As Allen's magical release ability dissipated, dealing no damage to Stephen whatsoever, Allen asked the burning question.
"Wait, you can use mana?"
"Bingo," Stephen grinned, as he pointed a finger at him. "Now, just how much can I use? Considering my mana pool is arguably higher than yours, who do you think can sustain this duel the longest?"
Allen should have been growing in worry, but instead he was feeling something else entirely. He was feeling proud of Stephen, with how far he's come in so little time. As far as Allen was aware, the only people who could directly use their mana without casting it into physical magic was himself, William, and possibly Thomas due to his arm strengthening ability. But suddenly Stephen could use it now too?
"I haven't been doing nothing all this time," Stephen added. "For months, ever since the training camp, I've been slowly working at it. How I could directly use my mana"
So, this entire time, Allen thought, as he stared down the confident Stephen. Should've known. We've all been working hard to get as strong as we could, for the tournament.
"But now, I think I've figured out the basics," Stephen continued to explain. "And now you're out of your magical release ability"
He's right, Allen thought, as the fatigue started to catch up to him. I've used my trump card. Now all Stephen has to do to win is wear me out further or push me into a corner and it's over for me.
"Wow, would you look at that!," Misa yelled, finally adding in commentary. "Stephen managed to dodge Allen's attack? Just how did he manage that?"
"And just what could they be talking about?," Lisa added. "What could they be up to now?"
That's right, Allen remembered. No one really knows how to directly use their mana, and only knows how to cast it into magic. To them, we must be talking nonsense.
Everyone in the crowd was focused on Allen's magical release spell to really think about how Stephen dodged it. Regardless, the duel will continue, which everyone was waiting for.
"With your ability gone, and becoming worn out, it almost seems as though I am pushing you into a corner," Stephen said out loud, throwing his arms up to exaggerate. "I'm getting closer to finally beating you, and to ensure my fair but inevitable victory, it's time to ramp things up!"
Wait, Allen thought as he recalled his first major duel against Stephen. Is he finally going to use-
"Get ready Allen, because I am going to beat you here!," Stephen shouted, as he began to prepare his magic once again.
"And the duel continues!," Misa yelled, as Stephen prepared his next spell. "Allen and Stephen are ready to begin what seems like round two of their duel!"
Allen prepared himself for what would follow. He'll attempt to cut through Stephen's next set of spells, however he knew it would be difficult. He was already fatigued from his magical release attack that failed, which left his body feeling heavier than normal.
"Take this!," Stephen yelled, casting his magic.
As Allen predicted, Stephen changed the way he was casting his air magic. It was now in the form of air slashes, which meant they would be much more precise, and do more damage if they managed to hit Allen. A skill that he no doubt copied from his father, William Windblade.
"All mages have the ability to change how they cast their magic," William's words from the past echoed in Allen's head. "How they form and shape their magic upon casting it is up to them and their imaginations"
While most mages do not realize how they can change up how they cast magic, mages like Stephen who have learned to do so end up at the top in A rank. They can shape their magic as needed, in order to defeat their opponents. And in this case, Stephen was aiming to wear Allen out, to no doubt force him to admit defeat.
Regardless, Allen did his best to cut through Stephen's air slash spells, and dodge the ones he couldn't. A few of the slashes managed to graze Allen, cutting into his skin as they went by. Luckily none of the cuts were fatal, but this did mean Allen did have to deal with the pain as their duel continued.
"What's this?," Lisa asked out loud. "Allen is suddenly on the defensive as Stephen showcases one of his unique skills with his magic!"
"Will Allen manage to turn things around?," Misa asked, for dramatic effect. "Or will Stephen finally win this duel?"
This is getting to be problematic, Allen thought, as he cut through a few more of Stephen's spells. I still have mana to use, but I'm becoming physically weaker as time passes.
Stephen took a moment to regain his composure, which allowed Allen to take another breather. Stephen looked over at him, looking like he wanted to say something.
"You're starting to run out of energy, aren't you?," Stephen asked, as he cracked his neck. "Unfortunately for you, I still have plenty of time to spare"
"You might be right," Allen remarked back. "But I still won't go down without fighting"
"Just as I had hoped," Stephen grinned. "But just what will you do? You've used just about everything up your sleeve. If I am to finally beat you this time, I don't want to make it feel like it was easy defeating you"
"I promise you, I won't go down that easily," Allen responded back to him, as he stretched his legs.
"We'll see about that," Stephen taunted, as he began to prepare his next set of spells.
If I am going to beat him, I'll need to take him down in one solid hit before I run out of energy, Allen thought to himself. I could try to prepare another magical release, but if he dodges it again, I'll be too fatigued to continue.
With Allen running out of options, he was left with very little choices on what he could try to do. He also only had so much time to think before Stephen sent out his next wave of sharp spells. Allen needed something quick, and something with a higher chance of success.
I can try to do that again, Allen thought, as he recalled something he's done before. However, I haven't had much time to try practicing its use more. I succeeded with it before, but there's no telling if it will work again. And, I'll need time to prepare.
"Get ready Allen!," Stephen yelled, as he began casting his next set of spells. "This is where I finally defeat you!"
Well, I'll just have to prepare as I am defending, Allen thought, as he made his decision.
Stephen's sharp wind spells began to reach Allen's position, and he began to cut through as many as he could, and dodge the ones he had to.
