With August leaving only a few days ago, the announcement for the Semi-Finals match-ups has finally arrived.
All of the students made their way to the auditorium, getting to sit wherever they'd like, and held conversations as they awaited for the announcement to begin.
While normally students must sit in designated areas concerning their year and rank, this time was a little different since the announcement wouldn't take too long to complete. This meant Allen and his friends could all sit together for once, but they still chose to sit near the back of the auditorium, where Allen normally is anyways. Everyone was present, minus August, who had already left and Rose, whom they expected would be involved with the announcement.
Allen felt both excited and nervous to soon hear the results for the semi-final matchups, but his mood began to change as he quickly began to notice all of the glares from nearby students, mostly male students.
"Why do I feel like everyone is glaring at us?," Thomas asked, noticing the sudden tense presence.
"That's probably because of Allen," Stephen remarked, as he relaxed into his seat.
"It's definitely me," Allen admitted, as he sank in his chair.
"Huh? What did you do Al?," Thomas asked, completely clueless.
"Heh, should you explain that one, Al?," Stephen asked with a smirk, getting a kick out of this.
"I don't really want to…," Allen responded with a grunt.
Allen's recent victories in the tournament were finally making him stand out in a positive light, with students beginning to believe he wasn't as weak as they thought he was. However, all of that began to crumble once Rose had proclaimed her love for Allen in front of everyone, shortly after Allen's victory over Rose.
"-and ever since then, a lot of the male students have been out for me, especially those who completely idolize Rose," Allen finished explaining, as he lay exhausted in his seat.
"Oh, I see now!," Thomas pounded his fist into his palm. "So that's why you keep getting glares all the time! I thought it was me or something!"
"Tom you idiot," Cecily remarked, as her eyes remained glued to her book.
"What?," Thomas asked, confused. "Why am I always the idiot?!"
"Because you are, dummy," Cecily answered, her face growing flushed.
"Oh well," Thomas shrugged his shoulders, not noticing Cecily's expression.
"I'm definitely getting a kick out of all of this," Stephen commented, as he stared at Allen, his smirk remaining.
"Oh I bet you are," Allen rolled his eyes.
"Now you know how I feel when all the boys get jealous of the ladies fawning over me," he chuckled, wrapping his arm around Allen. "Now we're brothers in the pursuit of love, with many enemies around us! I'll always stand with you Allen!"
"Yeah, okay," Allen sarcastically answered, half paying attention, as Stephen shook him in place.
"It's starting," Alice announced, putting all of their attention now on her.
"Holy crap, I almost forgot you were here!," Stephen admitted, as he let go of Allen.
"What a friend you are," Allen shook his head.
"What?"
"I can take my glasses off," Alice suggested.
"No do not!," Allen immediately raised his voice, as the thought of Sarah being available sent shivers down his spine.
"Shh, Rose is here!," Cecily spoke up, as she placed her book down.
"Wow, look at you paying attention!." Thomas commented.
"Shut up Tom," she glared at him.
"Yes ma'am"
"Welcome everyone! I am your Student Council President Rose Marion, and I will be starting off the announcement for the Semi-Finals!"
Murmurs and conversations quickly died out as all of the students within the auditorium turned their attention to Rose up on stage, who was patiently waiting for their attention.
"I know all of you are excited to learn the match-ups for the Semi-Final rounds, but I have a few words before we begin"
As Rose spoke up on stage, Allen noticed the difference in tone and body language Rose held during her speech. Rose was finally back to being the confident and caring student council president that everyone adored and loved since the beginning.
Allen had noticed this before, shortly after his victory over her, but it was all more prevalent, with Rose spending more time with them and away from her controlling mother. Rose could finally set her own goals, and be her own person once again. Knowing that put a smile on Allen's face, as he knew his friend was back in high spirits.
"While I may no longer be participating in the tournament due to my defeat to a talented mage..," Rose began as her eyes searched and found Allen in the crowd, but just for a moment. "...I will of course remain to do my duties as Student Council President, and help all I can with the remainder of the tournament!"
As a majority of the female students cheered for Rose, Allen could once again feel the cold glares of the male students around him. Allen did not know how much longer he could take the torment.
"Student Council President Rose!," a female voice shouted from the crowd, in one of the front row seats. "Are you dating Allen Fleming?"
Murmurs swept through the crowd as everyone tried to decide for themselves what the answer could be. Could the mage rising from the weakest position really be dating the confident and beautiful Rose Marion? Could Allen really have captured the heart of whom everyone considered the "Blue Rose"?
"Umm, well that's definitely a personal question…," Rose began to say, as she blushed and shook in place.
She's doing this on purpose, I swear, Allen thought to himself, as he sighed. I've seen her blush before, and this seems way too exaggerated.
"...But, the answer is a secret!," Rose answered, putting a finger to her lips, hiding the smirk behind it.
After a few moments of silence, the audience erupted, asking more questions and demanding to know the truth. All eyes began to lock in on Allen, the next best source as well as where they could pour their hatred and curiosity towards.
