fare at point blank range!, Allen thought as he grit his teeth. Did Rose predict I would have this problem?
Allen used every opportunity he got to cut through her spells to charge up his sword, but his number one priority was obviously to not get hit by any of her strikes from her sword or any point blank spells, otherwise the duel would already be over.
Rose kept a confident look on her face, as she kept preparing and casting spells at a point blank range, as Allen swiftly dodged or cut through each of her spells, while barely managing to block her rapier strikes.
"Things are starting to get really intense!," Misa raised her voice, matching the enthusiasm of the crowd. "Rose is not letting Allen gain any advantage over her, as she maintains her speed and barrage of spells against him!"
Crap, I need to do something soon, or she's really going to defeat me as she said she would, Allen thought, as he desperately tried to come up with a countermeasure.
However, despite the circumstances, he still couldn't help but still feel respect for her, more than ever now. Her speed was matched with or even better than Allen using his mana, which was crazy to think about when she wasn't using any magic or mana at all to increase her own speed. She has worked so hard for so long to get to where she is, with her respectable speed and prowess with both physical and magical attacks.
While it was taking everything Allen had to keep up with her, while maintaining how much mana he used, no doubt Rose felt at least some respect back for him. While her mother had been influencing her actions and behaviors recently, the look of confidence on her face reminded Allen of the times before her mother took over, and William was still Head Director.
Although not that long ago, I miss the times we could spend altogether as members of the Training Club, Allen thought to himself, as he blocked another one of her attacks.
Allen began to recall the events following his first duel against Nathaniel Rivertide. Rose had joined their friend group, and she had begun to get to know and open up to everyone else. They all started to get to know their respectable, confident and kind student council president, and began to see her for her.
Allen recalled meeting Alice, who ended up being their first training club member, joining after they had already formed it, and then later meeting her other personality, Sarah. Then of course the following club training camp where Rose had confessed her feelings to Allen, to his surprise. He didn't feel the same way towards her, but respected her feelings and did his best to give her a proper answer.
I wonder, does she still feel the same way?, Allen asked himself in his thoughts. Have her feelings changed since then, or perhaps she's chosen to push those feelings away, due to her mother's influence?
While Allen dodged a few more of her spells, and moved around the arena to gain some ground for a moment, he once again realized he wanted more than anything, to get both their student council president, his dear friend, and who he considered his first childhood friend back over to them.
But in order to win against her, and turn the tides in my favor, I'm going to need a lot more than just speed, Allen thought to himself, as he concentrated on the mana in his legs. I could move my mana over to my arms for quicker attack speeds to throw her off, but at the cost of my movement speed. Just what can I do?
As Allen took a moment to breathe and reanalyze his situation, it seemed Rose did the same. Both of them had been moving a lot around so much that it was already starting to take a toll on the both of them, despite them having good endurance already. Allen valued the time he had to recuperate, because it wouldn't last long. He knew Rose would move in the second Allen became distracted.
But if I want to turn the tides and force her on the defensive, what can I do?, Allen thought, as he tossed and turned for an answer in his mind.
"But how am I supposed to move my mana anywhere I want to, when I can barely cast a spell?," Allen asked out loud, echoing the words of his past self.
"Remember Allen, it has always been about constant practice and concentration!," William's words echoed in his head, a memory of the past, when William was teaching him other ways to use his magic.
"But I try that William, and I can barely move it around!," a young Allen complained, as he shifted his body around, not understanding what William was saying.
"Look Allen," a concerned William started to say, as he leaned down to be eye level with Allen. "I understand it's not easy to grasp. It's something new for you, and you are still very young with a lot to learn."
"So let me put it this way for you, to hopefully make it easier for you," he spoke, as he lifted a finger up to get his attention. "Close your eyes, and try to feel the sensation of your mana flowing through you. It'll be like a warm sensation, a little weird even. Like small rivers flowing throughout the inside of your body. Once you can feel it moving around, try to make a clear mental image inside your head where you want your mana to go. Almost like you're directing exactly where you want the little rivers to flow to"
"But where would I direct it to?," Allen asked, lifting up his arms and examining his hands. "What do I do with it?"
