Beginnings of the Modern Mage

Long Live the King

The air sparks from that revelation and I instantly get up. He’s…the king? He’s….

Nao: “Y-You actually shorter than I thought you would be.”

…

…

Trevor: “Hahaha, yeah. But I like the fact I’m only 5’10. The faces of 6-foot guys getting crushed by me are priceless.”

Nao: “Lucky you.”

Trevor: “I actually didn’t believe that Anton’s plaything beat those same 6-foot guys. But look at you! I have to say, you’ve got my attention. I’ve been dying to fight someone interesting. No one else has the guts to step up to the plate.”

Nao: “I rather not. As you can see, I’m tired.”

Besides, I don’t want to go through…that again.

Trevor: “Yeah but you see-”

Trevor appears in front of me with a crazy grin and followed up with a punch to the gut. The blow forces me onto my knees coughing.

That…blasted the air out of my lungs.

Trevor: “I’m not that patient. I’m sure you’ll pull something out if I push you to the brink. Yeah, show me that look you had when you were beating down that poor bastard.”

I look back to the crowd to try and find Alyson for any sort of support. But she’s nowhere in sight. I…should have expected that. She wouldn’t risk her position for me, especially after seeing me like that. I’m…not Alphon either.

I get back up and put up a fighting stance. I’m all I got.

Trevor: “Try not to get knocked out too fast.”

Instantly, I felt a hit to the face which forces me back. That…was way too fast. I cover my bleeding nose and counter with a kick. But he catches it and backhands me.

Even that hurt much more than anything so far.

Trevor: “Come on, I held back on that one.”

Enough, Illusion!

…

…

Trevor: “What are you doing?”

Nao: “!!?”

“What is that dork doing, playing magician?”

“Did he finally break from the pain?”

“Poor guy.”

W-W-What happening? Why-

*Punch*

Nao: “Gah!”

Trevor: “Come on, get up.”

Arc: “Interesting, never thought there would be someone like that here.”

What are you talking about?!

Arc: “Some people in creation are naturally immune to magic. With your ability, you won’t win against him.”

Maybe…

*Flash*

Trevor: “Where did you get that book?”

Swap illusion for healing. Transform back and heal!

*Healing*

Trevor: “Are your wounds closing? Hahahah! You’re not disappointing me Napoleon, come on!”

I stand back up with most wounds healed. I spit out some blood and glare at Trevor.

Nao: “The real fight starts now.”

Trevor: “Excellent.”

He’s too fast for me so going in will only get countered attack. But there’s is a way.

I beckon him to come get some.

Trevor: “Don’t mind if I do.”

He appears right in front of me again and unleashes a flurry of blows. Each one hurts like hell but as long as I heal I can keep going.

Trevor: “Hey, I have a punching bag at home. Fight back!”

Now!

Trevor: “!!”

Nao: “Your movements are simple. I just needed…*Pant*…to get used to them.”

Score one point for high intelligence. I got a hold of his leg after he tried a kick to my sides. He’s fast but I can predict the hits a bit now.

Trevor: “No one survived that many hits to even attempt that, cool man.”

I ball up my fist and punch Trevor’s smug face as hard as I can.

Trevor: “That actually hurt a bit. Let’s keep going!”

Trevor blindsides me with a fast punch to the face despite his position. Despite the stinging pain, I refuse to let go of his leg!

*Heal*

*Punch*

*Punch*

*Heal*

*Punch*

*Punch*

*Heal*

*Punch*

*Punch*

*Heal*

We continue exchanging blows but I’m the one taking the most damage. I earned only a few scratches and a bloody nose on his face.

How did it come to this? All I wanted to do is stop them from bullying us. Why must we be drawn into this fucking mess! It’s all the king’s fault…it’s all their faults…

….I…I…want to kill him!

Trevor: “Yes! That’s the look!”

….No…calm down. I can’t be drawn into his rhythm.

Nao: “*Breathes*”

Trevor: “Awww, don’t be a dead starfish. I’m going to actually put more strength into this next punch. If you don’t actually try, you’ll be on the ground.”

Damn it, fine. But I won’t be like him. He might be able to negate spells aimed at him but can he do that to ones aimed at me?

Shapeshift my hand into tiger claws!

Nao: “Tch.”

Heal and keep going!

Our powered-up fists clash with our faces violently. His punch made me let him go and knocked me back onto the ground. My slash cut deep into his cheek but otherwise…

Trevor: “*Licks blood off his face*”

Trevor: “Wow, how did you cut me? You know, it doesn’t matter! I haven’t felt this alive in a long time!”

“Aren’t they going too far?”

“Yeah, it’s not funny anymore.”

“That’s right guys, stop already.”

Shut up, you fuckers! You do nothing but spectate when people like this beat us up. You don’t get to stop this one just because its bloody. This is reality!

Trevor: “Hey, don’t lose focus. Ignore those idiots behind us, they don’t matter.”

Hate to say it, I have to agree. I put them out of my mind and focus on Trevor.

*Heal*

Trevor: “I tell yea man, you’re amazing! No matter how much I hit, you keep getting up. Let’s keep going!”

Arc: “You’re overusing healing, stop or you’ll damage your incomplete mana center!”

If I stop now, I won’t ever recover from this. It’s now or never, this will decide if I’m somebody or nothing! If I can defend what’s important or not!

I get up and charge against Trevor with all I have left.

Trevor: “Yeah, one last great battle before everything ends!”

Shapeshift, tiger claw!

Nao: “HAAAA!”

Trevor: “HAHAHAH!”

???- “STOP!”

Our hits stop right before connecting but the force is enough to send a small air shockwave out around us.

Trevor is the first to put his fist down. All I can manage is transforming back before someone takes a closer look.

Trevor: “Buzzkill, maybe next time Napoleon. Well, I guess you earned the right to be called by your name. See you later, Nao.”

Trevor leaves as soon as the teachers come running to me and the Black Listers. All the adrenaline instantly leaves my body and I…blackout.