Magic Duel Arc: Chapter 7. Atticus the Winner of Hearts.
Crowds consisting of: Humans, Demi-Humans, Elves and Demons are all cheering and cannot wait any longer for the duels to begin.
The demon narrator then announces the first duel.
The duels are selected at random. A magic crystal announces a group number from each academy within each year group.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. IT'S TIME TO ANNOUNCE THE FIRST GROUPS OF THE FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS!
FOR HALIVARRA ACADEMY WE HAVE GROUP 1 AND AS FOR HALIVARRA SECOND ACADEMY, WE HAVE GROUP 3. "
"Looks like we are up first."-Valoran says calmly.
" Can I go?"-Atticus asks, wanting to prove himself.
"Are you sure about this?"-Selina asks with concern.
Atticus' face is written all over with confidence.
" I am. I can do this. I am not the same fragile boy as I used to be. I'm now a confident young man. Thanks to all of you. Especially you. Valoran."-Atticus says with confidence.
Valoran is proud to hear these words.
"Alright. Show them what you got. No matter what happens I am proud of you. "-Valoran says.
With that Atticus enters the arena.
The demon narrator then announces both contestants.
" LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE BOTH CONTESTANTS. FOR HALIVAARA GROUP 1 WE HAVE ATTICUS MAVERICK. FOR HALIVAARA SECOND ACADEMY WE HAVE KANAN SERN."
Kanan Sern is a human young male the same age as Atticus since they are both first years.
Atticus and Kanan then head to the middle of the arena to greet each other.
Upon getting closer Atticus notices that there is something dangerous about him.
Kanan is surrounded by a disgusting aura.
Kanan and Atticus then greet each other.
"Haha hope you will entertain me long enough"-Kanan says with a smooth voice.
Atticus is shocked to hear this, almost being afraid.
"The old me would be afraid of him. This new me doesn't fear anyone."-Atticus thought to himself.
" Don't you worry. I will not be defeated today."-Atticus says to Kanan.
The demon narrator then starts to explain that the duel should be kept clean and according to the rules.
"Both of you try to keep the duel clean and follow the rules."- The demon narrator says.
" Are both of you ready?"-The demon narrator asks.
Both respond with.....
"Yes"
Both then walk away from the middle of the arena in opposite directions to create some space between each other.
The demon narrator then makes his way to the human commentator.
The crowd is cheering and cannot wait for them to start the match.
Then the moment everyone is waiting for they will now begin the duel.
"3,2,1 Begin"-Both the narrator and commentator say.
With the official duel now beginning Atticus is the one to strike first.
Atticus casts izaru (fire elemental magic)
The attack hits Kanan hard, so hard in fact that Kanan was sent flying a couple of feet and landed on the ground hard.
"OHHH. ATTICUS'S FIRST ATTACK ABSOLUTELY DOMINATES KANAN DEFENCES AND HITS HIM HARD. COULD BE OVER ALREADY?"- The commentator screams.
" That was way too easy."-Atticus says in a cocky tone while smirking.
Valoran watches carefully and knows that something was way off.
"That was way too easy. He didn't even try to avoid the attack"-Valoran says to his teammates.
"So it's not just you? I also thought that. Something is definitely wrong here."-Artemsia says to her teammates.
Selina and Biatrix looked concerned rather than positive for Atticus.
Kanan gets back up on his feet in a scary way almost like a person without any bones would get up.
"Not bad. Yes, that was good." -Kanan says in a sinister tone.
The crowd is cheering for the fact that the first match is not over yet.
Atticus is visibly shocked to see that Kanan took that attack head-on and is feeling pleasure rather than pain.
"What's with this guy? I hit him hard with blaze and he feels amused."-Atticus asks himself.
Kanan then starts to speak to Atticus.
" What's wrong don't tell me you're getting cold feet already."
He then starts laughing menacingly.
"HAHAHA. Yes, that's it. Keep me entertained. I will enjoy tearing you apart."-Kanan says to Atticus in a menacing tone.
Valoran then watched carefully.
"That's not good."-Valoran says.
Selina and Biatrix look toward Valoran and are curious as to why he just said that.
" What is it?"-Selina asks filled with curiosity.
"What's wrong?"-Biatrix asks.
Valoran then proceeds to explain his comment to the others.
" It's fear. He's using fear to intimidate Atticus to weaken his mind and fighting spirit. This is not a nice person I tell you that"-Valoran asks.
