"Malik! What the hell am I supposed to do now?! I can't beat him!"

"Yes, you can. Just calm down and—"

"My prince. I feel greatly honoured that you will be watching my first battle today. Soon you will see how effective the Domer Institution is" Leon exclaims.

I am currently, well, panicking. The Domer Institution is another organisation that specialises in the research of magic, that much I knew before the introduction. Similarly to every other Institution, they never come close to the research done by the Yauler family. So, Institutions in Raekoft usually build a name for themselves for one purpose; to be included in the Yauler family research division. Domer Institution is one that is very close to being involved, considering its name has even reached Carder.

How does all that help my situation? Well, it doesn't help me at all. Leon Domer probably had proper training. I didn't. All I know is that I am positively fu—

"Good luck for your fight Leon, but I'm rooting for Ritz here. You have not seen what he is capable of either" the prince says, patting me on the shoulder. I think I know what he's planning. In a perfect world, Leon would lose confidence because the prince is not his side, and I would be more confident because the prince is on my side.

"Not for long, my prince."

It had the opposite effect.

He begins walking past me to the arena door but not before stopping beside my slightly trembling frame.

"I will make you pay for your outrageous remarks..." he says before continuing to stride forward.

There's nothing much I can do now. Malik has a concerned look on his face, but I cannot bring myself to look at him properly. I can feel my heart threatening to make an appearance through my chest. There are suddenly so many things I have to bounce around in my head at once.

How powerful is Leon?

How adept is he at magic compared to me?

How is this duel going to play out?

What are the rules?

Are they any rules?

What happens if I lose?

Do I just fail here?

My hands are shaking.

I quickly try to steady myself. I cannot allow myself to lose here. The fights are where examples will be made. I do not want to be one of them.

I can win

I can win

I can win

Clinging on to my mantra, I slowly step through the arena door. All the students have to go through the same entrance that leads to the main fighting space. A staircase by the sides led up to the spectator seats. Maybe I can just slip by—

My legs reject my command and force me to the right side of the fighting area. Arduan Liken already has me, like a puppet on strings. The fighting area is just a vast circle of grey stone, making up the ground. The arena itself has another domed roof that is transparent to let in the light. The walls around the main stage are about 2 metres tall with the spectator areas surrounding the fighting area being at the top of these walls. There are about four rows of ten seats with the with all the First-Years being seated behind me. There were probably put there by Liken. Leon is across from me now; the height difference between us is very apparent.

The spectator seats behind Leon consists of Arduan Like himself and the Second-Years. As I look around, I notice that there are even some Third-Years here.

The students are excited. Leon must be the most excited.

I look around for any semblance of armour or weapons but find none. This test must be on the strength of our magic alone. Our uniforms resist magical attacks but only to a certain extent. Of course, magic also deals damage in heat, cold and just blunt force.

What goes around comes around, I guess. I should have just let it be. Maybe just snatched the coin and ran.

No. I refuse to think that's all I could have done. I did what I should have.

I mean, I do not regret my 'outrageous' remarks. It was entertaining to see the kid's face contort into different forms of anger and embarrassment, but we're in the arena now, and he seems a lot cheerier.

Of course, he would be happy. Raekol always receives proper training to control and shape their magic. Judging solely by the shit-eating grin he's wearing on his face, he has had a few years of training at least.

Okay, then what do I have? A few years of practise on my part sounds impressive. A few years of practice in a cramped backyard with nothing but a dummy made out of leftover wood and plastic is distinctly not that impressive.

The worse thing right now is that this fucker is relaxed. His eyes wander to the crowds above, giving flirtatious looks to the girls present. He spreads his arms apart to bring more attention to his, admittedly appealing features. His steps are light as he does his short pace on his side of the arena. He holds his chin high, probably so that he can continuously look down on me.

He truly believes he will win this fight no matter what I try. So it makes sense for him not to be trying. He's planning to give the audience a show.

Yet, he has every right to be so confident. He's up against a commoner, someone who couldn't possibly afford proper training. He, however, probably got not only a mentor but a good mentor.

He returns his attention to me, and a wide smile forms on his face as his eyebrows raise in an exaggerated expression of shock, earning him some laughter from the crowds.

I break out of my trance and take note of my movements. I'm now sure that everyone can see how tense I am. I quickly shake my head.

He's taller than me so, stay low. He's stronger than me so stay sharp. He's...

Why can't my hands stop trembling? 

