A Face Slapping (1)

"So, what do you have planned?" Ethan asked as he caught up with Alphonse on their way to Intro to Combat Magic class.

Intro to Combat Magic was held in the gymnasium. Like many of the high-maintenance facilities on campus, the gymnasium was sponsored by the Fire Mane Adventurer's Guild. The guild provided equipment, assistant trainers, and the facility in exchange for having scouts present during the major examinations and excursions. This was their condition for sponsoring this facility, as they prioritized young up and coming talents.

"I have a few things in mind. First off, I have these," Alphonse whispered as he quickly flashed the mana cores that he had developed that day. He had his first three, which were the Fireball, Lightning Ball, and Wind Balls which were created before he knew any incantations or learned anything properly.

Next, he created a mana core with a magic circle that would create a metal stick. Although he did not hold an affinity for Earth Magic, the tests that he held for this mana core within the Academy's bathrooms proved that he would be able to create a decently strong metal staff about 1 cm in diameter and about 100 centimeters in length. This would act as his defensive tool, as he was able to somewhat use it the way he would use a rapier, although the metal staff did not have the same weight balance.

And finally, as his last resort, he created a mana core with a magic circle that would cause an explosion. The explosion would be non-lethal and would create the same effect as a flashbang. No matter how strong of a mage his opponent might be, they would not be able to predict this type of modern weaponry. He would definitely be able to take down his opponent while they were stunned.

"Wha- what on earth? Are those?" Ethan was shocked, "Did you make those mana cores? They look like they had magic circles on them too!"

"Shh! Yes, I did make these, and yes, they do have magic circles on them. I tried to apply what I learned in the earlier classes to create these. I've already given them a trial run earlier, so I'm certain that they work, and that they're safe. Well, at least for me." Alphonse responded in a hushed voice.

"... You really are something. To take what we learned today and already be able to create magic circles!" Ethan praised him.

"It was just a lucky guess."

"You don't just get lucky and create 5 magic circles man."

"They're not that special, I just made them so I could protect myself in most situations."

"Most situations? You're telling me that you made some different ones?"

"Yeah, all five do different things. It should, in theory, cover all my bases."

Ethan was speechless for a moment, "Al, you're incredible. You may be frail, but you have so much talent for magic!"

"Thanks, man. I appreciate it."

"There's just one thing you might not have accounted for though," Ethan seemed to remember an important point.

"And that is?"

"What if Professor Caebo doesn't allow the use of magic since we're all new to magic, and there's no way that idiot Lars has created his own mana core yet. What if he makes you guys brawl it out?"

"Huh? No way, what kind of Mage Professor would make his students use their fists in a duel."

"This one might. Professor Caebo is supposedly super strict and serious, and he used to work as both a Mercenary for war and as an Adventurer for a couple of strong guilds. If anyone would approve of brawling, it's him."

---

Lars marched triumphantly into the gymnasium. He was confident that the magic circle he created would be perfect for humiliating his victim. The spell he had prepared was a water ball. Lars planned on using this spell after beating up Alphonse. The water ball, albeit not lethal, would be the surefire way for him to establish that he was superior in every way. Not only would he prove his physical prowess, but he would also show off his talent in magic.

As he entered the gymnasium, he noticed that Alphonse was already in the front row of the students who had lined up.

'Hmph, so he didn't run away. At least his audacity is admirable' although, on the surface, Lars was calm, something felt off to him. This time, Alphonse didn't seem scared or worried. The first time, when Alphonse jumped in between Kaya and the brothers, Alphonse was shaking from head to toe. It didn't take much for him to immediately floor the kid.

But how could so much change in a day? Were his eyes deceiving him? It almost appeared as if Alphonse had grown a little bit stronger? But how could that be?

"Hey, you! What's your name?" Professor Caebo's loud and aggressive voice rang throughout the gymnasium.

Clearly caught off by this, Lars looked around. It didn't take long for him to realize that every other student was already standing in the middle of the gymnasium, while he was the one who just entered.

