Once I arrived at the academy, I took a much-needed bath and then settled down for a nap. It had been a long day, and I was feeling exhausted. The only time I had felt truly alive was when I had met Layla earlier.
When I woke up a few hours later, I put on my tracksuit and did some stretches. I was going to fight Ronald Trueheart, and I needed to be as comfortable as possible. The match was scheduled for 8 p.m., and I wasn't late yet.
As I walked out of the dormitory, I saw several other students leaving as well. They were undoubtedly heading to the stadium, where my friendly match against Ronald would be held. It was a highly anticipated event that no one wanted to miss.
[<Are you really ready for this fight? You just fought a few hours ago.>]
"No problem. I feel really good," I replied confidently. Perhaps it was an after-effect of Maria and Seraphina's healing, but I was more than ready to take on Ronald.
When I arrived at the stadium, I handed my academy card to the receptionist and was shown to a single room to prepare myself. But since I had nothing to prepare, I left the room right away and followed the directions to the arena, which were drawn on the wall.
As I walked down the corridor, I saw several familiar figures waiting for me at the end: Jayden, Milleia, Lyra and Tyler.
"Hey, bro!" Tyler jumped towards me, and I took a step aside to avoid the unexpected hug.
"I appreciate the support, but I don't need a hug. I'm not going to war," I replied.
Jayden approached me next, fist-bumping my chest. "We'll be up there to cheer for you, Edward."
I couldn't help but notice the maturity in his smile. "It's a pity for you, Jayden. I'll beat him up instead of you," I joked, and Jayden laughed.
We both knew that a month ago, Ronald had punched Jayden without any reason, so I was determined to help him get his revenge.
Lyra arrived after, giving me a casual shrug. "Well, good luck, I guess," she said.
I wasn't surprised by her lack of enthusiasm, considering what I had done to her before. I wouldn't bother her for now, knowing that the next few months would be tough for her.
Milleia, on the other hand, showed genuine concern. "Um...Edward, be careful, okay? Ronald is... dangerous," she said, her pink eyes wide.
I smiled at her, appreciating her friendship. We had only known each other for a month, but I could tell that she considered me a friend.
I appreciated Milleia's concern, but I couldn't help feeling a bit detached from my fellow students. Tyler, Jayden, and Milleia all seemed to have formed their opinions of me based on their initial impressions, without really taking the time to get to know me. It was clear that there was still some distance between us, and it wasn't quite like the close bonds I had with Emric and Ephera back on Earth.
"You can do it bro!" Tyler shouted again before grinning. "Pretty sure, if you win, Layla will confess to you right away, trust me."
Why should I trust a muscle-brain?!
"Yeah…Then I'm off."
I waved my hand and walked away.
I had already lost the will to correct the misunderstanding that, without a doubt, Layla created.
I really have no idea what's going on in her mind.
It's not like Alfred will feel jealous just about that anyway.
"Junior."
"Oh."
I didn't expect her.
Before I could step out of the corridor, Kleah called out.
She was leaning against the wall.
"Senior? You recovered?" I asked, but she seemed back to her usual self.
"Yes? I'm already feeling better," Kleah smiled before scratching her cheek. "Thanks anyway, Junior. It was my fault."
I shrugged at her words. "I was partially at fault there, so don't worry, moreover…" I grinned. " I can't afford to lose my sponsor."
Kleah was silent for a moment before putting on her usual smile. "Of course, you can't afford to lose me," she snorted and threw me the sheet I had given her to hide her face back then.
"Oh, thanks. I'm starting to regret having given you that. I wanted to see Senior's true appearance," I sighed exaggeratedly.
"Dream on," Kleah snorted and walked off, but she stooped midway.
"I will cheer you up, Junior. I would like to see Louisa's panicked expression,' she said before leaving.
As I made my way to the arena, I couldn't help but think about the support my classmates were giving me. It was all because they believed I was the best candidate for this fight. Little did they know, I didn't really care about winning.
