If I could ever describe how big the school is, then it was with my wide and open mouth.

I might be exaggerating with my gaping mouth and all but... it's massive. No kidding.

I was nervous, for sure. New environment, new unwritten school rules that I obliviously (and probably unwisely) ignore... but I was excited. Who cares about the rules that might be ridiculous in the first place? All I really wanted to do was stay under the radar and survive.

The grass fields stretched, mowed to perfection without a single weed inching from between. Students chattered, sitting with their friends, comparing their schedules as their weapons glistened in the sun.

My awe expression faltered. I wish I had friends like that.

Shaking off my thoughts, I trotted along. The architecture were old, full of brick, modernised with glass that surrounded them. I passed under an archway, dodging a group of boys who were talking about joining clubs.

Welcome to Phoenix Academy, my friends.

A girl passed me with a double-blade attached on their backs, clunking with each step she took. I gave a sly peek, sparing an admiring glance at my own weapon.

Reflecta.

It was light, fitted snuggly in it's stealth with the colour of fog, shimmering ever slightly in light azure. I wrapped my hand around it's hilt, and felt my insides settle.

As I hopped a step down, I took a corner turn... never in my life did I expect to bump into something that sturdy.

Was that a brick wall?

I held my forehead, wincing as I looked up. The boy was taller than me. When he staightened himself up, he had proven himself to be... much taller than me. His balled his fists, his face twisting into a scowl.

I inhaled a shaky breath.

"Look who we have here!" He grabbed my sleeve and my heart leaped from my throat from the unfamiliar contact. He threw me roughly to the side but thankfully, I stumbled to a recovery.

Should I let this go?

Nope.

"Do I know you?" I said, my tone edged with challenge and hostility. Being completely honest, this guy seemed awfully dramatic. Look who we have here? Um... your worst nightmare?

He widened his scowl into a devilish grin. "Now you do."

His friends' laughters were his battle music, and I was thrown off guard when he threw a punch toward my face. I dodged to the side, but his fist scraped my cheeks.

I staggered, tripping myself into a red bush.

Students already began to gather around us. I could hear their murmurs as I shook off the leaves and branches. The boy pulled out his saber with a shing.

"Yo! It's a fight, come watch!"

Let's be honest, why do people get excited with murder? I guess as long as someone else was the victim.

I'm no victim.

I quickly entangled myself from the bush, patting off my sleeves. My stomach did somersaults and it was clear no one was going to help me off with this situation.

One-on-one combats between students were common practice in our world. And it can be hard to identify who was a bully or a respectful opponent.

He aimed his saber at me, the sharp edge blinked in the sun.

I clenched my jaw and held my grip tightly on the hilt of my weapon.

Reflecta, fight with me.

Without warning, he made his move. I quickly leapt back when his saber hit the ground I once stood, unsleathing my sword in the process.

The smooth, metallic colour of thunder radiated under the sun, Reflecta was in it's elegant and dazzling form.

I flipped onto a rock behind me, my heart shaking at the afterthought.

"Scared, are we?" He teased, swinging his saber in a wide stance.

I tilted my head, feigning confusion to buy time. It was his strategy. Degrade me and my own psychology will push me to fight. The worst thing was... my nerves had got me. All those tricks I was able to foresee with my bare eyes were gone in a flash. All I had in my mind was: I'm not scared. Fight him.

Win him.

I gave a loving gaze at Reflecta and raised it. I grew silent.

Sensing my seriousness, the boy's expression faltered. He leaned down and pounced. I threw myself from the rock and rolled to a stand. I heard the stone floor crack, it's rocks flying off as the saber carved through it.

My blade glistened in the sun. I raised it, and Reflecta did her job. The metal may seem ordinary, but as the sun's ray was reflected and bent under it's metallic properties, that's when I would smile.

The boy winced, shielding his eyes with his free arm while his other, holding the sword, was already going off-course. I sped up close to him, striking him in the leg. I flicked my wrist, my power mechanism adjusting to aim, and booted him in the stomach.

A snowflake bloomed around the boy and emphasised the power of my kick. The boy flew twice as far as he normally would if I had kicked without my powers.

Out of panic, he raised his hand, swiping to the left.

Lambert Rodd has asked you for a duel, accept or deny?

I wanted to laugh. He was buying himself time to recover.

"Formalities?" I attempted my best smirk. My lips shook from nervousness, and I hoped he didn't notice. "Rare from someone like you."

At the corner of my eyes, I caught figures watching me at the bridge hallway between two buildings. A man was staring at me intently from the glass, and if I wasn't wrong, he was intrigued. Another lady stood next to him, using her hands to gesture in an urgent manner.

He stood up, held his saber. "Get on with it."

I could keep arguing. I could keep stalling. I could just walk away but...

I lifted my index finger.

Accept.

The chattering grew into cheers and whoops. People threw their hands in the air.

"Fight!"

PLAYER ONE

LAMBERT RODD_

The projector-like vision in front of us typed and announced.

