30 Examination Pt 6

Asia's Pov:

The semi-finals for this event had started without me even realising it. Honestly, I wasn't paying much attention to these matches as hanging out with Mira, Alice, Michael and Harrison has been relaxing for me. Mira is the quiet mature type always looking out for Alice, the childish loli, and Michal and Harrison are good company.

The only reason I bothered to stay was to watch this 'flame prince' Felix. From what Michael told me, the kids life is a mystery. His birth origin is known but until recently it's like he never existed and was presumed dead. The first time I saw him I could tell there was something different about him so I scanned him thoroughly and even I was shocked by what I found.

Great talent was a given, he does have a golden core but that's not the interesting part. His training as a warrior and a mage are linked. Not quite like my own but similar, but that's not even the best part. I think, and It's just a speculation as I have very little information about them, but I think this kid uses dragon magic. I found similar runes imprinted directly on his magic core and on the bones in his body as I have on the strap of my watch.

The dragon skin of my watch is from an earth dragon which I have confirmed in my spare time, and the runes on his magic core are similar. Far more rudimentary than the ones on my watch but I assume they will become more complex as he becomes more powerful, along with it being fire and not earth. But other than that... I found my own Natsu! At least I think I did, either way this kid is interesting.

The fight right now is a young mage specialised in ice magic against a lithe and agile swordsman. From my own experience I can already tell that this match will go to the mage. The swordsman has too little experience and his movements have too much waste. The mage on the other hand is staying calm as she freezes the ground along with her opponents legs, using that chance to send a barrage of ice spikes enhanced with wind for speed.

The match was over very quickly, making me wonder why that swordsman even made it to the semi-finals in the first place. Then I remembered that this is just a bunch of kids. Taking that into account I should be impressed by that mage. She stayed calm and came up with a strategy to trap her opponent before delivering the final blow. Quite impressive.

Me: Not bad. That mage has potential.

Michael: I agree. I'm impressed by her ability to stay focused even after that close call at the beginning of the match. She must have real experience.

I nodded and continued watching, finally having a chance to see Felix fighting as it's his turn next.

Me: I'm looking forward to this.

Alice: Big sis! What's so special about that Felix guy?

The others turned to me wating for an answer which I won't give them. It's not my place to spill someone else's secrets.

Me: Just watch. I think you will find this interesting.

Announcer: The next match of the semi-finals will be Felix versus XXXX. Are both sides ready?.... BEGIN!

Felix and his opponent, some random generic brown haired kid, stood opposite eachother in the arena facing down one another. You could already tell that the brown haired boy was scared of Felix, with Felix having an unnerving grin belonging to a battle maniac on his face. The brown haired boy held his staff in one hand as the mana around him was stimulated under his control.

He has good control, that's for sure, and would probably win if it was against a different opponent. Unfortunately for him it isn't. Felix just stood there, no preparation at all as his fiery hair danced in the wind, red eyes gleaming.

The moment the announcer began the match, Felix dashed straight for the mage fast. Very fast. Definitely faster than what a level 2 should be capable of. The mage panicked, raising a wall of earth between him and Felix to buy some time to dodge, as Felix raised his arm, shooting an exlosive ball of fire at him, exploding and smashing straight through the wall, followed by Felix closing in on the mage.

Within seconds Felix was in front of the mage ready to punch, his fist cocked by his side with fire dancing and swirling around his arm. Panicking even further, the brown haired mage raised his mana shield along with a flimsy earth wall to block, barely giving him space to jump back but it was useless.

Felix's fist came like a sledgehammer surrounded by fire, smashing through the mana shield and hastily made earth wall alike going straight for the mage. The mage thought he was safe as he was just out of reach but that didn't help. The flames from Felix's punch shot forward in the shape of a fist from his arm like a projectile, smashing straight into him, sending him flying across the arena.

A moment of silence from the crowd as they processed what just happened, before cheers errupted all around and Felix walked over to the mage who was barely conscious at this point, offering a hand to help him up. It seems that Felix is a good guy even if he's a battle maniac. Gratefully accepting his hand, the mage depressedly walked out of the arena as Felix stood there ready for his fight with the female mage for the finals.

Me: See.

Alice: That was awesome!!!

Mira stood there mouth agape at the scene in front of her and nodded, agreeing with Alice but not saying anything.

Micheal narrowed his eyes: There's something strange about him. That punch and the flaming fist that followed.... I've never seen anything like it. This could be bad.

Harrison, who was now with us as the fans had died down, nodded in agreement and spoke in short sharp sentences: Agreed. Do you want me to investigate?

I butted in here: Don't bother him guys. Everyone has their own secrets, it's not polite to pry.

Micheal: You're one to talk.

