Meeting Old Acquaintances

The raucous laughter of the crowd mingled with the merry cheering of the students filled the banquet hall. Some of the students were either dancing, singing, or chatting away. No words can describe this joyous event other than a joyful occasion.

In the middle of this, Fei and Sofia were busy entertaining the curious students that swarmed towards them.

"Miss Fei! Miss Sofia! Can we shake your hands?"

"Not fair! Me too!"

"How many years have you been adventuring?"

"Have you seen a real dragon before?"

"What was it like in the Northern Province?"

"Is it true that you are alumni of the academy?"

The onslaught of questions about the two prevented them from partaking in the generous meal at the center of the hall. The only saving grace they had is the occasional servant that gives out free refills of water and other refreshments.

"Uhmm, well, the Northern Province is like any other province, only with monsters, and monsters. Generally, the area is swarming with monsters," Fei answered one of the questions.

"And I've only encountered a wyvern before. I can't say for Miss Fei, but that is the case for me," Sofia added.

"Well, dragons are known to nest above the northern mountain range. I've never gone there before, so I haven't seen any dragons yet," Fei replied.

"Ohhh!"

The students were delighted that the two are actively engaging in their inquiries. Soon enough, Fei and Sofia were already recounting tales of their previous exploits, albeit few, to their curious juniors.

"... and when the wyvern was finally incapacitated, Miss Fei told me to spare the monster's life. She said that it will do more harm than good. I believe in her, so we escaped while the wyvern is still recovering," Sofia recounted the time they faced a wyvern in the Northern province.

The number of students listening to them recount their adventures has increased. The sea of students seemed to never end, with everyone vying for the best seat to hear their tales.

"Oh my, if it isn't Sofia?" a sudden voice interrupted them in the middle of their storytelling.

The crowd parted toward the source of the voice. A female mage not older than Sofia was seen holding a cup of wine in one hand. On her neck, she is wearing a blue brooch, something that only the faculty of the academy are given to distinguish them from the students.

"When I heard Principal Steibern announce that someone named Sofia managed to save the missing students, I never imagined that she would be referring to you," the woman said.

The students started whispering to one another, perhaps curious about Sofia's relation to the woman.

"Vivian," Sofia spoke the name of the person in question.

"You sure have the nerve to set foot in this academy again, Sofia," said the woman called Vivian as she started walking towards Sofia and Fei. Her elegant red dress coupled with her beautiful features captivates the eyes of the many male students. The crowd parted further, forming a straight path toward Sofia.

Fei leaned closer to Sofia, whispering to her, "Hey, what's the deal with her? Your friend?"

"Vivian Auburn. She graduated at the top of our class back when we were still students," Sofia replied. "By the looks of it, she is now a faculty of the academy," she added.

Fei let out an 'Oh' sound. If she is right, then she is of the same age as Sofia. If that is true, then she is surely skilled enough to be accepted as a faculty right this fast.

"To think that you would end up as an 'adventurer' of all things. Hah! Fitting for a second-rate mage such as you!" Vivian exclaimed as soon as she got in front of Sofia. The two eyed each other down, with neither uttering a single word. The staredown lasted for a few moments before Sofia walked past her.

"Let's go Miss Fei!" she said as she walked by her.

Fei, not fully understanding what is happening, followed Sofia, leaving Vivian alone. As soon as she got near Sofia, Fei asked her if it was alright to leave her just like that. Sofia gestured to her that it is OK, so Fei never asked again.

But as soon as they walked away, a wall of flame rose up from the ground in front of them.

"That is so cold of you, leaving your superior like that. You ought to warm up a bit," Vivian declared, her hand now holding a scepter-like wand.

Sofia looked towards Vivian, and with a single tap of her staff to the ground, enveloped the flames with icicles, before crushing them into tiny pieces.

"Surely, you brag. How can someone so weak be superior to me?" Sofia responded, her sarcastic remarks visibly triggering a nerve in the other party.

"Hah! Is that so? Then why not prove it!" Vivian manifested a sigil of the Andam Academy. "I challenge you to a duel!"

It is a common gesture within the academy grounds for students to declare a duel by the use of this sigil. If one were to accept the challenge, they would form the sigil themselves, announcing that they accept the duel.

Looking at Vivian's face, Sofia manifested the same sigil, indicating her acceptance of the duel request. The students can be heard gossiping about the unexpected turn of events.

"Miss Sofia and Prof. Vivian will be having a duel?"

"I know that Miss Sofia is a capable adventurer, but I am not sure if she is a match for Prof. Vivian,"

"Why is that?"

"Haven't you heard? She is the unrivaled champion in her time as a student. They say that there is only one person at that time that can be called her equal. To decide who is the better mage, they decided to have a duel, but her opponent never appeared. To this day, no one ever came close to Prof. Vivian's proficiency in sorcery,"

"Sounds like Miss Sofia will have a 'run for her money then"

Overhearing the student's conversation, Fei cannot help but ask Sofia if this is okay.

"Perhaps you should have declined her challenge," she said.

"No. This is something that I have to do eventually," Sofia replied. "Besides, I wonder who is better than who now," she added, her eyes showing a certain gleam of anticipation as if she was waiting for this duel to happen for a very long time.

Watching the events unfold from her position high above the crowd, Prof. Steibern graded her approval of the duel.

"Sofia, Vivian, you may use the courtyard outside for your duel. We don't want any civilians to be involved in this. Oh, and make it quick, or the food will get cold," she said to the two.

"Yes."

"Of course."

The two quickly responded to her suggestion. To them, there is only one thing left to do.