On the arena floor, Tower’s Light faced Essence Grace in what many would say, was the best match of the tournament so far. Both teams had been fighting well over three minutes without either side gaining an obvious advantage. Essence Grace’s Earth Mage and Water Mage kept Harold and Hector tied up in melee while their teams Alchemist and Life Mage kept Lani and Mavis occupied. Teron was busy handling a Wind Mage who was actually flying above the fighting and sending small bursts of wind at him.

“How long can they go on?” Dante asked.

“Not much longer.” Replied Ferris. “They are all going through a large amount of magic and will run out soon enough.”

“All except for Teron most likely.” Kelsi stated.

The group studied the Light Mage during the fight. While he was almost certainly using illusions to throw off the Wind Mage, he was only using it to stay ahead of the Mage and hadn’t shown any counterstrikes at that point.

“Do you think he can only do illusions so far?” Jasmi asked. “We have only discovered a handful of abilities. Maybe he just hasn’t discovered his yet?”

“Possible, but unlikely.” Ferris answered. “He most likely doesn’t have any ranged abilities yet so he can’t properly strike the Wind Mage.”

The Earth Mage had constantly created small tremors to interrupt Lani’s archery but the ground around the team had several vines sticking out of the floor where her arrows had hit. The Water Mage was freezing Harold and Hectors feet if they stayed in one place too long, keeping them moving. The most interesting Mage by far though was the Alchemist. The Mage was a petite olive-skinned girl with dark green hair. Her ability allowed her to drink any potion and then use that potions affects as a spell. For healing this was an obvious plus as she could transfer the healing magic to a teammate who was too busy fighting, but she had shocked the entire arena when she drank a vile of acid and it sprayed from her hands like a fine mist.

“That’s unbelievable.” Kelsi said in shock.

“That has to be the most powerful ability I have ever seen.” Ferris commented.

“And the costliest.” Gretta chimed in. The group’s amazed looks quickly faded.

“How?” Jasmi asked. “Even if she made them herself, the cost of components alone would be ridiculous.”

“She is most likely from the upper tiers or possibly her family are Alchemists as well and provided her with the potions.” Gretta replied.

“So, what your saying is, it’s good to have money?” Ferris said with a grin. Kelsi elbowed him in the side but she still smiled.

“Most definitely.” Jasmi said. “I will admit I was a little jealous at first but the cost alone is hard to swallow.”

The group shared a look and burst into fits of laughter.

“That was horrible!” Gretta said. “Simply horrible!”

Kelsi regained her composure. “We have to take this seriously. We will be fighting one of these teams tomorrow.” The team got it together and watched closely as the match went on.

The Water and Earth Mage ran out of magic first. They kept fighting but the drain on their magic would give them a large headache and cause them to lose focus soon. Mavis was caught in a cloud of choke spores thanks to the opposing Life Mage. It must have taken quite a while but the Mage had grown a special flower behind Mavis that would spray the choke spores when threatened. Mavis quickly went down, trying to breathe and the Alchemist took advantage by downing a red vile and spraying fire at the Enchanter. Mavis was out of the match soon after.

The Wind Mage finally landed on the ground, most likely due to his lack of remaining magic and Teron took full advantage. The Light Mage rushed in with his sword and dagger but the Wind Mage met him with dual daggers of his own. Teron was clearly aggravated at spending the whole time on the defensive and wanted to inflict damage onto the elusive Mage. Light Mages kept their abilities guarded but Teron had forgotten about the crowd watching. He weaved through the Wind Mages daggers but couldn’t score a direct hit, increasing his aggravation. Whether from impatience or anger, Teron cast his first visible spell. It was only for a moment, but the light was clearly visible to the audience. Light poured from his weapons causing his blade to turn a brilliant white and the Wind Mage had to cover his face or be blinded. He quickly thrust his sword and dagger into the Mage, finishing him off with a satisfied golden glow pulsing from his eyes.

Kelsi smiled at her team. “Looks like we have some decent information.” The team grinned at each other.

The match was decided when both the Water and Earth Mage went down. Harold and Hector were slow and breathing heavily but they surrounded the rest of the team and had taken them out quickly.

“Any information from the kidnappers?” The Dean asked.

“None that’s reliable. Whichever family hired them went through outside sources. Untraceable.” Williams answered.

“Since the Tower’s Council approved of you personally training Serist De next year, you will need to find a replacement for your usual classes.” Dean Marcus said.

“All of them?” Williams asked.

“Yes.” Replied the Dean. “And you will have some help. I want Perez as your secondary instructor and Historian Louis will be there as well.”

“That’s a lot for just one team. I understand the Essence Mage but why the rest?”

