A determinant Ryder dropped off from his chariot observing every detail of his environment. He immediately noticed the large number of people that were entering into the school. The question was, were they all students from the school or did they just come to witness the fight?
'Is this match really that important', Ryder couldn't help but wonder.
His attention was dragged away by Brenna who got off the chariot shortly after. Her eyes was brimming with a hint of doubt and confidence. Surely it was because she wanted to believe her master was not going to lose this time.
Ryder looked her in the eye before holding and squeezing her hand lightly. He wanted to tell her everything was okay, though he knew that it wasn't his place to do so. It was him that was going to get his ass beat anyways.
The two walked into the school attracting a large number of eyes like last time. This time with the help of Brenna, Ryder was able to know where the path way to the dome was located even though it didn't make any sense.
"That's the way", Brenna said pointing at a wide blue tile on the floor of the academy.
Ryder looked at her with a confused expression before concentrating on the tile once again. The moment the two stepped on the tile they were teleported to the dome in the blink of an eye. Widening his eyes he couldn't believe what he had just witnessed.
'How is this possible I don't remember this happening the last time I was here. Was I just distracted?'
Right before them was a path that had been preserved for people that were going to battle for that day. Ryder could easily tell because of the guards that were located in the area and the small number of people that were present in the room.
The duo walked past the guards without experiencing any form of resistance as expected, however it seemed like it would appear in another form. After walking a few steps they had come face to face with Dalt Advans who was with two other men at the moment. Each of these men looked older compared to Dalt who was way younger.
The eyes of the three men fell on them causing Ryder to shudder slightly.
He only felt worse when he noticed one of the elderly men snarl at him.
"Oh, Master Ryder. It is an honor to meet you..", one of the elderly men spoke.
"Rasmus don't speak to him! He is our enemy", the other stated.
Upon hearing this, Ryder couldn't help but feel awkward. It was pretty clear that this man hated his guts. Turning to Brenna he noticed that she was still calm and collected. Though that didn't fool him since he could see a glint of intensity in her eyes.
"Uhhh, please forgive him for what he just said Master Ryder. This is Lynn Advans, my father. The other man by my side is my trainer Fredris Rin", Dalt introduced them with an awkward smile.
'Wait! That is his father!? But he looks nothing like the old fart!'
"Dalt! Why speak to the enemy, you know what he has done!", Lynn further rose his tone.
Ryder in response rose his right eye brow high.
"Don't act surprised! You obviously know what I am talking about. My son already beat you once and you couldn't just handle it, could you? You met the superiors of the academy to demand for a rematch. Of course they gave you this opportunity, all because you are a pure breed. You are nothing but a coward and you know it."
"Don't you dare speak to Master Ryder like that low breed", Brenna said in a calm tone which still comveyed her anger towards what he was saying.
Ryder didn't care about what this man had to say about him and it was obvious to Lynn at this point.
"I understand everything now, It's you, isn't it? You are the one that asked for a rematch, aren't you?"
"What are you saying Mr. Lynn, it is clear that this was a decision made by the academy..."
"You can say whatever you want to orphan girl, but I know you were only taught how to serve those above you. Of course you would lie for someone like him", Lynn said with a irritating smile.
To Ryder's greatest surprise, what this man said had actually gotten to Brenna. It was apparent from the way she now stared at Mr. Lynn. Noticing this he got angry and faced Lynn with intensity in his eyes.
"Oh, I see that touched a nerve, huh...?", Lynn chuckled unfazed by his stare
"Stop it father! You know what they will do to you if they here you speaking such things to a pure breed!", Dalt said scolding his father. "I am sorry once again for his disrespect Master Ryder, it won't happen again."
"It better not!", Brenna stated still trying to calm herself down.
After this they walked away leaving Ryder and Brenna to themselves.
'Orphan girl? Only taught to serve? What the hell was that old man baby talking about?'
This was the first time Ryder had seen someone who wasn't afraid of him and it didn't go so well. At this point he didn't know which was better to have, fear or respect. Even though he was angry at this man he couldn't really do anything about it. According to the rules of the academy, if one attacked their opponent before a match it would lead to an instant disqualification. Refusing to get distracted before the match Ryder cooled himself down before holding Brenna's hand and looking her in the eyes. He knew he couldn't make her feel better, however he knew that he had to try.
Brenna forced a smile on her face before proceeding to walk with her fiance hand in hand. Within a few minutes they had managed to successfully reach the field in the dome. The students cheers and inspecting look of the superiors gave Ryder an instant deja Vu. A better look at the dome made him realize that it was never in the academy, it was in the sky. The clouds and birds passing by made that very clear. From the movement pattern in the air he had to believe it moved similar to a blip in the sky.
"Master Ryder, you got this", Brenna encouraged him before walking away to the audience area.
Focusing on the field in front of him, he noticed Dalt Advans who was emerging from the opposite side of the field with his father and teacher. They spoke for a while before parting ways as well.
Ryder could not help but feel his body tense up as the young man walked towards him. His chances of defeating this man was still minuscule, however he had to try. With no magic by his side he would have to relay on nothing else but his physical abilities which he barely knew anything about.
"Master Ryder, I would like to apologise once again for my father's behavior. He has had a lot taken away for him by the pure breeds, hence his actions earlier."
Ryder nodded after his words showing that they was no hard feelings about it. However Dalt would go further, conveying his thoughts to him.
"Let's fight against each other properly this time. In short, I mean no holding back."
Afterwards they walked apart giving a distance between one another. Dalt took a fighting stance at that moment in preparation of the fight to come.
The crowd was fell silent, observing the two who were about to duel. A man similar to a referee spoke from the side catching Ryder's attention. This was another thing that he did not remember seeing when he had first arrived.
"I assume you both know the rules. Low blows, cheap shots or weapons are not allowed. Magic spells above tier five are not allowed as well. Failure to adhere to the rules will lead to disqualification, understood?"
The two nodded their head in expressing that they did.
"READY YOURSELVES FIGHTERS!"
The flow of magicules in the air changed as Dalt absorbed them into his body. A magic symbol appeared on him afterwards causing his fists to glow in unison. His muscles seemed to tighten as a result of this.
Ryder was not surprised by this as it was stated in the rules that one was allowed to activate body enhancing spells at the beginning of a fight. Not wanting to be left out, he took an awkward fighting stance awaiting his first attack.
The rules of battle states that one would win a fight by either causing the opponent to pass out, subduing them or putting them in a position that would indicate instant death. All of these options seemed to be too much of a task for him to fulfill though.
'I can't lose again. I just have to try and win this thing', Ryder tried to motivate himself.
"BEGIN!"