I shrugged, brushing off his words: Besides, even if you did, you won't find anything. Weren't you telling me that no one has any information on him?

Michael nodded: You have a point. Sigh... Well, if he becomes a threat, you know what to do Harry.

Harrison: Understood.

Me: That won't be necessary guys.

They looked to me as I continued: I've taken a liking to him, plus he'll be going to the academy. I'll take him under my wing. It's about time I made some friends.

Michael: I don't know whether to feel relieved you said that or be even more wary.

I giggled: Don't read too much into it.

Mira: I've actually been curious since we got here Asia. How come no one knows who you are? You're a noble right? Plus... you don't exactly blend in with your looks.

Alice eyed us from the side, pretending to be oblivious, but I could tell she's listening.

Before I could answer, Michael answered for me: You would think so wouldn't you. But no, Asia here has been keeping to herself since she was a child.

I raised an eyebrow at him as he continued: You can't blame me. Of course I would investigate anything I can about you. Ever since we met at your introduction, you've been an enigma that intrigues me.

Mira: What do you mean?

Michael: Well, she doesn't get along with most people her own age although you did force yourself to interact with them at the introduction before wandering off by yourself. Not to mention you threatened Harry here, and it's not every day that he actually feels threatened.

Harry snorted with a nod as Michael continued: Plus the fact that you befriended that adventurer. What was his name again...

Me: Robert.

Michael: Right, him. I investigated all I could about him. He's known as a lone wolf in the guild, always taking quests by himself and rarely interacting with anyone. Yet Asia here comes along and manages to get him to retire and follow her. I don't know what you did or how you did it, but that's not normal. Asia here is the biggest mystery I know.

I chuckled quietly and Mira looked at me a bit shocked. Alice too jolted in surprise although it was very subtle, Only Mira and I knew she was listening in.

Mira looked at me a bit confused and asked: Is what he's saying true?

I nodded: Every word. I don't like nobles especially, but these guys are alright. Robert's my friend, we have a lot a fun just talking and screwing around. He's good company.

Mira looked confused: You don't like the nobility?

Me: Well it depends who, but generally yes, I don't like nobility. Too uptight for me. Plus they're always expecting me to be this perfect princess type of girl. I mean come on, can you imagine that? It's laughable.

Mira: I never did ask you, what level of nobility are you?

Michael looked surprised: She never told you?

Mira shook her head and I groaned, before saying: I don't like to advertise it. Besides, if I told you, you would start acting differently and I don't want that. I know we only met earlier today, but I like you guys, I don't want some noble title getting in the way of that.

Mira nodded: I understand.

Michael: You know they'll find out eventually right? Isn't it better to tell them now?

I shook my head: I'll tell them at the academy where titles don't matter. By that point we'll be close enough that it would just be weird to act differently. I choose the people I hang out with, and Mira and Alice here are both very interesting. I don't want you guys to start acting differently.

At mention of the academy however, both Mira and Alice deflated a little, catching my attention.

Me: What's wrong?

Mira sighed, and despite not being able to see her face, I could tell Alice was a little shaken.

With a bitter tone, Mira shook her head and spoke: We're not going to the academy.

Me: What?! Why?

Michael butted in here: You must have a contract with the guild then.

Mira nodded and sighed again before explaining: Both of us are locked into contract by the adventurer's guild. We're orphans that the guild took in, meaning that until we've payed off our debt by working for them, we're stuck in the empire.

Me: So basically the guild has taken your future away from you?

Michael: It's not as bad as it sounds actually. The guild does provide mages the material to further their studies, so it's not as if they won't become powerful mages one day.

Mira nodded: Sir Michael is right about that. The guild doesn't prevent us from becoming powerful mages, quite the opposite actually. It's just a selfish wish to be able to go to school. My mother used to tell me stories of her school days, so I always wanted to go to the academy.

Me: It's not selfish to want to go to the academy. Trust me, i'm a selfish person who only does stuff for myself, I would know.

Mira: You think so?

Me: I know so. How is it selfish for children to want to go to school? It's absurd to think it is. Anyway, don't worry about it Mira. I'll get you into the academy.

Michael: You know that's not possible Asia.

I turned to face them with a smug grin: And who said that? Trust me on this. Mira, Alice, i'll get you out of this contract. I happen to have a personal connection to the guild master myself.

Both Mira and Alice looked at me with wide, slightly misty eyes.

Michael chimed in again: Ah that's right. Didn't your mother used to be in the same party as the current guild master?

I grin satisfactorily: Yes, yes she did. So don't worry you guys, I'm taking you with me to the academy whether you like it or not.

Mira: I-I don't know what to say...

Me: No need to say anything. I said before didn't I? I only do things I want to do and nothing else. I'm selfish like that. Anyway, hush, the finals are about to start and I don't want to miss it.