But I can't back down now, especially after Kleah became my sponsor. I didn't want to disappoint her and more importantly, I wanted to beat Ronald up.
As I entered the arena, I saw my opponent, a tall and muscular guy, Ronald.
I smiled but…
Louisa…
Ronald's elder sister.
As a caring sister, she will surely watch this match.
Whatever.
As I stepped into the arena, the deafening cheers of the academy students greeted me. The energy was electric, and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, but the excitement was too much to contain.
Ronald was a few meters away from me, and as he saw me, he laughed. "You took your time, Edward. I thought you ran away," he jeered.
I laughed, trying to play it cool. "Sorry, Ronny. I always lose track of time when I'm with Layla," I said, hoping to throw him off.
But Ronald wasn't fooled. I could see the anger in his eyes, and I knew that he was seething with jealousy. The spectators around us grew even more enthusiastic, now convinced that the match was all about Layla's affections.
As I looked at Ronald, I realized that I didn't care about any of that anymore. I wasn't fighting for Layla's love, and I wasn't fighting to impress anyone. I was fighting for myself, for my own reasons.
But Ronald wasn't finished. "I would never have thought you would follow Layla after Aurora, Edward," he spat with disgust. "I will never leave Layla near you-"
"Hey, referee, I'm cringing here. Quick," I interrupted, cutting off Ronald's cringe-worthy speech.
The referee, who had been standing nearby, came over to us. "It's a friendly match. Big scales attacks are prohibited. The match will end in the case of a forfeit or knocking out. Do you agree?" Even the referee seemed nervous.
We both nodded.
"Then…" The referee raised his hand.
I took out my white staff, making Ronald furrow his brows.
"Start!!"
The referee's call signaled the start of the match. I charged forward, my staff held high above my head in anticipation. Ronald, my opponent, stood his ground with his eyes closed, as if meditating. I swung my staff in a wide arc, trying to catch him off guard, but his instincts were too sharp for my attack.
"You are slow, Edward!" Ronald laughed..
His arrogance fueled my determination to smash his face on the sturdy ground. I gritted my teeth and continued my assault, but Ronald wasn't just a pushover. Suddenly, the ground beneath my feet erupted in a shower of dirt and rocks, catching me off balance. I stumbled forward, barely keeping my footing.
"Less yapping Ronny," I said with a sneer.
"You will regret that!" Ronald retorted, and with a wave of his hand, he continued to manipulate the earth beneath me, causing the ground to shake and heave.
I swung my staff wildly, trying to keep my balance as the ground beneath me shook violently. I managed to dodge a few of Ronald's attacks, but one particularly violent tremor sent me sprawling to the ground. My heart raced as I struggled to get back on my feet, my breath coming in quick gasps.
"Arghhh…I literally bit the dust there."
[<At least you seem in good form.>]
'You bet!'
I quickly got back to my feet, my staff at the ready. I lunged forward, thrusting the staff towards Ronald's chest. Ronald dodged to the side, and my staff struck the ground with a loud thud.
Shit!
Ronald seized the opportunity and launched a counterattack. He raised his arms, and the ground in front of him exploded upward, sending a shower of rocks and debris flying towards me.
"Argh…" I raised my staff to shield myself, but I was pelted by the flying rocks. I stumbled backward, my balance thrown off once again.
It's unfair!
The ground should have been made of another-
Fuck!
Ronald continued to attack, using his magic to hurl chunks of earth and stone at me. I was forced to dodge and weave, my staff spinning around me like a blur. I managed to deflect some of the projectiles with my staff, but others struck me squarely, knocking me to the ground.
For a moment, it looked as if I was done for. But I was not one to give up easily. With a fierce cry, I leaped to my feet and charged towards Ronald once again. Ronald was ready for me, though. He used his magic to create a wall of earth which rose up in front of him like a shield.
"Urghh…"
I crashed into the wall with a resounding thud. I fell backwards, dazed, and disoriented. Ronald stepped forward, a triumphant smile on his face.
"It's over," he said. "You can't defeat m-."
"Septem Treina, Thrust."