“Those kids are glued together. Whether by will of the Thirteen Gods or Essence itself, that team will face these challenges head on. You know Dante wasn’t the only one targeted?” Dean Marcus asked.

“Yes, an orphan girl by the name of Jasmi.” Replied Williams.

The Dean nodded. “Jasmi was from the upper tiers. When the kidnappers involved her, they allowed us the freedom needed to train at our discretion.”

Williams burst out a laugh. “So, our enemies have done us a favor!”

Dean Marcus smiled. “Indeed, they have.”

The next morning came quickly and Serist De anxiously waited to be called. Gretta hummed as she tuned the strings of her violin. Ferris sharpened his sword. Kelsi worked through her forms. Jasmi was sitting in the corner, working through her breathing exercises and Dante sat quietly with his eyes closed, focusing on his Essence Pulse.

He watched through the Essence as his team waited. He saw the Essence enter their bodies and slowly convert into their own magic. Their magic looked just like Essence, simply colored differently. His Empathy clearly picked out the team’s nervousness. Even Gretta, who appeared happy just fiddling with her violin, seemed a tad anxious. Dante sent out his pulses and watched as a ring of Essence pushed outwards and collided with his friends. It was difficult to maintain a constant pulse but Dante had practiced all night. The hardest part was doing it without thinking about it.

A polite knock on the door brought the team out of their thoughts and Miss Telis walked into the room.

“It’s time everyone. Are you ready?” Miss Telis asked. The group still felt anxious but nodded together. “Good, let’s go.”

As Serist De walked onto the arena floor, cheers and shouts came from the crowds. Tower’s Light entered from the opposite side and both teams faced Senior Instructor Williams.

“Academy and guests! I welcome the top two teams among the first years.” The crowd cheered again. “Over the past few days, we have seen our youngest students show their skill and prove themselves. The Academy is honored to have such students and we wish the very best in the coming years. Now, Serist De, Tower’s Light, you know the rules. Head to your respective sides and await my signal.” The two teams nodded and headed to their starting positions.

“Remember the plan.” Kelsi said. “Gretta, Jasmi, get those spells off quickly. Then meet with the rest of the team. Avoid being tangled up by Lani and no one look into Mavis’ eyes. She has to have eye contact to charm you.” The group nodded and set into position.

They knew they were outmatched in some areas. Gretta had no defense to speak of and Kelsi had no offense besides her staff. If Dante and Ferris were tangled up with Harold and Hector, their team would slowly be taken out. They did have a few advantages and they planned to capitalize on them.

“BEGIN!” Shouted Senior Instructor Williams.

Serist De ran towards Tower’s Light, advancing quickly but still staying in formation. Harold and Hector immediately slowed looking confused at the new assault. They had expected the team to move forward slowly and cautiously like they had always done. With a quick nod from Teron, the twins started running forward to meet them, the rest of the team slowly advancing behind. Teron didn’t need to act rashly and Lani and Mavis worked well at a distance so the match was turning into their advantage.

As the teams closed in, Jasmi and Gretta quickly cast their spells, but this time the spells hit the twins. Harold was pulled down by skeletal arms and Hector was confused by Gretta’s song. Serist De came in quickly but then passed Hector and Harold, heading towards the rest of the team. Realization dawned on Teron. He turned to shout orders but was confronted with three spirits, surrounding him and stealing his life force. He looked back over and saw Jasmi grin at him. Order’s forgotten, Teron rushed for the Death Mage. Jasmi circled wide, laughing at the Mage as he chased after her.

Lani was shooting arrow after arrow in front of the team but they kept running forward at odd angles, zig zagging through her shots. Mavis kept her eyes open, trying to get eye contact with one of the Serist De team members but they all avoided her gaze, looking around her but not at her.

Ferris pulled up to Lani and swung at the Life Mage. She quickly dodged backwards but that was what Ferris wanted. His swing carried no force behind it and he quickly cast Dash and shouldered into her, knocking her down. He pulled up his sword but was stabbed in the leg by what appeared to be a long wooden hair pin. He tried to continue his swing when pain erupted in his leg. The thorns from the Lotus Rose branch grew out of the pin quickly and the paralyzing pain shot through Ferris ripping a scream from his throat.

Dante wasn’t far behind when he heard his friends scream. He looked towards Lani who wore a sadistic smile on her face. He wanted to shudder at the bloodlust that was pouring out from her but his friends painful scream carried its own emotion and Dante drove forward, anger flooding his mind.

She held a wooden hair pin in hand, preparing to stab Ferris again when Dante summoned his staff and swung it like a club, using the extra length to reach Lani before she could strike. Luck was with him as the staff crashed into the Mages arms. Lani cried out in anger but Dante kicked her in the face, effectively knocking her out. Ferris was still screaming when Dante looked to see an identical hairpin in his friends’ leg and covered in thorns.

