A wind crept up around them, whipping at Mei's hair and pushing it back from her face.
A fierce smile formed on her face.
"Here we go!" Lumi squealed, clapping lightly beside Noble.
Yuma sat up as straight as an arrow, her emotions spiking as well.
A moment later, Noble understood why. The air in the room continued to move by the unseen force, whipping up anything that wasn't tied down. The debris left by Mick's blows was scattered and sent flying.
The dust obscured everyone's vision, causing Rock and the spectators to have to sheild his eyes for a moment. The only one who did not dare to blink was Mick. He knew he was about to face his first real trial of the day.
Mei dashed forward, the force of the wind supplementing her speed. She crashed into Mick, hitting him before he had the chance to raise his club. Her daggers hit his breastplate. This time, instead of just sparks, the daggers dug deeper, creating two gouges in the polished metal.
"Oh!" Mick tumbled backward, barely able to catch himself from spilling onto the floor like a splash of water. He made his body lighter to slow his backward momentum and then added back the mass to mount his own offensive.
His club raised over his head only to be met with resistance he could not see. He fought the wind, but it was too late. The split second of pause caused his hit to miss the princess completely.
With barely a whisper, Mei sidestepped the swing. The wind wrapped around her feet, making her steps swift as she flitted around her larger opponent.
In her wake, the air left an afterimage of her terrifying form. For a moment, the secondary picture was all that could be seen.
Mick swung at the scene. He received only empty air compensation.
Mei had only just begun. With the wind at her back, she seemed to be soaring around the arena like a robin with crimson fabric for wings.
If Noble had not been certain the girl was touching the floor, she might have thought the girl actually had the gift of flight. The wind lightened and guided her, making each move look effortless.
Mick, in contrast, had to move with great effort. After the initial gust threw him, he planted his feet firmly and weighted them against the tornado of Mei's power.
The princes caught the slit of Mick's visor with the tip of one blade and pulled it to one side. The man's head was pulled at an awkward angle as he struggled to free himself. The second dagger slipped down to take advantage of the exposed flesh.
However, Mick had no intention of letting his blood be spilled today. He raised his shoulder and elbow, repelling her with the force of a PTV.
Instead, her blade caught the strap under his chin, taking a nick out of it close to the buckle.
Mei flitted away with a viscous grin. While none of her hits were catastrophic on their own, the number was quickly adding up. Mick defended against the onslaught, and his armor was showing signs of wear and tear.
Still, he persisted, intent on defeating the beautiful whirlwind of a woman.
Mick shifted his shoulders and aimed at Mei's legs. She leaned back as if she might step away from the path, and he strengthened his hit to pursue her.
But it was a feint. Mei bent her knees and leapt from the ground. The club swung past her, causing Mick's torso to twist.
When the princess descended, her left dagger sailed at Mick's exposed back. The air parted before her, looking like a rift in the fabric of space itself. Mick felt the air slice at him before the blade of light.
Even with the weight to help, he barely stood his ground.
Mei rolled off his back to the ground, her blades taking another dig at him as she did so.
He tried to take a swipe at her as she disengaged, but he overcommitted to the stroke.
Mei spun, leaping once again over Mick's head as he lifted his club from the ground just in time to deflect her daggers.
The blades of light struck out like tongues of fire, hitting the bludgeon with unbreakable fury.
Mei finished her graceful arc. By the time she had landed on her feet, the princess had left deep gouges in her opponent's bludgeon.
Mick frowned. One good hit now would result in breaking his own weapon in two. He reluctantly dismissed his club and summoned another offensive Memory. It was good he had a second.
He only needed to last long enough for him to get the chance to use it.
Mei was determined not to let him have the opportunity. Her eyes narrowed as her daggers crossed in front of her body. The downward thrust sent with it a slice of air. The intangible hit rammed against him.
It was too much. The straps from his armor finally gave way, causing the metal pieces to detach and clatter to the ground.
Mick's chinstrap snapped, causing his helmet to loll to one side. Mick lifted his hand to catch at least one piece of his armor from clattering to the ground.
He tilted his head down to compensate for the shift. When he lifted his chin again, he met Mei's eyes. He had no idea how she had closed the distance so quickly.
All he knew for certain was that two cold blades of light were touching the skin of his neck…
And two almond eyes were finally quenched of their flames.
Mick held up his hands as the curved sword finally finished manifesting in his palm. "I concede."
"Match to Dreamer Mei!" Rock announced to thunderous applause.
The wind in the room died down as Mei stepped back and lowered her weapons. She bowed to her opponent.
Dismissing the sword that had only just formed, Mick held out his hand.
The princess took it and shook it. Noble was suddenly thankful the young woman had just practiced the skill before entering. It already looked more natural than before.
"That was a very good match!" Mick's eyes were wide with excitement. "I hope we can do this again very soon."
"I would like that," Mei nodded.
Mick made his way back to his seat, not a bit sad that he had lost and relieved for the respite.
"It is almost time to break for lunch. We have time for one more round. Does anyone want to challenge our current champion?" Rock posed the question to the room. As he expected, no hands were raised.
"Then I suppose we are through." Rock nodded slowly. "The arenas will be open for training this afternoon. Class is dismissed."
Mei returned to her sisters and the professor as the room began to empty.
"Mei! You did it!" Lumi pulled her sister into a hug. "That was amazing!"
"You toyed with him three seconds longer than you should have," Yuma scolded.
"I wanted to give him a chance," Mei shrugged.
"That display was very impressive. Your Aspect has a lot of potential." Noble nodded. Her mind was racing with all she wanted to say. "Dreamer Mei, you should certainly hone your skill while at the Academy. Please take advantage of one of Master Rock's individual time slots. For that matter, I could also..."
Rock's voice called from across the room. "Professor Noble, might I have a word?"