Koda and his escort approached the large Wind Mage Academy. Tall columns of gushing wind greeted them at the foot of a massive redwood door after a long trek up a set of steps. A nervous Koda looked to Wildeye and Elucard before knocking on the door. It was not a hefty pounding, but a light tap, as if he wasn't confident in his own presence. Afterall, not only was this his first mage color to challenge for, but at the school of the people that he went to war with—twice! How would their instructors react to Koda Dawnegde? How would the students? Would the headmaster even let him in? These were the questions that gnawed at his mind. These were the questions that plagued the very thought of starting his journey with the wind element! However, here he was, and he couldn't turn tail and run. Not from them, not for this. He grew weary of being afraid.

Koda swallowed his fear and knocked louder this time. No sooner than when he did, the door swung open and before him stood an older boy. Younger than himself, but no older than when he first began learning vernal magic. He had frizzled black hair and freckles dotted his cheeks. He pushed his wide brim glasses up his nose and squeaked out his nasally question.

"Yes? Vhat is it?" he asked.

Koda paused, already forgetting why he was there. "I-I..."

The boy frowned and slammed the door in Koda's face.

"Rude," Elucard sneered. With a mighty kick, the door flew open once more. "King Dawnedge is here for a challenge!" Elucard barked.

The boy gasped, frozen in place. "Is-is that so?"

Koda stretched his collar with his finger, now slightly embarrassed. "Yes. I am Koda Dawnedge and I wish to challenge your school for my white sash," he finally said.

The boy examined Koda's green robes up and down, careful not to capture the angry eye of Elucard. "If that's the case, please follow me."

Koda, Elucard, and Wildeye followed the boy through the pristine halls of the white mage school. Books floated on drifts of clouds to the hands of awaiting students. The walls swirled with shimmering dust, arching over doors that led to classrooms, dormitories, studies, and libraries.

Their guide led them up a set of winding stairs to the roof of the school that served as the battlefield. There a match roared already in progress. Closest to Koda, an elven mage with fiery, red hair and a white streak that ran down her bangs. She was as old as him. Violet robes draped down her body instead of the green that he wore.

She dashed and dodged oncoming blasts of wind. She kept her feet away from the edge of the battleground so that she did not fall out of bounds. From her hands and fingers crackled streaks of purple electricity. The lightning kept her wind slinging opponent at bay.

Finally, she clapped her hands, exploding a massive array of blinding light. The glare was too painful for Koda to keep his eyes open and he sheltered them with his arms. In that moment of disarray, he heard a scream and the referee calling out the new victor.

"Trent has been knocked out! Challenger, Raine wins!"

The purple mage wiped the sweat from her forehead as she passed Koda by. "Trent keeps you on your toes. Watch out, he's a tough one!"

Koda tugged her shoulder. "Any tips? this is my first mage duel."

Raine gave him a warm smile. "Well, you picked the toughest mage I've ever challenged. I would say try your best, I suppose."

Koda frowned. "I was hoping for advice on strategy."

Raine stroked her chin. "Hm, I would say don't get caught in his wind. I know that's obvious, but Trent is a master of air manipulation. Once you are caught, there's not much you can do."

Stolen novel; please report.

Koda stole a glance from Trent. The Estinian was well built, stern, and mean looking. His dark eyes glared back at him. They were as bloodthirsty for him as Elucard was for his father. It frightened him.

"Hey." Raine playfully punched Koda's arm. "Don't let him get the best of you. If he sees that you are scared of him, he'll already have an edge."

Koda nodded his head and swallowed a lump in his throat.

"Would you feel better if I stayed to watch your battle?" asked Raine.

Koda nodded again. "A little, thanks."

Koda stepped onto the battlefield and approached the white mage. "I am here to challenge you for my whi—"

"I know vhy you are here, Koda Dawnedge," Trent sneered. "It is all the city talks about right now. Rest assured, In the name of the true royal family, I vill destroy you."

"Don't back down, Koda!" Elucard shouted.

Koda balled his fists until they shook. "Let's just get this over with."

Trent adjusted his thin grey gloves. "Very vell. Do you know the rules?"

Koda began to speak, but Trent interrupted him. "Of course you don't. I shall explain them. The rules are simple. You fight until one of us submits, falls out of bounds, goes unconscious, or dies."

Koda's flesh turned pale. "D-die?"

Trent flashed a smile. "Vorry not, dear Dawnedge king, The school's runes do not allow true death, you will be resurrected...although you won't recover right away. There is quite a bit of queasiness from a false death."

Koda bit his lip. False or not, he didn't want to experience any sort of death.

"Vill ve be only using our base colors?" asked Trent

Koda raised an eyebrow. "Base?"

Trent sighed. "Vhen one vins a color, they may use their secondary, third, or vhatever in battles. However, the challenger may choose to only use their base, as in their default color. Your vernal versus my vind."

Koda nodded in understanding. "Then as I only have one color, I will choose my base."

"Fine." Trent turned to the referee. "Start the battle!"

The referee turned to both duelers. "Step to your appointed sides."

He waited for Koda and Trent to get to their opposing starting blocks, painted neatly on the battlefield. A line stretched across the center of the field as well.

The referee raised up a red flag with a white diagonal stripe. "Duelers ready?"

They both nodded.

"Begin!"

Koda took a deep breath. He needed to be ready, because it was now or never. With a burst of speed he dashed forward. At this range, he knew none of his spells would reach Trent. As Koda made his way closer, he tossed seeds onto the ground. They quickly burrowed themselves into the dirt that laid across the field.

With any luck, I can use these later. He thought to himself.

Koda was gaining ground. In a matter of moments he would be within spellcasting range. Did Trent even know that? Why was he letting Koda get so close?

Koda clenched his teeth and sliced his hand forward, sending forth a volley of razor sharp thorns. Koda widened his eyes in anticipation as his projectiles drew nearer and nearer. The thorn needles were only millimeters from Trent's face, but all he did was grin.

With a single hand motion, he flung the needles with a gust of wind and flicked his wrist. Koda screamed as he was flung high into the sky.

Koda frantically called for his seeds to bloom and shoot vines to catch his ankles to lower himself back to the ground.

"Oh no you don't!" Trent called out with a cruel smirk. He whipped his body around and a lash of wind cut the vines in two, sending Koda crashing to the ground below.

Koda landed with a thud. He scrambled to his feet, but wobbled. He did his best to shake away his foggy head and blurred vision. However, he was too late as a hand of wind snatched him up and pushed back into the air.

Koda's face stretched back from the centrifugal force. His eyes rolled back, slowly he faded from consciousness.

"I vouldn't make it that easy for you, Koda!" Trented shouted. "No, I vant you to learn the meaning of defeat!"

Koda struggled with the grip of the claw, but try as he might, he could not break free. He felt a great whoosh of wind as he plunged down.

The hand gained speed as it careened to Koda’s death.

Falling.

Falling.

Faster.

Faster.

Koda clenched his eyes shut. What else could he do? He held his breath as all went silent.