The Magic

A valiant effort

Leon and Edward walked to the middle of the courtyard. The old man glanced at them then spoke.
'Bring out the weapons!"
Two teachers appeared through the crowd, pulling along two weapon carts. When the carts opened Edwards eyes fixed on the Crystal weapon he wanted to use. A long lance that hand a large round circle at the end of the pole with three long sharp points sticking out in different directions.
When Edward reached for the lance it instantly reacted to his mana glowing a bright gold light and transforming into what looked like golden steel.

Leon's eyes wondered to the second cart and scanned over the weapons. Axes, wands, whips  and finally swords. When Leon stepped up to the cart he noticed the different kinds of swords. Broadswords, single handed swords, curved swords and then Leon's eye was caught by the exact type of weapon he had used while sparing Alexandra, a Crystal Katana.
When Leon's eyes met this weapon he knew it would be the weapon to use.
'While Edward may have the range with his lance the only truly injuring part is the blades, so long as I can avoid direct contact with them I should be able to get in close and hit him.' Leon thought.
Leon Drew the Katana but it did not change.
Attempting to conceal his lack of mana he lowered the sword so that it was next to his leg.

'The fight shall begin when all students, teachers and I are behind the columns, then the field barrier shall create a mana shield that will prevent anyone from entering and you both from exiting.' The old man spoke as he walked into the crowd.
The students and teachers shuffled back and each column glowed with different colours then shot a beam of magic each into the air that then formed into a dome.

Leon slid on foot forward and half crouching he raised the katana to his cheek aiming for a pose that would allow a swift deflect then a decisive blow.
Edward assumed a pose where his left leg was forward and lance raised into the air.
'He will most likely try to slam his lance down on me from above.' Leon thought.
The old man shouted 'Let the fight, BEGIN!'.

Edward charged, Leon moved to block his strike but the lance swung down in a diagonal slash.
Unprepared Leon abandoned his guard, switching to dodging he flipped backwards and dodge the lance.
When Leon landed he switched into a strike pose yet was unprepared for the speed of Edwards lance.
Edward made a forward thrust with the tip of his lance at Leon's head; a shot sure to put Leon down.
Leon's left eye caught the blur of a lance flashing at it. Immediately his instincts took over and he spun to the right, narrowly avoiding the middle lance spike but his left shoulder was shallowly cut by the bottom lance.
Taking the chance for a strike Leon continued his role but up Edwards lance. Grabbing onto the lance Leon launched himself forward while pulling Edward towards him.
With a horizontal swing from the right to left Leon slashed his Katana at Edwards face.

For a moment it seemed as if Leon's attack would hit dead on its mark, however Edward ducked under his lance and raised its end so it blocked the strike. Leon was shocked but Edward switched to the offensive, kicking Leon's knee forcing him to lose balance then swung his lance throwing Leon to the middle of the courtyard.
As Leon hit the ground he corrected himself and using his hand he pushed himself to his feet and resumed his battle position.

'No way!' Alexandra shouted. 'H-how is Leon keeping up?!'
'It's simple.' Collin replied. 'Leon has no experience with magic; actually the truth to it is that the only Magic he has is the base amount of any spirit. See Leon's body is kept alive by its organs like any other but unlike ours he doesn't rely on what little mana he has to push it, he can't increase the amount of mana he puts into an attack but rather he can increase physical force. In terms of magic Leon had lost before this fight begun but he trained his body as hard as he could and as a result he is able to keep up with Edward even though Edward is able to transfer mana to his body to push it beyond what it should be capable of.'
'So what you're saying is that  even if Edward transfers mana from one point of his body to another to make it stronger Leon is just able to fight harder?'
'That's right. Remember magic is just exchange, taking mana from one place and adding it to another. So while Edward may make for example his right arm stronger he is taking mana from somewhere else making that weaker while Leon is able to increase the effort used on his body he isn't really making any of it weaker although eventually he will run out of breath.'
'Then we have to stop the fight! Leon may run his body down to the point where a small injury might kill him!'
'I'm with Alexandra; Leon isn't able to match Edward no matter how hard he fights.' Blaine spoke.
'No, your friend Leon was it? He agreed to the terms and so he must fight till he is unable. There is nothing any of us can do.' The old man in robes said.

Leon's breathing was returning to normal, the first clash hadn't been that taxing on him and now he knew not to under estimate Edwards abilities.
'I get it now. He is reinforcing the speed of his attacks so he is reinforcing the front part of himself leaving his blind spots weaken. So I have to think, if I can somehow use that lance to my advantage I may be able to hit him in a vulnerable spot.' Leon thought.

Edward slid his left leg forward and right leg back then directed the lance out in front of him.
'He wants to aim that thing to impale me. But that might work to my advantage.'

Leon charged forward, holding his katana off to the side.
'Idiot!' Edward shouted as he thrust his spear forward.
Leon took his opportunity. Jumping into the air he dodged the lance and landed on it.
Edward was forced to reinforce the strength in his hands and arms so he wouldn't drop his lance.
At this opportunity Leon jumped off the lance and flew over Edwards head. Landing behind him Leon spun around increasing his momentum and slammed the Katana into Edward's back.
Edward briefly locked up in pain as he lurched forward dazed by Leon's attack.
Leon prepared to punch as Edward finally regained control, spinning around he prepared for a strike with his Lance against Leon.
However Leon had been expecting this anticipating the lance, knowing it would be a second behind Edwards spin.
Leon launched his fist straight at Edward's broken nose. However Edward lowered his head and Leon made contact with Edwards forehead.

Leon felt pain move up his left arm as blood ran from his cut.
Edward had reinforced his forehead just in time to block Leon's punch causing the force to recoil and injure Leon instead of himself.
A moment later Edwards lance came around as he jumped backward causing Leon to attempt the best guard his body would allow.
Leon could feel the right blade of the lance cut into the back of his left shoulder.
'Ah.' He shouted in pain as Edwards lance threw him once again back towards the centre of the courtyard.
Leon finding himself unable to correct the fall slammed onto the ground with a loud thud.

'Wow I honestly thought you might be a bit better than this.' Edward taunted.
'But oh well, a mongrel like you should know his place, but as you don't know it I'll show it to you!'

Edwards lance stabbed at Leon who was still lying on the ground.
Finding his body to be tiring but still able to move Leon managed to roll only this time the lance cut down his right arm.
Leon rolled backwards and onto his feet however Edward stabbed forward and even though again Leon dodged the stab he was still cut but this time his chest had been injured.

Leon found himself switching to the defensive as Edwards lance struck at him over and over. Leon only able to block one blade found that one of the other two managed to always cut him.

Leon had forced into the dead centre of the courtyard as Edward thrust his lance in for a finishing blow. One Last guard from Leon, his katana cracked.
Tired of playing around Edward used his lance to fling himself in the air and land down his lance above Leon.
With the last of his strength Leo raised his katana to block and it shattered.
Edwards lance sliced down and into Leon's back cutting down his left side.

Blood gushed down Leon's as he looked dazed up at Edward.
'Pathetic, I thought about as much.' Edward said harshly.
Pushing his lance further forward Edward freed his weapon from Leon's back without cutting him in half. Leon fell forward only staying off the ground from the broken crystal katana dangling in his hand.
Edward turned and began to walk away, darkly smiling with his victory.
'There now I have proved I am stronger.' He laughed
Leon's body trembled as blood ran down his back and arms.
'Was this it?' He wondered. 'Had I only come to this school to be beaten by him? I- I don't. . .'
'NO!' He shouted.