While he had small intervals before a spell would reach him, he began to prepare the mana in his body, concentrating on it to the best of his ability.
Visualize it, Allen reminded himself. Visualize my air mana flowing throughout my body, exactly the way I want it to.
"Just like that," William's words echoed in Allen's head. "Let your mana flow towards your legs. Careful to direct it around your fire mana! Let yourself be in control, and direct it exactly where you want it to!"
Just like how William taught me, Allen thought to himself. Just like what I did during my duel against Rose. Let my mana flow all throughout my body equally, to my arms, to my legs, everywhere.
"Just what are you doing, Allen?," Stephen asked out loud, confused. "What are you planning?"
"I'll show you, Stephen," Allen grinned, as he prepared to head straight for him.
"Wait-"
Before Stephen could continue speaking, Allen was already rushing in towards his position. Stephen quickly prepared and sent out more spells, to which Allen cut through with high precision.
"You're using that, aren't you?," Stephen asked out loud, as he began to put room between himself and Allen. "What you did in your duel against Rose!"
"That's right," Allen responded, as he continued his pace. "Full body usage"
"Just expected of you," Stephen responded, smiling in respect and excitement rather than being upset. "But can you get me before you run out of mana?"
"I won't be using mana to defeat you," Allen quickly responded, as he threw his hand out at him.
"Wait-," Stephen started to say, realizing what was happening. "You're not going to use a spell! You've done this trick before!"
Allen grinned as he recalled his first duel against Stephen, where he had tricked him to claim victory. Allen had lost his sword in the air, and with limited options, made Stephen believe he could cast a spell when he couldn't. Stephen believed his bluff, and Allen in the end caught his sword and forced him to admit defeat.
"Take this instead Allen!," Stephen yelled, as he put his arm towards Allen in the little time he had, and began to cast a spell at point blank range.
"Got you again," Allen grinned, as he changed positions and began to move his sword arm.
"Wait, you're-," Stephen started to say, as he made the realization. "But I'll just dodge it again!"
"Try it," Allen taunted him, as he began to move his sword arm up.
"Damn it," Stephen muttered, as he realized he wouldn't have enough time to concentrate on using his mana to dodge.
"Magical release!," Allen yelled, as he swung his sword down, releasing all of the mana his sword had collected from Stephen's recent spells.
While there wasn't much magic stored in the sword, the magic at point blank range was more than enough to get a good hit on Stephen. With his own magic hitting him, Stephen was flown back forcefully, hitting the ground a few times before stopping just short of the boundary zone.
But before Stephen could react and get up, Allen already noticed he hadn't won yet and immediately rushed to Stephen's position. With the rest of the strength he could muster, he pointed his sword directly at Stephen, to prevent him from getting up.
"You've got me," Stephen said, in between breaths. "You really fooled me again, shame on you. As much I hate the idea of it, I've lost"
With Stephen admitting defeat, the crowd went immediately wild with a flurry of excitement and awe.
"And the duel is over!," the twin announcers shouted at the same time. "The Weakest Mage, Allen Fleming, has managed to defeat our A Ranked Genius, Stephen Windblade! With the semi-finals over, we are a step away from the final round!"
"I did it," Allen muttered to himself, almost stumbling over from exhaustion. He managed to sheathe his sword away before turning back to Stephen.
"A loss is a loss, but man did you really have to pull that card again?," Stephen asked, rolling his eyes.
"Well, it's your fault you fell for it again," Allen laughed.
"Agh, I suppose you're right. Can you at least help me get up?"
"Sure," Allen grinned, as he put his hand out.
Allen helped get Stephen up from the floor, since Stephen had just taken a bit of damage from being flown across the room. Once Stephen had gotten up, the two of them fist bumped each other, for they both enjoyed the duel they had in better circumstances.
"Man, now I know how Nathaniel felt when I saw him get thrown across the arena," Stephen sighed, as the two of them leaned on each other for support. "I have to say, I almost feel sorry for him now. He had it worse"
"But he had it coming," Allen pointed out. "You however, I'll be nice about it"
"Because there's something nice about being thrown across the arena," Stephen retorted, rolling his eyes.
"Right, you're one to talk, giving me all of these cuts," Allen pointed out.
"Oh shut up, wise guy," Stephen shook his head, before the two of them laughed.
"But seriously, looks like you'll be making it to the finals. I'll of course be rooting for you," Stephen grinned.
"Thanks man," Allen nodded his head, as the two of them made their way out of the arena.
Allen and Stephen were both greeted by a few of the academy's nurses, to check up on their conditions to see if they needed a stop at the infirmary. Luckily none of them were in any bad shape, and only needed a little bit of extra rest to recover. Allen was the most glad, as that meant not another trip to his least favorite place.
Mr. Garet would surely be pleased by Allen's victory, as this means Allen will make it to the finals and get a chance to face Simon Windblade, Solomon Windblade's son.
Allen didn't get a chance to get a glance over at either Mr. Garet or even Ellen Marion, who was surely upset with another victory by Allen. He reminded himself he'll get a chance to talk to Mr. Garet about the finals soon enough. He hopes it will be soon rather than later, for the finals will surely be very difficult and grueling.
Despite Allen's worries for what may come, he decided he'll celebrate his success today just like any other of his duels, and take a moment to overlook the progress he's made in such little time.