Academy

"My offer still stands, run away before I kill you". Hearing this the boy picked up his unconscious friend and bolted off the room. 'Idiots' Daniel thought to himself when a voice responded to him 'Yes, all of them'.

The next morning he woke up, feeling fully refreshed, it was a feeling he never had. As an orphan, he always had to do everything himself, no one to guide him or help him in that respect. He didn't even know who his parents were, all he knew was that he was left in front of the gates of an orphanage when he was only three months old.

Changing his clothes and wearing his jacket he left his room. Exiting the dormitory he entered the academy. *Whisper* *Whisper* Whispers could be heard all across the hall as walked through them. Seeing him coming, everyone in his way quickly cleared out as he walked past them. It felt very odd to him. Following the way, he waited at a corner.

"Are you sure it was him?" "Yes. And even Dylan's also missing! The last time he was seen with him during the forest expedition". Daniel stood in the corner hearing their conversation.

Apparently, the news of Daniel beating Dylan's friend yesterday was circulated like a storm. People also started connecting him to Dylan's disappearance as he was the last person Dylans was seen with. Leaving the corner he started moving towards his class.

On seeing him approach, the two girls who were previously talking went in complete silence. He entered his class. *Stare* Everyone started staring at him, he was still wearing his hoodie so his face was properly hidden but he felt weird being the center of attention.

Professor Albert enters the class and says "As you all know that your mana control course for the first six months is going to be completed tomorrow and so the day after tomorrow you are going to be tested for awakened magical attributes. So, for today we are going to Arena Number 3 for your last practice of Mana Control before ending this course. Everyone, please follow me to Arena Number 3!" he said motioning everyone to follow him. Daniel was the last to leave the room after everyone, as leaves the door he feels his hand grabbed by someone. It was Pf. Albert. "You really don't know what happened to Dylan, right?" he asked him with a very worried tone.

Daniel retracted his arm back and simply denied it. leaving him behind he started following the rest of the class to the Arena. It was a big Arena, generally used by the seniors to practice their magical affinities. The ground is made up of hard, solid stone which had many small cracks in it, symbolizing all the previous battles that were fought there.

Everyone grouped up with their friends, leaving him alone. Daniel liked to run solo, no one to think about, no one slowing him down, and no one to take care of.

"So, now every one of you-" "Excuse me, Mr.Albert!". Professor Albert was cut off by a coarse and hard voice of an old man. Everyone towards the direction of the voice. *Mutters* "Isn't he the headmaster?!" "Yes. It is him! I have heard that he is very powerful!" "I have heard that he even defeated a dragon!" Everyone started gossiping around each other as the Old Man followed by tallboy and one of Dylan's friend from yesterday.

The Old Man walked up to Professor Albert and they started talking very slowly. After a few inaudible verses, Professor Albert motioned his hand towards Daniel. The Old Man raised his hand, beckoning his hand as if calling Daniel there, away from the class.

Daniel walked towards him in a very nonchalant way. Upon reaching Daniel felt the Old Man's aura, it was the first time he had ever met someone so strong. 'Maybe the myths about him are correct. He sure is very strong!' he said to himself acknowledging the Old Man's strength. 'Maybe he is. Maybe he isn't. Who knows?' a familiar voice replied in his mind. "So, you are Daniel Wolferd?" The Old Man asked. "That's what they call me" he replied looking at him, his hood still on. "My name is Enrique Whitlock and I am the twelfth Headmaster of The Lawrence Academy of Might And Magic. I just have one question, do you have anything to do with the disappearance of Dylan McElfresh?" He asked in a very serious and pressing manner. "No, sir". Dylan was the second son of the people he hated the most - The McElfresh family.

Hearing that, the tallboy standing behind the headmaster, silent, all this time finally spoke. "Headmaster, I have a request," he said looking at him. "What is it Desmond?" the headmaster asked. "I want to challenge him in a duel".

Instantly after hearing this, Professor Albert interfered "We can not let them do it, sir. it will be completely one-sided! Desmond is a fourth-year who is well versed in his magical attribute and Daniel is a first-year who has not even completed his first semester of Mana Control, let alone know any spells according to his attribute!"

"One's will to partake in a duel lies to oneself. If he wants to fight he can, if he does not want to fight no one can force him to" The headmaster replied glancing towards Daniel as if waiting for an answer.

"I will fight". *Gasp* everyone in the room looked at him in a way that either showed admiration or stupidity.

Desmond's expression quickly changed from anger to that of a light smile. It was as if he was trying to hold back his laugh. "Now, participants please place your bets!" Professor Albert said with a worried tone as everyone near them stepped away to give them more space.

"When I win, you have to tell me everything you know about Dylan and what happened to him," he said and quiet down. "And what will I get when I win?" Daniel asked in a questionable tone. Desmond busted into a light chuckle and said, "IF you win, that is. I will give you my most precious thing, THIS!". He showed to everyone, which no one could have mistaken, was 'The Card of Exchange'.

*Gasp* Everyone gasped at the sight of it. The Card of Exchange was a trade artifact that could be traded at any guild for anyone Artifact. No matter its Rarity. Getting your hand on one was considered very lucky as they were very rare to come by.

"Duelists take your positions!" Both of them walked away from each other for a certain distance and stopped.

"Let the Duel Begin!"