Chapter Nine: The Brewing Conflict

“Call the law of nature

Heed my desperate cries

Cool what hast lived in the wind

Crystal ice heaven shall send”

 A rain of crystalize ice poured down towards the vice-captain. I stumbled back receiving the impact of the heavy spell. Mist and dust covered the surroundings and shards of ice were stuck on the ground. When the smoke dissipated a taken aback vice-captain was standing there holding her right arm which was bleeding and the blouse of her uniform was torn revealing the wound caused by the ice shards in her shoulder. Her eyes were in fury, without wasting time she raised her wand, performed a quirk and threw a spell at me.

“Seething fire of judgment,

Burn my adversary

Before their eyes show your fury!”

 The red orange fire blasted towards me ready to engulf me whole. It was exceptionally fast. I casted a Defendio defensive spell but was not fast enough, I receive burns in my arms. I circled wind in my burnt arm reducing the pain I was feeling. I decided to cast a floating spell and fight in the air.

“Why are you doing this?!” I shouted at the vice-captain. I don’t even know her name yet, but for some reason her anger was like a resentment born from a very long time.

“You don’t need to know, after all you will die here,” she said directing another spell towards me. I easily deflected it but a following spell was already flashing in front of me. I floated higher to evade it but a dashing spell was already above me. I glanced at the fire mage below which now has a smug look on her face despite the injuries she has incurred. I took a long deep breath, closing my eyes, and began meditating, when I opened my eyes, I spoke a spell that will change the flow of this fight. I don’t know if I will be strong enough to perform this successfully but it’s now or never.

“Reversa Tatama!” using a basic spell that could create a boomerang effect, I fused my wind attribute and half of my remaining mana in the redirecting spell. And from above I raised my hand and wand; looking down at the opponent I pushed the accumulated power with all my might letting the vice-captain have a taste of her own medicine.

 I panted hard as I landed on the floor. When I came down the layer of smoke from the explosion was already beginning to settle and I couldn’t find a trace of the vice-captain. I laid on the ground, unable to stand anymore, the burn in my arm stung and my body was feeling the weight of a giant boulder. I saw the blue sky as I lay in the ground, sigh, despite the good weather my day just became a disaster, I even missed my second lecture. I close my eyes and meditated to lessen the pain hoping to be able to lift a finger while there were still no wizling passing this way. I nearly dozed off when I heard the rustling of leaves near me. I glanced at the bushes on my left and saw something red protruding. It suddenly jumped, revealing a tall young man with a pale red hair. I think I saw him once, ah, he was also there with Johann, the aces. Why am I being hunted by these aces? Sigh.

 The only thing I could do was stare at him as he dusted off his uniform, there was still leaves stuck on his red hair. The green leaves were standing out in his blaze like head. When he saw me lying on the ground he jolted with surprise. He even dramatically held his chest, mouth agape while looking at me as if I was dead corpse.

“Oi! Are you dead?” he asked getting closer to me. His face was in panic, not knowing what to do. I chuckled.

“Oi, you’re alive, thank the Gaearandys, but why are you lying here?” he asked. My throat was dry, I swallowed and spoke words that I think would be the most helpful.

“Heal…” I said not being able to finish my word. He looked at me pitifully, and said

“Okay I’ll help you.” He then removed the blazer of his uniform and his boots and pants. My eyes began to widen shocked by the sudden development of the situation. What is he doing? Now only wearing his polo and trunks he sat beside me and murmured incomprehensible words. And as if today’s stupefying events weren’t enough I witnessed another mystifying situation unfold before my eyes. The young man about Johannes’ age sank into a seven year old kid. My jaw dropped, astonished with what I just saw. My aching body suddenly felt light, my burnt hand was fully healed although red patches still remained the pain was gone. The wounds all over my body were all gone but the dried blood and the faint scars that will surely be gone after a few days.

I got up and looked at the child incredulously. It was then that I realized it was the same child that I saw when I opened my eyes after collapsing in the entrance exam. I struggled to think of words to say. I opened my lips to speak but decided to dismiss it anyway. I stared at him only to be answered by another stare. This child has a different atmosphere than the man earlier. That man seems so childish for his age, while this child seems so old for his age.

