31 December 514
On the rooftop of the academy dorms, Markus and Amy were awaiting the flame spectacle to light up the sky as people celebrated the coming of a new year.
"A new year. A fresh start. And we get to start it together." Amy said
"Yeah… I guess time flies…" Markus said, thinking how he now had only five months left until he had to be an expert.
"Please just enjoy the moment. I know you've been stressed about becoming an expert but it's not healthy to be so obsessed. You won't tell me why you seek to become a rank 4 so quickly but at least tell me you'll take this moment to be here with me." Amy pleaded
"I'm sorry. I'm here. I wonder if they'll use blue flames— they mix well with the red flames." Markus said
"Good. And I think they will— but only briefly. Blue flames have a chance at burning the user if not perfectly controlled." Amy said
"Hmmm- not unlike whirlwind." Markus said
"Well— every elemental deviation has its risks. Ice can freeze the user and make them pass out. Enduring stone can petrify the user— no great power is without risk and cost." Amy said
"So maybe I do need to gamble my life to become an expert—" Markus mumbled unrecognisably
"What was that?" Amy asked
"Nothing– " Markus quipped as a massive amount of essence shot toward the sky and exploded in a massive firework like pattern, lighting up the night sky and welcoming the new year.
"Happy new year Markus." Amy said
"Happy new year Amy." Markus said
The two youths sat on the rooftop side by side enjoying the red and blue lights as well as the sparkles created by shattered ice crystals.
"It's nice to see the elements used for something besides violence… maybe one day we will see a world where our essence will be used for utility and good– rather than destruction and harm. Wouldn't that be something…" Markus said
"It would… it's a beautiful thought Markus. Maybe one day it will be a reality." Amy said, leaning her head on his shoulder
It was one of the most peaceful nights Markus ever had… and would have for a long time.
With the new year, Markus was forced to keep trying to advance to the fourth rank. Living his life with a sole focus toward the goal, the days blended until he eventually realised it was the day he and his whole council would go to Crimson City, accompanied by the headmistress.
Whilst there were many things for her to do and attend to, watching over Markus and ensuring he did not get in any more trouble or attract more unwanted attention.
Taking the transport, Markus, the council, two guards and the driver arrived in Crimson City. It was an extravagant city which acted like a pseudo capital, or rather a capital for the region of Crimson. It was over 1000 square kilometres in size and comprised several districts. The education district, where all the schools were, was the final destination for the Tuatri transport.
At the city border however, the transport was stopped by the local authority.
"What is the purpose of your entrance into the city?" an officer wearing a maroon uniform asked
"We are here for an academy competition." the driver said
"Alright, how many people over rank 3 does this transport possess?" the officer asked
"13 people above rank 3– I think. Honestly these kids grow up so fast it is hard to keep track." the driver said anxiously
"Then you ought to be told the rules. The use of elemental essence is strictly restricted within the city. Any and all use must be under strict self defence or under exception. Should you face any non-immediate dangers, you must contact the authorities and flee." the officer said
The driver looked back and remembered who he was driving. He shook his head inwardly and thanked the officer for informing them. The officer dismissed them and they were on their way.
Upon arriving to the education district and Crimson City academy, Markus could not help but feel as if he was being watched by a powerful and oppressive gaze.
"He is the headmaster of Crimson City academy. He is a flame master who tests the will of any guests. Since it is the first time they have agreed to face Tuatri, they want to see if you are worth their time." the headmistress, Charlotte Windbourne said
"I see… but why has Tuatri never faced them before?" Markus asked
"They knew they had no chance of winning. Your council members did not even hire outsider instructors. Either they are that confident or they are that hopeless. I do hope it is the former considering your promise." the headmistress said
"We will do our best." Markus said with a stern tone and walking forward
As he stepped forward, he unleashed his essence suppression and let his overwhelming quantity of essence spread out and unleash upon the world, pushing back against the headmaster.
The headmistress immediately walked up and grabbed his shoulder with enough force to crush his bones but did not quite do so.
"Calm yourself and suppress your essence. Now." she said in a stern and frightening tone
Markus' essence shuddered and withdrew back into him.
"It seems the Duke of Crimson was right. The kid is interesting and daring. But now it is also apparent he has a babysitter regulating him." The headmaster said from his office
The difference between an elite and a master was vast. Vaster than any other gap between the other ranks below. Charlotte needed to place a construct on Markus to keep track of him. This headmaster was already plenty aware of their approach due to his attunement to the world and control of his essence.
They were met by a group of 12 students in maroon suits with a red C emblem. These were the student council.
"Welcome esteemed guests. I am Wren Crimson, president of Crimson City academy student council. It is a pleasure to have you." He said, extending his hand for a handshake.
His tall well built figure imposed greatly on Markus. Wren was sixteen whilst Markus was only fourteen. Most noticeably however, Wren was a staggering 179 cm already whilst Markus was hovering around 155cm.
It looked like an adult was humouring a kid.
Markus approached him and shook his hand.
"Markus Windwave, President of Tuatri Academy student council." He responded shaking his hand
"I must admit Markus— I was expecting Fin to challenge me this year. He and I knew each other you see and I knew he was capable. But you managed to best him. Impressive performance." Wren said, his crimson eyes gazing into Markus' soul.