“Kelsi! Need you now!” Dante yelled.

Kelsi ran over and Dante pointed out the hair pin.

“Alright, go take care of Mavis. Gretta and Jasmi’s spell won’t last much longer.” Kelsi told him.

Dante nodded and rushed over to Mavis. Mavis was dodging Gretta’s Dancing Blades. Gretta couldn’t look at Mavis directly and Mavis was easily moving out of their path. Dante rushed to her side and Mavis turned catching Dante’s eyes. He stiffened up as the charm took affect and the smirk on the Enchanters face was more than a little unsettling. Dante felt his will fall away and his focus start to crumble. The emotions of the crowd washed over him and he would soon pass out.

Mavis had felt completely surprised by Dante’s fragile will. It usually took her a few moments to catch someone with her gaze before she started weaving her spell Supplication. She didn’t know of the effort it took for him to control his Empathy.

Gretta smiled. Once Gretta saw Dante fall under the Charm, she knew Mavis had stopped paying attention to her. She cast Dancing Blades at the Enchanter and the spell struck the side of Mavis, throwing her to the ground and effectively breaking the charm. Dante shook his head and felt the pressure of the crowd increase. He pulled his focus back to the arena but he was still dazed. Gretta quickly finished off Mavis before she could get up.

And then Jasmi and Gretta’s spells failed.

With a roar, the twins turned and ran towards the group. Kelsi was still helping Ferris and Jasmi was still being chased by Teron so that left Dante and Gretta against an Earth Mage and a Metal Mage. Dante was surprised Ferris hadn’t been taken out of the match, then again, whatever he was going through might just be painful and not damaging, but from how he was screaming before, that was probably a loophole in the enchantment.

Dante looked at Gretta. “Gretta, can you back up Jasmi? Teron must be able to counter her spirits because she is down to just one.”

Sure enough, only one spirit was still attacking Teron. It hadn’t been much time so the spirit was a little smaller than a cat and Teron was catching up to Jasmi. She had good reflexes but Teron was faster. He would catch up with her soon.

Gretta looked Dante over. He was pale and his face was drenched in sweat but silver eyes looked clear and determined. She gave a nod and rushed over to help Jasmi.

Dante turned back the twins that were charging him. He breathed in deep and changed out his staff for two short swords. He was actually surprised when he had noticed how comfortable dual wielding had felt for him. He was naturally talented with the weapons but he had opted for the safer option of staff or sword and shield during the previous matches. It was time to see if his instincts were right. If they weren’t, then this might hurt…a lot.

Dante rushed the twins but if they were surprised by his tactics, they didn’t show it. As they both raised their weapons, Dante dodged to the right, striking Harold on the thigh. The twins tended to raise their shields every time they swung overhand, leaving their legs open to attack. Dante used that to his advantage and was successful. Harold fell forward landing hard on the packed dirt. Hector glanced down at his brother and a look of pure hatred came over him. He rushed Dante again and committed to the same overhand swing. Dante moved left, slicing his sword up and under Hectors arm. The blade found its way between the light plated armor and struck just below the armpit. Hector screamed as his arm fell forward, losing his grip on the mace.

Dante took a deep breath. He couldn’t handle the sensory overload of his Empathy and his Essence Pulse at the same time. His only solution was to take away one of his senses. As the twins stood back on their feet, Dante shut his eyes.

Teron was filled with anger and directed it towards Jasmi. She had her parents cancel their betrothal, shaming him and his family. Who did this girl think she was? She should have been gushing at the chance to be part of a family as powerful as his. Then, she didn’t have the good sense to die with her parents. Seeing her at the Academy had hit a nerve with Teron. He was usually so calm, easily spinning people into his web. No one ever denied him and this girl had done it twice. His hatred smoldered at the audacity she had shown him and he wanted his revenge.

Jasmi dodged a thrust aimed at her back and rolled to the side and back to her feet. She was tired and a little scared but the plan was to distract Teron for as long as she could. She jumped away as his dagger closed in for her side. When she came up, she saw a flicker of red behind Teron. With a deep breath, she moved forward to engage.

Teron looked at Jasmi finally coming towards him. He didn’t bother hiding his vicious smile. She thrust with her daggers but she was aiming at his illusion. His smile only grew as her blades narrowly missed their target and he swung his dagger into her side. Pain shot through her but the voice that whispered into her ear was far worse.

“You will die soon, just like your worthless parents.” Teron whispered into her ear.