"That's horrible"- Selina says, covering her mouth.
" Can't we do anything?"-Biatrix asks with concern.
"We cannot. If we interfere with the duel our group is disqualified from the tournament" -Valoran says.
"Ha. Don't think for a second that I am afraid of you."
Kanan just stands there grinning, he is enjoying this.
"I love this. The thrill is on point"-Kanan says.
Atticus then unleashes various spells directly toward Kanan.
He casts blaze (lighting elemental magic), (irum fire elemental magic), lorian (wind elemental magic).
All of these attacks do hit and affect Kanan. However, they do not seem to bother him in any way.
In fact, they seem to do the opposite; they seem to amuse him.
" Yes. I love the pain."-Kanan says.
For some strange reason, Atticus becomes more and more afraid of him; he now starts to shiver.
"What's with him? His aura is becoming more toxic; it's suffocating me in fear. What's with my body? I can't stop shaking. My attacks don't seem to affect him in the slightest."-Atticus thinks to himself.
As all the fighting spirit seems to leave Atticus's body three individuals within the crowd who are cheering louder than anyone in the front seat get Atticus's attention.
" YOU CAN DO THIS. SON MAKE US PROUD ""YOU CAN DO IT BROTHER"-The three individuals are yelling so loud that their lungs seem to burst in a minute.
" Mother? Father? Sister?"-Atticus asks.
"I thought you couldn't make it?"- Atticus asks.
" Come on son." " We believe in you." " You can do it"-The three yell at Atticus.
Those words deeply touch Atticus to the point where it makes him shed a tear.
In addition, his teammates also cheer Atticus on constantly.
This causes Atticus to stop shivering and him regaining his full fighting spirit. Like adding fuel to a small flame.
"You hear that Kanan? I will not lose today. My family. My friends are watching"-Atticus says to Kanan.
With that said Kanan uses taslan (creation magic) and creates a sword.
Kanan is amused at this point. He enjoys the fact that Atticus is fighting and he also used taslan (creation magic) to create a sword.
Atticus then charges at blinding speed toward Kanan within a second Atticus covers a distance of 60 metres in a second and clashes swords with Kanan at tremendous force and speed.
The result of the clash was a strong shockwave.
A huge amount of wind and dirt was launched into the air.
" Atticus!"-Selina screams.
"Don't worry about him. Atticus' fighting spirit will not let him down"-Valoran says to Selina.
Artemsia also reassures Selina that everything is fine.
" Valoran is the one who trained him. He's fine"
When the air dust settled Kanan and Atticus' blades were still locked together.
Kanan is still grinning menacingly at Atticus.
"You're stronger than I expected."
Kanan then lifts the blade and strikes Atticus's blade with such force that it creates an explosion and the result is that Atticus is thrown backwards and lands on the ground hard.
"WHAT A HARD STRIKE FROM KANAN"-The human commentator screams.
"AHHH"-Atticus screams in pain landing hard on the ground.
" How is he so strong?"-Selina asks herself
"Just because they are called the second Academy does not mean that they are weaker. Their standards for enrolling students are just as high as ours are. "-Valoran explains to Selina.
" It's true. They are only called second-class academy due to losing the magic duels in the past"-Biatrix also explains.
"I see now"-Selina says.
Atticus then unleashes a barrage of powerful magic and sword strikes toward Kanan.
Kanan however, is unphased by all of them and begins to mock Atticus.
" Don't tell me that's all you have got. Pathetic."-Kanan says in a mocking tone of voice.
"Don't think you won just yet"-Atticus says.
Atticus then retaliates by stating.
" You haven't been so much stronger than me "
"True he hasn't"- Selina says.
" Wrong."-Valoran says.
Selina is visibly confused as to why Valoran said that she was "wrong".
"Mind explaining?"-Selina asks.
" Kanan has been toying with Atticus. Inducing fear, doubt and anxiety into him. He hasn't even used a third of his power. He is someone who portrays himself as weak only to slowly tear his opponents apart using fear. He's dangerous"-Valoran explains.
"If that's what you think then let me show you what true strength means"-Kanan says.
He then strikes his blade and proceeds to strike Atticus.
"BOOM!"
The force of that strike creates a huge explosion and Atticus is thrown backwards at tremendous speed.
Kanan then casts nazra (dark magic).
With that, a dark mist and smoke were emitted from Kanan which Atticus breathed in.
