Since Tuatri hosted the last encounter with Gallion, it was now Gallion's turn. This also meant Markus was going to see a new city. They got in a long transport vehicle which effectively fit over 20 people but this time it only needed to fit 8 people. One driver, two guards and five student council members. Markus would've had more but he needed some to hold down the fort back at Tuatri.
So competing against Gallion was Markus, Triss, Meer, Spence and Vern.
Amy and Helen were left behind because they were critical to the operation of the council. With Markus absent, Helen was the de facto leader and Amy was critical with administrative tasks. Triss and Meer were in the disciplinary committee so they were good choices, whilst Spence and Vern merely wanted to prove themselves and test their skill after ascending to rank 3. Markus had to show up since at worst he'd need to step in and do something crazy again and at best he'd just be there as the figurehead.
When they arrived at the academy of Gallion, they were warmly welcomed by the headmaster.
"You must be president Markus Windwave, welcome." The headmaster said, warmly shaking his hand with both hands
"Thank you for having us." Markus replied in a friendly manner
"We are ready with the preparations, would you like to see the venue and refresh yourselves?" the headmaster asked
"We would, much obliged." Markus replied
'I hate talking like that–' Markus admitted inwardly
"This way please." he led
The headmaster led them to a massive hall. The walls were carved and emptied to allow spectators all around. There were already hundreds of students there to see the stars of Gallion Academy in action and several interested staff. Markus looked around and noted there were quite a few adults around beside the students.
"May I ask why there are quite so few matured individuals at this event?" Markus asked politely
"Naturally. Academy competitions attract the parents of future students, or their proxy. They use these displays of strength to inform their decision of where to send their children when they are the appropriate age." the headmaster said
"Forgive my forwardness, but is that not illogical? In all truth we are the best and strongest individuals. The children of these individuals are extremely unlikely to reach the same standard as us." Markus said
"Everyone considers their child special. We simply oblige them." the headmaster said before showing them to a hall with several rooms.
"Your changing room is over there. The competition will begin within the hour." he said
"Thank you. We will be ready." Markus said before heading in with his group.
They all got changed into their combat suits and had light snacks and water. Then they went out.
The headmaster announced their entry.
"On behalf of the Tuatri Academy, we have present:
President Markus Windwave, Rank 3 Learned of the Wind.
Executive of the Disciplinary Committee, Meer Cheek, Rank 3 Learned of the Flame
Executive of the Disciplinary Committee, Triss Mercer, Rank 3 Learned of the Stone
Executive of the Administrative Committee, Spence Bitta, Rank 3 Learned of the Flame
Executive of the Administrative Committee, Vern Wilder, Rank 3 Learned of the Waters" he said
Then a group of another five walked in
"On half of our Gallion Academy, we have present:
President Guild Marsh, Rank 4 Expert of the Wind
Assistant to the Disciplinary Committee, Cain Tar, Rank 4 Expert of the Stone
Assistant to the Disciplinary Committee, Karim Tien, Rank 4 Expert of the Water
Assistant to the Disciplinary Committee, Siren Wells, Rank 4 Expert of the Flame
Assistant to the Disciplinary Committee, Kona Cell, Rank 4 Expert of the Water" he announced proudly
'Oh fuck me' Markus sighed inwardly
The jaws of everyone present dropped. A whole rank difference across the board. It seemed Gallion refused to play nicely– especially with their substitutions. The apparent conclusion was that Tuatri would lose.
Appearances can be deceiving.
Once the match began, a flurry of whirlwind slashes that appeared out of thin air began to cut down and bombard the enemies. They did not know where they were coming from or how– but it was as if a lesser spirit of wind had descended on them.
Under such a mass of attacks, Markus only said one word to his group.
"Let loose."
Another range of attacks flew at all the opponents. They were oppressed and overwhelmed. Whirlwind tearing their defences and then their bodies paired with a plethora of ranged attacks which only broke them down further– they were victims of a shooting squad.
Cain tried to raise a wall of enduring stone to shield his group from the frontal attacks however that was when Markus himself shot forth a spear of layered whirlwind. It was not as overwhelmingly powerful and costly as the one he used against Fin, but it was enough to shatter Cain's wall with a single blow.
The dust from the collapse of the wall created a dust screen and with all the commotion around, Markus extended his essence zone. It stretched across to his opponents into direct alleys as opposed to a wide area. And then he commanded the oxygen to leave.
Among so much commotion they couldn't really feel the oppressive force of Markus' essence zone, as they were equally oppressed by the barrage of attacks. But soon enough, one by one… they all dropped to the ground unconscious.