"Well, for starters… why don't you start with your legs?," William suggested, pointing down to Allen's short legs, still growing. "Maybe then you can finally keep up with me?"
"As if," Allen crossed his arms. "You're too fast for me!"
"Alright, alright, I won't deny that," William let out a laugh, as he put a hand on Allen's shoulder. "Just start with that for me, alright? Once we can get that down, we'll move on to the more difficult but fun parts"
"Like what?," A curious Allen asked, as he looked up at William.
"Well, once you master the ways of using your mana, you can will it to move throughout your entire body," he answered, exaggerating by kicking up his legs and moving his arms one at a time. "You'll be such a master, you can focus it on one vital point, or have it flow throughout your entire body to support all of your movements!"
"Really?," Allen asked, wanting to believe him.
"Of course!," William gave him a toothy grin. "You'll be so fast, even your mother's quick witted and unreserved words won't be able to reach you! She can't tell you what to do if you're too fast for her, now can she?"
"Awesome!," Allen excitedly said, as he pictured his mother failing to catch up to him to command him to do chores.
"Anyways, continue practicing. I know you've got this!," William encouraged him. "You'll get this in no time!"
"Right!," Allen answered him, immediately closing his eyes to begin to concentrate.
As Allen shifted back to reality, he realized that he had tuned out whatever the twin announcers Misa and Lisa were saying before, and then quickly noticed Rose already preparing another set of spells.
She's no doubt going to go back in with everything she has, Allen thought to himself. But I need to keep up with her. What should I-
Allen then immediately thought back to the memory that had played in his head, as he took a moment to recuperate. His memories of William, and what he tried so hard to teach to a young child who had a hard time grasping everything.
That's it!, Allen thought. Why didn't I think of this sooner?
Allen took another moment to check up on Rose, who was only seconds away from casting a set of spells to no doubt throw him off. If he wanted to try something new, he needed to start now.
Not just mana to my legs or my arms. I need to picture it all in my head, visualize it, and command it to move how I want!, he reminded himself, fixating on what William advised him of. It'll be difficult, because at the same time my fire mana will be acting up, but I can do this! I have to!
As the crowd leaned to try to figure out what was going on, Rose was already making the next move.
"If you're just going to stand there Allen, then I'll make this easier for myself!," she shouted at him. "Take this!"
With her magical circle formed and concentration on what she wanted to cast complete, she cast the spells at Allen, at a speed that almost matched her ability with her rapier. Everyone watched in anticipation in the mere seconds there were before the spells collided with Allen.
But before they made impact, Allen managed to cut through each one, no matter how precise or well cast they were. He managed to keep up with each spell cast, without the need to dodge any of them.
As the magic spells dissipated and everyone could clearly see the both of them again, Rose's confident face went from confusion, to understanding.
"I knew you'd be able to do that," Rose said, as Allen's eyes focused on her. "But you won't be able to concentrate enough for this!"
Before anyone could react to what she said, she immediately moved in towards Allen's position, ready to make several strikes against Allen at a speed so fast no one in the audience would be able to catch. She would specifically make attacks that would force Allen to move around, and ultimately end up with him falling over from being unable to keep up.
At least, that's probably what she's thinking, Allen thought to himself. She suspects that I used my mana towards my arms to counter all of that. She's not wrong, but-
But before he could finish his thoughts, Rose was already on his position, making several strikes to force him into a corner. But what she wasn't expecting, was for Allen to easily keep up with both her movements, as well as her strikes at the same time.
"This is incredible!," Misa shouted, as everyone was in awe. "Fleming is finally able to keep up with her, giving her a run for her own abilities! Just what did he do?"
