"-and unfortunately, no new news regarding William," Mr. Garet spoke, his head resting on his arm.
"I see," Allen answered, disappointed. "Hopefully better news next time"
While the sixth round of duels were finishing up in the outdoor arena, Allen sat within Mr. Garet's office, where both the vice director and Ms. Florence herself were having a short discussion regarding the tournament, as well as the current situation with both former head director William and former vice director Martha Clark.
"As far as we are aware, William is still awaiting his trial," Mr. Garet continued. "But hopefully we'll hear more as time passes"
This shouldn't even be happening, Allen thought to himself, as he thought back to when William was forced out of his position. William doesn't deserve to deal with all of this, he's innocent!
"Either way, we won't keep you," Mr. Garet spoke, sending Allen out of his thoughts. "You still have much to do, considering you've made it to the semi-finals"
"Right," Allen agreed with him. "I still have a lot of training to catch up on"
"Mr. Garet and I still have much to talk about as well," Ms. Florence advised him. "I'll see you later,"
"See you later," Allen nodded, before getting up from his seat and leaving the room.
The halls of the academy were unsurprisingly quiet, considering most students were watching the remaining duels for the sixth round of the annual tournament. There weren't many left, considering the semi-finals were around the corner.
I wonder if I still have time to catch Thomas' duel, Allen thought, as his eyes wandered in the direction towards the arena.
Unfortunately, Allen didn't have time to watch Thomas' duel from the beginning, as Mr. Garet qualified their meeting as more urgent. Allen was a bit upset, as he wanted to watch his friend, but unfortunately he couldn't deny the request of his vice director.
I should make it in time if I hurry, he pondered the thought as he began to move his leg forward.
But before Allen could step an inch forward, a familiar face came running down the hallway, stopping just short of Allen.
"Allen! There you are!," the familiar voice called out, as he caught his breath. "You should come quick!"
"Stephen?," Allen asked, surprised. "What's wrong?"
"Thomas is in the infirmary!," he answered, as he fixed his posture. "He's-"
Allen's eyes widened immediately as he quickly took in Stephen's sudden words. He didn't have time to think, his first immediate priority was checking to make sure Thomas was okay.
"Let's go!," Allen raised his voice, as he ran straight for the infirmary.
"Wait-," Stephen called out, but it was too late. Allen was already on the move. "But he's- nevermind"
The two of them made their way to the infirmary, which Allen had been accustomed to over the year. Allen moved as quickly as he could, with Stephen following just short behind him.
Once they made their way there, they found Thomas laying in an infirmary bed, surrounded by their close friends.
"-I'll be fine," Thomas tried to reassure them. "I took a few nasty hits, but it's nothing I can't handle!"
"You idiot," Cecily remarked, trying her best not to tear up. "You should be healing up, not trying to reassure us"
"Yeah I know Lily," Thomas gave her a small smile. "Don't worry, I won't try anything reckless"
"You'd better not, or I'll send you right back here," Rose advised him, hand on her rapier.
"Yeah, yeah I know! Best not to invoke the wrath of our student council president, right?," Thomas said with a small chuckle.
"Pollen's here," Alice noted, as she was the first to notice Allen and Stephen at the doorway.
"You are not using that nickname again!," Allen proclaimed, as he walked up with Stephen towards Thomas' bed.
"Too late Pollen," Alice said, almost with a straight face.
Allen rolled his eyes in response and then immediately turned his attention towards Thomas, who he was worried about most at the moment.
"Are you okay Tom?," Allen frantically asked, as he was checking for signs of major injury.
"Yeah, I'm fine! Stop worrying about me!," Thomas claimed, as he let out a small chuckle.
"Alright, if you say so," Allen gave him a quick, concerned look. "But what happened with your duel? What did Simon do?"
"Yeah, about that…," Thomas started to say, as he wasn't happy about recalling the events of the duel.
Once everyone in the room took their seats, Thomas began to explain his duel, that Allen had missed out on.
Thomas first explained his initial conversation with Simon, who had practically told him to forfeit the duel. Thomas had refused, and went through with the duel.
However, Simon had ended the duel almost as fast as it had begun. As Thomas went in for his first strike, Simon had blasted him with an absurd amount of magic, that sent Thomas quickly flying outside of the boundary zone, into the walls of the arena below the stands.
"Even subtracting the fact I lost already from being sent outside the boundary zone, I was in no condition to continue anyways," Thomas explained. "The magic was so strong and condensed, I had absolutely no time to react and was sent flying faster than it was cast"
"Seriously?," Allen asked, almost in disbelief. "There's no way-"
"And the best part?," Thomas cut him off. "He didn't even use an elemental magic circle"
"I-"
Allen didn't have any more words to say after Thomas' last comment. Just what could he even ask or think about after hearing that? Was Simon really that strong?
From what Allen understood, elemental magic circles is a technique many current mages use in order to draw out the full extent of their magical power. It served as an easier way to concentrate their mana and convert it to magic, rather than casting the magic without it.
