J.ade, A.ir D.efying E.lementalist

XXIV:Engage in Battle

Chapter 24 - Engage in Battle

The duel room is jam-packed. Every now and then the wooden doors will creak and in will enter a new group of gifted. All determined and ready to fight.

In thirty minutes, the competition will start and everyone looks so eager to win. The bleachers are four fifths filled and our team is currently situated at the middle.

There are 28 batches of normal gifteds and 4 for Rounins. The handbook says that normally this would only take a day. 

"You're up against Julia and that kid," En says, out of the blue.

"Seriously?" I reply, trying to process the information. I'll be up. Against Julia. Great, I'm dead.

"I've never been not serious."

"Right."

"Yes. You and Toni will be dueling with Julia and Ernesto," En states.

"Ernesto?" 

"Yes."

"I mean, who is Ernesto?" I ask, rolling my eyes.

"The guy right there."

"The small one?"

En chuckles, "Don't underestimate him. I heard that guy beat Jay in a duel."

"I didn't underestimate. I was trying to describe him in a way so that you can instantly distinguish he is the one I am talking about," I defend myself.

"You don't need to be so defensive," En's tone is full of amusement. He even winces as mock gesture.

"And how did you know anyway?" I question.

"Educated guess." he answers.

"Right." I scoff and turn my back to him. "Toni," I poke Toni.

"Why?" she asks.

"We are up against Julia," I say.

"We'll have to do good then," she gives me an encouraging smile and then go back to whatever she was originally doing. 

I turn to En again. "Do you think we can beat Julia?"

"No," he deadpans.

"Thought so," I reply and look at the ceiling. The duel room is well-lit. It always wondered me why the light came from nowhere. It's just always there.

"Good Afternoon Lyran!" Wanda greets us. I found out yesterday that the owner of that chirpy, overly cheerful voice is named Wanda. It somehow fits her though. I always imagined someone named Wanda as vivacious. 

"As a tradition, we will start the competition with the latest batch of Rounins. I will now announce the first set of battle. If your name is called, please step forward."

A nauseous wave of excitement and nervousness engulfs the room. It's as if the air is almost tangible and everyone radiates all sorts of emotion.

"Gale vs. Emerald" Wanda pierces the veil of tangible air and made my best friend and a fierce-looking girl step forward.

"Krisha vs. Rhea"

"Zia vs. Jonalyn" Zia is from team five. She is an earth user, just like Jonalyn of our team. I silently wish for Jonalyn to have more advanced techniques than Zia. I'm not looking forward for our team winning but I am not up for being the ultimate loser either.

"Maxine vs. Ares"

"Duelers, position yourselves on the middle of the room," Wanda announces. They move in one fluid motion so that they face each other.