Chapter 26: Before the duel

By the end of the day the entire academy was talking about nothing else but the arranged duel between Asura the wind prodigy (the name has been spread by now) and the heir of the von Niederschloß family. Everyone thought that the conclusion of this duel was predetermined.

After all how could a commoner no matter how gifted compete with the resources of a high noble family like the von Niederschloß family? Since young age Alverin had been training diligently with the sword you could say as expected of the heir of a general. On top of that he of course had the best instructors the empire could offer.

On the other hand everyone with common background was rooting for Asura. Treating some of the more arrogant nobles the way he did was only a dream for them. But in a world where strength meant more than status how could they not look up to someone who had reached the pinnacle of magical ability at his age? If you don't want to be bullied become strong enough so no one can bully you!

The date of the duel was soon public knowledge. After all Alverin wanted to humiliate Asura in front of as many people as possible. So obviously he would spread the date and location. The location were the same training grounds one week after the monthly ranking competition.

The entire week Theresa tried tireless to do something about this duel but to no avail. She tried to safe Asura from something that she thought was reckless. The day before the agreed upon time she was just on the way back from a meeting with general von Niederschloß.

The general shot down her request to talk to his son as if it was nothing. She still got furious when she thought about how arrogant the general had talked to her. "This is business between men. Women have no right to interfere. Even though you are the first princess please refrain from further comments. Furthermore that brat dared to behave arrogantly in front of my son. A lesson is in order."

Just with this he had brushed her off. It was annoying but there was nothing more she could do. Just before she reached the dorms she heard a cold voice behind her: "What are you trying to gain by budging in on someone else's business?"

She turned around and there he stood. Bathed in moonlight she couldn't help but think that Asura was indeed handsome to a fault. His pale skin smooth like a baby's, the sharp eyes. It could take a lesser woman's breath away. But Theresa was no ordinary woman. "I just don't like people bullying others with their status."

To that the young man only sighed. "Just stop it. I don't need your help nor anyone else's help. And talking about bullying. Watch the match tomorrow and decide after if I am someone to be bullied." With that he turned around to leave. But Theresa now was furious. This... This.... arrogant bastard!

"I AM JUST TRYING TO SAFE YOU FROM YOUR OWN STUPIDITY." she shouted while actually stamping with her right foot. He stopped, glanced over his shoulder and threw her a cold glance. He left without another word. 

On the day of the prearranged battle between Asura and Alverin, Argus von Hohenturm was quiet anxious. If he had foreseen that development he would have interfered beforehand but like everyone else even he was captivated by that young genius's display on the ranking competition. Such wonderful mana and elemental power control. Truly a work of art.

He could not do anything about this duel. Asura had accepted in front of a huge crowd so canceling it was no good. But Argus knew as well that Alverin was a genius when it came to the sword. With his talent for magic and sword you could say he was the ideal successor for his father.

Only his character had much room for improvement. As much as Argus wanted someone to put him in place he understood that there was hardly anyone in his age group that could. When it came to magic Argus was quiet confident that Asura could easily hold his own and even teach that arrogant von Niederschloß a lesson. But how could he compare with that boys swordplay at his age? It was impossible! At least that was what he thought...

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Finally the day arrived. I was quiet irritated. Why did those kind of humans always look for trouble? I could have spent all this wasted time on a way to break this annoying magic formation or think up a plan to make the principal leave school.

Instead I had to prepare to teach some brat a lesson. I mean come on, do you really think someone who had only trained in a safe courtyard could compare to me who had fought most of his life for survival?

On top of that i had received instructions from the greatest blade master there ever was! My master was incomparable when it came to blade work. Be it dagger, sword or any other bladed weapon. My master had reached a level that even i could not compare to. Yet.

I had deeply memorized his teachings and every night i was still training after cultivating my shadow powers. It was not even near my master's level but to teach a self loving brat like him? My skills were more than enough. What bothered me the most was the time loss!

Oh well let's get this over with. I took my two daggers, strapped them under my robe and left towards the training grounds. On the way many students cheered me on but to be honest: I couldn't care less. Get this over with and go back to work. That was the only thing on my mind.

When i arrived at the training grounds there was already a huge crowd gathered. Practically all students and teachers had come to watch this match. Seriously don't you guys have anything better to do? Oh well not my problem. When i walked towards the center the crowd formed a corridor for me to walk towards my opponent.

He was clad in a fancy leather armor and an expensive looking long sword was in his right hand. His blue eyes and short brown hair combined with his really handsome face made for quiet the picture. Like a hero from some legend.

I chuckled, so he was the type that cared about appearance huh? Well i should have gathered as much from our earlier encounter. Before anyone could say anything a loud voice could be heard.

"Everyone welcome." The principal had invoked a small earth platform that he was standing on. "Today we have gathered to see this duel between Asura the number one disciple of the wind department and Alverin von Niederschloß the number one disciple of the fire department. No magic is allowed, only swordplay. I myself will make sure that those rules are not broken. Now everyone please take your seats!"

With that he shouted: "Spirit of earth please answer my call. Form yourself after my will. EARTH CREATION." With such a short incarnation the principal raised several stands from the earth for everyone to sit on.

This alone proved once again how tremendous his powers and his knowledge were. I had to give it to him he was quiet something. For a human anyway. When everyone had settled down on the stands i faced my opponent who couldn't miss the chance for some smack talk:

"Oh can't afford any battle gear? Do you want me to borrow you some?" is what he said with a sneer. Seriously that guy really is annoying. "No need" was all i said. It had the intended effect. He got angry.

"You better not regret this later or make excuses i won because of my gear." he retorted while narrowing his eyes. I sighed. "Can we please get on with it? I have things to do afterwards." That seemed to annoy him even more. Good. This time he refrained from an answer.

Huh? Seems like i have to give him at least a little credit. He was serious. Well credit meaning he got one out of a hundred points. A little credit you see? With that the principal took the word again:

"Are both competitors ready?" He sounded a little anxious seeing i had not even drawn a blade. Why should I? To be honest I don't really think I even have to draw my daggers. I just stood there arms crossed on my chest, eyes closed:

"Sure." My opponent shouted: "I will wipe that arrogant look of your face. Yes I am ready to teach him a lesson." Does he always have to talk this much? "Then: START."

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Somehow this one chapter i wanted to write became longer and longer and longer. Again i had to cut the 'foreplay' into a separate chapter. But worry not folks! I am on fire tonight. Gotta stay up for another two hours to bring you another chapter! Yes indeed expect 27 to be up in 1-2h! Enjoy 26 until then!