ANGEL BLOOD

Chapter 4

Duel

Midnight

Arcan unable to contain his curiosity jumped off the window and headed straight to the forest. " This isn't a time for people to be awake. There must be something unsettling going on. ", he said as he ran. After an hour of running aimlessly, he stopped and punched a tree trunk beside. " Damn it ! guess I was late. Anyway, I shouldn't be here this late. If someone finds me here,it would land me in trouble. ", he concluded. Arcan headed back to his dorm in quick steps. 

On top of a tree

" Master, shall I dispose of the human ? ", asked a dark figure floating beside a man. " No need, this human is rather interesting. To see through your invisibility barrier, he must be special. We'll observe him at the moment.", the man answered. " As you wish, my master. ", the dark figure replied. A jet-black flame engulfed both of them and they vanished from the scene.

Next Day ( Morning )

Raymond woke up to find Arcan sitting on his bed. " Did you have a good sleep. ", he asked. " Yeah, it was quite well.", answered Arcan hiding the incident from his room-mate. " Get dressed, we have to line up downstairs for breakfast. If we get late, we would have to wait till lunch. ", Raymond advised. Both of them dressed up and left their rooms.

Downstairs

" Good Morning, hope y'all had a sound sleep. Breakfast has been prepared. Eat and come to your classes. Remember, late-comers won't be allowed to have lunch. ", said Carlin, who was waiting for the students. " They are quite strict, I might say. ", whispered Raymond to Arcan. " Well, this is a prestigious place after-all. The students are required to be well-behaved. ", he replied. " You are quite intelligent, Arcan. ", Raymond said, patting Arcan's shoulder. The two students took a seat when Norman appeared to his gang to cause chaos. He took Raymond's plate and threw it across the room. Two members from his gang punched Raymond on his face and made him kneel before him. " Now, lick my feet and get reminded of the half-breed status you have. ", said Norman with a smug on his face. " Leave him alone and let the other students eat. ", commanded Arcan. Those remarks pissed Norman even more and he grabbed Arcan's collar. " These filthy half-breeds doesn't stand a chance against me and who do you think you are ? an angel of some-sort, huh ? ", he shouted. Arcan grabbed his hand and replied, " If you consider yourself to be so high and mighty, you shouldn't have been in class novice in the first place. You are just a cry-baby. ". Norman's hand was almost getting crushed when Arcan let it go. " You'll pay, don't forget our duel. ", Norman reminded Arcan before he ran away.

Classroom

" Good morning, Arcan ", greeted Shirley. " Morning ", Arcan replied. Grilina opened the door and was greeted by the students. " Since, this is your first class, we will learn about the basic magic spells every mage should know, Elementals. They are of the following types: Fire, Earth, Wind, Water, Lightning and Light/Dark Magic. Light/Dark magic is considered the top of elemental magic.Those who have mastered it rise in ranks considerably. ", she taught. Suddenly from the back, Norman spoke, " Arcan should know all this after-all his father is a top-class mage but I assure you I am better than both you and your father. I can kill bot...before Norman could speak, a loud bang was heard in the front. Arcan stood up, " If you really think so high of yourself, let's duel right now. ", he challenged. " A duel...hmm, certainly a friendly duel can be held, but you both don't know the incantations yet. ", said the teacher. " Not a problem, all these are a piece of cake for me. ", Norman replied. " I won't let my father down. I wont stand his insult. ", said Arcan. " Arcan, do you accept it ? ", asked Grilina. " Yes ", he answered.

Duel Grounds 

" I'll say the rules. No mortal injury is permissible. Both opponents are required to use Elementals. Is it clear ? ", asked Grilina. " YES ", both answered in unison. " FIGHT", ordered the teacher. Both sprung back. " I'll show you, how you are only worthy to lick my feet! By flame and spark, I do thee call,To rise and burn, o'ercome them all.From embers low to blaze full high,Let fiery wings now scorch the sky.O' spirits fierce, in flame’s embrace,Consume mine foes, leave naught but space.As I command, so shall it be,In fire’s dance, I set thee free! ", chanted Norman and the entire ground was caught in flames. He closed the distance between him and Arcan in an instant and started punching him ruthlessly. After a series of punches, he held Arcan by his neck and demanded him to withdraw and prove his inferiority. Arcan, who was brutally beaten up wasn't able to speak. " I see, you are stubborn. ", concluded Norman. " Burn in the depths of hell ", he added. With a swing of his hand, all the flames from the ground engulfed Arcan. " This is against the rules!!! Teacher please stop it ", requested the students. Before Grilina could speak, Arcan ordered, " No one moves ". He built a force-field around him and Arcan, prohibiting anyone to halt their duel. To Norman's surprise, the force-field cancelled out and the flames engulfing Arcan took the form of wings. Arcan came out of the fire, his hair covered his eyes and he was eeriely quiet. " Impossible! How could....before Norman could complete his words, Arcan raised his hand and all the flames devoured Norman instead. He tried resisting it using Water magic but those flames were were so hot that the water vapourized. He screamed for help. Grilina casted a stronger water magic but the flames refused to extinguish. Norman body was reduced to ashes, marking his end. Arcan collapsed to the ground. Students rushed to his rescue. Grilina was shocked at this display of power.

Medical Hall ( 2 days later )

Arcan woke up. " My head hurts ", he said. " You are awake, thank God! ", exclaimed Raymond with joy. " What happened, Raymond ? ", asked Arcan. " I remember having a duel with Norman ", he added. " You were almost dead, Norman engulfed you with flames but somehow you managed to get out and burned Norman with even stronger one that not even our homeroom teacher could take out. Then you collapsed and was unconscious for 2 days ", explained Raymond. The very thought of Norman being dead made Arcan puke. " What have I done ? ", he asked himself. " No worries, it's either kill or be killed in the mage society.However, are you really a normal human, Arcan ? ", asked Grilina.

Duel Grounds

" His seal has started to weaken ", said Berc. " Yes, we must teach him how to control it. ", replied Kazan.

END OF CHAPTER 4