Elizabeth didn't know how she end up in situation like this. She was standing in the middle of small academic stadium with her saber in hand. Her combat uniform was soaked with sweat and her breathing was fastened. Before her was standing the only one S-class student in Holy Spirit Academy. With a wide grin on his face Theodor Svensson was looking at Elizabeth with his steel colored eyes. It wasn't only Theodor who was looking at her, it were almost a all students of academy. Once again Elizabeth asks herself how could this happened.
Everything started in the morning when Elizabeth and rest of first year students arrived at training arena. Apparently Magical Swordsmanship was the most popular subject and with obligatory military training it was chosen by almost whole year. With her new saber in hands Elizabeth couldn't wait to test it in fight. It wasn't like she was experienced fighter, she only got 7 days of basic training with close friend of her uncle. Colonel William Hart asked best swordsman in Holy Knight Order, major Alfred Brun to teach her a little. Elizabeth had to admit that she enjoyed lesson with major Brun but when she ashes him how is her training going she couldn't get any answer from him. Only after first day of training her uncle and major Brun had long chat and after that they decide that she will train whole week with major. After that Elizabeth understood that she was terrible student. Even if she thought that she was a terrible swordsman, she really enjoyed feeling of a sword in her hand. Magical Swordsmanship is very different from normal fencing. It gained so much popularity because it was possible for weaker magician to defeat stronger in swordfight. In close combat difference in power was eliminated. When two magicians are fighting against each other their power not only decide about strength and range of magic attacks but also about defense. Magician can defend himself by using two methods, directly use psions to create effects that will shield him or he can depend on his natural power only. All magicians in addition to their inborn power have also other ability. While in danger magicians subconsciously use their auras to protect them . In this conditions stronger magician with more power and higher class would always have and advantage over weaker ones but everything changed with discovery of techniques used in Magical Swordsmanship. With blade made partially from Psionium was possible to piece trough aura protection of your opponent, no matter how strong he was, and send harmful energy trough blade. With this revelation battlefield changed and it was more like medieval battles than ones from beginning of the century.
When all first year students were gathered at the academic stadium, 10 teachers including Ms.Bereshinkov showed up. All of them was standing on the small stage on the one side of stadium. When all students walked up to them one of a teachers take few steps forward and with loud voice started introduction.
"Hello students, my name is Anthon Ketling and I am head teacher of swordsmanship, I am glad that so many of you are here today. It means that you are aware of importance of your combat training. Good, today I and my colleagues will check how good you are and assigned you to groups with similar levels. Unfortunately there is no better do it other then let you fight, so for the while day you will be dueling with each others and so we could see what kind of skills you got. Do not worry about equipment, if you don't have your own weapons, in academy's armory you will find all kinds of swords and other blades. For now I want you to divide in three groups. In the first group on my left side I want to see only persons who have never wield sword before and those who know basics but are not confident in their skills. Second group on the middle will be for those who know how to fight already and the last one to my right is only for those who are truly confident in their skill."
Professor Ketling speech created more commotion than teachers would expected but after 15 minutes three groups of students were created. Surprisingly the biggest group was middle one. Elizabeth wasn't sure if she was good enough for middle group so she decided to stay with beginners. After all she was here to learn, not to show off. Elizabeth was happen when she noticed that Ms.Bereshinkov was heading to her group. She wasn't so happy when she saw angry look on her teacher face.
"Elizabeth can you tell me what are you doing in this group?"
Ms.Bereshinkov words made Elizabeth even more confused.
" I don't understand why you asking me about this, teacher."
Elizabeth tried to stay cool and to not say something inappropriate.
" I had only training with sword for only one week before."
"And that's why you should change your group."
Elizabeth didn't wanted to argue with her teacher, so without any other objection she moved to the middle group. With huge surprise she got another scolding.
"Elizabeth Hart! Apparently I was wrong about you. Are you trying to make fun of me?"
With seriously angered look on her face Ms.Bereshinkov yelled on Elizabeth. While being yelled at, Elizabeth couldn't stand it anymore. Ok, she maybe little cowardly pocked first group but what the hell Ms.Bereshinkov wants from her now?
"What you want from me, I had already changed group as you ordered me!"
With high voice Elizabeth yelled back on her teacher before she thought about it. With true fury in her eyes Ms.Bereshinkov walked up to Elizabeth but she wasn't able to do anything more because loud voice stopped her.
"Katia what are you doing? What is this commotion about?"