"Uh, Lars Halstien, sir!"

"Lars, eh? Some nerve you have, being late to my class. You have detention now. See you after class."

'Eh? Just like that?' Lars was surprised. Although Professor Caebo was known to be the no-nonsense type of professor who wouldn't tolerate any student's excuses for bullsh*t, Lars at least expected some leniency when he announced his surname.

"Well then, as this is your last class for today, there is no way on earth that you're in the wrong class, but just in case you are, that means that you also managed to be in the wrong class earlier today for me to not recognize you."

"Welcome to Intro to Combat Magic. This class is the foundation of all the second year combat magic classes. If you don't pass my class, don't even THINK that I'll allow you to move on to your second year."

"Now, the way we conduct this class is very simple. We take a look at a spell, and we practice using it on the target dummies. In order to pass this class, you will need to be able to demonstrate that you can destroy your target dummies from 50 meters away with at least 4 different spells. You must also be able to cast at least 2 of those 4 spells using Magic Circles."

"Normally, we would start the day off with me demonstrating a spell for all of you to copy, but fortunately today, we have two rascals who managed to cause problems on the very first day of classes."

Lars felt his shoulders tense up as the instructor glared at him. He was unable to relax until the instructor turned to glare at Alphonse.

Alphonse, on the other hand, did not seem phased at all.

"Will the two troublemakers come to the front?"

As soon as the two were standing in front of him the instructor sighed. Although his beloved Professor Veronica asked him to take care of these kids, he still found it to be a pain.

"Of course, the kid in detention would be the same kid to cause problems. Now, Lars, was it? Tell me and the entire class the reason you challenged a student to a duel on the first day!"

"This scum has insulted the honor of a Noble, sir!" Lars replied loudly.

"I see," Professor Caebo seemed to care even less about this squabble now, "And you, I think it was Alphonse? Why did you accept this duel?"

"Well sir, I was beaten to half death yesterday by him and his brother, so it's only natural for me to fight back once the playing field was evened out."

'What? How dare he imply that we ganged up on him!' Lars could feel the eyes of everyone judging him at that very moment.

"Ahhh, so you were the one that Headmaster Flicker was talking about…" Professor Caebo had an evil glint in his eyes.

"Well now, how are we going to do this? Will you kids be using Magic or not?" He asked.

Before Alphonse could respond, Lars loudly declared, "We'll go without magic this time. This peasant needs a handicap, after all. I bet the poor boy can't even cast a normal spell"

"Hm?" Professor Caebo seemed to be confused. As a professor that used to be in various military and mercenary gigs, he owned various magical equipment. One of those various types of equipment was his glasses. It allowed him to see mana cores that were hidden under light clothing. Although the Lars boy was carrying one mana core with a magic circle, the Alphonse boy had five! And none of them were identical! Wasn't this a handicap for Lars?

"Have it your way," Alphonse replied. He seemed to not care about the handicap at all."

"Very well. Will you be using weapons?" Professor Caebo continued to lay down the rules for the duel.

"Can this peasant even afford one? Spare the pleasantries, professor, our fists and feet shall be enough"

Once again, Alphonse didn't care about the slander nor the rules being set, which greatly stumped Professor Caebo.

"Alright. When this coin hits the floor, you may begin." The professor pulled out a silver coin and prepared to flick it into the air.

"Ready! 3! 2! 1!"

*Flick*

But before the coin officially hit the floor of the gymnasium, Lars began his charge at Alphonse.

*clink!*

The coin hit the floor, but Lars had already closed the distance, his fist soaring through the air.

Alphonse wasn't worried. He watched the fist slowly make its way towards him.

'Wow, that's awfully slow… C'mon past me, you got done in by a guy that could only punch that fast?'

Alphonse already knew what he had to do. As the fist flew towards him, he ducked his left shoulder back downwards, swinging his entire bodyweight down, fully avoiding the fist. And in the same motion, he threw his foot straight towards Lars' stomach.

A perfect counter! TaeKwonDo's spinning back kick!