Rose wore a confused look on her face as she made several attempts to try to jab at him from different angles, but could not figure out what Allen had done, or rather almost didn't want to believe what he had done. But no matter how hard she tried, she could not force him into the corner she planned to back him into.
"Weren't expecting this, were you?," Allen asked with a small grin on his face, as he started to throw her on the defensive instead.
Rose's look of confusion started to turn towards concern, as she tried to keep up with Allen's movements. There was no way Allen could match her speed or more, could he?
Realizing she needed to take a step back and reanalyze the situation, Rose forced some distance between the two of them.
"You've finally done it, haven't you?," Rose asked out loud, as the audience tried to figure out what was going on.
"Maybe a little late, but I think I'm getting the hang of it," Allen answered her, with a small smirk.
No doubt Rose finally realized what Allen had done. She knew that Allen could either focus his mana either on his legs to make his movements quicker, or his arms to make his strikes faster, but never at the same time. But thanks to him heeding the words of his former mentor, and finally getting a grasp on what he was trying to teach him, Allen was finally stepping into the ways of mana that William was easily accustomed to.
"Regardless, I still plan on winning this duel," Rose pointed at him, a confident look on her face.
"Really? Because I'm thinking the same thing," Allen said in return.
As the audience in the crowd began to talk amongst themselves about what was going on between Allen and Rose, Allen noticed that Rose didn't attempt to go back in to fight him again. Instead, she seemed to want to say something.
"Well Allen, considering everything so far, you would agree if we continue to fight, we may prolong this fight. And in doing so, it wouldn't benefit either one of us, would it?," she asked, exaggerating with her free hand.
"I suppose you're right," Allen agreed. "I'm sure both of us want to continue this duel, but what did you have in mind?"
"Simple," she began, putting a finger up in the air. "We end everything in one, singular strike. Everything we have, in one fluid movement. Whoever gets taken down harder admits defeat"
Allen took in a deep breath, as he considered Rose's words. After all, this duel decides his entire path going forward. He cannot afford to lose, no matter what. But, he also knew prolonging the duel could be disastrous for him. The best option would be to take Rose's offer. After all, despite everything that's happened so far between her and the rest of them, Allen trusts Rose will hold to her word.
"Alright, let's do it," Allen nodded.
"Prepare yourself Allen, because I'm going to throw everything I have at you," Rose said, with a playful mischievous grin.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Allen shrugged.
"What's this?" Misa raised her voice, as everyone took in Allen and Rose's words. "Could they be planning to end this in one blow? Just what are we about to witness?!"
As Allen took his position opposite of Rose, he thought he heard Ellen trying to speak up, no doubt trying to intervene and stop Rose. However, the noise from the crowd was too overwhelming, and no one could make out what she said. Allen looked over at Mr. Garet, who only nodded at him. It seems he has no issues with Rose and Allen's arrangement, but Allen knows full well what kind of earful he'll get from him if he loses.
As Rose and Allen stared at each other from across the arena, Allen realized he was actually looking forward to this. He had been enjoying this duel through and through, and it was only becoming more exciting for him. This whole time, he's viewed duels as nothing more as a way to get closer to his goal, but for once he was truly enjoying a duel outside of a training match.
The look on Rose's face reminded Allen of a similar face she had made back at the royal banquet the two of them attended with August Lionheart, the Prince of England. Although embarrassing to remember, he recalls the dance that took place, in which he participated in with Rose. Rose had declared, though quietly, that she wasn't going to give up on her feelings for Allen.
Though now in a different circumstance, Rose still had the similar look on her face - a look of determination. The willingness to not give up and push forward, whether it be her pursuit for Allen, or this duel. Allen could only decide to match her determination, and give everything he has into this one strike. He will respond to her determination in actions alone, without words.
As Rose prepared a magical circle, no doubt looking to use her twin strike ability Allen witnessed in her duel with Cecily, Allen prepared his mana in return. He closed his eyes and focused on all the air mana he could, careful enough to not rile up his fire mana that he worked hard to remain dormant as possible.
