The Grand Spellblade Showcase (1)

[DAYS TILL THE TORNEMENT]

Time passes after Clover asked James what happened to him (how he got hurt). Nothing eventful happens for the remainder of the day, and James does what he normally does, which consists of training, among other things.

(ONE WEEK LATER)

James Belfork is in class and spacing out while looking outside and thinking about what he's going to do with his life.

Willow Winterbourne enters the class and sees that James is the only learner in the class, she pays him no mind and places some documents she had been holding on her pedisital/desk before leaving the room.

(SCENE)

Willow Winterbourne heads towards the teachers' conference room to get something to drink. When she gets there, she asks the first person she sees about a student named ‘James Belfork’, the teacher she asked had been the P.E. Teacher of the school and told er about how James is a useless student that should have been expelled from the school years ago, he tells Willow that James is so meaningless that, ‘if he wasn't a member of one of the 8 great families, he would have been kicked out along time ago’ and that the only reason why he's still passing the years thru the school is because ‘he's pushed up every year, so we can get him out of the school, as fast as possible’.

Willow, hearing this information, doesn't think much of it, as she has seen and been around her fair share of useless individuals.

Willow Winterbourne: (Unfazed) “So what's his aptitude rating?“

Willows' Inner Monologue: “It can't be anything lower than D, since it's near impossible for anyone to get that, especially a member of the Belfork family, since they have moderate strength when it comes to combat and magic.”

P.E Teacher: “He has an F-rank aptitude.” He says while looking into Willow Winterbourne's eyes.

Willow Winterbourne: (Shocked) “...”

Willow Winterbourne: “Why does the school allow such a person to stay here?” She says in shock.

P.E Teacher: “His parents pay the school a lot of money to be here.” He says sadly, whilst shaking his head.

(MEANWHILE)

Soon after Willow Winterbourne left her class to go to the conference room, more students got to the class and saw James sitting in his corner, unlike most days when they ignored him; one went up to him to ask him something.

The Students who went up to James asked him how he had become friends with Clover. James told them that their childhood friends soon left him as if they had never gone up to him.

(MOMENTS LATER)

Clover got to class, put her stuff down, and went to talk to James she normally does in the mornings. Clover chatted with James about her day and what was going on since it's the day they're going to get their special training notice for the Grand Spellblade Showcase, which they’ll be participating in sooner or later.

(CURRENT MOMENT)

Willow Winterbourne enters her class and tells her students to go back to their seats and sit down. Willow then proceeds to hand out papers that have the names of instructors and venues to go to so that they can practice properly for ‘The Grand Spellblade Showcase’.

(TIMESKIP)

Over the last couple of months, James Belfork and his classmates, along with all the students in their final year of middle school, had been training up to their utmost so that they could participate in the event being held by the various schools in Zalon.

A few days before the Grand Spellblade Showcase, an assembly was being held for all those who would be participating in the event (For all those who are in their last year of middle school are mandatorily made to participate.).

At the assembly that was held, all the students who the had been given a motivational speech by a representative of the student Council from Zell's M&C High school. The person who was speaking to the middle schoolers had been the person who ranked #1 in the high school version of The Grand Spellblade Showcase in the previous years.

After the speech was given and most of the students had been motivated, there had been a little internal conflict between classes on who is going to be the best in the Grand Spellblade Showcase when it started in a few days.

[IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS]

(SCENE, JAMES' ROOM)

It's the morning of the Grand Spellblade Showcase, and James Belfork is in his room strategizing on what he's going to do for the competition.

James is sitting on his bed whilst thinking.

James Inner Monologue: “It's finally the day of our end-of-year competition, unfortunately for me, it seems that the weakest in the grade will be going up first, till they get to the stronger of us. Since I'll be the person going on first, I'll have to try and survive for more than a few seconds so as not to embarrass myself, but who knows how that'll go.” He thinks to himself, whilst lacking the confidence to do anything.

‘...’ Knocks on the door.

James is startled and stops thinking about the competition for a second.

James Belfork: “Y-Yes?” He hesitates slightly

James Belfork: “Who's their?”

The person behind the door pauses for a second, taking in what James had stated.

Clover Winslow: “Itss mee!, Clover!!” She says enthusiastically.

James Belfork: “Clover??” He says worried.

James Belfork: “Why are you here? This is the boys' dorm. ” He panics lightly, as he's heart starts racing.

Clover Winslow: “Open the door first, then I'll tell you. I can't get caught here, or I'll be in trouble.” She says ‘cutly.’

James Belfork: “Ohh, okay..”

James gets off he's bed and starts heading towards he's door.

James reaches his door and starts to hold the handle.

James hesitates slightly, but he opens his door to let Clover into his room.

After James opened his door, Clover started walking in.