PLAYER TWO

CASSANDRA WILLIAMS

ENERGY 100%

And the countdown had begun. I had an urge to shake my hands out. My palms were sweating, but I knew if I did that, it would show my insecurity. If I was going to lose, at least make me lose confidently. I won't lose on my confidence – even if it was faked.

THREE...

My stomach did another somersault. I internally regret eating my cheese and ham sandwich in the morning.

TWO...

My breath hitched in my throat.

ONE...

My eyes focused on Lambert as he plastered a smug smile on his face.

THE DUEL HAS STARTED-

Lambert charged towards me before the mechanical voice had finished it's announcement.

I waited for him. It wasn't a surprise that Lambert who had an attitude of a bull wouldn't fight like one.

I glided to the side like an ice skater, an ice trail following me as I moved away.

"Stop running away, you wimp!" He sliced his saber toward my body. From the reflection of my sword, his sword was coming down to the centre of my head.

I pivoted, bent down and jumped. I threw one foot up into the air, kicking the saber by the tip of it's blade. I threw my head back, willing gravity and physics to do it's magic as I flipped like a gymnast.

"WHOA!" The crowd cheered.

The saber flew back with Lambert, but he recovered before I could savour my short-lived, victorious moment. He crashed his blade with mine, and the force was alarming. I inched back, but held my grip firm.

The ring of two blades sounded in our make-shift areana, and I pulled my sword up, side-stepping. His balance faltered and I quickly pulled my sword away.

As he stumbled, I took the chance to strike him at his weak spot.

ENERGY 90%

One slice already took 10% off him? It was my turn to be smug.

I had quickly moved my way around him, always remaining at his blind spot before I took another sneaky blow behind him. I quickly retreated before he had the chance to strike back.

I waved my sword in the sun, the azure colour flooded the carvings of my blade. I felt the rushing waves in my blood, the particles reacting quickly. I summoned my water energy.

Water was my main element and I had discovered it since a young age. However, my blade Reflecta and it's properties were top secret. I would be deadmeat if anyone found out, but since I am still in the middle of telling an epic battle between LAMEbert and me, let's continue, shall we?

Water sprouted from the ground and the crowd gasped in amazement. I gathered the water around my sword with a quick twirl and zoomed for Lambert.

My powers listened to me willingly and I felt Reflecta's power shine through. I struck him at multiple spots with deadly precision.

ENERGY 79%

Lambert brought out his saber, meeting my sword. The vibration loosened my grip on Reflecta but my water had snaked toward Lambert's shoulder to buy me time. I hopped back, tightened my grip before I charged again.

Lesson one: never drop your weapon.

He struck me by the leg and smashed the rock underneath the soles of my feet to throw me off balance. I fell to the floor but got up quickly.

Lesson two: never be a fallen prey.

Rocks flew toward me face. I inclined my head back to dodge it, my body coming parallel to the floor. Unlucky for me, one rock scraped my shoulder and landed with a bang behind me.

With one twirl, I was back on my feet but my shoulder throbbed and hissed in pain.

Damn.

Another sharp pain travelled down my back, the sensation ending at my chest. I threw myself to the side as he leapt for me again.

ENERGY 96%

Lambert didn't do a very good job. Sad face.

With a sharp intake of air, I lifted up my sword to aim it at his chest. He aimed high, but my small figure gave me an advantage. I lowered and sliced my sword across his lower abdomen, cutting through the first protective layer indicated by a red sparkle. It was his shield that is automatically placed on him in duel mode. Without his previous invitation, we would be drawing real blood.

I snuck behind him, my right leg bent in the air and my other on the floor as both of my hands gripped onto the hilt of my sword.

My blade had shimmered again. Lambert covered his eyes, and the audience gasped and cowered away from the sudden brightness.

I took a stab.

But he dodged.

I cursed under my breath before I turned on my foot, my other supporting behind me to halt my movements. I sent commands to my limbs, forcing me to move faster.

Left, right! Turn and jump!

FASTER!

My arm began to ache but they wasn't concerned. I never wanted to win so badly. My ambition felt out of place.

I gave a ruthless slice across his shoulder.

ENERGY 73%

I grinned. I was swaying him so much that-

Suddenly, he outstretched his free hand. There was an unpleasant, tingle of a sensation that travelled down my arm. I grew rigid, a cold chill ran down my neck as I realised what was happening.

Blood manipulator!

I opened my mouth in shock and looked down. My fist weakened, my fingers were already losing it's grip. I felt Reflecta slip from my grasp.

Reflecta fell to the floor, clinking against the stone floor; hollow and defeated.

It can't end like this.

"No..." I muttered a weak protest. Clenching my jaws, I tried to force the control out of my arms but it came back. The strain was in both of my hands and it was out of my control.

Lambert smirked, his hands in the air. He curled his fingers and I felt his touch under my skin.

"Stop..." I found myself saying. My blood vessels felt like they wanted to explode.

He swung his arm to the side and I was suddenly flying into trees and bushes. I hit a wall and fell to the floor, coughing.

Get up. You are no fallen prey.

