4-7: Then try it

 Leonard’s Point of View

“Please, join us.”

“I’m too busy for that…”

We were in the infirmary. Before the team fight started we needed a third person with us, so I decided to ask Amelie to join us. The reason? Her magic makes her immune to most of the attacks, having her would be having a free win.

“We need you.”

“Any other student would be a better option. You’re literally fighting against first year students.”

“We can’t take the risk.”

“I know everyone in this academy respects and admires you. But for me every student has the same value, I’m not gonna prioritize you just for being you."

“I see…”

I usually would accept what she was saying and then I would leave, but in this situation, I was required to use everything I could.

“Now that I remember, your father owes me some favors.”

“...”

She didn’t respond. No matter how strong her values were, she always would do something that would benefit his father. This was a weakness I was able to use.

“I’m gonna ask him, and you know what will be the answer.”

“...Just give me a few days to prepare.”

“Don’t worry, we have time.”

“At least tell me where we're going to fight.”

“I got this place.”

I showed a map with an “X” in a stadium not too far from here. It had a good size so everyone could see us without any problem.

“I'll create a barrier so our words don't leave the stadium, that way we can speak without holding back.”

“...I just wanna know, we’re gonna use magic to weaken our spells?”

“No, the pain of a full strength spell could make them surrender.”

“...That’s one of the reasons I don’t like you.”

“Good luck on the preparations.”

We left the infirmary and went to my classroom so we could discuss a strategy. On the way, I noticed that Mary was looking at the floor with a weird expression, so I tried to cheer her up.

“Don’t worry, we can win.”

“...”

“I consider you a great magician, this is gonna be easy for you.”

“...It’s not that…”

“Hmm?”

That concerned me, what could be a problem for her? Maybe she felt sick and was worried about not being able to fight during the day.

“You can rest, I need you in the best possible condition.”

“...I’m okay, let’s go to the classroom.”

“If you say so…”

I could have pushed myself a little harder, but I needed to focus on finding a way to win the challenge. Even when victory is assured, being overconfident could lead to failure.

The days passed until the moment was finally here.

“It’s about to start! The long awaited fight is finally here!”

As we waited, the stadium was full of students and even teachers. One of my classmates offered to narrate the fight, so he was screaming using sound magic to amplify his own voice.

Both teams were in different rooms on opposite sides of the stadium, so once we are out from here, we’re gonna be able to see each other.

“First of all! We have the team who received this challenge!”

A door in front of us slowly opened, so we started walking to the outside.

“Let’s win, for the future of magic.”

“Yes…”

“You’re the leader…”

When we were outside, everyone was screaming with excitement. The outcome was already decided, but I guess seeing it like this must be exciting for them.

“First of all, the strongest young magician and the leader of the team, Leonard!”

“...”

“At his right, the girl known as the assistant of the strongest, the genius of illusions and the girl with the prettiest hair, Maria!”

“They really like my hair that much?”

“And surprisingly, on the left, the daughter of the kingdom's greatest doctor, an expert in human anatomy and an unattainable beauty in more ways than one! Amelie!

“What a lame joke…”

This was just like any other practice fight, so we were using our uniforms. comfortable for fighting and with a good aspect, there was no reason to use something different.

If someone wonders, we asked him to not use our last names, everything is easier if we ignore things like status.

“Now, the others gave me a script for their presentations, give me a second…”

He pulled out from his pocket a crumpled paper while the door from the other side opened. I was able to see my opponents, and their clothes were…unexpected.

“Okay…according to the numbers, I must present first…At the left! We have the reason most of us have clothes and notebooks, and the girl with the best aim in our academy, Cloe!”

“Greetings.”

She was wearing a long black coat, black shorts, and black boots. In short, a peculiar black ensemble.

“On the left, the musical genius with mastery in practically every instrument, the musician of expectations and affection, Fran!”

“Thanks for reading that…”

He was wearing black clothes that denoted elegance and below those clothes I saw a black T-shirt. Probably both were matching.

“And finally, the one who made this event exist in the first place. Comedian, actor, the man who brings smiles…We have! Thomas!”

“It’s showtime.”

His red eccentric clothes and hat were undeniably impressive, and his smile…He was confident.

“Fighters! Select your first fighter!”

Due to the rules, we were forced to be the first to select our fighter. That was bad, but we can handle it.

We agreed that I would be the last, so I waited to see who’s gonna offer to start.

“Excuse me.”

Mary took some steps, she was ready for this.

“Oh, then it’s my turn.”

The one who approached us was Cloe, looks like we’re gonna get our objective from the start.

“I hope we have fun in this fight.”

“...Same…”

“The rest of the team can go with the crowd! Fighters! Get ready!”

Before going to our seats, I dedicated a few words to Maria.

“Win this.”

“There’s no other option.”

As I walked away, I was able to hear Thomas' voice.

“Give us a great show.”

“I’m gonna do it.”

Thus, the battle that will allow us to create a future has begun.