High figure of professor Ketling appeared from behind. Ms.Bereshinkov immediately turned around and has started explanations.
"This little missy here is niece of William Hart. I have told about her before. Imagine that she wanted to join beginners group at first place and now she tried to train with middle group."
Look on Ketling face changed in a bad way.
"I see... So this little missy wants to Billie her fellow students a little. Seriously that's disappointing that apprentice of such a great swordsman as Alfred Brun act like this."
Elizabeth once again couldn't stand false accusations. With her temper raging inside her, she yelled.
"I don't know what are you talking about and I am not someone's apprentice. It's true that my uncle asked major Brun to teach me but it was only one week and he and my uncle wasn't happy about my results."
With fast breath and rage in her eyes she was standing before her teachers. Other students standing around them had surprised looks on their faces and Elizabeth was guessing that nobody saw when student was yelling at teachers like this before. After few second Ms.Bereshinkov asked one question.
"Elizabeth, have you fought with anyone except major Brun before?"
" No, even my uncle said that he don't want to fight me. I guess there was no point in such a duel, he didn't wanted me to lose badly."
After she said that something unexpected happens. Ms.Bereshinkov only managed to make perfectly acted facepalm and professor Ketling started to laugh really loudly.
"Hahah this is the best joke I have heard since a long time. Hahah."
Other students were stunned, couldn't understand what was happening.
"Your uncle is moron. I can't even imagine what would happened if you fought with a beginner. I am sorry for before Elizabeth, this whole misunderstanding is your uncle fault. But don't worry I will make him pay for this."
Elizabeth started wandering what kind of relationship has her uncle with that women. Sunday interrogation was unavoidable.
"Haha... Little missy you have to understand few things. Firstly your uncle didn't wanted to fight with you because he would end up beaten badly. Another thing is that Alfred Brun is the best swordsman in our country but he got problem with teaching others. Until now he only got few students and they were send off by Brun after only one day. And all of them were talented swordsmen."
Seeing how confused Elizabeth was, Ms.Bereshinkov put her hand on her arm and started to explain even further.
"Major Brun trained you for whole week and we are sure it wasn't only because he and your uncle are close friends. Moreover William told me that you got amazing talent and you should train with best students. I guess everything would be simple if he told you about it. I don't know what he was thinking."
Elizabeth was still a little confused by this situation but she felt better when everything became clear.
"Come Elizabeth, we will find you an opponent so you can finally understand your own potential."
Elizabeth noticed that awkwardness of this situation reached new level. Her little argument, all this yells and laugh of professor Ketling cached attention of all students gathered at stadium. Elizabeth tried to not be bothered by stares of students, but it was hard to forget all those strange looks. Elizabeth understood that all chances for normal highschool experience was lost.
After commotion caused by Elizabeth was ended main part of qualifications could be started. Every student was obligated to have at least two duels but it wasn't banned to fight few more. Nobody was surprised by such a high amount of duels. Magical swordfights were very fast and in this case in order to win one of fighters had to only break trough opponents aura barrier. Every fight was guarded by two teachers to be sure that students wont harm themselves. Like Ms.Berensinkov said they found an opponent for Elizabeth. It was boy from other class that Elizabeth has never meet before. Seeing how nervous Elizabeth became professor Ketling tried to calm her down a little.
"Hey little missy, don't worry there is nothing dangerous about this duels. We are here to make sure that all of you are safe."
Elizabeth decided to trust her teachers. She took her saber and walked to one of five arenas located on stadium. When she was ready to start duel with her opponent before her, she has heard Ms.Beresinkov saying something to her.
"Elizabeth don't you forget about something ?"
With confused look on her face Elizabeth couldn't figured out what her teacher wanted from her.
"Your glasses, take it off and give it to me."
Elizabeth have done what Ms.Bereshinkov told her and took her glasses off. Immediately her vision was flooded with auras of other students and it took her few seconds o adapt. She left her glasses to Ms.Bereshinkov and once again stood before her oponent. Without glasses she could clearly see that he was magician with fire type inborn magic. With her saber in a right hand she took a stance which she have learned from colonel Brun. With steady breathing she remembered all of her lessons and prepared magic.
"Ok, both of you are ready know. I will start countdown. Three, two, one, gooo!"
With such a simple way, Elizabeth's first duel has started.
