Koda’s new ilrune glistened in the morning light. He held it upright so its edge split his reflection as he bowed his head against it. The power of his ancestors coursed through the hilt and up into its shimmering, runed blade. This was his very own ilrune, forged in Adamant Keep’s fires. Perfectly balanced. Perfectly folded. Perfect in every way.

  Now he was set to challenge his wind magic. His sixth color. The first color he challenged for, and his first defeat. He may not have been facing Trent, but this headmaster would have to due.

  He let out a long sigh and nodded to the referee. “I am ready.”

  “This duel is for a white sash,” announced the official. “Challenger Koda versus Headmaster Mugen. All colors are allowed and the fight will end once the victor has landed three hits first.”

  Koda didn’t need to travel far for this wind mage school. For several mage schools called Twin Cliff’s home, not only Adamant Keep and to a lesser extent Nova’s school, but a hydro, earth, and wind one too.

  Koda held onto his bated breath as the white striped flag raised into the air and then fell with a sharp swing.

  “Begin!” the referee shouted.

  Koda lowered his sword, still clenching it with both hands. He narrowed his eyes and waited for the first spell to be shot at him. Mugen danced on the tips of his toes. Each bounce carried by a light brush of wind. Finally he spun in the air and whipped a large arc of slicing wind at Koda.

  Alright. Here goes nothing..

  As the spell swept closer. Koda slid his right foot forward and his left foot back. He shouted and heaved his sword downward in a devastating swing. The blade cut the arc in two, sending the wind blowing past either side of him. In the same motion of his swing, a rush of red magic flared through the ilrune and powered at Mugen in Koda’s own advancing arc.

  The fire wave propelled at a blazing speed, giving Koda’s opponent very little time to react. He dove to the side, the tips of his robes blackening from singeing embers. Mugen rolled over his shoulder and lept back to his feet. Koda smirked. He practiced these exercises with Elucard and Cade, mastering ways to avoid and counter spells using a sword, so he anticipated Mugen’s movements.

  The elven king barreled forth and channeled vernal magic. A fat, twisting vine emerged from the sword’s tip, exploding with such force that it rocked Mugen backward and wrapped tightly around him.

  Before Koda could take advantage of his control, Mugen vanished!

  Koda’s eyes darted up and down. Left and right. He knew the white mage turned to air. He expected such a scenario and he was ready for it.

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  Sending blue magic through his sword, he focused on the moisture in the air.

  Unbelievable! Koda thought. The water flows so freely through me, so fluid. It calls to me as if I were the rain itself. Never have I experienced magic like this. To be a Silver Mage is something else entirely.

  Koda snapped open his eyes and belted out a long cry. The sound of ice cracking under his weight rang across the open field. The air froze in a biting coldsnap!

  Koda spun on his heel, hearing a grunt come from behind him. Mugen stood encased in ice. Koda gave him a smirk and lashed out his blade, Slicing a shallow cut across the wind mage’s chest and shattering the icy tomb.

  “First hit for the challenger!” the referee called out.

  Mugen stumbled backwards, but Koda didn’t let him get his wits together, He swung widely firing stone discs that smashed into his opponent’s ribs with a gruesome crack.

  The referee shouted once more, “Second hit for the challenger!”

  Koda’s face grew serious. Time to finish this.

  Mugen winced, scrambling to his feet. He clutched his broken and bruised ribs and blasted a gust of wind at Koda.

  Koda lunged underneath the attack and swung his sword. Sparks of electricity shot out in long stalks, jolting through Mugen’s body. The man shook violently before collapsing to the ground.

  The referee’s flag shot up into the air. “The challenge has scored his final hit. Koda wins!”

  Arrelion pumped a fist in celebration. He walked to the center of the battlefield with Raine and Wildeye following closely behind.

  “Congratulations, Koda!” Raine gave him a gleeful smile and warm hug.

  “It was an excellent show of your new strength!” cheered the wolf.

  “You have your sixth element, but it is time to get ready for your next challenge,” Arrelion said.

  “Shadow?” guessed Koda.

  “Not quite yet,” answered his mentor. “No, the Bi-Annual Mage Tournament is just around the bend.”

  Koda scratched his head. “I’ve only heard about it briefly from Raine.”

  “It is run by the High Mage Council and only the best of the best students are invited to the tournament. You will face each competitor in a head to head duel,” explained Arrelion.

  Koda blushed. “Thank you for considering me among the elite. What are the rules?”

  “All colors are allowed. You fight until you incapacitated your opponent or knock them out of the ring.”

  “The winner gets their color of choice!” piped up Raine.

  Koda nodded, a wide smile grew across his face. “That’s how I’ll get my shadow magic.”

  “Yes.” Arrelion nodded. “And I’ve taken the liberty to enter you into the tournament. With your six colors and silver magic, you will make a challenging competitor. However, you still must stay sharp and on your toes, Koda. These young mages are no slouches.”

  Koda turned to Raine. “Will you be there?”

  Raine slowly nodded. “Michael has given me a second chance to represent his school…”

  Koda placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “You won’t fail him, Raine.”

  “Let’s make a pact.” She raised her hand “One of us wins this thing.”

  Koda drew a wide grin. He clasped her hand tightly. “You’re on!”