A Deal Between Duelists

Somehow, not only was Ethan not kidding about the fruit topic, but it had actually turned into a massive debate. Even Lyra and Selene got pulled into the discussion.

Eventually, Jace, Ethan, Orion, Selene, and Lyra all froze, before bursting into laughter at the sheer absurdity of it.

The rest of the group just shook their heads, smiles and smirks creeping onto their faces.

"To shift the topic a little," Aurora spoke up once the laughter died down, "Jace and I had a conversation with Hannah."

"Like rank 1 captain Hannah?" Lyra asked. 

"That's correct," Aurora confirmed with a nod. "Since the official duels are recorded, she suggested that our primary duelers shouldn't participate in them at all."

"What? Why?" Orion frowned.

"It's to prevent the nobles who dislike us from gathering more information than necessary," Jace explained.

"Ahh, that makes sense," Orion admitted, nodding.

"Instead, she proposed that we hold private training duels between some of the rank 1 teams," Aurora continued. "That way, we can practice without exposing our strategies."

"So you're saying that I get to duel top level competition and not have to deal with the nobles?" Lyra raised an eyebrow.. "Sign me up." 

"See? That's what I'm saying." Jace pointed at Lyra, looking at Aurora.

Aurora rolled her eyes. "I knew you were going to agree, Jace, I just wanted to hear everyone's opinion."

"I mean, it only really affects the five of you, right?" Felix said with a shrug. "It doesn't change much for the rest of us."

"Alright, I'll send her a message and let her know we're in." Aurora nodded, pulling out her phone.

"Wait, you said rank 1 teams." Astra furrowed her brow. "That sounds like more than just us and Hannah's team."

"Team Christian is the other one," Jace spoke up, seeing that Aurora was still busy. "From watching their last contest, they actually looked pretty skilled. And considering what happened to them, we assumed they'd have more reason than anyone to hate the nobles."

Astra let out a chuckle. "Yeah, they probably have even more reason to hate them than we do."

"So who's actually participating in this?" Selene asked. "Jace, Lyra, Ethan?"

Aurora put her phone away after finishing. "I'm adding myself and you as well, Selene."

"Really?" Selene blinked in surprise. "Why us too? I mean, we're not exactly the most prominent duelists."

"Well, my sister's team probably knows a fair bit about Void magic," Aurora began. "And while I expect them to share that knowledge, it's a completely different experience seeing it in action firsthand."

A small ball of Void magic formed in her palm as she turned to Selene. "As for you, I think that, as a defensive expert, having you in the duels will allow others to find ways to bypass your defenses."

She paused, then glanced at Lucian. "Actually, that includes you as well. Your light barriers are exceptionally effective at blocking spells, and I'd like to keep them that way."

Lucian waved a dismissive hand. "That's fine. I have no interest in proving myself in that way."

Jace found himself a little offended by it, dueling for him wasn't about proving himself. It was about learning and practicing his skills.

But he let it go. Lucian barely spoke most of the time. Maybe he just didn't know how to articulate what he meant.

Ethan leaned forward, his tone laced with mischief. "So… if we've agreed to this, who are we taking?"

"What do you mean," Orion asked, turning to face him.

Ethan smirked. "Between Jace and Harper, those two dueling is practically the whole reason this agreement is happening."

Jace shot him a look. "Are you seriously trying to place bets on a duel that isn't even scheduled yet?"

"Yes." Ethan simply, staring at Jace like he was the unreasonable one.

Jace sighed, shaking his head. "I don't know why I expected anything different."

"Me either," Ethan said, smiling this time. "But even if he's ranked lower, I think I've got to go with my boy."

"I honestly don't know," Astra chimed in. "From the few times I've seen Harper duel, she's definitely extremely skilled."

"I think Harper might be one of the only duelists who can actually rival Jace when it comes to reaction time," Lyra added, recalling Harper's fights.

Jace raised his hands before the debate could really get going. "I don't mind you guys discussing this, but at least wait until I'm gone first. I don't want any more info than that. It's more fun going in blind."

"And you wonder why we call you a battle nut." Astra chuckled.

"No, I really don't," Jace admitted. "I want to be a pro duelist. There's no better way to learn than actually dueling."

"Fair point," Lyra said with a slight chuckle.

Jace pushed his chair back and stood. "I want to work on what Lord Severian taught us today, so I'll see you guys later."

Then he turned toward Aurora. "Let me know when my practice match is, yeah?"

"I'll let you know once I hear back from Hannah." Aurora nodded.

"Sounds good." With that, Jace left the cafeteria.

His frustration lingered. He'd made zero progress with mana condensation earlier, and it was gnawing at him. He needed to try again, to at least get something out of it.

So he headed back toward the training building.

"You know, I'm starting to spend more time here than anywhere else," he muttered with a sigh.

But that didn't stop him from stepping inside.

He had work to do.