"Today was hard," Carter said. He swung his head back. Nat, Aurelius, and he walked with me toward the arena on the southeast corner of the island. I happened to run into them on the way out of my last class. Kanja too, but she said that she wanted to switch outfits.

"That test Mr. Obi gave us was difficult," Aurelius said as we hiked up the hill the Lodestar Arena was built over. It was smaller than the one where the finals happened, but it was still pretty impressive. However, both paled in size to the site where I'd met Hideo and his fellow knights. Sadly, that place didn't last long, having been destroyed a few days after its grand opening.

"Yeah. I think it was harder than the entrance exam itself. At least my next class was easier."

"Wasn't it Zionian?" Nat asked.

Carter nodded.

I smiled. "If you found it easy, then you must be a natural."

He rubbed his head and chuckled. "M-maybe! T-to be honest, I-I found m-my comprehension of the language perplexing. G-given I hadn't seen it prior. D-despite that, I felt acquainted with the language. M-Maybe in my past life, I was an angel!"

"You're talking funny," Aurelius said, laughing.

Cart blushed. "I-I still struggle to speak around pretty girls."

I smiled. He reminded me of kid Iah. When we first met, he could barely talk to me. Hard to believe that he became a casanova. Hopefully, Carter wouldn't end up the same.

Aurelius shook his head. "Not that. You're using words that seem odd hearing come from you."

Nat nodded.

He blinked and tilted his head. "That so? Why?"

"Well, it's just... You aren't very erudite," Nat said.

Carter rubbed his chin. "Erudite? Is that some kind of stone?"

Aurelius chuckled. "It does sound like one!"

Nat sighed. "It means someone who is smart."

"You were calling me dumb? Want to fight, huh? I'll happily give ya a rematch if that's what ya want!"

I sighed. "Boys, no fighting outside of official settings such as gyms, arenas, and specially designated areas," I said, waving a flyer.

Carter sighed. "But didn't Lei fight the Ogre's grandson outside of all those?"

I pressed the flyer against my lips. He had a point there. "Well, Lei sometimes breaks the rules, so he isn't exactly the best role model."

"R-Really? I-I want to be just like him!" Carter said, jumping up and down.

I giggled. "Can see why you would say that." I glanced up at the blue sky. "Even I find myself wishing that I were a little more like him."

Nat chuckled as he put both hands on Carter's shoulders. "Why are you so jumpy? Were you a bunny if your past life or something?"

"Oh, maybe! Mom used to say the same thing!" He frowned. "Mom..."

I closed my eyes as I recalled my parents as well. "I know how you feel, Carter."

"Sis!" a voice yelled. I turned to the right and saw a cloud of dust heading straight toward us.

I raised a hand in front of me. "Folium Murus!" Leaves flew into the air and formed a shield against the dust. "Eli, slow down! You're making a duststorm!"

He stopped. "Sorry! It's just that Wudi, Lan, and I were so happy to see you."

I gasped as Lan jumped out of his hoodie and into my lap. I looked down and noticed my dog was covered in dirt. She stuck out her tongue and barked happily.

"Aww, Wudi. I'm glad you're happy to see me, but you got yourself all dirty."

She barked and wagged her tail, getting rid of some of the dirt.

"Doggy!" Carter yelled, jumping and hugging her. He stroked her fur, dusting off parts of it.

"Hey!" I yelled.

Wudi licked him.

Carter laughed. "Seems she likes me!"

I sighed and smiled. Seems that Wudi has warmed up to being around people. Leaving Celeste to care for her was probably the right call.

"She's like a fluffier Lup!" Au said, grinning.

"You also own a dog?" Carter asked, glancing back at him.

He shook his head. "A wolf. It's my dad's loyal steed."

"Steed? He rides it?"

"Of course! He's a huge wolf!" Aurelius said, stretching his arms as far out as he could. "As big as a war horse!"

"H-how did he become that big? Or are wolves built differently in Vandavale?"

Au put his hands on his hips and grinned. "Dad fed him food enveloped with prana since he was a cub. That caused him to grow huge and powerful."

"His prana, I assume?" I asked.

"Yeah."

"Why?" Nat asked.

"We use our prana as it ensures an animal stays faithful once it grows up. Otherwise, it might become unruly as an adult."

"Wonder if I should eat prana to become bigger and stronger too," Cart mumbled.

I laughed. "That's what cultivation pills are for."

He frowned. "But I can't take those..."

"You can't?" Aurelius asked.

Carter shook his head. "Doctor Xi told my parents that it would make me very sick."

Sick? Is that how his parents worded it for him to understand as a child? The illnesses of a badly absorbed cultivation pill weren't always as 'kind' as typical sicknesses. Often, they were far more agonizing. Not to mention more lethal.

