Challenge
1938 Words
*At the Demon Palace*
"Demon King, it appears that the Astral Prince's reincarnation is now in the human world", Ryuto said.
"The Astral Prince huh. We must not worry about him. He have not fully mastered his magic power and he can't even enter the Astral Mode".
"That said, if we will give him enough time, he can hone his magic power and he may improve and become a threat to us".
"About that, if the time will come that he will fully manifest the Astral Assimilation, the Abyss Prince will handle him".
"That is if he have forgotten what happened 1000 years ago. He almost betrayed us, good thing we have managed to kill him and the Astral Prince".
"Hmm, whoever's going to be the Abyss Prince's reincarnation, we must find him so that we can assure that he is on our side".
*At Yoru's House*
"What the hell do you want with me"? Yoru asked the man standing in front of his door.
"I want you to come to my house tonight".
"Why is that so? Are you interrogating me about what happened to your daughter"?
"Nope, we just want to discuss something with you".
"Yes, if that's all. I'll come with you. Please keep it brief because I have to attend the Academy tomorrow".
They begin to walk towards Akari's House. Soon enough, they have reached the house. It's also a palace comparable to the Wizard King's palace.
"It's huge. As expected of the Four Great Families".
"Shall we come in then now, Shu"?
"How did you know my name"?
"Akari told me about you. You managed to defeat her in the practice matches. You can even use Mana Zone. You are talented".
"So she have told you about me huh".
"Let's save the chat later. Come in Shu".
"Excuse me", Shu said as he enters the palace.
"Come here, Shu".
"You must be Shu, the one who saved our daughter". Akari's mother said.
"Yes. Good evening to the both of you. I'm Shu Iwasaki. Nice to meet you". Shu said as he bows on Akari's parents.
"No need to be formal with us. By the way let us introduce ourselves. I am Akari's mother, my name is Yui Futatsugi".
"And I am Akari's father, my name is Soma Futatsugi. Once again, thank you for saving our daughter".
"Oh you're welcome".
"Have a sit".
"Thank you".
"Do you want some tea"?
"I'll have some. Thank you".
"Then, what do you want to discuss with me"?
"We've never heard of the Iwasaki Family before. Do your parents have royal blood? For one to be able to use Mana Zone, you must have-", Soma didn't managed finish speaking as Shu immediately replied.
"Stop. Don't talk about my parents. I don't know where they are not what happened to them".
"Oh, we're sorry Shu, we didn't know that that is the case. Please forgive us".
"Please proceed with the thing you want to discuss with".
"We want you to help us save our daughter".
Yoru's surprised from what he just heard.
"From what"?
"From the Prince of Diamond Kingdom".
"Diamond Kingdom's Prince!? What does the Prince have to do with this"?
"The Prince plan on marrying our daughter".
"What's wrong with that? The two of them are from Royal Families".
"The problem is that we don't want our daughter to marry someone she doesn't love. We also don't want our daughter to marry someone that's full of arrogance".
"I see. Can we discuss about this on other days? I'm really tired and I want to get some rest. Thanks for the tea".
Yoru left the palace.
"I think we asked him at the wrong time". Yui said.
"Don't worry about it. I'll do my best to convince him and help us with our situation". Soma replied as he hugged his wife.
As Yoru walked out of the palace, he noticed someone practicing.
"That's... World Tree Magic".
The man who is practicing noticed Yoru
"What do you want"?
"Oh nothing, I've just noticed you were training".
"Of course, the Magic Competition will be held in less than one month. As a representative of the second year, I must not embarrass myself".
Huh? Second year? Don't tell me that he's the one Sora is referring to.
"What's your name"?
"I'm Asahi, Asahi Futatsugi. Nice to meet you, the man who saved my little sister, Shu Iwasaki".
"So you already know about me huh".
"Of course, my sister have told me about you. I also saw you battle her during the practice matches. I wish to fight you one day".
"It's an honor that the heir of the Futatsugi Family have taken interest on me. I'm grateful".
"You sure do know how to sweet talk huh. Then, what's your plan now"?
"What do you mean"?
"About the Magic Competition. Do you think you can participate in it"?
"I think so".
"For one to be able to use Mana Zone, one must have vast amount of mana. It just means that those who have the royal blood have the chance to use Mana Zone".
"Say it. What do you want to point out"?
"Answer this spell. Mana Zone: World Tree Magic: Seal of the Great Tree Ash"!
"Mana Zone: Lightning Magic: Thunder God's Armor"!
Shu immediately moved fast to dodge the spell.
"Hoo, good thing I have dodged that".
"You have really piqued my interest, Shu Iwasaki. I'll see you at the practice for the representatives. Don't ever lose until that day comes. I will defeat you".
"I don't know what the hell do you want with me but, I will make sure to not lose in any of my matches. I will not lose".
"Well then, guess there is nothing more to talk with here. I'm off now". Yoru said as he left the palace and go back to his home.
