The Second Phase

 Iris took a few deep breaths as I was behind her massaging her back and shoulders.

“You got this! Those bastards got nothing on you!”

“Yeah…thank you, Baxter.”

She gave me a quick peck on the cheek as she jumped onto the arena. Iris’s opponent, Arthur Thornton was standing there with a grave face. His weapon was a perfectly carved wooden wand.

“Ready?”

Osran put her index finger in the air as Iris and Arthur took their battle stances.

“Begin!”

A single flame fired from the headmaster’s finger and flew in the air. As the flame got higher into the ceiling, it exploded into a beautiful firework.

The moment the fireworks went off Iris charged at Arthur at top speed and the fourth year acted quickly by jumping back and waving his wand in the air.

“Earth Magic: Keeper of the World!”

Coming out of the ground was a golem made of stone and dirt. With its giant hands, it tried to squash Iris like a bug but she was too fast. After the third miss, Iris launched herself into the air, her sword still in her sheath.

“Flame Magic: The Sun’s Glory!”

A giant orb of flames appeared behind Iris and released an intense wave of heat. The pressure was enough for the golem to crumble and its master Arthur just stood there with a shocked expression.

“H-how…”

Iris then appeared behind Arthur, not giving him to react.

“It’s over…”

With one quick slash, Arthur’s chest exploded with blood and fell to the floor losing consciousness.

Everyone in our class cheered at the top of their lungs and I was louder than everyone else.

“The winner is Iris Brimstone! Well done!”

Iris couldn’t contain her excitement as she hopped continuously and cheered. As she jumped off the arena I caught her in my arms and hugged her tightly.

“You were amazing Iris!”

“I can’t believe it! I won!”

“Alright!”

Osran clapped his hands loudly to gain the attention of everyone in the room.

“Somebody please help Mr. Thornton get to the infirmary! We must proceed to the next battle!”

An hour went by many battles transpired after Iris. While some were quick like hers others were intense and long fights. Most of the victors were the fourth years which came off as no surprise. They are graduates who were soon to become Holy Knights themselves. Only Iris and Dante were successful in defeating an upperclassman.

Dante’s fight was even quicker than Iris’s. He trapped his opponent into an icicle without even unsheathing his speed and walked off the arena casually. I couldn’t help but be amazed by such a display of power.

“Next is…Baxter Ale!”

I raised my head as Osran called my name. I straightened myself and walked onto the stage while wearing a very nervous smile. As I walked into the arena, everyone was giggling expecting me to lose. The only one cheering for me and hoping for my victory was Iris.

“Go get ‘em, Baxter!”

I turned back to Iris and gave her a thumbs-up. I walked to the center of the arena where Osran was standing. The old headmaster had a weird grin plastered on his face.

“Alright, Mr. Ale your opponent will be…Annie Virian!”

“…Huh?”

Coming onto the stage was a girl with pale skin and slate-blue eyes. She was buxom and had a curvy body while she had long milky white hair with side-swept bangs. With every step she took, the sound of her shoes sounded like the clicks of flint and steel ready to ignite. Everyone stared at her with their mouths nearly hung open like fools, because to them she was like a goddess walking among mortals.

She is the Princess of Eleiweth and the strongest student in the entire academy. The one rumored to be on the same level as the Hero of Light.

Annie Virian, the daughter of King Edward was going to be my opponent and the obstacle in my way to pass the exams.

“…Son of a bitch.”