Aurelius sighed. "Bummer. But that does explain why your Magicum Organum hasn't been regulated."

"I know," Carter said, snuggling Wudi.

Wudi licked him.

He smiled and stroked her head. "Aww, thanks, doggy!"

"Doggies make everything better, huh?" Eli asked, grinning.

Carter nodded.

Maybe it was a good thing that he brought her along. Although, the topic of animal cultivation wouldn't have been discussed if not for Wudi.

"Hey, there you are!" Arima yelled as she and Alban ran over to us from the direction of the arena. "The first match is about to begin soon!"

"I'll be there in a minute. That said, I'm surprised that Ulissis and Alto aren't with you."

Alban smiled weakly. "That's because Alto's trying to help Uli calm down his nerves. I mean, you are an intimidating opponent to be up against. More so in a one-on-one."

Was I?

Arima smiled. "Indeed. You defeated Xue in the biggest match of round one."

I flushed. "Come on, you're just saying that to butter me up."

Alban laughed. "Come on! Arima wouldn't do that! Especially not when you're going to be up against our friend."

True. On the other hand, if it were anyone else, I would contemplate whether it was an attempt to make me relax more than I should.

"Regardless, I'll be cheering you on, Sis!" Eli said, pumping his fist.

I smirked. "Thanks, Eli. Well, I better get going. I shouldn't keep Ulissis waiting longer than he has to." Jumping into the air, I flew straight toward the arena.

"H-Hey, wait for us!" Eli yelled, running after me.

"Hey, you made it!" Lei yelled as I descended over the stands.

"What? Did you think that I wasn't going to show?" I asked with a playful smirk.

"No, but Arima was starting to think something bad had happened to you. Hearing her started to get me worried."

My face flushed. He was concerned?

"We all were," Nyima said, walking over with popcorn, drinks, and a single bag of carrots.

"You got yourself carrots? You eat super healthy!" Lei said.

She scoffed. "Of course. Junk food isn't good for you. As an aspiring Magus Maximus, you should know that better than anyone."

Lei frowned. "Maybe I could cut out the soda."

"Here, I got you your limited-time Honey-Tastic Thunder Dew, so you might as well drink it."

Lei took it. "Okay!"

I giggled. Was he trying to guilt trip Nyima, or was he seriously thinking of giving up the chance to taste honey-flavored soda?

"Looks like your match is about to start," Nyima said, looking at the ring. Marina stepped toward the middle of the half forested, half plain-tiled ring.

"Is everyone ready? Round two of the Second Year Foreign Exchange Students' tournament is about to begin! Kicking things up are the Fiery Flower as tough as Iron, Adela Xian, and the sweater-loving Ulissis!"

"W-why was my description so plain?" Ulissis asked as he stood up from his seat. I hadn't even noticed he had been sitting in front of Lei and Nyima all of this time...

"Don't worry! You'll surely make a name for yourself if you take down Adela!" Alto said.

Ulissis slapped himself. "Yeah." He sighed. "But that's easier said than done."

I took a deep breath. "Don't give up yet, Ulissis. You might surprise me."

He smiled. "True."

"Good luck, both of you!" Yen said.

"Thanks, I'll need it!" Ulissis said, running down.

Was he excited or anxious to get it over with?

"Our competitors are here!" Marina yelled as soon as she noticed us behind her. "Give us a rousing show!"

I stretched my arms in front of me. "Don't worry, you'll get one. Right, Ulissis?"

He gulped. "Y-yeah."

I walked toward the part with the forest while Ulissis took the plain side.

"And that's what I love to hear! Now, begin!"

"Folium Murus!" I chanted, but nothing happened. Like I'd thought, his anti-magic was in affect now.

Ulissis forced a smile. "I neutralized your magic with my super secret light spell!"

My eye twitched. "You suck at lying," I whispered, dashing at him.

He jumped to the side and ran toward the forest. Oho? Never did I think that someone would run into where I had the advantage like that. Then again, I lacked said upper hand at the moment...

I ran after him. "Hiding won't help you!" I kicked the ground, sending chunks of stone flying into the air.

He emerged from hiding and picked up a rock. The boy continued running.

What was he doing? Why did he show himself if he thought of continuing to run?

Ulissis jumped into the air and launched the rock he had picked up at me.

I scoffed. Did he think that would win him this match? Even Iah had a hard time defeating me and he was an earth mage!

My vines struck the center of the rock, shattering it into various bits. So, my plant magic worked with him at this distance. That said, that jump of his just now was incredible! It has to be a whole thirty feet!

I gasped as Ulissis rushed at me from behind. Ugh, I'd allowed myself to get distracted by something so simple! No, I let my guard down because of its simplicity.

