Chapter 4 - Chapter 4 Eric's POV

"Okay Eric, what did you just do? Of all the people to challenge, you let your pride get the better of you and went on to challenge her! How stupid can you get?" I thought to myself as I went to prepare for the match. I didn't have to report back as the news spread throughout the school that the strongest Irregular will be battling the weakest in an hour. When I got to the arena in an hour's time, she was waiting, stands packed full and she said "to be honest, I thought you wouldn't be coming. I'll give you credit for your confidence". She said this because, being the strongest Irregular, nobody wanted to spar with someone they'll definitely lose to so since she came, her sparring partners were Talia and Natalie. Laughing, I replied her "I am not one to run after challenging someone or being challenged to a fight". We both got in position and the duel began in earnest. I started with a camouflage spell 'Armor of Darkness' which shrouded me in darkness as I attacked. She easily evaded my attacks and came up with hers which I barely managed to dodge. Smiling, she said "this is the first time anyone have managed to dodge my first attack" as she increased her speed, pressing me with attacks. She then cast a basic fire spell at me which I punched through, shocking her as I charged her, landing the first hit to which she swiftly retaliated with a kick and a punch which got me sprawled on the ground. I then called 'Erase', an advanced camouflage which erases every single trace of one's presence. I then rushed her with attack after attack, taking advantage of the fact that she couldn't sense my position. She then casted 'Blaze', a spell that covered the entire arena in flames. This gave her an edge as my armor of darkness absorbed the flames around my position, creating an area where no flames burned. Using that, she attacked with two daggers which she threw like knives at me which I dodged, only to be hit by a barrage of fists in close range. Shockingly for me, her fists dispelled my armor, so I dispelled the other spells I casted, hoping to fight her one on one. I went in with a right cross which she dodged and I followed up with a left fist to her stomach which she blocked using her elbow, shattering the bones in my lower arm. Stumbling back, I laughed, remembering when I broke someone's arm during a training session, causing me to never release my full strength. Getting serious, I said "We promised to have a fair fight, no holds barred. Now watch me go all out" as I closed my eyes. On opening them, my eyes were tinged green and the voice inside me said "it's been seven long years brother. I knew you couldn't keep me locked up forever" "Oh shut up" I said, rather loudly to which she asked "who are you talking to?" "None of your business" I replied, rushing at her with a punch which she dodged only to get another punch in the stomach. She flew back with such force she broke the wall. She stood up, faced me and asked "What's with your strength?" "That's me going all out" I replied as I sped past her, punching through her spells and pressing back at her. Feeling she was about to lose, she cast a spell 'Hazy Night' which filled the arena with a strange fog that caused me to feel sleepy. Mustering as much strength as I could, I casted 'Burning Light' which was meant to burn through her spell, but with my magical aptitude being at the level it was, I could hardly make a difference. The voice in my head then relayed to me "You'd lose if you don't share" "Share what" I asked (in my mind) "Consciousness. We must both be conscious if you are to defeat her" "How?" I asked to which he replied "Close your eyes". I could hear her coming towards me as I closed my eyes, synchronizing with my alter ego as she tried to find an opening through which to attack. She came with a punch to my flank which I dodged as I opened my eyes. Feeling invigorated, I called again 'Burning Light'. The light shone so bright this time, it actually burnt her. Laughing then, I said "Let's do this" as our battle started in earnest. Seeing as she was worn out (or so I thought) I went in for the finish only to be struck by lightning. As she stood up, she laughed, saying "you seem to be an easy one" to which I replied "You seem to forget. Light and any derivative of light are my specialty" as I caught the next blast, redirecting it towards her. She dodged the blast but I caused the light to fork towards her, not stopping until it hit her. I and her kept this up for hours on end until the voice came again "I might have underestimated this girl". He said, "You have to give me full control if we're to defeat her". "What? Why?" I asked, shocked as to why he'd make this statement. "I can't release my full abilities if you're still manning the helm. Give me full control or you won't be able to defeat her". Already, she was adapting to my every move, mapping out my attack pattern and anticipating my attacks, gaining ground on me and pressing me back. Realising there was nothing else to lose, I closed my eyes and said "I give over"...