June 515, Tuatri Academy Graduation Day
"This is a momentous occasion for all of our graduates. Today, you move beyond the world of learning and enter the world of development.
You will develop your academics. You will develop your essence and even your ranks. You will develop your connections and skills. The world is your oyster. Your opportunities are endless, only as long as you dare to improve.
With many of you on the threshold of adulthood, your futures are bright. Now, I will call upon your names. Come forth on this stage upon which I stand to receive your certificate of graduation.
…
And finally, an unexpected early graduation, President of the Student Council, Markus Windwave." Charlotte said
The crowd exploded in murmurs as Markus walked on the stone stage to receive his certificate from Haroldson.
As he grabbed his certificate, he went to the speaker's lectern.
"I know this will come as a surprise to all of you, but indeed, I am graduating two years early.
I would like to thank the academy staff for supporting us throughout the year and I would like to thank my fellow council members for their efforts which led us to a record victory against Gallion and a draw against the mighty Royal Academy.
This is also my farewell to them. But most importantly, this is my final process as president. To bring absolute certainty, the vice-president and I will engage in an all out battle for the seat of President. She will prove worthy of this position." Markus said as he looked toward the left, where Helen stood waiting, in her combat suit.
"What are you doing?" The headmistress whispered to him
"Closure." Markus replied as he moved toward Helen.
The headmistress clenched her jaw as she placed a dome-barrier.
"Are you ready?" Markus asked
"I am." Helen replied
"Alright. Shoot a drop of water. When it hits the ground we'll start." Markus said
Helen's essence surged and transformed directly into ice, creating an armour around her
Markus meanwhile let his essence flow into the whole zone and disturb the space.
'Remember to stay balanced. If I force whirlwind I need to pull back entirely and wait for some intuition.' Markus reminded himself
Helen shot forth a drop of water, they both watched it land and then stood still.
'I don't know how he moved so quickly back then but it's likely his trump card. He will use it to deal a decisive blow, so I need to be on guard against him. He even sent his essence forth— does he need it to move quickly?' Helen thought as she analysed Markus
'She's waiting for me to move using the technique. Anax did say I used it unconsciously when they came back so she knows I have it. I did say I won't hold back but I equally can't use it with this many eyes on me. If I kicked up a dust screen then maybe I could— but let's make this battle last a while for Helen to show off.' Markus thought as he stepped forward toward her
'If he uses the Wind's Path I might just strangle him—' Charlotte thought as she saw Markus take a step
Markus' essence shot forth and engulfed Helen before growing extremely dense.
Her movement slowed down as a result when she tried to escape the essence zone. Feeling the oppression, she instead released her own essence zone which stood close to her, covering only a 3 metre radius.
'She can still move quite well, I still can't make a dense zone with wind resistance like those wind experts did in Crimson City… or at least as dense.' Markus thought as he failed at crippling Helen's movement
He created ten blades of whirlwind in an instant and rushed toward Helen.
A myriad of ice tentacles shot from her essence zone and went to wrap themselves around Markus, aiming to strangle him like prey.
Markus swiped his swords and cut through the tentacles. As he did cut them however, they exploded and sent forth hundreds of shards of ice right into Markus. When they made contact with his shell, the shell exploded, causing a concussive shockwave that sent Helen flying. She got pushed with her back to the very barrier.
Miniature spears of whirlwind began to form as the essence zone was absorbed by the swirling weapons.
Helen expanded her essence zone and created a wave under her feet.
'I need to dodge those spears—' Helen said as she rode the wave toward Markus, aiming to duck under the spears
Markus however flew to the skies and sent bullets of whirlwind against the ice projectiles coming for him. Then instead of shooting the spears at Helen, he aimed them straight down whilst simultaneously conjuring another essence shell.
B-B-B-BOOM
The spears resounded like explosions as they shattered the ground.
Helen encased herself in a massive ice formation that shattered with the impact of the shockwave. She remained unscathed but the ground she would have to navigate was wrecked.
'He flew up and wrecked my footholds— does he want me to challenge a wind attuned in the air? That's suicide—' Helen thought
Markus conjured more wind spears.
"I'm not playing your game." Helen said as she unleashed all her essence into one pillar of unrelenting turbulent water.
Markus tried to dodge but she sent her essence in a cone, engulfing the entire space around him.
As Markus struggled against the water and the overwhelming pressure Helen was exerting on his movement, he looked at her.
'Did he just smirk—' Helen said, taken aback
Markus' essence shell swelled and exploded, creating an air bubble around him that pushed back against the water before collapsing a second later.
