Bout in the wind

Danuja nodded. I sensed a slight change in him. He took out a coin and explained.

"Once this coin hits the ground our bout will begin. There are two victory conditions, make your opponent fall flat on their back, or admit defeat. It should go without saying we shouldn't try to kill each other."

I found myself smiling at that. Danuja flipped the coin up, I didn't keep my eyes on it, instead watching Danuja's movements but, I could imagine it spinning in the air catching a glimpse of the sun's light.

Through my parenthial vision I saw and heard the coin hit the ground. Danuja made the first move. He cleared the distance between us in an instance. He was faster than expected but I managed to react.

I arched my spear upwards with all the force I could muster, striking his sword with the loud and distinct sound of wood hitting wood. The force of the strike forced him up and pushed him back. This time as he landed I charged in.

I wasn't as fast as him but I delivered a flurry of strikes to keep him on the defensive. I went in for a strike at his chest but he skillfully maneuvered around it, finding an opening and attempting to land a downward slash on my right shoulder.

In response I nimbly switched my spear to my left hand and sidestepped the slash. However Danuja wasn't finished. As if predicting I would evade the attack he smoothly went in to strike my thigh. I jumped over the second strike grasping my weapon with both hands and attempted to hit his back with the blunt side of the weapon.

Suddenly he lifted his arm and took the full force of the strike. It did look like it pained him but not as much as it should have.

"Did he?"

Without much time to think about it he ran towards me with greater speed than before. I was a little thrown off being a moment too late to react.

With that brief moment of hesitation Danuja closed in moving his right leg between mines and swinging back causing me to fall backwards. Then he held his sword to my neck.

With that our bout was over. The winner was none other than Danuja.

I paused for a moment and thought. This guy, he's definitely strong. Though with all of that training he was doing it would be odd if he had nothing to show for it. Danuja smiled and helped me up the tense feeling I got from him before disappearing.

"That was a great match, you're good."

I took his outstretched hand and stood up. I wasn't too displeased that I lost but losing doesn't feel good either. He is indeed strong though not on the level of that guy.

I thought since this was a mage academy there wouldn't be any skilled physical combatants. Seems I was sorely mistaken.

I have a lot I need to improve on. Starting tomorrow I'll find Prim's library and study various things to help me develop.

"Yea it was, eye opening. You're much stronger than I first thought. You might just be one of the strongest, well as far as first years go."

Danuja nodded in disagreement

"Haha, no, no not by a long shot. For starters there's my mentor and sister. There are plenty of people who I would even consider powerhouses. Their skills are truly terrifying."

He gave a light hearted smile while talking.

"Ahh, I still have a long way to go."

Hmm

"Your sister is Miss Akari Takezo, correct?"

He looked a me, a bit surprised

"Yes I'm her younger brother. Brian have you met my sister before?

Danuja responding to me and asking me his own question gave me a quizative look.

"No, at least not directly. She was a speaker at the orientation. I attended it the other day and saw her."

"It's easy to guess you two have some ties. You have the same last name after all."

"Oh."

Danuja gave me another look of surprise

"Well you see, my sister knows many people. So I would have been surprised if you had a connection with her. I see, I guess not."

He smiled awkwardly, rubbing his head. Placing his sword in a sheath he walked closer to me. It seemed like he wanted to say something else. But right then someone appeared.

The wind continued to sweep through out the arena, less erratic than before. The man seemingly materialized out of the blue. His strides exuded a sense of confidence and indifference.

His hair that was flowing in the wind was a striking yellow barely passing as blond. A thick pair of black shades was perched on his nose obscuring his eyes and expression. He wore a black blazer and matching slacks. With a red sash that nearly touched the ground tied around his waist.

His yellowish orange button down partially undone with a frilly collar gave an air of flamboyance.

He continued his stride towards us only stopping once he was up close. The surrounding area was tense for a moment. But only for so, because Suddenly he started clapping.

A light and crisp sound reverberated throughout the arena. At this point some of the other students attention turn was drawn in our direction.

"That was a nice match ten out of ten."

He smiled still clapping his hands as he spoke.

"Why don't you boys come with me. I'm Hernando Creed from the disciplinary committee.