"Woah there! The fight hasn't started yet! We have to introduce ourselves. Or did you not know that was the tradition?" he says with a smug smile on his face. His arms are behind his back as if to taunt just how assured his victory is.

I bite back a retort. I cannot afford to lose the increased awareness I have of him. I'm watching his every movement, whether in his legs or his lips. One slip up and I'm screwed. As much of an ass he is, he's also equally as powerful.

Well, if that were the case, he would be unstoppable, but the point is, he's strong. The Duke of Douche notices me hesitating and lets out a laugh.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Why don't I start then hm? Let you get get your bearings?" 

I instinctively roll my eyes in response.

He grimaces for a split second, his facade breaking ever so slightly before he presents another sly smile.

"I am Leon Domer of the Domer family, and I challenge you to a duel in the glory and honour of....hmm, let's go with, in the glory and honour of my ring. That's probably worth more than anything you own right?" he says with a snicker, raising his left hand to show off that damn silver ring.

This stupid tradition. Of course, the bloody Raekol would want to show something off before they fight. Always measuring dicks before-

"Dravus, please proceed with your declaration" chimes in the Director.

I take a deep breath and focus my thoughts. The declaration is not the problem right now.

"I am Ritz Dravus, and I challenge you to a duel in the glory and honour of me, my family and my name." 

The theatrics are over now.

Leon looks dazed, probably surprised from the conviction in my voice. Then, he lets out a bitter chuckle.

"Of course you would fight for your name. It's the only thing you own." he spits out. The sheer disgust in his voice is almost tangible.

At this point, I do not even care.

I'm focused.

I'm ready.

I'm going to kick banana neck's ass.

I hope.

Leon smirks before forming a fire in his right palm.

He's a fire mage. That makes things significantly harder.

He holds the small flame up for the crowd to see before clutching his fist, fire spilling out between his fingers. Suddenly, he moves his open left hand next to his clutched fist.

I crease my eyebrows at his unexpected movement. What is he planning? I've never seen well; anyone performing a gesture like his. I look to the crowd and notice some of the first-years with gaping jaws. A few of them are even downright pale. I gulp the saliva building up in my mouth and return my attention to my opponent.

"Create Flame Sword!" he screams, moving his left hand up as a blade of bright orange flame starts forming. The fire is sputtering and unfocused, but it is still a pretty skilled move. It is, as a matter of fact, a very skilled move.

Shit.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

He knows how to shape his magic. Cold sweat starts forming on my back. I expected him to be good, but not this good. The shaping of magic is not even close to the level of magic I possess. He has refined his magic to a level rarely seen for someone his age.

Fuck.

This....this is not possible. There is no running now.

I try my best to pull myself together, snap back into the battle mindset and adjust my focus back to Leon. His left hand is trembling, and there is a sheen of sweat on his brow.

I can only assume this is taking too much out of him. I need to take advantage of that.

I notice Leon glance at the teachers and I do the same, waiting for confirmation to begin the battle. Mr Liken looks at each of us briefly and gives the nod of agreement. Leon and I snap our heads back to face each other.

In a voice only I could hear and a demented smile on his face, Leon chooses to gloat.

"I hope you're ready~,"

He's going to enjoy this. Me, not so much.

I cover my arms in my dark magic, letting it wander around me. I look Leon in the eyes and force a smile on my face.

Well, it's now or never.

"Come at me, you worm-eating bitch."

He seems startled and immediately points his flame sword at me. I don't know what he can do with that thing, but I'm not exactly eager to find out.

I clutch my fist, and a black smoke seeps through my skin and clothes. Unrefined and unfocused yet it does not need to be.

"Fortify" I whisper, and the black smoke swirling around my arms do precisely that, forming a smooth, shiny black casing on my sleeves. In my years of training, this is the best move I can do. It allows me to move my fingers and elbows, which makes it ideal for combat. The armour is only as strong as my will to hold it which means I should—

"Extend!"

I raise my arms as quick as I can before Leon's flame sword slams into them, knocking me back a few steps. The heat is bearable for now, but I can feel the cracks in my armour. I start sprinting back towards him, but I immediately have to block with my left arm as Leon swings his elongated flame sword.

There's barely any power or movement behind his swing, but the power in his magic knocks me off my feet as I fly to the right and land face first. The burst of heat was scorching; my eyes still closed as a reflex.

More cracks appear in my left arm casing. It can only take one more hit.