The dust settled and it was only Markus and his cohort who remained standing, unharmed. The only remarkable thing about their state was that they all breathed a bit hard due to the signs of essence depletion and focus required to lay down oppressive fire to suppress five experts– but all in all they did it. Mostly thanks to Markus' stupidly large essence reserves which allowed him to extensively cast whirlwind slashes at the enemy until their combat suits, essence shells and flesh bodies were torn and tattered. The oxygen deprivation was just the cherry on top.
The headmaster just looked down at his brightest stars… and how quickly their light was switched off. Just how quickly the stars of Tuatri outshined them.
The headmaster's eye twitched and after a deep sigh he announced
"The Tuatri Academy has emerged victorious. We would like to congratulate all candidates for their performance and look forward to future competitions."
The medics thereafter rushed to tend to the fallen stars.
"Did they get the ranks wrong honey?" A wife asked her husband
"…no. I can tell their ranks— the Tuatri students really are all rank 3…" he said
"Tuatri really is the better academy then—" she said
"No. We can't tell. Gallion did something with some many assistant members competing… but Tuatri brought a monster to their doorstep. The president has an abnormally large reserve of essence and his authority for a rank 3 is greater than anything I've ever seen. The barrage of attacks he unleashed is pure whirlwind. A stage 3 wind user might be able to use it once in a while. An expert might be able to use it in synchronisation with regular wind attacks and an elite can usually use whirlwind comfortably. His authority is abnormal…" the man noted.
"I see… " she said, looking down at Markus casually talking with his group
"Good job people— they didn't stand a chance!" Markus praised his group
"We barely did anything— you had them pinned down instantly." Triss said
"What even was that—" Meer asked
"My special instructor might've not been able to help me with ascending to the rank of expert but he did show me a neat trick. Wind slashes. A byproduct of a wind blast used as an attack. It is usually not too powerful on its own but it's effective and cheap to use— essence wise. But then I wondered what it looked like with whirlwind and as it turns out— these slashes require half the usual authority of a wind blast. And because they are so stupidly quick it's almost impossible to influence the particles of whirlwinds to stop me from attacking someone." Markus explained
"Your methods are certainly unique. How many absurd techniques do you have now? Three?" Spence asked
"Essence zone control, the infamous spear, these slashes— anything else?" Vern asked
"Well— I'm trying to figure out how to manipulate the wind resistance of my essence zone like Fin did— but I can't visualise it nor do I have enough authority for it. So currently there are still three but hopefully not for long!" Markus replied
"Great- bone crushing abilities is exactly what you're missing. You can crush their bones and mince their flesh— are you sure you don't want to be a cook?" Triss asked
"Ha— wait now that you mention it…" Markus said, thinking about it more deeply than he should have.
They were escorted to the changing room where they took off their combat suits and put on their usual uniforms.
The halls were suddenly quiet though…
His senses told him something was wrong. It was not as deep as intuition from the wind as much as it was his own body feeling something wrong with the wind supporting such unexplainable feelings.
Then the world became distorted.
"No essence disturbances— what..? Something in our uniforms..?" Markus mumbled
One by one his cohort fell unconscious.
Markus used the wind to cut his finger, hoping the pain would keep him alert enough to do something. Anything!
"Nice try Prince. But you won't escape his grace twice." A man's voice resounded behind him
Markus couldn't even turn before he got struck behind the head and knocked out.
Time passed. Enough time to disorient the blindfolded Markus.
"Give word to his grace. We are almost home with the Prince." The man said
'Am I the Prince? Prince of what!?' Markus thought as he regained consciousness
"Remain calm. We do not wish to harm you. But do not force our— WATCH OUT!" The man shouted as Markus felt a massive force of essence
The world felt like it was all crumbling and falling apart. The cacophony of clashing attacks, screams and war cries boomed in his head. He began to panic.
"Stay calm. The Queen sent her most capable forces to track you down and recover you from whoever took you." Anax said, trying to calm Markus before he did something reckless
'Why are they calling me Prince! I'm an orphaned peasant!? The only rule I have is over the wind! Or are they calling me a Prince because I'm not an emperor yet— and I'm just an imperial prince?? What is going on!' Markus thoughts raced as he sat there powerless, blind and amidst deadly attacks
"… yes. They know you're an imperial vessel. And a future heir to the crown of emperor is a prince is he not? Now just relax and wait to be rescued." Anax said
Powerless all over again, Markus could only wait for his fate to be decided by those above him.