Humility and Blessings
Alexander reflected on his duel with Lancelot and something bothered him. When Lancelot destroyed his spell it wasn't like when his father used Aura overpowering it. There was a sort of grace and the spell weakened upon Lancelot's strike collapsing in on itself. This bothered Alexander. Merlin tapped Alexander on the shoulder causing him to jerk away.
"My bad. Whats up"
Merlin shrugged it off.
"If you don't mind I would like to get this duel knocked out I have other matters to tend to."
Alexander smirked
"I'm not going to hold back tho."
Merlin nodded his head adjusting his glasses
" Good it would'nt be wise for someone weaker then me to restrict themself. I will assess you thoroughly."
Alexander couldn't sense anything threatening about Merlin so it must've been a backwards joke Alexander assumed. Merlin led Alexander to the back yard. Alexander looked over to see if Lancelot was still there but he had already left. Viviane took up a seat close to the house. Merlin exuded confidence on par with Alexander's master.
"The duel starts and ends on Viviane's command"
Viviane turned red maintaining a cool expression
"Begin.."
Alexander begin casting wind torrent Merlin just observed him adjusting his glasses as a fast striking torrent of wind shot at him like a rocket. Merlin held in his hands what appeared to be a blue flame putting his hands out blocking the wind torrent spell completely. The blue flame disappeared once it made contact with the spell. Alexander was surprised. Merlin just looked at his hand
"Interesting that spell packs quite the punch. Do you have anything else to show me like that?"
Alexander didn't like this at all adding more mana creating a bigger wind torrent the size of half his body but to no avail. Merlin just summoned a fireball of equal power that caused both spells to dissipate into a spiral disappearing. What was more impressive was Merlin's speed Alexander was sure that Merlin didn't say the names of any of the spells he was using but they were instantly there. Alexander was ashamed to admit this but Merlin seemed to be even stronger then his Master even she had to chant the spells.
Throughout the corse of this duel Merlin actually looked bored. This irritated Alexander because this whole time he thought he would be miles above any kids his age but yet here was 2 kids better then him. He wouldn't admit it but Lancelot was better then him at close quarters combat. Merlin isn't even trying even though Alexander was hitting him as hard as he could with his spells. Merlin shouted to Alexander saying " You have to think outside the box. Most people have a measure for direct contact with spells." Alexander's last ditch effort was coming up as he shot a mana wall of water at Merlin who just stood there but before it could get there Alexander canceled the cast letting the water splash Merlin a little and soak the ground. Merlin was confused at what Alexander was trying to do
"Don't tell me you ran out of mana already?"
Alexander never really attempted to manipulate lightning cannon but he added a decent amount of mana pointing towards Merlin's feet half a step away
"Zap cannon."
Merlin adjusted his glasses taking a step back still inside the puddle of water. A jolt of electricity tickled his spine. Merlin created a Manawall of earth to stand on top of. Merlin smiled momentarily as a mana torrent was pointed right at Merlin but at this point Alexander saw a black and white hole appear in Merlins hand as Merlin pointed it right back at Alexander releasing the same spell pointed back at Alexander. This shocked Alexander who created a super thick mana wall of earth that got there at the last possible second getting instantly shattered hitting Alexander like a punch because it lost most of it's momentum hitting the mana wall. Alexander's body was aching from the sparring session with Lancelot and dealing with this dissaster class threat known as Merlin was even worse. Merlin shot a standard fireball at Alexander who reacted with a manawall of water. This created a steamy atmosphere making it difficult to see. Alexander shot a wind torrent which was intercepted by a similar spell causing them to dissipate clearing the stage of the hazy atmosphere. Merlin then sent a piece of earth in the shape of a spike Alexander reacted using a mana wall of earth.
Alexander could hear Merlin loud and clear.
"Play time is over I should get going ".
Alexander just heard a roar as Merlin said words for the first cast since their spar saying
"Lightning god".
A dragon made of lightning streamed straight towards Alexander who was so dumb founded just took a dirrect hit twitching collapsing on the spot. Viviane just ran over to Alexander and began healing him. When Alexander came to he sat up and could see Lancelot. Lancelot was heaving and sweating swinging his spear. That look in Lancelot's eye reminded Alexander of Quicksilver. Alexander realized how cocky he was thinking he was going to wipe the floor with them. These kids were putting in just as much effort as Alexander. Alexander headed back inside to make his exit. Lancelot yelled out
" I'm going to win next time bird brains"
Alexanders face turned red as he was ready to erupt like a volcano. Alexander's pride was hurt after losing to Merlin but he replied
"we will see about that mut. Besides.."
Alexander's face softened up as he smiled at Lancelot
"Even a dog knows when to lay down get some rest."
Lancelot eased up on his swings watching Alexander's back disappear as they went back in the house.
Viviane spoke to Alexander as soon as he entered the room
"Your strong.. But Merlin is different."
Alexander understood that Viviane was trying to console him but Alexander had a feeling that the gap between himself and Merlin was more immense then it appeared.
Alexander did'nt feel like talking but there was a few things he wanted to get off his chest.
"Merlin felt like an immovable wall. Every action had a reaction. With no wasted movement."
Alexander was left with nothing but frustration. Viviane stood in front of Alexander.
"Merlin is Merlin I suppose. But you and Lancelot was very entertaining to watch. I think you guys are perfectly matched."
Alexander couldn't hold it in anymore looking down.
"To be honest Lancelot outclassed me in melee combat. I won off of desperation.. Not skill."
Viviane lifted Alexander's head up.
"Winning is a skill, in a crunch you found an option that wasn't there luck strikes more often for those with an open mind then those who are closed off"
Alexander felt like there was something Viviane wasn't telling him or was hinting to.
"Is there more to Lancelot then what I saw in the duel?"
Viviane looked around then leaned in and whispered
"Lancelot has Immense magic energy on par with Merlin but he is scared to use it cause he can't control it. It scares him so he refuses to practice magic."
Alexander was shocked at this revelation.
"If ever wants any chance of beating me he has to train both magic and sword."
Goodbyes were in order with Alexander leaving already thinking about his next visit. Alexander made it back home before the sun set. When Alexander came in the house his father just entered from the back as well. Quicksilver locked eyes with Alexander without avoiding his gaze. After a few seconds.
"Son we need to talk"