"Well, I'm off," I say as numerous students gather around Larien to attempt to pair up with him, the majority being females.
I walk up to Eleric who stands silently brooding at the corner, a distance away from the rest of his classmates. I don't think he's very social much.
"Would you like to pair up?"
His eyes glance at me for a while, before scanning around me, then lands on the badge that sits on my chest. A puzzled look spreads across his face as he turns his gaze back to mine. Then as if a click went off in his mind, he lets a gasp pass his lips.
"Ah!... The commoner."
Huh? I don't know if I should be satisfied that I'm being gossiped about, or get pissed at the fact that I'm constantly being called a commoner. I mean, in this world I guess I technically am, but hearing the word 'commoner' constantly being hurled at you by high borns who constantly look down on you just leaves a really bad taste in my mouth.
"My name is Alice. Nice to meet you."
He looks at me suspiciously for a bit, before returning my greeting with a sigh.
"I am Eleric."
Reserved for the most part, though I'd say there's a high possibility that this guy might have a bad personality.
"So," I continue. "Would you like to pair up with me? It doesn't seem like you have any other options."
At my words, Eleric glances around the area to find the most of the rest of the class already paired up. Larien paired up with a girl I don't really recognize, and Darius with a guy whose face looks familiar but I couldn't care to remember.
"So?" I ask again.
"Yes. Thank you." He replies blandly.
"If everyone's paired up, let's move on to the arena. Pairs will go against each other to practice the use of support spells in the midst of battle." The teacher starts.
Eleric and I stand together on the same side facing our opponents on the other. Other than Larien, Lunela, and the magic knights, I don't really have a grasp on the strength of the people here. This should help me grasp the power of the students of this school at least. Even if it's just testing support magic.
"Alright. One of you in each pair will stand as the support caster, and the other will take the role of the warrior. The caster may assist the warrior with any support spell that was taught in class this week, and each warrior will face each other. The greater the support spell, the greater the chances of winning, but a percentage also lies with the warriors ability. If you're ready, begin!"
At that, I get into the caster position, and Eleric gets into the warrior position naturally, picking up the wooden sword at the side. Like this, I won't hurt anyone from lack of knowledge. The opponents we're facing, Boy A and Boy B. They have names but they're too much of mob characters to even bother looking. And their levels are 15 and 17. Eleric's is 25. This was over before it even began.
"Alright let's go! 'Grenhial'!" Boy A exclaims, casting a spell that boosts physical ability by 10% at the cost of a lot of mana if you're still lingering in tier 1.
A light envelops Boy B as his physical abilities increase tremendously.
"You're finished!" He yells as he closes the distance between him and Eleric, charging straight at him.
This would be impressive if they weren't so ridiculously overconfident. They're probably so turned up because they think I'm an incompetent wandering commoner that managed to cheat my way into desdan class. Or so the rumor goes. Well, time to crush some egos.
"Helios feldora," I speak, casting a spell on Eleric that increases physical strength by 5% and agility by 10.
Eleric glances back at me with surprise as soon as I finish casting the spell before turning back to his charging opponent and knocking his wooden sword out of his hands easily in one strike.
"Ugh!" Boy B groans, rubbing his wrist as Eleric's sword plants itself in front of his face.
"Tch! It's not over yet!" Boy A acclaims, reaching his hand to cast another spell. "Cristaina!"
A shield appears between Eleric's sword and Boy B, causing Eleric to be pushed back a little.
"Let's try that again!" Boy A continues. "Alegrol!"
This time, the spell used is a hasten spell that increases Boy B's speed. Charging at us once again, he picks his wooden sword off the ground from where it fell, and heads for Eleric again.
Not bad. Would be efficient if Boy B's initial speed didn't suck so much.
"Alegrol!"
I cast the same spell on Eleric who heads to Boy B. With a single swing, he knocks his sword out of his hand again, then places his sword in front of him once more in an attempt to have him surrender.
"Tsk! Lemonstra!" Boy A yells.
Hurling a rushing wind spell at us. The dust around the arena is kicked up into the air blocking our field of vision.
"How about next time you just knock him out instead of giving them chances to counter," I say bluntly, glancing at Eleric.
He just looks at me before he turns away not replying. At this point, I think he's purposefully giving them chances. Either that, or he's a wuss who can't land the finishing blow... wait. Is that the reason he doesn't want to be a magic knight? If that's the case then it makes perfect sense. If he's too scared to land a definitive strike, then that would make becoming a magic knight quite the unrealistic goal.
Before we notice, the dust in the arena is cleared and we can see clearly again. In that moment of confusion, our opponents set up another chance of attack.
"Forget the warrior this time. Go for the caster! Without support he'll be easy to finish!"
Boy B does as instructed, charging fast towards me as he blows past Eleric who gets caught off guard.
Nice plan, but your eons to early to be facing me at level 17.
His sword falls short from striking me, as I summon a barrier from mana. I didn't use an actual barrier spell because I thought that would be overkill. As I thought, that was the right call.
"Tch!" Boy B clicks his tongue, repeatedly slashing at my barrier.
In this time, Eleric manages to pin down the caster, Boy A, stopping any further counters. Well, I suppose that wraps things up.
"Desmati," I say, casting a spell on Boy B that causes light dizziness.
At least, it's supposed to be just dizziness, but Boy B falls over losing consciousness. I suppose the difference in tiers has a greater effect that I originally imagined.
"Alright. That was excellent. The Valastine-Hishaku pair win." The teacher announces, gesturing for Boy A to take the unconscious boy be to the infirmary.
"You are... a stronger caster than I thought." Eleric muttered, as he passed by me.
Well, naturally.