There were almost unlimited number of ways to use magic but only few that could improve magician movements. Unfortunately there wasn't magic that could enhance movements or body of user directly but with a little of practice magician could use it to propel his body. It was hard to use it with complicated moves but simple boost in one direction was easy. Boy standing few meters before Elizabeth used that kind of magic. Within blink of an eye he jumped forward with his sword raised before him. Unfortunately Elizabeth was born with air magic. Unfortunately for him she got her psionic vision. Before her opponent used his magic, she could saw psions gathering around his feet. Without any hesitation and without using device on her left hand she propelled her body in her opponent direction. Since her youngest years, using air magic was as natural for her as moving her hands or legs, so her movements were very smooth. Students watching this duel form the side were astonished by here movements. With all lessons from colonel Brun in her mind she raised her saber, not to block her opponent blade but to strike him. Psions whirling around her limbs gave her unnatural speed by using air and her enhanced vision helped to predict enemy movements. When distance between her and boy in front of her decreased to around 2 meters, Elizabeth like a leaf on the wind dodged her opponent blade with pirouette and stroke him with her blade filled with psions. After that fight was over.
Elizabeth was staring at the boy laying before her about 3 meters away. The power of her strike made him fly backwards a little bit. She couldn't believe how slow he was, in comprehension to colonel Brun, he was like a turtle. And he was supposed to be in group of the best students in a first year. Elizabeth finally understood what were her teachers talking about. It seemed like she was kind of talented in Magical Swordsmanship and she had realized it right now. With wide grin or her face she looked at students who were watching her fight. What she saw, made her even more awkward the little argument with teachers before. Most of students gathered around arena, where she was fighting, were literally jaw dropped. Professor Ketling who was standing behind her opponent in order to protect him, was staring at her like she was some alien creature. The strange silence would last much longer but Ms.Bereshinkov voice came form behind Elizabeth's back.
"Winner Elizabeth Hart, duel time... about one second. Ok, next pair on the arena, we don't have all day. "
Elizabeth had left arena as fast as possible but strange glares didn't end. She was thinking about hiding somewhere when familiar face appeared before her eyes. Without even smallest greeting Natasha started to ask questions.
"How did you do that?"
Elizabeth was truly annoyed with Natasha behavior and returned her question.
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"Do what?"
Like a day before, Natasha started staring at her without saying a word. Elizabeth was seriously thinking that this girl got some problems. After a few seconds she asked again.
“How could you use magic to move like before, when you fought a duel.”
Apparently Natasha thought that her question was a problem, not her manners. Elizabeth didn’t wanted to play with her friend anymore, so she just answered.
“It was my inborn magic. As long as I remember, could use air to fasten my movement.”
Another few seconds of silence. Elizabeth couldn’t understand this girl at all, she expected another question from Natasha but she was wrong.
“Come with me, we will fight.”
Elizabeth was so confused that she didn’t even oppose. Ms.Bereshinkov with strange smile on her face took them to arena. In a blink of an eye Elizabeth was standing with her saber raised in her hand. Before her, Natasha was wielding rapier in her right hand and dagger in her left. Elisabeth started to have doubts if this duel was a good idea. But there was no more time for such a thoughts because Ms.Bereshinkov already started her countdown.
“Ok, you girls are ready. Three, two, one, goo!”
It was totally different from fight before. Both of them were standing without any move, just looking at each other, but Elizabeth hot temper showed up once more. Without waiting for Natasha move, she used her magic and charged.
Natasha stayed calm, when Elizabeth approached her with high speed, she used her rapier to parry Elizabeth's saber. With earlier prepared magic she thrusted her dagger in Elizabeth's chest with full force. From her earlier years Natasha was trained to fight like this. Together with her older siblings she was supposed to became high ranks within military. Death of her parents in magic explosion five years ago made her even more determined. Even before this duel she was sure that it will be easy win, Elizabeth movements were truly amazing but she was lacking in experience. Natasha was so sure about ending this duel in one thrust that when her hit missed, she lost her balance and composure. She was barely able to parry next swing from Elizabeth. Natasha still confused by mysterious dodge from Elizabeth, could only exchange hits with her.
Air around two fighting girls was vibrating from blades covered in dense psionic auras. Every time blades meet each other, little psionic shockwaves were created. Students were gathering around the arena to watch a fight. For somebody who was watching duel from the side, it could look that girl with rapier and dagger in hands have advantage. Her fighting stance was flawless, movements were sharp and you could feel power coming from her thrusts even on the audience. But girl with saber was keeping up, even if her techniques were somehow inferior to her opponents. Girl with red hair was like dancer, students gathered around arena, have never seen magic like this before. She were using magic to help her body move faster on unbelievable level. She was able to perform twists, pirouettes and dodges in amazing pace. Number of students watching Natasha's and Elizabeth's duel were still increasing but girls were to busy with each other to noticed it.