I grasped Ulissis's arm and flicked him into the closest tree. He grimaced but rolled out of the way as I flicked a prana sword at him.

Why had he dodged? Was his magic neutralization over? Instinct? Or perhaps, he was attempting to conserve it for as long as he could. Though, it could be a mix of the latter two.

I smiled. Well, at least this gives me a bit of a challenge. It would be best to try to knock him down without the use of my magic.

Jumping back, I summoned my sword and transformed it into its sword form. A couple of whacks from this should do the trick. However, would it even work? It could be reverted back into its wand form as soon as I get too close to him. The full extent of Ulissis's power remained unknown.

Ulissis smiled and picked up another rock.

Hmm, was he aware of my unease? Hmph, thinking like that would result in making the same mistakes Arima made with Vermeil. However, rushing in would also be foolish. Alas, like Ling liked to say, 'You won't find out without taking some risk.'!

My sword glowed, reverting back to normal as I got close to him. I smiled and jabbed him with the crimson wand. Even in its base form, it could still be used as a weapon. Anything could if used properly, or as some would say 'improperly'.

Ulissis headbutted me, sending me flying back. I gasped as something sticky dripped from my forehead. Blood. What was his head made out of?

He dashed at me with both fists out.

I zoomed behind him and slammed my palm against his back, sending him falling head first to the ground.

"Not bad, but I'm ending this here," I said, grasping his arms and pulling them behind his back.

He gritted his teeth as I applied pressure to them. I had to be careful not to hurt him permanently.

I gasped as his feet hit me. Hadn't expected him to be this flexible. Letting go of him, I kicked him on the side, sending him rolling into one of the trees.

"Not bad. Seems you worried more than you should've, given you're still up!" I yelled, dusting myself off.

Ulissis pushed himself up and smiled. "Maybe, but I wouldn't say that out of the woods just yet."

I smirked. "Right you are."

He ducked as I delivered a flying kick. His fist went straight for my stomach, but I grasped it with both hands and threw him into the air by tilting my body and swinging my arms leftward.

Ulissis coughed up blood as he hit the ground. Perhaps, I had used too much strength.

He wiped his lips and stepped back. Why did he insist on being on the defensive? My eyes scanned the stones scattered around him. If he were an earth mage, I would've been cautious about pursuing him there.

My opponent spun to the left and kicked up stones, then spun toward the right and threw several more into the air. So, it was a trap. I tightened my muscles, slammed the stones, and avoided them whenever I could.

Ulissis continued to throw the ones that had fallen back down, all while maintaining his distance from me, preventing my magic from activating.

I have to turn things around!

Using my wand, I batted some of the stones at him.

He gasped and ducked but continued to stay close to me. His feet! I batted one of the flying stones at him.

Ulissis smiled and kicked a stone at it, causing them to send out sparks and fly back at us. He jumped back while I ducked mine.

"Victory!" I said, jumping out of the stone field.

He gulped and held out his hands to grasp my wand. I threw a knee kick, but he blocked it with one of his own.

"Despite your earlier nerves, you're as persistent as Xue," I said, smiling as I let go of my wand. Appearing behind him, I slammed his back once against.

He gritted his teeth as I grasped his arms. This time, I made sure to pin his legs down with my knees and feet. Ulissis let out a scream.

"Sorry," I whispered as I weakened my pull on his arms. Hopefully, I hadn't torn any of his ligaments.

He smiled weakly. "Y-you win."

I let go of him completely.

Ulissis pressed his chin against the shattered tiled floor and sighed. "I knew that I stood no chance against you."

I shook my head. "You did a lot better than either of us expected."

He smiled. "Maybe, but I still feel crummy about not winning."

I held out his hand. "Can you still move?"

He grabbed my hand. "Yeah. I'm fine."

"Looks like the match is over! The winner is Adela Xian! A round of applause for her and Ulissis for giving us a rousing martial arts battle!"

Ulissis blushed. "Marina... Why does she have to be so embarrassing?"

I blinked. "Say, do you know her?"

"Uh, yeah. Her brother and my aunt dated. They gave me twin cousins."

"Huh... small world."

He chuckled. "Worlds."

I smiled. "Good point. Well, we better get going. It's Nyima and Yen's turn now."

He glanced at Yen and Nyima. "Your teammates going to have a hard time."

I eyed Nyima as she and Yen descended the metal steps. Ulissis had a point. Sound magic beat water magic, forcing her to depend almost entirely on her light magic once again. Ha. Not that Nyima would let a little elemental advantage knock her down. She did beat my wood magic last year, after all.

**Solar Note: I hope you enjoyed the battle between Ulissis and Adela! Expectations for Yen vs. Nyima?**