Quarter Finals

-----Kaede's POV

I was quite pissed off with Mai throughout the rest of yesterday, but she just kept up her positive attitude with a smile saying "It's not like it's the first time I've watched you two get like that, what's the problem?" I get that she isn't human but surely she would've learnt basic courtesy from living through me all these years. I scolded her about it, I wanted her to just hurry up and go back inside me but she's adamant of staying out so we came to a compromise for her to be in the bathroom whenever we do stuff like that in the future.

We're now entering the waiting room with the rest of the fighters. It's such a large room that when it's just a small group of us here, it looks empty in comparison to the days before. From the looks of it, Marcus kept Yui's secret as she wasn't being bombarded with questions or stares as we all formed in our usual groups, or at least the ones that are left.

Leon: "I'm thoroughly impressed how many first years have made it this far."

Fabian: "I know. I didn't make it this far when I was a first year, so I'm sure father will finally take notice of you Ellen."

Yui: "Mmm, I hope so."

Fabian: "I'm still shocked you managed to beat Marcus of all people."

Yui: "At least that means I won't be facing you this round, haha."

Leon: "Yeah, you might actually fight against Kaede next."

That has been my biggest worry coming here. Everyone else in our group are in the losers bracket except for Yui and I. There's still 6 other people we could face so I'd like to think that we can slip by without fighting each other yet. I don't plan on losing to her anyways. However, after hearing her situation with her parents I also want her to reach further, to show her parents what she's capable of. Going through my thoughts, I let out a sigh wondering how to handle this situation.

Yui: "Hmm? You okay? Did you need-"

Kaede: "Oh, no it's not that. Just hoping that I don't face you today is all."

Collin: "Oh? Scared of Ellen huh? I mean she is quite scary. I still remember our fight vividly. She was quite intimidating, haha."

Violet: "Really?"

Collin: "Of course."

Leon: "Ooo~ And now that Violet is in loser's bracket, you and Violet might even face off against each other Collin."

Collin: "Well I've spared with her countless times before. I can win sometimes, maybe like 2/10 times?"

Violet: "Might be 3/10 times now that you can summon your familiar."

Collin: "Maybe haha."

We continued to chat away as we wait for the announcement from Lucien. I stuck to Yui's side holding her hand firmly in hopes that we wont be fighting one another just yet.

Yui: "It's okay."

Kaede: "I just don't want to take you out of the tournament..."

Yui: "Eh?~ What makes you think I'll lose to you?"

Kaede: "You think you can take control of my magic as well then?"

Yui: "Who knows~ I guess I've never tried to control Leon's light magic. We'll have to experiment when we get back like we planned."

Kaede: "Sounds good."

We kept our voices down during the discussion of Yui's situation with her magic in case others might overhear.

Lucien: "Alright! Thank you everyone for attending this year's quarterfinals for the Inasdale Academy-"

He began to address the spectators as I could hear them cheer at his words, with the rest of us here staying silent while we wait.

Lucien: "I know you all are busy so let's get started with the first match. Could I please have, Marcus von Keller-"

The mention of his name made everyone in the loser's bracket in our group flinch as they held their hands together, praying to not be chosen.

Lucien: "And Fabian von Leinhart-"

Everyone except Fabian let out a loud exhale, especially Violet who looked to be on the verge of fainting from having dodged that bullet.

Fabian: "Looks like I drew the short stick."

He rubs his head with a forced smile on his face, making it painfully obvious that he isn't happy with this outcome.

Yui: "Be careful out there. Don't try and engage him and keep your distance."

Fabian: "Mmm, I more or less know his game. Kaede, can I rely on you again if I get hurt out there?"

Kaede: "Mhmm!"

Leon: "Hey, you know I can heal too."

Fabian: "Then... Both the Prince and you can help."

He begins to walk out of the room as we take up out spots at the viewing portion of room along with the rest of the contestants. This time it was Yui who was gripping onto my hand tightly as we watched the two face each other.

Kaede: "Hey, your brother will be okay."

Male Participant: "If you were able to beat him I'm sure Fabian would easily destroy him."

Female Participant: "Yeah, the match shouldn't even be close right?"

Hearing these two random strangers belittle Yui's achievement, with all the pain she went through only makes my blood boil. "God I hope I face off against one of these guys"

Yui: "Mmm, I hope so..."