It was hard. Elizabeth was barely able to keep up with dodging and parrying Natasha's hits. She knew that she wont last long if nothing will change. Even if that was only her second duel and first with real opponent, she didn't wanted to lose. Like friend of her uncle teached her, she focused on her advantages. Thanks to her magic she was faster than Natasha and she could see Natasha's magic improved movements, little earlier because of her psionic vision. Elizabeth noticed something else, since the begging of a duel, Natasha was always parrying Elizabeth's saber with rapier in her right hand, dagger in her left hand was used only to attack. In that moment plan was created in her mind. She gathered as much psions as was possible to make her movements even faster and when she saw that Natasha was making another thrust, she twisted her body to the right. Natasha's rapier passed her body by few centimeters. Even if she was surprised by new initiative form Elizabeth, Natasha rises her dagger in order to block incoming saber. Situation was looking good for her because if she managed to block that swing, Elizabeth would be in range of sure rapier strike. Unfortunately, Elizabeth surprised her once again. With her magic used to full extend, her movements became fast as lightning. With loud sound psionic charged blade cutting trough air, Elizabeth saber passed next to Natasha's dagger and broke her aura defense.
When the fight was over, Elizabeth noticed how many students were gathered around arena. She was barely caching her breath but she couldn't hide a wide smile which appeared on her face. It was second time in that day, when she could taste victory and it felt really good. She was so pride about herself that she even forget about Natasha laying on the ground few meters away. When she tried to approach her in order to help her stand up, Natasha jumped on her legs and disappeared in the crowd. Elizabeth wanted to follow her but someone's hand grabbed her shoulder, it was Ms.Bereshinkov.
"Well done Elizabeth, you have truly amazing talent in swordsmanship. Did you liked real duels?"
Elizabeth filled with excitement after fight didn't has much problem to answer.
"Of course, it was so cool. Totally different than training with major Brun."
"I am glad to hear that. To be honest there is one more duel for you to fight."
All excitement from earlier disappeared. One more duel ? She was all sweaty and tired, after all that adrenaline and magic her limbs were like made from lead. One of disadvantages of enhancing movements with magic is a lot of extortion on magician body. It's natural because magic only give additional power to body without strengthening it. Magician has to be careful with this types of magic or else it can have bad effects on its health. With doubt in her eyes Elizabeth asked.
"I thought we are obligated to fight only two duels. Why do you want me to have one more?"
"You don't have yo do anything but there is unwritten tradition to choose best swordsman at the first day. Miss Walden with whom you were fighting before was one of favorites, she is from family with great military tradition. Also her older sister is one of absolvents with great skills in Swordsmanship. So it should be only natural for you to fight in her place."
Seeing how helpless was Elizabeth looking, Ms.Bereshinkov gave her little advice.
"You should fight in next duel, even if you are going to lose. Think about how miss Rosenhause will be feeling if you leave like this."
It took few seconds for Elizabeth to realize what her teacher was talking about. Natasha must be very disappointed after losing to beginner like her. Elizabeth had no illusions about their fight, her victory was only because her inborn magic and psionic vision. She also understood that, if she leave duels like this, it will be great disgrace for Natasha.
"Ok I will fight."
Confidence in her voice made Ms.Bereshinkov smile a little.
"Very well. To be honest, there should be only one duel for you."
"Only one? I thought that there was about 20 other students in this group."
"Yes, there are a lot of people that haven't fought with you, but you and miss Walden gave such a show that I don't think that there is a person willing to duel with you right now."
"So who will be fighting with me ?"
"Don't worry we will find out in a moment."
When Ms.Bereshinkov ended her sentence loud cheer came form the other side of stadium.
"Oho, it seems like we have a winner."
When both of them arrived at arena, Elizabeth saw two familiar faces. Carl Rosen covered in his red fiery aura was laying on ground, next to him Theodor Svensson was standing. The look on Carl face wasn't as nice as always. With face red from anger and with hateful eyes he was staring at Theodor. Once again Elizabeth couldn't see any of his aura. Professor Ketling who was standing behind Carl announced.
