A Point To Prove

“Kana!?” Clenn yelled out and ran up to Kana. “What are you doing? This isn’t like you at all!”

The uncertainty Kaito saw in Kana’s face yesterday was coming to fruition. Kaito could see the determination in Kana’s face. She had something to prove.

Kaito walked up to the scene, Evona following him, and grabbed Clenn’s shoulder.

“I think it’s better we let them sort this thing out,” Kaito suggested to Clenn.

“But Kaito… Something isn’t right. Kana never picks a fight with anyone!” Clenn said, worried about his friend.

Kaito simply shook his head.

“Thank you, Kaito,” Kana thanked him before directing her attention back to Iori. “Don’t get me wrong, Iori. I don’t hate you or anything, but I need to do this for myself.”

Iori looked sporadic. She didn’t know what to say or think of Kana’s random sprout of determination.

Ace looked upon the two with condoling eyes and stepped in.

“I approve!” Ace announced and broke the tension. “It’s a great idea to have a friendly match to end our session! Everyone, to the stands, I’ll referee this fight!”

Following Ace’s directive, everyone headed to the stands except for Ace, Kana, and Iori, who all got into position. Clenn, Kaito, and Evona all sat together as they watched the two besties get ready for an unexpected duel.

Ace held out his arm, getting ready to initiate the fight.

“I know you’re confused, Iori, but just give it your all, just for me!” Kana shouted as the fight began.

Ace signalled for the fight to start, in which Kana immediately used a spell to create ice ruptures that sprouted towards Iori.

Iori floated to the side, dodging the spell. This snapped the uncertainty out of Iori. She knew Kana was serious about this.

“I’ll take this seriously, just for you, Kana,” Iori thought with determination.

Iori started fighting, using a Water Bullet spell. Shots of water were launched towards Kana, but Kana successfully stopped the attack by freezing them in mid-air. Controlling the frozen water, Kana launched the ice back at Iori.

Iori, who had fully mastered maneuvering around while hovering, started to dodge the attack. It seemed like she dodged them all, but Kana led her shot with her last icicle.

Mist exploded at the impact point. As the mist dissipated, Iori was revealed to have blocked the ice with a fire spell.

The two smiled at each other. They were just getting started.

Iori raised her hand, summoning a small thunder cloud that shot lightning down at Kana. In defense, Kana covered herself in an earth dome, neutralizing the strike.

Taking advantage of how Kana blocked her own vision, Iori summoned a large rock and hurled it towards the covered Kana. The rock destroyed the earth dome, but Kana was no longer in the dome.

Kana then launched out of the ground from behind Iori and shot a large earth shard at her. Iori, caught off guard, got hit. As Iori was sent flying to the ground, she reduced the damage with an Air Cushion spell.

At the end of the day, Iori was still a low level. She lacked defense and power. Since Iori had a better arsenal, Kana tried to capitalize on this. Iori was well aware of this as well, so she planned to attack with a barrage of spells.

First, Iori used a spell to soften the ground beneath Kana. While Kana was trapped, Iori used the Icicle Spear spell she learned from Kana to launch ice at her. Kana retaliated, still stuck in the ground, with the same spell.

The clash of the two spells created a cold aura that blocked the two’s vision.

Kana tried to use this opportunity to free herself from the soft ground, but Iori utilized her last learned skill to continue her barrage.

Teleport.

Iori appeared behind Kana and launched a huge Fire Bomb directly at her. Kana tried to create a quick spell of ice to defend herself, but it was too late. He was hit and sent flying across the arena.

Iori looked towards the ground. “Water?” she thought. “Oh, it’s from my Fire Bomb spell, combining with her Ice Shield.” It was then that Iori had a revelation. “Combination…”

Iori smiled at her idea and began to bring it to reality by using the Ice Shield spell.

“A defensive spell?” Kana thought as she recovered from Iori’s last barrage. “I haven’t even used an attack yet.”

Iori projected the Ice Shield in front of her, then proceeded to charge a simple lightning spell called Zap. Normally, it would be a spell that shoots a small laser at the opponent, but Iori had different plans. Iori spun around her ice shield, then shot Zap through it.

Iori used the Ice Shield as a concave lens.

The small laser turned into a giant one, making it impossible for Kana to dodge it. Kana was hit directly and sent flying through the air.

“I-It’s a combination spell!” the long-haired mage, Nisteen, announced. “S-She already figured out how to do that!?”

“Of course she figured out how to combine spells…” Kana thought mid-flight, as her internal dialogue pierced the truth into her…

*            *            *

Why am I doing this? Clenn was right…

This isn’t like me, so why did I challenge Iori?

It was to prove a point.

W-who is this?

I’m you, Kana…

I was happy. Getting a new friend, and one in the same wizard class as me! But I didn’t know it could be so painful.

A friendly rival. We were supposed to get stronger together, but you were too good.

You learned every spell I had learned at this school in just a few days, and added more that I had yet to know about.

You learned a spatial spell and how to combine other spells. I was so underwhelming compared to you.

Did you know Iori? It’s my dream to join the Flaming Tiger…

I was happy I was pained when you were invited to join the Flaming Tiger Guild, but you declined the offer.

How do you think that made me feel?

I did this to prove a point, huh?

Yes, you did… and look where that got you.

And to what point did I prove, exactly?

“YOU’RE SO STRONG, KANA!!!” Iori yelled from across the arena, breaking Kana from her trance.

*            *            *

Kana came to her senses and looked to Iori as they both lay on the ground with no energy.

“Y-you’re so strong…” Iori repeated, out of breath from their battle.

While Kana was out of it, Ace had announced the battle was a draw!

Kana didn’t even realize it, but in a last-ditch effort, she hurled an ice chunk at Iori, which barely managed to knock Iori down.

Everyone in the crowd cheered with smiles. For both Iori and Kana.

“Good battle!”

“You guys make the Giora School proud!”

“That’s our Kana!”

Kana couldn’t believe it. She thought she had made herself look even worse in front of everyone.

“KANA!!!” Clenn yelled from within the arena as he ran to Kana, tears erupting from his eyes. At some point, Clenn had jumped into the arena. Reaching Kana, Clenn hugged her and praised her in person. “Kana, I didn’t know you could battle like that!” Clenn congratulated Kana. “I knew you had some fight in you!”

Kana was still processing everything, but snapped out of it when Iori, who mustered her energy to float over to her, lent her a hand.

“Thanks for the battle, bestie,” Iori smiled at Kana.

“I won’t lose next time, bestie,” Kana responded.