At the end of the day, if a mage wanted the best results in using their own magic, they casted an elemental magic circle. And if Simon casted such a large spell without the use of an elemental magic circle, that could suggest many things for what he could be capable of using it.
"It's true," Stephen confirmed with a disappointed nod. "We all saw it there ourselves. Simon practically didn't even lift a finger to defeat our strong and capable Thomas"
"Simon is practically a beast with magic," Rose added. "Almost no student can currently compare with his magical prowess. He's no doubt Solomon's prized child"
There's no way he's that powerful, it can't be true, Allen thought in disbelief. Even William never used spells that powerful without a magical circle. Or perhaps he's never shown me the extent of his own magical power?
Allen also didn't know the extent of Solomon's power, either. He's rarely seen any of the higher ranked triumvirate members cast magic, let alone most magical knights. Hearing Thomas' words made him realize the true gap Allen had between his own magical power compared to those above him.
"Regardless of what happened, Thomas is out of the tournament," Stephen explained, sending Allen out of his thoughts. "That leaves four of us. Simon Windblade, Issac Terrastone, you and myself"
"Issac?," Allen asked.
"He's my older cousin," Thomas jumped in. "Son of Giles Terrastone, my uncle. My father's the head of the family, whereas my uncle is one of the leaders of the Triumvirate.
"I see," Allen thought. "It's still hard for me to wrap around the whole major family situation"
From Allen's understanding, both the Rivertide and Terrastone families had both a head, who led the family, and a leader for the Triumvirate. Both had their own children, which included Thomas and Cecily respectfully. The only exception to the rule was Solomon Windblade, who was both the head of the family and the current leader of the Triumvirate. This left William, his only sibling, to his own devices. William had later become the head director of the academy, which suited him well.
"Anyways, this proves to show that Simon will be no easy opponent to defeat," Stephen pointed out. "And with both Allen and I remaining, who knows what will happen?"
The pressure in the room increased as everyone realized what Stephen implied. Despite high hopes for Allen or Stephen to make their way to the finals, they might get stopped short if either of them is put up against Simon in the semi-finals.
Which means, the hope is that we are put up against each other, Allen thought to himself. The idea we'd face each other in the finals instead seems out of reach.
Allen and Stephen both wanted to face each other fairly and squarely in the tournament, as almost a rematch to their first official duel earlier in the year. However when Stephen, with such great magical skills, claims his magic is nowhere close to his cousin's, it almost seems unrealistic they'll get their chance.
"Regardless of what happens," Allen broke the silence of the room. "I still plan on fighting till the end. I'm sure you feel the same way as me, right Stephen?"
Stephen took in a deep breath before continuing. "Yeah, you're right Allen. We can't let this get to all of us. Despite what happens, I'm going to try my best!"
"Besides, this is Simon's third year," Cecily added. "Even if you two don't make it to the finals, he won't be here next year to stop you"
"You're right," Allen agreed, trying to look at the positives. "My main goal right now isn't to win, but to make it to C rank"
"But it would be pretty cool if one of you two won," Thomas added. "I just hope I'm healed up enough by the time the semi-finals happen"
"Well if you rest enough, I'm sure you will," Cecily advised him, with a glare.
"Yeah, yeah, I know Lily!," Thomas exclaimed. "I'll try not to be dumb!"
"Try not to?," Cecily asked, as she leaned in. "I think you meant you won't be dumb"
"Okay, okay I won't be dumb! I get it!," Thomas answered her, putting up his hands in defense.
As all of them let out a small laugh, Allen realized something.
"Wait, where's August?," Allen asked, as he looked through the room. Everyone else was here, including Thomas, Cecily, Stephen, Rose and Alice (Sarah being her other half).
"Ah, I think he said he'd catch up with us later?," Stephen answered, but not quite sure of his answer.
"He has some things to discuss with my mother," Rose pointed out.
"With Ellen?!," Everyone asked all at once.
"Don't worry, it's nothing too crazy," Rose reassured them. "Besides, I think my mother isn't dumb enough to cause problems for the first prince of England"
"Right…," they all answered at once, in disbelief.
Once their conversation was over and with one last check up on Thomas, everyone else made their way to Mr. Garet's office, who had several things to discuss with them regarding the semi-finals. The meeting was called last second, despite Allen being there just earlier.
Mostly everyone was present for the meeting, minus August and Charles. Once everyone took a seat and settled down, they had begun the meeting.
The primary concern that Mr. Garet brought up consisted of Simon's participation in the tournament. While both Allen and Stephen have made it this far, Simon could ruin their plans altogether.
With Mr. Garet's primary goal of Allen standing out as much as possible in the tournament, Simon could stop that altogether if Allen is put up against him in the semi-finals.
Luckily, with Ellen's promise of no longer rigging the tournament match-ups, each of them had an equal chance of being put up against Simon in the semi-finals.
The base case scenario for both of them would be that Allen is put up against Stephen, so they have an equal chance of making it to the finals. Even if Allen loses against Stephen, their duel would be by no means short and both could show what they are capable of.