Leon's maniacal laughter brings my mind back to the battle. I lift my head slightly to see the tip of the sword in front of my face. Leon is still a good two metres away from me, but his 'extend' command is keeping me at a distance.

"Hah! You-you think you can win like that?!"

I startled him. Good.

"You are such a—"

I don't let him finish. I push his sword with my left arm, grind it along the solid blade of fire, and I rush towards him. He notices me and gets back into his defensive stance. He's been fighting arrogantly so far, but I'm not going to underestimate him. He's a lot more skilled and powerful than me. If he was taking it seriously from the start, there's no doubt that he would win.

I raise a fist, and he reacts by putting his left hand up to block. I go for a gut punch instead, but he immediately blocks it by palming my armoured fist. He gives a sly little smile before I knock it off his face with a headbutt. I can't give him time to react. His left hand goes to his face as his flame sword shatters in his right hand. I immediately resume my gut punch and place a foot behind his legs before pulling it back. Leon falls to the ground and with the wind knocked out of him. I send a punch down to his face, but he blocks it with his left hand. He places his right hand onto my left arm and, before I can react, sends a blast of fire from it. The black armour shatters and reforms into its smoke form as I slam into the wall of the arena.

My back fucking hurts. I try standing up, but Leon fucking stomps a foot on my back resulting in me smashing my face back to the ground. Warm blood starts trailing down my forehead, blocking out my right eye and staining the ground beneath me. I hear cheering, jeering, mumbling amongst the crowd, protests and laughter, but I can't concentrate on any of them.

Fuck, this hurts.

"Know your place w—"I spew as much black smoke as I can from my arms, aiming directly up. I hear a grunt and take that as my cue.

"Encase" I grumble, my face practically kissing the concrete. I feel the smoke start to concentrate as the dark magic listens to my command.

I hear the grunting stop and feel the increased weight on my back. Yet, the pressure is releasing. I hear a soft clink to my left and take that as my cue. I slowly rise from the ground and lean against the arena wall. Leon is directly in front of me, completely encased in an ebony shell. Unlike 'fortify', 'encase' doesn't allow any movement.

He can't breathe either.

I'm okay with that.

His palms start glowing. Okay, he's going to break out soon. I slowly stand up, using the wall as support. The glow in his palms is getting brighter with a new glow coming from his nostrils.

His nostrils?

...

Yeap, his fucking nostrils. As if he wasn't enough of an animal already.

I put my left leg in front of me and my right leg behind. Smoke seeps out my arms, and I mumble "Fortify". Slowly, I wind up a punch.

"What are you trying?!—"

As predicted, he stood up the second he broke free. He looked like an angry gorilla from hell, with fire spewing out of his nose. That is until I broke his nose with a massive sucker punch that sent him flying backwards. He hits the ground with a loud thud and is rolling around in a fetal position, clutching his nose and releasing pained moans.

Don't kick him, Ritz. Don't kick him while he's down. Don't ruin your reputation further.

"Leon Domer, are you still able to fight?".

The booming voice is coming from Arduan.

"Yesh...I...can" Leon slowly stands up with a dazed look on his face. Blood is flowing out of his nose, wetting his black uniform, with specks of blood staining the blue and gold twirls.

I don't waste any time with his heroics. I hurriedly move in and use the same sweeping move again. He falls with all the grace of drunkard, going back into his fetal position.

"I guessed not. Ritz Dravus is the winner! Now, both of you, stand" Leon Domer suddenly stands up straight as we are both influenced by Arduan Liken's power.

There's very little clapping coming from the First-Years with one, very distinct clapping that's probably coming from the prince. The Second-Years are all clapping together while murmuring amongst each other. Some of them are watching me with curious eyes which I don't dare meet.

"Now, time for the class allocations. Leon, you have shown an excellent display of magical ability, surpassing even some of our dear Second-Years. However, you were arrogant, and it lead to your defeat at the hands of Ritz here. You're both placed in class 1-A, now you'll both head to the medical stations and get healed up before moving back to the stands.".

Arduan gives us the location of the medical station through his telepathy and directs us there.

I try to keep a straight face along the way, but I couldn't help it—a wicked grin form on my face.

I won.

Sure, the whole 'try not to get noticed plan' has failed, but at least I made a good impression. I look to Malik at the stands, and he returns a friendly grin paired with a simple nod. I look towards Leon and put on my warmest smile.

"I don't think my name is worth practically nothing anymore."