9 Chapter 9 (2/2)
”Hey, uhhh….Professor Ranit wants to see you, it seemed urgent.”
The girls looked down at Wilfred, seeing only a small boy and scoffed, leaving their victim but not without getting a last word in.
”Oh by the way sister, cousin Irena is hoping to see you in the matches this year. Don't disappoint now.”
She kissed her sister goodbye by blowing her a kiss, the sarcasm was apparent. Once the gang is out of sight, Wilfred grabs Lucy's attention and questions her.
”What was that about? Oh it's not real about Ranit, I just wanted to pull you out of there.”
Lucy sighed, dropping her arms to her sides like she was giving up.
”It's a long story that I'd rather not get into right now. Oh, hey look over there! They're putting up another board.”
Where the rankings were posted for the written exam, two more instructors were now putting up a wooden board that split the groups into pairs for matches. There were 4 sections, for each year of students.
One of the teachers cast [Fly] and flew up a bit in order to get everyone's attention.
”Alright listen up! Matches start in 2 hours, we'll begin with the first years and move on up. There will be a total of 3 fights per student, scoring 25 points per win. Proceed in an orderly fas.h.i.+on to the fields outside.”
Hmmm, that was different Wilfred thought. Lucy's information was mostly correct but it seemed they had changed it this time around. The crowd proceeded to move outside, where the matches would take part. There were 87 first years, 114 second years, 76 third years and 39 fourth years.
A few of the third and fourth years stayed to watch the matches but most left as it would be a few hours until anything from their group would happen. The same teacher that had made the announcement stood outside flying again.
”[Amplify Voice]! Listen! So rules for newcomers. First hit to deal damage wins it. We don't have a bloodbath out here. There will be a magic dampening field erected and the effect of spells will be lessened so you don't kill yourselves accidentally. I'll call out two names, you'll proceed to the center and when you hear the start signal, you'll fight.”
Wilfred noticed the Headmaster standing close to the entrance and saw him cast a spell. It was too far to see or hear but he had a thought that it was the dampening field. The teacher waited for a few moments and then spoke again after making visual contact with Primus.
”First up, Agara and Thomen.”
Wilfred watched attentively, this was the first mage fight he would be witnessing after all.
Both students, first years naturally, stepped forward from the large circle the crowd had become on the field outside and approached the middle. They stood about a dozen feet from one another and waited. The teacher than used an explosive spell with short range, creating a large bang that echoed loudly.
Both students then proceeded to cast a [Barrier] followed swiftly by an [a.n.a.lyze]. Agara then began trying to make some distance between them, running backwards and shooting an [Ice Spike] at Thomen. Thomen dodged out of the way, rolling on the ground and immediately up and running again, trying to get closer to Agara. Curious, Wilfred decided to also throw up an [a.n.a.lyze], seeing that already quite a few in the crowd were doing so as well. The fight had only been going on for a dozen seconds but already Agara was rather low on Mana.
Agara Thorburn [Lv. 5]
HP: 40/40
Mana: 146/256
Str: 4
Con: 5
Agi: 8
Dex: 9
Int: 14
Wil: 10
Wis: 9
Lck: 16
Skills & Spells: [a.n.a.lyze], [Ice Spike], [Barrier]
Thomen Lanart [Lv. 7]
HP: 70/70
Mana: 220/288
Str: 12
Con: 11
Agi: 11
Dex: 12
Int: 12
Wil: 15
Wis: 10
Lck: 7
Skills & Spells: [a.n.a.lyze], [Ignite], [Barrier]
Thomen was a few levels higher than Agara and his stats reflected that. But, his [Ignite] spell is close range, therefore Agara has to try and win this before he reaches her.
Agara let off another [Ice Spike], a rather advanced water spell for a first year student, but Thomen was ready once again to dodge it. Agara was waiting for the moment and sent off another one just before Thomen finished rolling. It struck his barrier quite hard but it remained intact.
Thomen rushed the final distance and extended his hands, using his [Ignite] spell. A red flame materialized just in front of his hands and pressed against Agara's barrier. Only a brief contact was all it took for Agara's Barrier to collapse but not before she replied with a kick, pus.h.i.+ng Thomen away before she took any damage.
Too low on mana to play this one defensively, she poured everything she had into offense, sending two more [Ice Spike] towards Thomen. Too close to dodge and his barrier too weak to absorb two hits, he casted another [Ignite] and held it, melting the spikes as they came towards him. Losing their hardest, broke splashed on his barrier without breaking it.
Agara barely managed to keep standing up, panting. Before Thomen could deliver the finis.h.i.+ng blow, the teacher stopped the fight, flying down and interrupting.
”Alright stop, it's pretty clear Thomen is the winner here. Congrats.”
Both students then stepped forward and shook hands, albeit reluctantly for the loser.
'Remember, sportsmanlike conduct! You'll be fighting together after your time in the academy is over. Now, next up….Wilfred against Lucius, come on up.”
Wilfred and Lucius exchanged a quick glance and swallowed. What were the odds?
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