'How the hell did Fin lose to this kid— not only is he a whole rank below him but he is physically inferior.' Wren thought as he analysed Markus
"This way please." Wren said, showing them the way.
As they walked the halls, students bowed. It seemed like Wren was respected… or feared to a substantial extent. It could be because he was powerful, had status as not only the president but also as a descendant of the Crimson dynasty– perhaps it was all of those things which made him worthy.
Markus and the rest were shown to their quarters where they could get changed and prepare ahead of the competition. Tuatri and Crimson City were quite far away from each other and as such they had spent a few days travelling.
Once they rested up and were ready, they were invited for the numbered draws which would happen in the arena.
Wren and company were all waiting in combat suits. The headmaster was watching from the spectator area.
An administrator had a hat of paper slips which were labelled with either the letter T or the letter C. Inside the slips were designated numbers. One by one he drew five slips for Crimson City.
"1, 2, 4, 7, 9." he said
Then he did the same for Tuatri.
"1, 4, 5, 11, 12." he said
'What a surprise– wait– I'm number one!' Markus said, not believing he actually could participate.
The other choices however… Four was Triss. Five was Spence. Eleven and twelve were Kal and Latham.
This meant they would have to face experts as learners… in other words– the fight was exceedingly difficult. Still, there was hope. Markus was there.
Once all choices were laid out, Markus and the other shared a look and asked for three substitutions. The remaining drawn numbers were six, seven and eight.
"No offence guys but we need our stage threes." Markus said to Kal and Latham.
"No worries. We didn't actually want to fight two leagues above so we're fine spectating." Latham said
They were replaced by June and Jacob.
This also meant that they technically forfeited two matchups and as such were already behind on points.
"We are ready." Markus said to the administrator
"As are we." Wren said
Markus looked over. And it was grim. There were three wind users and two flame users.
Everyone else went to spectate and before long, the officiant allowed them to begin.
Markus instantly expanded his essence zone, turning it into a cone against his opponents and removed all oxygen.
Unfortunately for him, his essence zone was immediately pushed back and repelled by three wind essence zones. These were of higher quality and as such pushed Markus' essence zone back, limiting his effective use to just five metres around him.
He released the command altogether and focused on the two flame users who had instantly closed the distance. Wren was already on him like a towering bloodthirsty giant.
Markus moved away from the incoming leg kick but the three wind users were on him already. Surrounded completely he called upon whirlwind slashes to shoot off in every direction.
To his dismay, there were barriers all around him, blocking all his attacks.
His four teammates however, were all under fire from the lone flame expert. She was the vice president of the Crimson City academy student council and could control flames and regulate her firepower like a machinegun.
Triss was trying to fight back but there was only so much she could resist against whilst trying to protect the rest who were still charging up attacks. Once they did however, they all blasted toward one focused point only for everything to be drawn elsewhere as a vortex sucked in all the nearby essence attacks and let them clash with each other. This was the work of one of the expert wind users.
The entire opposite team worked together flawlessly and their awareness of the battlefield allowed them to support each other flawlessly.
"BACK UP!" Markus shouted at his teams as a massive whirlwind spear was forming above them. The situation was more dire than he expected.
'I need to disrupt the battlefield before we all get obliterated' He thought whilst being trapped between rank 4 barrier walls.
Wren looked up and smirked, recognising the technique.
"Learned that from Fin? Did he tell you I made it?" Wren asked as he stepped back and focused massive amounts of essence into his hands.
A pale blue flame appeared in his hands and massively expanded, taking the shape of a spear.
'Shit he's going to intercept it–' Markus thought as he rushed his spear to shoot down like a force of nature
As he commanded the spear he could not help but feel faint. Both his body and his connection to the spear were all of a sudden extremely weak and dazed.
The three experts had expelled oxygen from the barrier whilst disturbing the balance of the whirlwind spear technique. Their aim was to altogether cut Markus' influence over the whirlwind particles and ensure the attack did not get past the conjuration phase.
With the interference of three experts, Markus could not effectively influence whirlwind as he had to overpower their influence. And due to this clash in influence over a long range– his entire attack collapsed in on itself and failed to launch. His essence was not consumed but nor was it actually going to be used to help any situation.
Moreover, because he told his team to back up, they were with their backs toward the wall as the flame expert was bombarding them relentlessly.
As for Markus himself… Wren had charged up his spear at last and launched it through the wind barriers which collapsed before impact so as to not impede the spear. Once these barriers went down, Markus could flee– had he not been dazed and weakened by the oxygen deprivation. Instead he could only deflect the spear with his essence shell. The shell however caught on fire and exploded, creating a blazing explosion which scorched Markus' right side.
The explosion sent him flying and sprawled him on the ground, where chains of wind were raised from the ground and bound him like a wild animal.
On the other end, Wren had joined his vice-president after shooting his spear and with two flame experts, the entire group was burnt. When the combat suits could no longer tolerate the damage, they had no choice but to surrender.
They were now just one encounter away from absolute victory… Markus was bound up and facing five experts.
"What will you conjure now? We know all of your techniques and tricks so you really should think of something new. Otherwise, just surrender." one of the wind experts said
Indeed Crimson City closely studied all information available around their opponents. They knew what Markus would do before even he did. And that– was the moment Tuatri was bound to lose.