The third and final stage of the royal academy entrance exam was a dual. The rules had been explained by the captain in charge... Raymond Aurevarch.
The rules were relatively simple. However, doing what the rule said was a different story. Fighting with no limit was one thing. But fighting with no limit and holding a struggle were two things. And one was definitely not part of the rules.
"It is a dual right? No other instructions were given on the set up." a young male noble spoke out.
"Exactly. That means we have to choose someone to fight by ourselves." A female noble added
It was indeed true and the wise candidates used it to their advantage. Pairing up with someone weaker than you. Or someone you see that you can beat was the best choice.
This was known in the minds of many and thus, they set their eyes on their targets.
"Hey, there! I saw your magic earlier. And I thought it was great. Do you think we can duel?" A young man with a ridiculous smile, silver hair and grey eyes, walked up to Derek and Roselle and asked.
He wore a silver flashy dress, a noble.
"Me?" Derek pointed to himself.
"Not you. I was talking to the lady."
Hm. I wasn’t expecting that. But I’ll take it. A noble asking a commoner for a duel. Doesn’t he see it as lowering his standards? Or does he havve other motives?Then again, you’ll need an opponent for a duel. And with the kind of magic she displayed. I expect nothing less.
Derek glanced over at Roselle wondering if she would accept his challenge.
Roselle sized the young man up and responded. "Okay, we can."
She actually accepted?
Roselle and the young man in silver hair walked towards the center of the arena. At the same time, other candidates including Derek backed away... to the wall of the courtyard.
"The first match is about to begin!"
"It’s a noble versus a commoner. Never seen both sides fight before."
"Look it is the girl from earlier."
"Which one?"
"The one that created that massive light that turned into a rain of fireworks. "
"You are right. She is going up against a noble and there’s surely a big difference in magical power. A commoner can’t compare mana levels with a noble."
Murmurs about the first match began to surface among the crowd. There was a debate about whether a commoner who displayed a large amount of magic power could defeat a noble.
However, such thought was quickly discarded because the truth was known. A commoner could never compete against a noble when it comes to mana levels.
Derek rested himself at the wall of the courtyard. His shifted his eyes to the center where the candidates of the first match stood and analyzed.... All I ever hear is that a noble can’t beat a commoner. But in my own opinion that doesn’t matter. Among all the nobles here, only a few might actually be strong. But I didn’t see anyone who displayed a power level close to Roselle.
If I am being honest. She’s probably the only one that displayed a good use of magic control. For someone who wasn’t interested in the first place, she definitely had a lot of talent and potential. Then again, it all comes down to actions.
She just recently awakened. So, I don’t know how much she has mastered that power of hers. And for her opponent. He seems rather confident. He could have picked anyone, even someone weaker. But he chose her instead. The person that made even the captains marvel. Hmph... Let’s see how it will turn out
The young noble with silver hair stood a few steps across Roselle. He had a mischievous smile as he glanced at his opponent.
"Forgive me if you didn’t expect to be fighting a noble. But, if you look at it from another perspective I have given you an opportunity." He lifted his palm as he spoke. "Let’s say you defeated me here and now. That would be a big advantage for you since it would be certain without a doubt that you’ll be accepted into the academy. However..."
A ball of water began to form in his hand. "...watch out because I’m not easy to defeat. And don’t also expect that I will go easy on you because you are a lady."
Who deoes this arrogant guy thinks he is? Doesn’t he think I came here to play. My goal is revenge and to do so I’ll clear anything that blocks my path... that includes you. Especially you.
Roselle had a razor-sharp piercing gaze. She stared at the arrogant individual before her and thought of nothing else but to break his neck.
The water that was forming in his hand had already grown to the size of full melon. He lifted other hand and the same size of water ball formed.
"Please don’t hold back, pretty lady... Water Magic: Water Shots!" The young man proclaimed, thrusting his palm directly toward Roselle.
From within the dense orb of water, dozens of bullet-sized droplets shot out in a torrential volley. They cut through the air with sharp, whistling shrieks, homing straight for Roselle at breakneck speed.
"Hmph... Cheap trick."
Roselle began running in a clockwise direction around the young man, a great distance between them as she evaded the water bullets. However, the young man didn’t stand straight.
He followed her movements as he also turned around in the same spot and continued to shoot out the water bullets.
I have to first of all know his fighting style.... Roselle thought, while she continued evading the water bullets. ... He’s just standing in on point meaning he’s a long range user. These kinds of people don’t follow their targets. They stay in one spot to aim and attack. But what happens when they are fighting with someone of both types?
Hmph... I am a long range fighter and as long as I continue to fire at my opponent, they can’t touch me. She probably doesn’t have anything spell except her fireworks she showed earlier that’s why she’s running. However, how long can you continue running... what?
At that moment, Roselle came to a sudden halt, appearing directly behind the young man. The instant he sensed her presence, he whipped around, yet before his mind could register what was happening, her voice rang out.
"Light Magic: Light of Brilliance!"
A dense, fist-sized orb of radiant light materialized right in Roselle’s outstretched palm. Pointing it straight into his face, she unleashed a flash so intense it struck the young man with complete and utter blindness
"W—What is this?" He uttered in confusion as he used his arm to cover his face, canceling his spell in the process.
At that same moment, while the young man was frantically covering his eyes, Roselle darted behind him.
She raised both arms in a fluid motion... extending her left hand fully forward while her right pulled back in tandem. Instantly, an ethereal bow of golden light inscribed with intricate, glowing runes materialized in her left hand, while a brilliantly concentrated arrow formed in her right as she drew the string to her cheek.
"Light Magic: Arrow of Brilliance!"
The arrow snapped free of the string, tearing through the air with a deafening whistle as it homed straight for its target.
Having just barely recovered his vision from her blinding distraction, the young man snapped his head up, only to find that space in front of him completely empty.
Driven by pure instincts, he spun around... but it was already too late.
The golden arrow pierced straight through him.