Rose then got into a stance, reading her rapier, as she continued to prepare her spell. Allen matched her, as he prepared his sword, and the mana that lay ready to use within it. He had stored enough of Rose's mana for one, singular magical release.
Rose tilted her head, as if to ask Allen if he was ready without words, as it was becoming too loud to hear her regardless. Allen nodded his head, answering her back. Rose smiled as she closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them back up, with full focus on only Allen straight ahead.
"And it seems they're preparing for their one last strike now!," Lisa commented, as all eyes were on the two of them. "Just what is going to happen?!"
Before anyone could react, Allen and Rose spared no time. The moment Rose casted her spell, the two of them were already moving at high speeds, aimed straight for the other. Allen had only mere seconds before he reached her position, and would take both a magical and a physical attack from Rose.
With this mana, allowing me to move faster, and this sword, allowing me to strike both with a physical attack and my magical release, I will give everything I have into this one, fluid motion!, Allen thought, as the gap between Rose and Allen grew smaller.
The both of them moved at such vicious speeds, that almost no one in the crowd could follow them at all. It would almost be over as soon as they started, but for the two of them, time almost seemed to slow down.
Now!, Allen thought, as his arm began to move for the most important move.
"Twin strike!," Rose yelled, as her rapier and spell was only a second away from colliding with Allen.
"Magical release!," Allen yelled in return, as he sent his sword straight down, releasing all of the stored mana within it, right at Rose.
The two of them collided, with both sword and magic, creating an abundance of magic flying out both in front and behind them, offering no visibility for anyone to see what happened.
"What just happened?," Misa asked out loud, breaking the sudden silence from the crowd as everyone leaned forward to see what occurred.
As the magic around them dissipated, Allen and Rose stood opposite of the other, backs facing the other. Not one of them moved a single inch, or changed their blank expressions.
As the dust began to settle, and everyone's eyes on the two of them, a loud crack filled the quiet audience, and the clanking of metal hit the floor as shards of a broken sword fell to the floor.
"No way!," Misa and Lisa said at the same time. "Did that really just happen?!"
Rose's rapier fell to the floor, broken into too many pieces to count. Only the handle remained, as Rose held it in her right hand, her grip tightening around it as she realized what happened. Her knees fell to the floor as she lost both her energy and her will to fight. She almost wanted to shed a tear, but instead held her ground, as she took in the fact that her rapier was more than likely broken beyond repair.
While everyone held their mouths agape, almost in complete disbelief, a slight grin formed on Allen's face as he realized his complete victory. But he still couldn't help but feel guilty, as he destroyed one of the most important things to Rose. He finally fell to one knee, as he had exhausted all the mana he had remaining, but that did not matter. He had done it.
The duel referee rushed over to Rose to check her status, but there was no need once Rose opened her mouth.
"I admit defeat," she announced, everyone in the crowd taking in the words they almost didn't think they'd hear.
The arena finally filled with noise, as many either celebrated Allen's unexpected victory, or downcast in Rose's unfortunate loss. No matter how anyone felt, the final result was in, once the duel referee confirmed Rose's defeat.
I've done it, Allen thought to himself, as he felt a wave of many emotions. I've won. Not only against Rose, but for myself as well. I won my fourth duel, and can finally make it back to D rank.
"The duel is over!," Misa and Lisa announced at the same time. "The Weakest Mage has defeated our Blue Rose! Allen Fleming not only continues on, but passes one of his conditions!"
As Allen ultimately relished in his victory, there was one particular individual who was certainly very against the turn of events, and definitely had a say.
"Allen Fleming!," her voice filled the arena, and all eyes were now on her.
Ellen Marion, Allen thought, as he focused his eyes on a furious Ellen, who stood up from her seat, her eyes glaring right back at him.