Of course, this is what they both wanted, since whoever is put up against Simon is almost guaranteed to lose, considering even Thomas didn't even have a chance to put up a decent fight.
Regardless of how things turn out, Allen still has a long road ahead of him. At the very least, he hopes to make it to the finals, but it wouldn't be much of an issue if he doesn't, considering his condition of passing four consecutive duels has already been completed. He did have two more years to try to win the tournament, considering this was only his first year. But, he did need to make it to C rank first.
The main problem is Ellen doing everything in her power to keep Allen in D rank, which meant if Allen wanted to make it to C rank and pass his conditions, he would need to put up the best fight he can, no matter who he is up against.
Mr. Garet pointed out that as long as Allen stands out enough in the tournament, the Triumvirate should take notice, and hopefully if further things go according to plan, they'll get William to return as head director.
With their short meeting over, that left everyone to plan accordingly, as they will only have so much time before the semi-finals are announced and begin.
I'll train even harder than before, Allen thought, as he walked the halls of the academy. No matter what happens, I'll prove I can be promoted to C rank, and Ellen won't be able to do anything about it!
Allen gripped the handle of his sword, which he always kept close to him at all times. With his sword being his main source of strength and his only connection to his real mother, Allen promised himself he'll do whatever he can to truly understand how to use his sword best.
I'll master my magical release ability, and master the use of my mana!, Allen thought. William, you'd better come back to us. And when you do, I'll have grown so much you'll barely recognize me!
With a big grin on Allen's face, he made his way to the only place that currently mattered to him - the training grounds. He'll train as much as he can, and not only prove others that he is capable, but to himself as well.
Simon Windblade sat in his usual seat in front of the class, bored out of his mind. There was nothing ever new to learn, and his teacher didn't care what he did, as long as he didn't disrupt the class.
After all, Simon thought to himself, while twirling his pen. I'm guaranteed a position in the magical knights after my graduation. And practically guaranteed S rank on top of that. It won't be long until I'll work alongside my father, who stands at the very top of all mages.
His attendance of the academy was primarily for traditional purposes, as all students from all families attended and graduated the academy before becoming magical knights. According to his father, he wanted him to at least live a decent academy life and make friends.
But, Simon could care less about the academy and making friends. The only thing that mattered to Simon was following in his father's footsteps, and producing results on the way. He needed to prove that he is capable of one day succeeding his father, and becoming the next head of his family.
After all, it's not like my older brother will take over or anything, Simon thought with a sigh.
His older brother, as well as the eldest sibling of his father's children, is Reynold Windblade. Reynold had made his way to the top not through his magic, but through his immense intelligence and knowledge. His older brother had become influential in his own way, mastering business techniques and skills, with England's economy practically under the palm of his hands.
Besides, it's not like he could've become the head of the family if he wanted to, Simon thought as he rested his head on his hand.
Unlike the rest of their siblings, Reynold lacked magical power. This was a huge problem, as Reynold was the eldest, and generally speaking the eldest was supposed to become the next head.
This left Reynold to surpass his father in another way, which earned him the current respect he has from many influential families and people within England. That way, no one would have issue with Reynold's lack of magical skill, nor Simon instead being the next head.
But enough about all that, Simon thought, as his eyes drifted towards his teacher for a moment. I will finish out my last year, and do what's expected of me.
Despite his boredom of the academy, there was one thing that had piqued his interest, but only in the slightest - the annual magical knights tournament.
In his previous two years, he had never considered participating in the tournament, as he had more important matters to attend to than bullying students clearly beneath his skills. But this year became different when his own father advised him to participate.
Although he was hesitant at first, he dared not refuse his own father, and took part of it. He was unsure of his father's intentions, but he suspected he finally wanted Simon to show off his magic, to show everyone his progress so far.
Simon of course would show results, but something caught his eye, that perhaps made participating in the tournament worth it. A student by the name of Allen Fleming.
Called "the Weakest Mage" by many of his students, Allen Fleming has managed to show some promise and rise the ranks despite his lack of magical power. Even Simon, who stands at the very top, has managed to hear his name at least once.
After all, he's managed to defeat my cousin in a duel, Simon pointed out in his thoughts. I have little to no interest in my cousin, but Stephen is by no means weak.
If Allen is as interesting as many of the rumors say, he just might provide him a little bit of entertainment within the boring walls of the academy.
He even managed to defeat Rose Marion, from what I've heard, Simon thought, as a small grin formed on his face. I half expected to face Rose in the finals, considering her talent. But if Allen's managed to defeat even Rose…
"There's no doubt in my mind if I face Allen Fleming, I just might actually enjoy a duel for once," Simon said out loud, without realizing it. He ignored the quick looks of the students around him.
Simon believes he's guaranteed to win the tournament anyways, but there just might be at least one thing he can look forward to before his expected graduation.
"Don't disappoint me, Fleming," Simon muttered, as he continued to twirl the pen in his hand, as he impatiently waited for his class to be over.
Volume 10 End