"Hmm, I'll need to study this more if I want to understand how it works," Allen said out loud, as he examined his sword.
With only a day passing since the Semi-Finals Announcement, Allen Fleming is in the training room to prepare himself for his duel ahead. After all, Allen learned he would be facing his good friend and rival, Stephen Windblade.
Allen only had a few days until the semi-finals of the tournament began, which meant limited time to catch up on his training and prepare accordingly. Allen knew from prior experience that Stephen is no mere easy opponent to defeat, and it'll take everything he has in order to defeat him.
While Allen had dueled Stephen in the past and claimed victory, this duel would be in different circumstances. Stephen back then was overcome with emotions, that he took out on Allen. His movements and attacks were sloppy at best, and Allen knows more than anything that Stephen is better than that.
Not to mention, Stephen has surely improved his magical skills throughout the year, otherwise his training would've been for nothing.
A shame our training club was forcefully disbanded, but hopefully we can get it reformed here soon, Allen thought to himself, as he recalled all of the pleasant memories with his good friends.
But unfortunately, all of that was taken from him once William was forcefully removed and Ellen Marion took charge as a temporary head director. She had forcefully disbanded their club and demoted Allen back to F rank.
Luckily with help from Vice Director Walter Garet and his teacher Ms. Florence, they were able to make some leeway, and get his friends together once again. Allen was able to make it back to D rank, and climb through the tournament.
But Allen still had a long way to go, as his primary mission was to make it to C rank, the last mark on his list. And in order to do that, he needed to stand out as much as possible in his duel against Stephen. The more he shows he is capable, the harder time Ellen will have to prevent his promotion.
"But to start that, I still need to figure this out!," Allen said out loud, venting his frustrations. He shook his sword, hoping it would somehow react and do what he wanted it to.
"What's the matter, Al?," A curious, but familiar voice asked from behind him.
"Tom!," Allen exclaimed as he turned around to see his grinning face.
Allen explained to Thomas that he was having some troubles with getting a better understanding of his sword. Recently, he had of course learned how to release the stored mana the sword took in during a duel. However, Allen was trying to understand how that exactly worked, and hopefully how to better use it to his advantage.
"Hmm, I'm not quite sure how to help you," Thomas replied, a confused look on his face. "But sorry to hear about that. Did you want to do a practice duel? Maybe that would help?"
"Hmm, not a bad idea," Allen nodded. "But it looks like you want the duel more than I do"
"What do you mean?," Thomas responded, scratching the back of his head. He began to shake in place, just about ready to move around.
Yeah, sounds like he needs to let out some energy, Allen thought, as he rolled his eyes. He gets like this when he's been sitting down and forced to study for too long.
"Anyways, let's get started!," Allen stood up and stretched. "Besides, we never got to duel each other in the tournament, now did we?"
"No we didn't," Thomas agreed with him. "And another rematch is overdue!"
"Couldn't agree more," Allen replied, pointing his sword at him. "Come at me whenever!"
"Gladly!," Thomas answered, as punched his fists together, preparing his magic. "I'll defeat you this time!"
As Thomas began to already move in towards him, Allen noticed someone watching from the corner of his vision. He had a good idea of who it was, but decided to leave it be for now, putting his focus solely on Thomas alone.
Alright, I'll need to figure this out during this duel, Allen thought to himself, as he focused on his mana and his sword. I won't be able to absorb much mana from Thomas, but it might just be enough to create a small magical release.
"Take this!," Thomas yelled, as he threw his first fist at Allen.
Allen immediately parried the attack with the flat side of his sword, absorbing the pressure of his attack as much as possible. He could almost feel his sword humming with energy, as it took in Thomas' mana.
"Wha-"
Allen could feel Thomas instinctively back up as his sword began to do its job. The earth magic surrounding his arms began to slowly crumble off, piece by piece.
"What's going on?," Thomas gasped, as he put his arms up to get a better look at them. "How did you-"
"I'm not sure myself," Allen admitted, as he examined his sword. "It's never done this before with you"
Thomas took a moment to reform the earth magic forming around his arms, filling in the missing pieces. He felt up both of his arms, almost to assure himself he didn't miss a spot.
I could've sworn it's never done this before, Allen thought to himself, as he looked at the four sided star on the hilt of his sword slowly glowing brown. It had only cut through magic before. And then I was able to release the magic, almost meaning it was absorbing it this entire time. But now it's affecting Thomas' magic on his arm directly?
In previous duels against Thomas, Allen could simply block Thomas' attacks with the flat side of his sword, and nothing would happen to Thomas' arm. Thomas could throw another punch at Allen, or Allen could counterattack from there.
They've speculated in the past that Thomas' usage of building up his arms with magic happens when he converts his mana into magic without the use of an elemental circle, similar to how Allen uses his air mana directly to speed up his movements. While the two actions are not exactly the same, it's a comparison they can use to determine how Thomas does it naturally.
Thomas has always had problems converting mana into magic using elemental circles, but has had no issue with his arms ever since day one. But if his sword is just now recognizing Thomas' magic and taking it in, could it be evolving?
"Well, this shouldn't change anything!," Thomas exclaimed. "A duel is a duel. And I still intend to finally beat you!"
"Then I dare you to come back at me!," Allen taunted him.
After several more minutes of their duel, Allen had finally caught him off guard and Thomas admitted defeat. After Thomas repressed the magic on his arms and Allen sheathed his sword, the figure Allen had finally seen before approached the both of them.
"I see you're already getting a head start, Allen"
"And I see you're here to join us in training, Stephen," Allen retorted back.
"I wouldn't say join," Stephen corrected him. "After all, we're going to be dueling soon. Can't have you see all my new party tricks, can I?"
"What party tricks? Attempting to pick up more women?" Allen sassed, shrugging his shoulders.
"I'll have you know two more girls asked me out the other day," Stephen nodded his head in approval. "I'm very popular, but I'm obviously not as popular as you are, getting the student council president's attention and all"
"We don't talk about that," Allen grunted as he unfortunately recalled the events that transpired after his duel with Rose.
"Anyways," Stephen started to say, changing topics. "We both want to train, as we both will be dueling the other soon. You cool with sharing some of the training room space?"
"Not an issue," Allen shook his head. "Just don't get mad if I notice a new 'trick' up your sleeve you were gloating about earlier"
"Same to you, friend," Stephen smirked back.
The two of them stared slightly intensely at each other, with Allen's hands in his pockets and one of Stephen's arms resting on his waist. They both examined the other, as if they were trying to read the other's thoughts.
"Uh, am I interrupting something?," Thomas asked, as he slowly started to back away.
"Nothing important"
"Nothing at all"
"Right…," Thomas said in disbelief, as he noticed the two of them just almost daring the other to try something with looks alone.
While their rivalry was growing due to their duel coming up just around the corner, they both had an understanding that their friendship still came first. Their duel would be unlike their first, where emotions were more important than trying to win. But now, with their rivalry in better circumstances, the two of them will be able to fight each other head on respectfully, to see who can best the other. The duel wouldn't be friendly, as they both intend to win, but it won't be tense either.
With Simon and Isaac's duel happening first, the two of them will have extra time to train up and polish their skills until their well awaited tournament duel and rematch.