"Cough Cough Cough. What is that?"-Atticus asks
" It's fear"-Kanan replies.
Saying that Atticus starts to see powerful illusions.
"Sister...Don't die" "Mother is...dead?" "Father, where is my father?"-Atticus asks in shock.
Kanan is very amused by this.
"That's it. I love this"-Kanan says.
Valoran, Selina, Artemsia and Biatrix watch in horror.
" This is horrible"-Selina says, covering her mouth in shock.
Kanan then unleashes strike after strike at Atticus with each strike creating an explosion.
"How is he creating explosions with each of these strikes?"-Selina asks.
"Look carefully at the blade itself."-Valoran says.
Selina then focuses her eyes on the blade and she is shocked at what she sees.
"Multiple extert(explosion magic) magic circles?''- Selina asks in horror.
" Indeed his blade is covered with extert magic circles and this strength creates powerful explosions' '-Valoran explains.
Kanan attacks Atticus not even giving him enough time to stand and laughs while doing it.
"HAHAHA. WHO'S STRONGER NOW?"-Kanan asks?
The crowd is in shock to see this kind of barrage and violence toward Atticus.
" POOR ATTICUS HAS NO TIME TO BREATHE. KANAN ATTACKS HIM NO STOP"-The commentator says.
"Stop this!"- Elana yells (Atticus's sister)
Selina and Biatrix look angered.
"Is there nothing we can do?"-Selina asks.
Kanan then stops his onslaught. The audience can see Atticus's injuries: He's got cuts everywhere, and his uniform is completely ruined and torn apart, his left eye is barely open.
" KANAN STOPPED HIS VICIOUS ATTACK"-The commentator says.
Even with all of that Atticus still refuses to give up.
Atticus slowly got back up on his feet.
"I-I won't give up"-Atticus says in a painful voice.
The crowd is now cheering for Atticus as they witness his bravery and his fighting spirit.
" ATTICUS! ATTICUS! ATTICUS!"
Valoran, Artemsia, Selina and Biatrix are all so proud of him, especially Valoran.
"You've come a long way"-Valoran thought to himself.
Kanan then unleashes a powerful blaze (lighting elemental magic) which results in Atticus being almost being completely knocked out due to the force of impact.
" AHHHHH!"-Atticus screams in pain.
"OHHH KANAN UNLEASHED HIS MOST POWERFUL ATTACK YET"-The commentator says.
Kanan then proceeds to finish off Atticus by once again casting multiple
" NOOOO!"-Atticus' parents yell at Kanan.
His sister is looking away crying.
Valoran looks distressed and begins to think about what to do.
Kanan then charges toward the almost unconscious and defeneless Atticus.
"VALORAN DO SOMETHING!"-Selina yells.
In a blink of an eye.....
A huge explosion much more powerful and bigger compared to the multiple that previously occurred.
" WHAT!"-Kanan asks.
The crowd is also in shock at what just happened.
Atticus looks up to see.....Valoran stands between him and Kanan blocking Kanan's attack with ease with his sword in his right arm, he then extends his left arm and casts vita (healing magic) and heals all of Atticus's wounds and injuries.
"You did a great job"-Valoran says.
He then faces Kanan and with just a small gesture with his sword he pushes back Kanan with tremendous force and speed.
Kanan gets back up on his feet.
"You fool. Looks like you are disqualified from the tournament" -Kanan says.
"Are you sure about that?"-Valoran asks.
He then points to a white cloth on the arena floor.
" Haha, I see. You as the team captain forfeited the match and then interfered to avoid disqualification"-Kanan says.
"Correct. This battle is your victory"-Valoran says.
Atticus then begins to cry.
" I'm sorry, Valoran. I gave it my all and I still failed you"
"Open your eyes and look"-Valoran says.
Atticus then opens up his eyes and sees the entire audience cheering for Atticus.
"ATTICUS! ATTICUS! ATTICUS!"
"They are cheering on you. You lost the duel but your fighting spirit and courage won you their hearts"-Valoran explains.
Kanan is outraged.
" I WON YOU SHOULD BE CHEERING ON FOR ME!"
"The way you fought was disgusting"-Valoran explains.
He then laughs at Kanan.
" HAHA. You thought with your disgusting fighting style that everyone would be cheering for you?"
"I'll crush you"-Kanan says angrily.
" Stand down Kanan"- A mysterious female voice says entering the Arena...