TBATE - Havaca Rises

Chapter 42 - War and Conquest! Pt 2

Tessia's POV

"Get ready Princess Eralith!" Curtis yelled as features became animalistic, a telltale sign that he was about to utilize his beast will. Mana began rushing to the opening of his bond's mouth, just waiting to be released. "World howl!" Curtis yelled as a beam of raging fire raced towards me.

'Wood release, Hobi technique,' I chanted, conjuring several beams of thick wood to surround and protect me. Feeling the heat surge dissipate I opened the front of the dome allowing a thick layer of mist to cloak my movements as I quickly rushed towards the human prince. 'Wind breathing Fourth Form: Rising Dust storm,' I chanted, swiping my blade upwards creating several circular arches of wind.

"Shit!" the prince cursed as my attack easily overpowered his shield, tearing his uniform and disarming in the process. Not one to give my opponents time to catch a breather, I quickly chanted "Wood release: Wood Spike Rings," conjuring several thorny vines to hold down the prince.

*Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh* The sound of a blade quickly and cleanly slicing through my vines was only heard, as the young prince fell to the ground, but it was for naught as his uniform beeped.

"Tch too late," Arthur said making his presence known.

The Prince's face held a look of surprise as he didn't sense Arthur but he quickly recovered. "It's fine Arthur; good match Princess Eralith," Curtis said before making his way off the field.

"So, it's just the two of us now, mano e man-ohhh" he screamed just narrowly dodging a wind blade.

"*Chuckles* A wise man once said, 'there is no room for small talk in battle,'" I said with a wide smile, it's not often, one catches Arthur off guard.

"This girl," he muttered as we readied our blades.

'Wind breathing – Fifth Form Cool Mountain Breeze,' I chanted as I brought my sword down upon Arthur, who simply danced through my wind blades.

"My young padawan, I see you have grown," he said with a contented smile.

"I thought I was a young grasshopper?" I retorted; clashing blades once more.

"Tomato, tomahto," he shrugged. "Come on Tess, show me the fruit of your training," he taunted. 'Oh, I'll show you!' I thought as I leaped over him. 'Ninth Form: Idaten Typhoon,' I chanted as I released a gust of circular wind that would shred anything below it.

"Your aim is a bit off," he said as he rushed forwards.

"Well, other than grandpa and grandma Cynthia, you're the first student who I thought was capable enough of dodging or deflecting it!" I yelled.

"Calm down Tess, do not let your emotions get the better of you..."

"Yes, I know, 'There is no emotion, only peace,'" I said finishing the sentence.

*Clank, clank, clank, * Our blades continuously clashed while I pondered those words. That phrase he told me all those years, simple yet so easy to be misinterpreted. 'Temper your emotions Tessia, reign them in and use them to show the true ferocity of your blade. Do not let them control you, do not let them cloud your judgment,' he said. Focusing on those words, I thrust my blade, 'First Form: Whirlwind Cutter,' I chanted, sending a violent torrent of wind at Arthur, causing him to be pushed back several yards.

The dust quickly settled, revealing a smiling Arthur and alongside him, Claire Bladeheart. 'Shit,' I thought; there's no way I could take the two of them on. Sensing my distress Anila rushed to my side leaving behind an irate Sylvie. Looking my opponents dead in the eye, we four simultaneously pounced at each other. 'Wall of Trees,' I chanted separating both DC officers, "Anila, distract Claire!" I yelled conjuring several thorny vines to slow her down.

"Look at you taking two opponents at once," Arthur said cheerfully. 'Wood Release Spontaneous Tree Growth' I chanted, conjuring a large tree, entangling Arthur in its many branches.

"Freeze and shatter!" Arthur yelled, causing the large tree to burst into countless ice fragments, hurriedly I attempted to shield myself only to feel the touch of cool steel resting upon my neck.

"A bit too slow, Tess," he said.

"Tch, I concede," I said defeated.

"Amazing display of skill!" Professor Glory shouted as she and her bond descended from the skies. "The DC officers win this round!" Glory announced as several cheers were heard. 

"Prince Curtis, I saw excellent teamwork between you and you bond however your beast will is something that you have mastered over time and thus it is a part of your power. While it's a good thing you aren't dependent upon it, it does not take away from the fact that you take way too much time for you to activate the will and charge your attacks. Continue to practice with it and it will serve you well."

"Yes Professor," Curtis replied taking everything in. I wonder what happened to the young Prince? When I first met him, he was quite haughty but now he views everything as a learning opportunity.

"Clive!"

"Yes Professor."

"Your accuracy with a bow has increased as well as your casting speed, but you still fail at keeping your opponent at a distance from you. In a life-or-death situation that can become quite detrimental to you."

"Thank you for wisdom professor," Clive said.

"Claire!"

"Yes Professor."

"As always, your blade skills are something to marvel at, sharp, precise and deadly. There isn't much you can do but practice and ingrain these movements in your head. Also, you're putting too much mana into maintaining your fire sword which is why you were having problems facing off against Anila."

"Yes Professor, thank you, Professor," Claire said giving a slight bow.

"Conley, you have exceptional talent however it is useless if you cannot control your emotions. Take a deep breath and calm down. You'll also be joining me for meditation classes from now on. Am I clear?"

"Yes Professor," Conley responded sounding a tad bit dejected.

"Princess Tessia, wonderful spellcasting, and swordplay. In the face of two of the school's strongest you kept a calm mind and tried to turn a disadvantageous situation in your favor. Simply remarkable," the Professor praised.

"Thank you, Professor."

"Although the fight may have gone better for you if you had your bond assist you earlier on," Professor said.

"I was trying to test my skills against Arthur's," I said since she was waiting for a reply.

"I see..."

"Arthur!"

"Yes Professor," Arthur responded calmly.

"My original complaint would have been about you not going on the offensive enough but since you were testing the Princess, I'll waive it. Your bond, I think I speak for most of us when I say she definitely surprised us. Not only is she capable of long-range casting but she also isn't afraid to get up close and personal. I look forward to seeing you two fight when you're not holding back."

"Yes Professor," Arthur said with a nod.

"Alright everyone, class dismissed! You six go get changed and then head to the medic ward to scan for any injuries."

"Yes Professor," the students chorused as we all dispersed.