" Winner Theodor Svensson"
Elizabeth quickly realized thing, she will have to fight against this strange guy. Ms.Bereshinkov didn't looked happy too.
"So son of general Rosen has lost, that's not a good thing."
She muttered to herself. Without thinking Elizabeth asked.
"Why is that bad thing?"
Ms.Bereshinkov quickly gained her composure back.
"Ah it's nothing, now you should focus on your next opponent. Come with me."
Elizabeth followed her to the arena. When both of them entered screened ring, Theodor and Elizabeth's gazes have meet. First he got surprised look on his face but second later it was replaced by familiar grin. When they approach center they were greeted by professor Ketling and Theodor, Carl Rosen was already gone.
“Good day Ms.Bereshinkov, hello Elizabeth”
Theodor looked like he was having a great time.
“Hello again little missy why are you here?”
“Isn’t it obvious Anthon she is here to fight this boy, she already has fought the youngest of Walden siblings and won.”
“Haha, as expected from Alfred Brun apprentice. Ok, get ready little missy.”
It seemed like professor Ketling was in great mood.
“Wait a minute Anthon, shouldn’t Mr. Svensson rest a little bit after his previous fight?’
“So you haven’t seen it? There is no need for him to rest he defeated that Rosen boy with one swing, you should regret that you haven’t been here.”
With rather angry face Ms.Bereshinkov looked at Theodor. They were exchanging stares for few seconds and situation started to becoming awkward. Fortunately professor Ketling reminded them where they were and preparation for duel begun.
When Elizabeth and Theodor were only one left on the arena, professor Ketling announced begin of the duel. In his right hand Theodor was wielding rapier similar to one that Natasha had, but his left hand was unarmed. This time Elizabeth didn’t rushed to her opponent like two times before. She was aware that someone who defeated son of Commander of Holy Knights Order, have to be skilled fighter. This time their duel started with slow shy exchanges from both sides. With every thrust both of them were moving faster and faster. Elizabeth had to remind herself all lessons with colonel Brun. It was hard, very hard but most surprising thing for Elizabeth was that Theodor still wasn’t emitting any psions. Speed of fight were far beyond normal people capabilities. Around her own body was swirling layer of psions powering her magic but around Theodor there was still nothing. He didn’t even use his device to cast magic, so if he was using any of it, it has to be his inborn one. Elizabeth already knew that she want be able to win this fight but she decided that if she have to lose she, will definitely find out what his aura is looking. With strong burst of magic she jumped back a little to create more distance between her and Theodor. She had a plan, if she somehow manage to use some magic on him, his aura should defend him from it. Using magic other then movement enhancement magic wasn't banned from swordsmanship duels because it was highly ineffective. First of all, magic to have any effect on enemy have to break trough aura defense which is really hard if your opponent is stronger than you. Second reason is that every magic which isn't inborn magic needs to be casted trough device so it takes too much time. In Magical Swordsmanship only time when you can prepare magic is before the fight and after activating magician only use psions to control effects. Inborn magic is little different, it is much simpler and faster that magic casted with device, thanks to that Elizabeth could move so fluently.
After Elizabeth created some distance between her and Theodor, duel stopped for a short moment. Both of them were staring in each others eyes. The pressure between fighters was so great that even crowd of students gathered around arena remained silent. Elizabeth took long breath and charged at Theodor. Her goal was to shoot a little ball of compressed air from shortest range possible. She started to exchange hits on even faster pace than before. With every move of her saber she was closer and closer to her opponent. When she looked at Theodor's face she again saw that wide grin. So she is fighting with all her might and this guys I making fun of it? With furious eyes decided that it's time. She sliced horizontally with her saber and twisted her body to the right. She send psions to her left hand and with long arc send ball of compressed air to his chest. Elizabeth already felt that something is wrong, here saber didn't meet any resistance and her balance was disturbed. But it was to late to be worried about it. She was already focused at the center of Theodor's chest where her compressed air should hit. And finally when it was about 10cm close to Theodor's body she saw it. A white light covered his chest and neutralized her magic. Elizabeth felt about it even worse than before because she didn't know any inborn magic with white colored aura. Unfortunately she hadn't time to think about it because when she looked up, she saw Theodor's rapier swinging in direction on her head. Because she made full twist with disturbed balance and managed to do something so unexpected as casting range magic in close combat, the swing directed on her chest was on level, where her head was. But there was no point in further analyzing her situation because she saw white light once again. The only difference was that light was caused by Theodor's rapier and after it, darkness came.