“Thank you,” I finally said. I figured it would be the course of action given that he saved me. The child nodded. It was too cute that I can’t help but pinch his cheek. A child acting so mature, what a delightful seen. His red hair was long, nearly reaching his shoulder and was brighter than ever.

“S-stop that,” he complained brushing of my hand. I smiled at him. He looked away, lips slightly pouting.

“What’s your name?” I asked him as if I was talking to a child, which was also true. He faced me with contempt.

“I am not a child,” he said emphasizing every word. I nodded while suppressing my smile.

“And my name is Mayo Arammi, number four of the aces, healer.” He formally introduced himself. He stood up and did the greeting. I followed suit. Bowing my head, I introduced myself.

“I am Listarte Moria Graciana, first year, and I thank you for saving my life.” I said. I stood straight and looked at his eyes sincerely. He once again averted his gaze, his ears slightly red. My hand reached out to his head slightly patting his blazing red hair. He looked at me with eyes and whisked my hand away.

“D-don’t treat me like a child! And why are you even doing this?” he asked looking irritated and shy. I chuckled a bit and bid my goodbye as I saw mahò users beginning to crowd the academe grounds.

“It’s a sign of gratitude, thank you Mayo. I need to go now, I’ll repay you soon.” I said and smiled at him. Before he could complain I ran towards the lecture and saw the girls walking to my direction. When Antonella saw me she ran towards me and held my hands.

“Where were you? You even missed the class. And what happened to your clothes? Oh my god did that mage did this to you?” I smiled in attempt to calm her.

“I’m okay Nellie, I just, tripped.” I said and smiled innocently. I should make this issue bigger; after all I would be up against a big name. And I think I’ve resolved it for the mean time.

“Then why are you so late?”

“Oh, the talk got too long, that mage was a wind mage and she asked me to be her apprentice.” I said.

“Really? Oh my god, that’s good news, she seems to know the headmaster and Johann so she must be strong!” Nellie exclaimed.

“Is that why she went to our lecture room?” Euna asked. I nodded in response

“I don’t know the full details yet since she quickly left after our small chat, but any ways. How was the class?” 

“Right! It’s a shame you missed it, Professor Joseph was so hot!” Kimi exclaimed. I looked at her with questioning eyes. 

“Don’t mind her she just means the professor is good looking. But anyways the real score in today’s lecture is that we will have our class evaluation. So in the next meeting we will perform and our attributes and class will be officially announced” hearing what Nellie said I felt a small tension building up in my body. How could I miss such an important class?

“Don’t worry we’ll fill you up about the evaluation.” Joanna said smiling gently as she noticed my bothered expression.

“Yeah, as long as you also fill us up about you and the captain.” Nellie said giggling. I shoved her with my elbow but she giggled even more.

“So in the evaluation we would be given three chances to prove ourselves. So basically it would be divided into three parts. First, imbuing mana or sending aura from hand to the scale of magic. Second, direct an attack to the tester dummies. And third, perform your most powerful spell. We should prove our worth in at least one of these tests. And of course although it would be enough to do your best in one of the tests we will still take the three. And if you do well in the three tests, you will be given a chance to become one of the aces, and of course after the due process, but the evaluation will play  huge part, as per stated by the professor. ” Nellie patiently explained. I nodded in understanding comprehending all the details.

“Our next schedule would be Friday, so we still have three days to prepare, let’s do our best!” I sighed in relief realizing I haven’t yet missed all of the important parts. 

I reminisced all that happened today and cannot help but worry about the chaos I encountered in my first day. The relationship of Johann and that mage left me with uneasiness, and that vice-captain why does she hate me so much? Too many things to think about, sigh. The only good thing today would be that cute little Mayo, but he was still part of the Aces and I’m beginning to think that getting involve with them would be bad news. 

Going back to the dorm we passed by the office of the Aces, it was unfortunately the building beside our dorm. We were still happily chatting as we passed by, I caught a glimpse of Johann about to call out to me, but I looked straight ahead ignoring him for a reason I cannot yet comprehend.