I boosted myself up, my powers shifted my weight to become as light as a snowflake. I kicked off from the wall to seek my vendetta. My eyes straightened, and I silently zoomed toward him like flashes of lightening. The opportunity of ambushing him was too desireable; with his back facing me and completely unaware as he waved at the audience, raising their cheers.

My glance sparkled as I neared, but I was wrong about him. Lambert turned and threw up his arms again.

I was thrown back into the trees and landed roughly on the ground. One of my hand were stuck above me against the wall, a sharp pain had ebbed louder. I knew he was holding me there.

I stiffened when I heard footsteps. Lambert. My heart plummeted to my stomach.

Did I... lose?

I wiggled my fingers, feeling my powers protest against his restraint. Lambert pulled apart the trees and I wanted to throw my ice powers out. Except he threw up his hand and trapped my free hand too. My powers burst open, the light and ice travelled, freezing the wall and half of the glass bridge.

I stifled a groan, hoping to break free.

"Weakling," he hissed. I tensed when I saw the glint from his saber.

"I'm not..." I stopped when I realised how weak my voice sounded. Besides the fear, I knew it was from the dizziness. Lambert was holding my hands tight, and all the blood was travelling to my palms rather around my body.

I inhaled a harsh breath, leaning back. Paling as he teased me with his blade. The tip of his weapon moved along my arms and stopped at my neck. I felt vulnerable.

"Lambert, you win..." I attempted. "What are you planning to do? Kill me?"

He ignored me and raised his saber. I closed my eyes and turned my head to the side.

No.

SHING!

CLASH!

I heard the sound of two swords crashing together with such power. I blinked my eyes open, unable to believe I was this lucky.

Lambert held his hands against another boy around our age. He had hair in the colour of mocha and he was wearing some sort of long vest, tied at his waist with his belt. The edge of his long vest scrapped my knee as I tried to get a closer look at the situation.

Lambert pushed his saber further, but found that he couldn't. They stood there for another full minute. No conversation. No moves.

Whatever interaction was happening between them, I was in too much pain to realise.

Perhaps even Lambert was stunned by his beauty. But I didn't have much time, I was fading. My body sagged further to the ground, my arms stretched painfully.

"I'm grateful for the whole saving me thing but... could you guys hurry up?" I coughed. "I'm... literally... dying..."

I sensed my saviour's glance on me. "Let her go."

The tension was gone and I felt the cold dissipate from my cheeks. My hands were free!

ENEGRY 60%

But the moment the pressure in my wrist left me, I knew what Lambert was thinking about.

"No you don't!" I flailed out my arm weakly, but my ice powers didn't fail me. They left my fingertips and shot Lambert in the cheeks, and he cupped his face and replied me with a series of nasty curses.

My saviour turned to look at me, a clever spark in the eye as he came to quick realisation with what was coming down. He took a step back, looked to the side. "Oh, hey Sir, can you come over for a sec?"

Lambert's face paled. He grabbed his weapon and made a dash the opposite way. And suddenly, Lambert was out of view and I couldn't stand up. Everything felt very much like a dream, but I knew it wasn't. From the very moment I knew Lambert was going to hurt me, I felt scared.

I had lost.

"You okay?" He grabbed my arm as I tried to stand, which ended up being a humiliating struggle.

"Yeah, yeah, I-" My eyes met his and my vision was washed over with the colour of emerald.

"Are...you okay?"

I could barely take my eyes off it.

"Are you okay?" That was the third time he had asked me, but every time he did, it was cold and isolated. His glance was hard and serious, and his skin didn't even twitch.

I blushed and stammered. "Sorry, I've never met someone with such... green eyes."

Oh god.

"And I've never heard someone ever say that to me."

The surprise was obvious on his face, and for a moment, I saw him slip. A realness that he kept for himself, or maybe for those he cared about.

He cleared his throat, taking a step back. The spark in his eyes were gone and I knew the walls were back up.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He furrowed.

Your eyes are very dreamy. Oh, shut it, Cassie. A girl must have some pride.

"Yes," I cleared my throat. Fake it till you make it. "I am fine now... thanks to you..."

He nodded, looking a bit uncomfortable. Same, dude, same.

I wanted to ask for his name, but he took a step back and whatever happened just then didn't seem relevant anymore. He seemed like he was happy being a stranger.

Fair.

I blurted another 'thanks' and improved it with a smile as I rushed out of the bush like an idiot. The students who watched the drama left.

I sighed in relief and went to retrieve Reflecta from the ground. I smiled, caressing it. I don't think I would want anything to happen to it.

"Students!"

I jumped and relaxed when I realised it was only the school announcements. Forgive my jumpiness, I almost died.

"Please head towards the troop area and we will be able to sort your team out accordingly! Thank you!"

I breathed another sigh. I felt like I didn't thank him properly, but his coldness just wanted to make me stay as far away as possible.

Maybe that was for the best.





***



A/N

Welcome to Phoenix Academy, peeps!

Before you go and sign up for your troops, leave a vote or comment to cheer Cassandra on! (More like, cheer me on haha)

Till next time,

L