Clover entered James's room, and they started to chat.

The reason why Clover went into James' room had supposedly been to see him before they started ‘The Grand Spellblade Showcase’, as James is the first person who will be going up to the arena to fight and showcase his skills to those who attended the event.

Clover talked with James for a great portion of time before they had to head to the arena, where their skill showcase would be.

James felt happy for the first time in a while as he was talking to Clover. Eventually, their time ran out, and they had to head over to the arena so they could start the show.

(SCENE, AT THE ARENA)

James and Clover split up as they were going to the arena for the showcase.

James got to where he was supposed to be before the showcase was to start.

(SCENE)

James was in the arena with all those who would be participating in the Grand Spellblade Showcase.

In the arena with everyone the, the schools which had organized the event had all been in their seats while older students from the high schools of each respective group had started explaining how the competition would go.

Rep#1: “Gooood moringingggg, ladies and gentlemen.” They say in a charming voice.

The crowd's attention is drawn to the person who is greeting everyone.

Rep#1: "For those of you who haven’t seen this type of event before, let me break down the rules of The Grand Spellblade Showcase! The goal is simple, but whats to come, not so much! There are only two ways for those participating to win in this ring.”

Rep#1: “Firstly, those participating can win either by Knockout! A clean, decisive blow that leaves your opponent lying on the floor nearly lifeless! OR the second, less exciting method of winning, a Ring-out! Force your opponent out of the combat ring, and the victory is yours!"

Rep#1: "Now, how will this magnificent tournament unfold?”

Rep#1: “The participants will be starting with the individual rounds! All those standing here in the arena before you, and those from every participating school, will be situated in the ring, fighting one-on-one for a chance to move onto the next round! After that, we'll see the top students from each school go head-to-head in a true Clash of Champions! And finally, we'll have the biggest showdown of all, as the best classes battle it out to see who will come out victorious at the end!"

Rep #1: "This isn’t all going to happen just today, as you may have expected! It's going to take place over multiple days, epic! So get ready, folks! We've got glory to be claimed, honor to be won! However, that's not just all, you may be wondering, whats the prize going to be for this event!?”

Rep#1: “Thru the various schools that are participating today’s discussions, its been said that the winner of todays competition will receive access to forbidden areas in their chosen schools, as well as getting their picks at the best luxury dorms their respective schools have to offer, but without firther adue and all that being laid out for you, The Grand Spellblade Showcase is about to begin! Let's get this started!"

(Those watching the arena start cheering as the Showcase is starting)

In the meantime, all those who had been in the arena go to their respective areas, and Rep#1 starts telling those viewing who those going first in the competition are.

(The roar of the crowd dies down slightly as Rep #1 raises a hand in the air, with a massive grin on their face.)

Rep#1: "And now, folks, the moment you've all been waiting for! The grand stage is set, and it's officially time for our very first matchup of the Grand Spellblade Showcase!"

Rep#1 "From the legendary Zell's Magic and Combat Academy, hailing from the third year... a fighter who’s known as ‘The One Who’s Flawed’, IT'S NONE OTHER THAN JAMES BELFORK!

(Rep#1 gestures to James, who steps into the ring. They then turn to face the other side.)

Rep#1: "And stepping into the ring to meet his challenge, from the prestigious Northern Arcane Institute... we have the formidable Student#10!"

Rep#1: "The rules are clear, the stakes are on, and the battle for honor begins... NOW!”

Firework-type magic is used to signify the start of the battle. James Belfork is up against a D-rank student from Northern Arcane Institute (A less prestigious and more easy-going combat-focused school).

James Belfork and Student#10 get into their fighting stances as the battle begins.

Student#10 takes the first move and tries to get a one-hit K.O. attack on James.

James barely reacts on time to Student#10’s attack, and tries to counter once Student#10 misses his attack.

James counters the attack from Student#10 with a right jab to their face, followed by the use of the F-rank magic spell ‘Torch’ (A spell that creates a small flame on one's pinky).

Student#10, after getting slightly lit ablaze, loses their temper and starts to use magic as well.

Student#10 jumps back after getting a jab to their face, followed by the slight burn the got.

Student#10 then prepares to cast their magic, which needs an Incantation (Magic ranking from D and above, often need incantations, unless one has a skill that doesn't need to use incantations).

James sees Student#10 prepare their incantation, but he can’t get to them fast enough to disrupt their incantation.

As James is half to Student#10, Student#10 finishes their Incantaion and aims it towards James.

Student#10: “FIREBALL!” They shout.

The ‘fireball’ that Student#10 conjures up is about the size of James's head. The fireball that’s aimed at James goes to him at a decent speed, but James narrowly manages to dodge the attack before it lands.

After James dodges the attack, he begins to go on the defensive.

[TO BE CONTIUNED]