But that one second was all he needed.
Markus, in a single second, converged enough whirlwind particles to conjure a whirlwind spear with only one purpose.
"Disperse this oversized puddle—" Markus said to the wind itself as he shot the spear into the heart of the area of water.
Neither of the two could resist the force. The water was dispersed but it was with a devastating force that sent them both crashing into Charlotte's barrier like ragdolls.
Whilst Helen was being protected by her own essence Markus was not so fortunate. Laying on the ground on their stomachs, Markus and Helen slowly got back up.
"I really thought that would actually get you… but no…" Helen said with a scoff
Markus' essence shell was forming around his body as he looked to her.
"I don't recall you were ever this fearsome. I thought water was all about adapting— but instead you resisted the change in field and dragged me down with you. I didn't see it coming." Markus said, praising her
"Don't be arrogant. You're strong yes, probably stronger than me, but only if I let you rule the skies. Down here, I am superior." Helen said, the entire wet area instantly freezing and encasing Markus in a thin layer of ice.
'The strain is really coming in after the spear. Should I surrender to whirlwind and trust in it? Or drag my authority a bit more to finish the battle?' Markus wondered as he found himself frozen
He was frozen while kneeling and trying to get up so he was in a vulnerable position.
Before he could even think how Helen could approach, he saw a spike of ice come straight for his throat.
BOOM!
His shell exploded and shattered the ice, setting him free but he felt something amiss.
'She knew I could do it… why would she do it then? I can make another shell so why— is she aiming for the conjuration period?' Markus wondered as he frantically looked around
"Oh f*ck—" he said before breaking out in a sprint as several icycles were shooting toward him and following him like missiles
'He's not stupid. But my essence is running extremely low. I will guide the icycles to make him come to me and I'll end this in close quarters.' Helen thought
Markus meanwhile extended his hand and sent forth slashes of whirlwind which instantly shattered the ice constructs.
He looked at Helen before creating more wind blades and another longsword of whirlwind after his previous ones were destroyed by the turbulent water trap.
He had three wind swords at his back whilst slowly approaching Helen with both his hands on his longsword and the sword pointed at Helen with a solid stance that was ready to leap forward but equally defend.
Channelling wind essence through his body, he could close in the gap in an instant.
Helen used a longsword too but raised it with her hands above her head like she was waiting to do a simple cut downward.
Markus leaped in with a thrust. The puddle at his feet however, froze and spinned, turning him 90 degrees and exposing him to an attack. This would be fatal— if not for the three swords at his back.
As Helen swung down, the tree blades shielded their master as much as they could before dissipating. Markus meanwhile rolled forward and thrusting his sword into the ground and tossing it up, he kicked up a dust screen.
As the dust settled, Helen stood atop Markus with her sword pointed at his throat whilst he laid on his back as a helpless lamb to the slaughter.
"That's enough! Winner: Helen Aquabourne!" The headmistress shouted
Helen looked down, her hand shaking. She took a step back and threw the sword down.
"I think you'll all be served well by your next president." Markus said with a chuckle
He reached his hand up and Helen extended her hand, pulling him up.
"You better explain yourself." She whispered
Markus nodded as he moved toward the dorms.
Helen followed.
"Why did you stage the final part?" Helen asked
"It's better if you win. You deserve it and honestly, your track record is flawless, except for when you lost to me." Markus said
"You toyed with me. Your movement technique could've ended the fight in almost an instant but you made a show and let me win. Do you realise how that makes me feel—" Helen said
"Oh suck it up. I can beat you later but right now you can't be president after losing. The point of the region is that the strongest leads. They won't dare to challenge your lead after so many just saw you fight me on equal ground and somehow defeat me." Markus said
"… thanks… but still. I wanted to win on my own merit. Not because I need the win." Helen said
"Grow stronger then. Be such an overwhelming force not even I can fight against." Markus said
"Don't blame me when I do." Helen said
"Bring it Aquabourne." Markus said playfully.
He walked inside his dorm but the door was already open. Enrique Bellion was sitting on his bed with his bag packed on his lap. He wore a tan suit with the emblem of the queen's hand.
"I presume you are ready." Enrique said
"How did— nevermind. I'm ready." Markus replied
Helen stood frozen in the doorway. Enrique was a legendary figure and on top of that, he was deeply connected in the imperial vessel plot.
She said nothing, keeping her eyes locked on the floor.
"I leave it to you, Helen." Markus said as he left
She did not say anything. She did not even look at him leaving.
And just like that, Markus graduated from The Tuatri Academy.