The Duel

Lyra Valen was well known in our school. Even I, who had arrived recently, had heard about her and her feats.

A person respected by everyone. Winner of the last magic tournament, a senior like Nina, and like her, she carried an aura that made her feel almost untouchable. I guess with Lyra, it was even more intense.

She came from a family of arcane warriors. Many of them had conquered their place among the ranks of the royal guard. Others had left their mark in history with legendary achievements, like slaying mythical monsters and spirits, liberating cities, and adventuring in search of great accomplishments.

And while her family name preceded her. Lyra was no less impressive. Apart from being known for his combat talent, she also excelled in other fields of magic, being among the top students of the school.

Naturally, it only contributed to her aura of an untouchable goddess. So the moment Darin had mentioned that I'd have to go to her if I wanted training for the tournament. I was certain that my participation wasn't guaranteed.

"You're sure she's the only one?"

"Well, you could also try asking the Cindral brothers, but you saw how they treated me yesterday, so maybe not the best idea."

"And the professors? Can't we ask one of them?"

"You know the professors can't interfere directly with participants like that."

From what Darin said, Lyra might be the only one who could help me. The problem was figuring out how to approach her.

"Have you tried asking her?"

"I wouldn't dare. Her stare alone gives me chills."

According to him, Lyra had rejected the offers of several students who were interested in her training for the tournament. I couldn't imagine why it wouldn't be different with me. I had only figured out how to do the basics. There was no way I could get what others, more qualified than me, had failed to obtain.

"What are you going to do?"

"I should at least try talking to her, no?"

Participating in the tournament wasn't just a simple pastime for me. There was much more at stake. I had to try everything within my reach. The grimoire still seemed like a distant goal, but if I wanted a chance to get closer to my sister, I had to embrace every opportunity.

Darin bit his lip and clenched his fist as if holding to contain something from inside him to explode. And then, unable to contain himself, he exploded like a volcano, jumping up from the bed and facing me with determined eyes, his legs apart and hands on his hips.

"Then it's settled, tomorrow we'll talk to her."

"Weren't you about to give up?"

"If you're going to try, I can't give up that easily."

What was that supposed to mean?

He lay back down, getting ready to sleep.

"Tomorrow is going to be a long day," he muttered to himself.

I went to my bed as well. Somehow, I'd have to find a way to convince Lyra to train me. I could only imagine what it would be like to have a winner as my mentor. My chances would surely rise a lot.

Hah, as if that were even possible.

But for now, I had to rest. Because, as he had said. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

***

Darin knew where to find Lyra. She usually spent her time during the class breaks near the combat magic building.

We were walking down the hallways when we noticed the flow of students intensifying as we got closer. It was hard to walk through so many people. My body bumped into the shoulders of many others, and sometimes it felt like they were carrying me, walking even if I didn't want to.

"Why are there so many people here?"

"Apparently, we aren't the only ones interested in Lyra's training."

Wait, was he telling me that all these people were here to try their luck with her in hopes of getting help for the tournament?

My chest tightened. If that was the case, I wouldn't have had that much of a chance. I mean, if she were to choose someone, there would definitely be someone more capable than me here, someone who could go far in the tournament and wouldn't embarrass her in the duel arena.

But anyway, I was already here, so going back wasn't an option.

"Well, well, if it isn't Haru and his loyal sidekick."

The voice that came from my side was Kael's, along with his friends, Mira and Brann. They had a weird smile and looked at us with disdain.

"Who are you calling a sidekick?"

Darin tried to advance towards them, but the flow of people held him back. Yet, they didn't seem to mind his complaints.

"Don't tell me you're here to beg Lyra for help," Mira said. "As if you'd have a chance."

The way she spoke got on my nerves, but I still held myself back from talking back, as if her appearance prevented me from speaking ill of her. There was a certain charm to her disdainful manner.

"And why are you here?" I asked them. "If you're here, it's to do the same, isn't it?"

"Oh, don't compare me with people like you," Kael replied. "My goal here is purely for entertainment."

Kael gestured with his chin toward a group of students ahead. They had formed a circle around an area near a bench. Lyra was sitting there, giving little attention to the ones in front of her.

Despite her intimidating aura, which resembled that of a gang leader, she possessed a unique charm. Long blonde hair flowed down her body like a waterfall, so long that it almost touched the ground. She sat cross-legged, observing the people in front of her with a neutral expression.

Some lost the courage to speak to her as soon as they got close, others seemed determined and announced their intentions by stepping into the space in front of her.

"Please train me for the tournament," one of them said.

"If that's what you wish, then defeat me."

Lyra stretched out her arms, channeling her magic into a red stone on her bracelet, and from thin air, she conjured a sword that seemed to be made of pure fire.

Just like the fighters in the books I liked, she was an expert in arcane weapon conjuration combat. Able to create powerful weapons of raw magical force.

Her opponent didn't waste any time and charged forward, unsheathing his magic-imbued sword. He didn't seem weak. I could tell by the speed of his feet, as fast as the opponents I met in online games.

Even so, it wasn't enough. In a movement too fast for the eyes to follow, she moved her sword with precision, dodging the attacker's strike and stopping her sword near his neck.

"Failed."

The guy fell to the ground, devastated. And his friends carried him away.

Darin and I lost sight of Kael and his group. With the excitement of those watching the fight, we were carried by the crowd without even realizing it. We were now so close to Lyra that we could feel the sweet smell of her perfume.

I looked at Darin, and his confidence had turned into worry. His legs were shaking. He was taking a step back when he was pushed by someone, falling right at Lyra's feet.

Kael's evil face appeared from the spot where Darin had been.

So this was the entertainment he was talking about.

Darin's face turned completely red. He looked at me, searching for a reaction. I just nodded and gave him a thumbs-up. I knew he wouldn't have a chance. No one would. But I wanted to show him that it would be okay, that he should give it his best.

He got up and dusted off his clothes, taking a deep breath. He pulled his wand out from under his school coat, transformed it into a small dagger, and assumed a combat stance.

Lyra gave a small smile before advancing on him. With the same intense speed as before, she attacked, but unlike the previous opponent, Darin managed to dodge the strike.

The crowd around them began cheering in surprise, but before we could feel a spark of hope, Lyra kicked his support leg, sending him tumbling to the ground, defeated.

She extended her arm and helped him get back on his feet.

"Not bad."

"T-thanks."

Darin seemed like a different person as he replied in a very unusual way, stumbling over his words. Then he discreetly sneaked away towards me. His face was so red I thought it might explode.

Next, Lyra turned her gaze in my direction, and with her stare, all the other people around me looked at me as well.

"Are you next?"

I felt my legs go weak with all the attention on me. Did I really have a chance? Darin had done well, showing an agility that surprised everyone, a talent I didn't know he had.

I felt a touch on my shoulder. It was Darin. "Good luck," he said. That brought me back to reality. I had nothing to lose. I had to try, even if that woman seemed impossible to defeat.

I took a step forward and bowed to greet her. Lyra looked surprised, but she returned the gesture. Maybe people in this world weren't used to doing that before a fight.

I wasn't actually ready, but it was too late. Everything would be decided here and now. I took a deep breath, pulled the amber crystal from my pocket, and channeled the magic through the magic stone in my hand, conjuring a sword in front of me, using the same thought process I learned with Nina.

It was a special sword, one that indicated my origins on Earth, a katana with a sharp blade. The people here wouldn't know the meaning of that, but to me, it was a reminder of home, a reminder of why I had to join in the tournament.

I had fought many people in online games, and I knew how to fight there. It couldn't be that different.

The battle was about to begin, and I had no intention of losing.