Her words break me out of my rage as I intertwine my fingers with hers in hopes of easing her nerves, but it might have calmed down my anger instead.

Their fight began just like Yui's fight with Marcus and the prior, he closed the distance in no time at all. Fabian was doing like he said and is maintaining distance, focusing more on using his fire magic at a distance than to take him head on. However, Marcus wasn't making it easy for him with his wind magic always pressuring Fabian.

Fabian looked much slower compared to Yui during her fight with Marcus, but his fire magic is giving him the edge, making Marcus adjust and dodge his attacks. Suddenly, a wall of rock appeared behind Fabian, blocking his means of escape before Marcus closes the distance once more. This was the first time I've seen Marcus use a tactic like this. In all of his previous matches he just burst his opponents down within a few minutes. Fabian must've been quite an annoyance for him to use a different kind of approach, the sudden change catching everyone watching by surprise.

Violet: "Yup! I'm definitely losing on purpose today, I don't want to go against that."

Collin: "I don't blame you. Having no way to escape like that is terrifying against an 'already' terrifying opponent."

Leon: "At least Fabian has given us some info on Marcus."

He's right, but looking at the wall he created, I feel like I could just break it down with just force alone.

Fabian, who is now cornered, takes on Marcus head on. The speed of Marcus' fists were much faster than Fabian's blocks, not giving him any chances to slip by. Suddenly, Marcus sends Fabian flying, as his back crashes through the rock wall. Fabian was somewhat prepared for that impact and managed to regain his footing. However, Marcus was right there on top of him about to send his fist right into his head-

Lucien: "Winner, Marcus von Keller!"

The crowd's cheers was roughly half the same strength as before when Lucien first greeted the people. Seems as though Marcus isn't well liked by the commoners as I look up to see it was mostly just the nobles applauding. Speaking of nobles, Yui hadn't told me where her parents are seated so I can't tell how they reacted to their son's loss, but surely after seeing Fabian lose to someone who was defeated by their daughter... Surely they must be proud of her, right?

Fabian returns as we immediately go over to check on him. But he seems to be okay on the surface as far as I can tell.

Yui: "You okay?"

Fabian: "Just some bruising I think, oh and a few cuts on my arms."

After he pointed it out, I could see cuts in his uniform with blood stains forming. I turn to face Leon, recalling his earlier remark and decided he could help out with the healing.

Kaede: "You do the bruising, I'll do the cuts."

Leon: "Yes ma'am."

We both begin to treat Fabian's wounds as he remains standing.

Fabian: "You know. You're crazy giving out orders to the prince like that."

Leon: "It's fine. I'm not the crown prince yet, and honestly I prefer talking casually like this. Is why I'm good friends with your sister."

Collin: "It does make it a little easier to be around Prince Leon with Ellen and Kaede addressing him like that."

Violet: "M-hmm."

I mean sure he was a tad intimidating at first glance, but I have no idea about etiquette between nobles and especially royalty like Leon, so I just talked to him like I would with anyone. He didn't have an issue with it so I found there to be no reason to change.

It didn't take long to finish healing Fabian. I wasn't going to strip his clothes off to check if Leon healed the bruising properly, so I trust that he did a good job.

Kaede: "How's that feel?"

Fabian: "A lot better. Thanks you Pr- Erm, Leon. And thank you too Kaede."

Leon: "Better, haha."

Kaede: "Mhmm! No problem~"

Fabian: "I feel a bit bad though. You two haven't had your matches yet and here you are wasting your energy on me."

Leon: "We said we would so it's no problem, right?"

Kaede: "Yes, no need to worry. I have more than enough energy."

Fabian: "Okay. You better not lose then."

Kaede: "I won't"

Just like that, my mind goes back to wondering who my opponent will be, praying that it wouldn't be Yui. I move back to join her at her side, taking her hand in mine once more, hoping to fight her tomorrow in the semi-finals at the earliest. That would surely make her parent's realize she's better then they thought. Ever since that talk with Leon in our first match of the tournament, when I learnt of Yui's life here growing up, I want her to have that freedom, not having to be tied down to her parent's decisions. So I pray in my head to fight anyone else besides Yui.