She shuddered and the tears came to her but she had a job to do. She had suspected that the Atahchi family were the ones who killed her parents but she didn’t know for sure. Now, faced with the truth, she felt cold determination well up within her. Without any warning, she wrapped her arms around the real Teron.

“Now Gretta!” She shouted.

A moment later, Dancing Blades hit Teron’s back like a hammer. The force knocked Jasmi to the side as Teron fell forward. Jasmi was filled with pain and the force of the spell had knocked the wind out of her, but she still picked up the dagger lying beside her and crawled on top of Teron. He was still dazed from the hit but Jasmi leaned over and whispered into his ear.

“This is for my parents.”

Jasmi struck her dagger at the base of his neck and the enchantments red flare greeted her. She rolled off and Gretta quickly helped her stand.

“Thanks Gretta.” Jasmi said in a ragged voice. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”

Gretta smiled at her friend. “Always my Lady.” She whispered.

Jasmi cracked a smile. “You are not my handmaiden anymore Gretta.”

Gretta smiled. “Try and stop me Miss.”

They smiled but stopped walking as they watched the scene before them.

Dante was weaving through Harold and Hector like a ghost. The twins stood bloody and beaten. One missing their weapon, the other missing their shield. Dante ducked under a ruthless haymaker and turned barely dodging an axe aimed at his head. His dual swords were flickering left and right in complex motions. It looked as if he was tearing the twins down, one single cut at a time.

To Kelsi and Ferris, the scene looked like some tale out of legends. Dante didn’t speak and his movements were perfectly placed. He stepped pass a kick aimed at his side and rolled under the shield that was swinging at his head. Hector and Harold were both given another cut in the exchange.

Dean Marcus watched the match unfold. Dante’s skills were amazing but they were not honed yet. The boy had a talent, there was no doubt, but as he watched the spectacle, he was again surprised by the young man. His eyes were closed.

Dante focused on his Essence Pulse. He had made the pulse a constant stream and had to close his eyes just to take in the information. He could see everything so clearly when he did. Everything around him was a picture of amazing detail and he used those details to move between the twins. He watched the shift in their posture, the angle of the strikes and simply moved out of their way.

He had felt the fear from Kelsi as she broke down the hair pin in Ferris’ leg so to remove it. She felt Teron grow more and more unstable as his rage filled him. He felt Jasmi’s pain when Teron whispered into her ear, and then the resolve that flowed through her, freeing her of that fear. And now he felt Harold and Hector’s fear. The were weakening, slowing and they decided for one last push to take Dante out. They never made it. Dante watched as Hector rushed to pull him down as Harold lifted his mace for the final blow. Dante dodged the tackle, feeling Hector fly past him, just out of reach. The dual swords flew forward, cutting into Harold’s exposed chest. He didn’t wait for him to fall. Turning, he rushed Hector, still on the ground, and swung down at his neck.

Dante opened his eyes and looked to his teammates who were motionless. Dante blushed a little but Senior Instructors Williams voice broke through the cheering crowd.

“Serist De wins!”

The roar of the crowd was amazing and Dante’s smile matched his friends as they all came together. That’s when he realized he couldn’t let go of his swords, or lift his arms.

“Kelsi, could you help me out.” Dante asked.

Kelsi looked down and noticed the problem.

“You strained them completely. You have tears all throughout your muscles. Dismiss your swords.” Kelsi said.

Dante did so and Kelsi started healing him. Dante looked over to see Teron being lifted away by a pair of Life Mages. He looked to Jasmi and Gretta.

“So, I’m guessing you didn’t need me at all to handle Teron.” Dante said smiling.

Jasmi blushed while Gretta smiled wide. “Nope! We had it under control.”

“I missed the whole thing!” Ferris complained.

“I have never heard anyone scream like that.” Gretta said. “I think you went through more pain than anyone here.”

“He did.” Kelsi said as she finished up Dante’s other arm. “That psycho Mage Lani stabbed him with a branch from a Lotus Rose. The thorns aren’t deadly but they have a poison that causes extreme pain.”

“Is it just me or is psycho Mage the scariest person at the Academy?” Ferris asked.

The group nodded and headed back to the waiting room.

“Congratulations Serist De!”

They were greeted in the waiting room by Dean Marcus. The old Mage looked very different from when he spoke in public. He looked… happy.

“You put on a fine performance and have made the Academy proud.” Dean Marcus said.

The group stood a little straighter feeling the pride of the moment fill them.

“You will receive your awards at the end of the tournament. Until then, enjoy the matches and learn from the upper classes. Next year follows directly after so take the time to heal and learn.” The Dean said kindly.

“Thank you, Dean Marcus.” Kelsi said. “We won’t let the Academy down.”

The Dean smiled. “Of that young lady, I have no doubt.”