"No! Not like this!," Allen yelled, as he sank into his chair, trying to hide his face from everyone.
"I can't believe this is happening!," Stephen said as he howled with laughter. "You just can't seem to escape from attention, no matter what kind!"
"I get it, just leave me alone!," Allen pleaded, as he covered his face with his hands. "Or at least help me!"
"Sorry Allen, I can't help you," Thomas added, as he slowly drifted away from Allen.
"Nope, you're on your own with this one!," Stephen shrugged, as he attempted to cover the grin on his face.
"Alright everyone, let's quiet down!," Rose finally spoke up, gathering everyone's attention. "That's all from me for now. I wish the last four participants good luck, and the match-ups will be announced shortly!"
As Rose finally left the stage, more murmurs went through the crowd, still wondering the truth to what Rose's and Allen's relationship could be. Luckily for Allen, everyone became immediately distracted, once the next two students entered onto the stage.
"We're glad all of you could make it today!," the two voices shouted at once.
"I'm Misa!"
"And I'm Lisa!"
"And we'll be announcing the match-ups you've all been waiting for!"
Allen sighed with relief as everyone's attention fell to the twin announcers up on the stage, allowing him to crawl back into his seat. He ignored the looks from Stephen, who still seemed to be attempting to hold back his laughter.
"I'll begin!," Misa spoke out, as everyone eagerly awaited.
This is it, Allen thought to himself. The match-ups. Who I will be going against!
Allen noticed Stephen's focus solely on the twin announcers, no doubt interested in who he will be facing as well. That, or he could also be staring since they were both cute girls.
"Simon Windblade, rank 3A," Misa said as she raised her voice. "Your match-up will be…"
Everyone waited impatiently, as they wanted to know who Simon would be facing. Could it be Allen? Stephen? Or Isaac? Who will face the arguably strongest student in the academy?
Not me, not me!, Allen thought, as he clenched his fists. Just this once, don't let me have bad luck!
"Isaac Terrastone, rank 3B!"
The crowd instantly cheered, as they no doubt would be excited to watch a match between a Windblade and a Terrastone. While Simon would have the elemental advantage, given air magic is strong against earth magic, Isaac would sure to still put up a decent fight.
Wait, Allen immediately thought, as he turned to face Stephen. Then that would mean-
Stephen must have been thinking the same thing, as he matched Allen's look of curiosity as the two of them stared at each other. Their curiosity slowly turned into excitement, as this is what they had been hoping for.
"And of course the final match-up!," Lisa spoke up. "Allen Fleming, rank 1D against Stephen Windblade, rank 1A!"
More cheering came from the crowd, but both Allen and Stephen ignored them. What mattered at the moment, was the fact they would be facing each other in the semi-finals. While both of them will seek to defeat the other, it at least meant one of them could make it to the finals!
"That's all from us!," the twin announcers spoke at the same time. "Now, a word from our Vice Director, Walter Garet!"
Everyone immediately began to quiet down, as all eyes turned to Mr. Garet, who walked up on stage slowly, but at a decent pace. His eyes darted throughout the crowd, as if he dared anyone to be loud just right before he spoke. By now, everyone has learned not to talk over Mr. Garet, lest they want a lecture later.
Mr. Garet?, Allen thought, as he turned his attention on stage. It's not Ellen? Wait if he's here, then that means-
"I hope all of you are having a decent evening, but let's skip the formalities, shall we?," he spoke, after clearing his throat. "With the match-ups finally revealed, I have personally appeared to prove to you all the match-ups were decided at random, and not hand picked. They were not rigged, in conjunction with Ellen Marion's promise to not interfere on biased opinions, whether she claims she did or did not do so previously"
She definitely did so, Allen thought, but kept it to himself.
"Regardless, with the match-ups finally announced, I wish all four of you good luck in your duels, as I will be watching both. We are rapidly approaching both the end of the tournament, as well as the academy year. Remember to keep up with your studies, as you still have your finals"
Grunts of frustration came from many of the students in the audience, as they were reminded of what would soon come following the end of the tournament. The finals would be very important, as it made sure you kept up with your studies. Failing could mean your rank is lowered, but succeeding very well could mean you rank up beginning your next year. Finals had almost slipped Allen's mind, as he had been so focused on his duels for the tournament.
"That is all from me, and there's nothing left for the announcement today. All of you are dismissed!"
As everyone began to get up from their seats, Allen noticed a small stare from Mr. Garet, before he left the stage. It was though he was reminding him that all eyes, his included, were on Allen, and he needed to make sure he put on a show in his duel against Stephen. Whether he won or lost against Stephen, they needed to make sure that he stood out the most. Doing so would help them inch closer to their shared goal - getting William back as Head Director.
Regardless, with the semi-final round drawing near, Allen will be facing both his friend and rival, Stephen Windblade. While it would be almost like a rematch from their first duel earlier in the academy year, it will certainly be in better circumstances.