"You're an interesting mage, Shu. Lightning Magic and Mana Zone"... Asahi said to himself.
Another day has come. Yoru is about to leave his house as he saw someone waiting for him.
"What are you doing there, Sora"?
"Oh Shu, good work by the way for saving Akari yesterday".
"Don't mind it. Why are you here"?
"I just want to go to the school with you".
"Then let's go together".
They have begun walking to the school.
"You have something to talk, don't you? Sora".
"You look serious now so there's no point in hiding it. Akari's fiance will be visiting the academy today. He's a second-year at the First Magic High".
"The First Magic High is from the Diamond Kingdom, right"?
"Yes, they're also the champions in the last years magic competition. He is known for being one of the talented mages who can both use Mana Method and Mana Zone".
Mana Method!? He can use arrays!?
"He also wields a Light Dragon. He can use Dragon Union and that's the reason why he and his school managed to win through the tournament. His name is, Ryusei Kato".
"Oh by the way Sora, what round did the Magic Academy reached last year"?
"Oh unfortunately, we only managed to reached quarterfinals. On that round Akari's fiance have defeated us. I was one of the representatives of the schools last year. I represent the second years while he represents the first years that time. He is truly amazing".
"Then, what does this fiance thing have to do with me"?
"I want you to save Akari".
"Huh"?
"She doesn't like her current situation. Even her parents don't like it. She was forced to be Ryusei's fiancee. Remember the other one in the second year who can use World Tree Magic"?
"Yes, I've met him yesterday. His name is, Akari Futatsugi".
"So you met him already huh".
"Can you tell me what happened last year"?
"At the last year's Magic Competition, Ryusei have taken an interest on Akari and wants her to be his fiancee. Since the Kato Royal Family of the Diamond Kingdom is higher than the Futatsugi Family, they can easily get what they want".
"Of course they don't want to cause ruckus but, Asahi strongly disagrees on that. He don't want his sister to be married to someone she doesn't love".
"As a result, they made a deal at the quarterfinals match last year that if the Magic Academy wins, Ryusei have to stop on pursuing Akari but unfortunately, we lost".
"Now, that's the current situation Akari is in. Asahi have been training so hard to match Ryusei this time. They are both at their second-years after all".
Yoru suddenly remembered what happened last night.
So this is what they're talking about last night.
"Please let me investigate this further so that I know what is the right thing to do".
"We're here now at the academy. I'll see you later then Shu". Sora said as she runs to her classroom.
Meanwhile, Shu just arrived on the school grounds and saw a large crowd gathering. When he came closer, he noticed that it was Akari and a man who is holding her.
"Oh, so that must be Akari's fiance. They are all so fired-up. So he's famous then".
"Do you know him"? Shu asked Riku.
"Yes. He is the last year's Magic Competition MVP and the Prince of the Diamond Kingdom, Ryusei Kato".
"So he is known huh".
"Wait, you don't know him"?
All this years, I'm busy being a Magic Knight so how the hell would I even know anything about the Magic Competition.
As Shu is about to go to the corner, he was called by Akari's fiance.
"Oi, you over there. You must be Shu right"?
"Yes, I'm Shu Iwasaki. What do you want with me"?
"Oh don't give me that glare. I hate it when people who are weaker than me stares at me like that".
"Who the hell are you calling weaker"?
"You don't know me, do you? Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ryusei Kato, from the First Magic High of the Diamond Kingdom. We are the champions of the last year's Magic Competition. I am also Akari's fiance".
"Then, what do you want with me"?
"I heard that you're the one who saved Akari from the devils who kidn*pped her. But I don't believe that a brat like you could match those high-ranking devils".
"Oi Ryusei, don't bother him".
Ryusei shouted at Akari.
"Shut up your mouth. You are my fiancee so you have to follow my orders".
"Is there anything you want from me"? Shu said.
"You are being a coward now. You managed to rescue Akari from the high-ranking devils yesterday and now you can't even help her. Hahaha! Maybe you just brought Akari back here to the Kingdom while someone is fighting the demons".
Shu immediately vanished and he choked Ryusei while pushing him through the wall.
"If you don't know anything about me then just shut your mouth".
"You bastard. I'll make you regret for doing this"!
"Mana Zone: Light Magic: Light Blades Shower"!
Shu immediately disappeared in front of him and managed to dodge the spell.
"What"?!
"I can end you life right here right now if I would do it. But I respect my higher-ups so I will not disobey them". Shu said to him as he teleported back in front of Ryusei while pointing a sword at his back.
So fast.
"Why don't we put it to test then"? Ryusei asked Shu.
"Sure. I accept you challenge".
Meanwhile, Akari is worried about Shu.
"Shu"...
I don't like him. His attitude pisses me off. I'll make him regret coming to the Clover Kingdom and being arrogant.
- Writer
