Koda munched on a grainy slice of bread, dipping it deep into a cup of honey. His battle against Trent started in one hour. Not only was it his long awaited rematch, but it was the final round of the tournament. Trent humiliated each opponent he had by overpowering them with incredible feats of magic control.
Had Koda gained any more power since last losing to him? Of course! But did he have what it took to beat Trent? With seven colors under his belt plus silver magic, he certainly stood a better chance than last time. Silver magic would be the deciding factor. He was sure Silver magic would be the deciding factor. He was sure no other opponent of Trent had silver magic. That was the advantage that Trent had no counter to!
“Make sure to drink another glass of orange nectar,” Arrelion pointed to the pitcher of yellow tinted juice. “Stryneth, can you pour him a glass?”
The blue mage rose from his seat with the pitcher in his hand and poured the thick juice into Koda’s cup. “Your teacher is right, young Koda. Orange nectar, especially from Western Abyss, is known for its richness of vitamins. You'll be sure to have a healthy energy boost from two full glasses,” Stryneth said.
Raine plopped another serving of summer sausage onto Koda’s plate. “You’ll need your protein!”
Wildeye snatched the bread slice out of Koda’s hand.
“Hey!” Koda whined. “I was eating that!”
“Too much bread will make you sluggish,” Wildeye chided.
Stryneth handed Koda a small cup. “Water, too.”
Koda looked at the cup and smiled. “A little water never hurts.”
“Down the hatch, Koda,” Stryneth said.
“Okay, Koda.” Arrelion stood up and ushered Koda out of the tent. “I want you to go stretch and walk around the tournament grounds before you start your battle.”
Koda grabbed his sword and silver coat on the way out. “Don’t you think a quick nap would suit me better?”
Arrelion shook his head. “No, you’ll feel much better with loosened muscles, trust me on this.”
Koda slipped on his coat and slung his sword across his back. He looked at the arena and sighed. In thirty minutes everything leading up to this would begin. His final test for his last color—not only that, but against his first rival. It was time to show Trent that he was more than a spoiled green mage king. It was time to show the world he wasn’t the weak willed boy they all saw him as. He was Koda Dawnedge, the Master Mage!
***
“Watch the hands! Watch the hands!” Arrelion’s booming voice carried over the waves of cheering crowds. He ran in a dead sprint along the arena’s edge, blood pumping into his already tired muscles. Overhead a hand formed from debris, wind, and clouds slammed behind him. Over and over the hand narrowly missed Koda as he moved with purpose and desperation.
Koda huffed exhaustion and dove with the last lingering amount of energy he had. He rolled over his shoulder just as the hand swiped at him. He crawled to feet and wiped his sweat drenched face.
He’s dictated this battle long enough. If I am going to win I need to assert my dominance, I need to show how much power I have with a sword in my hand!
Trent reeled his hulking wind hand back. “Is that all you have, Koda?” he chuckled. “I expected more of a fight, but vhat did I expect from an elf?”
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Koda grit his teeth. No more running. He drew his ilrune and gripped with both hands.
“Ah, finally the silver mage makes an appearance,” Trent said.
Koda took a deep breath and began to channel white mage. Instantly a gust of wind surrounded him. Then he shut his eyes and channeled red magic and the air ignited into flares of fire.
“Vhat is this… power?” Trent whispered.
Koda adjusted his grip and slid a foot back. He raised his sword over his head and channeled green, purple, and brown magic. Now the fire erupted with flaming vines. Lightning stalks crept along the ground and burst into sparks. The stone tiles from the area floor rose in chunks around Koda’s feet. A swell of ethereal power pulsed from Koda. He snapped open his eyes. His irises flashed through the different colors of magic now coursing through his veins. With such a power boost, his victory was nearly guaranteed. He had flowed his entire reservoir into his sword now and all he needed to do was touch Trent. The white mage would fall over without a chance to defend himself.
Koda smirked. Sure he never pooled so much magic into a single foci, but never had to before! Trent was this much of a challenge and he was so close to his final color he could taste it!
Koda’s endurance waned with every second that was spent channeling his magic.
“One… m…” He panted with each letter. His head dropped up and down as he struggled to avoid passing out. Why was he so tired? Why did his magic expel so much effort from him?
He mustered that last drop of stamina he had and flared it through the ilrune. “One… MORE!” he roared at the top of his lungs. An explosion of ice and water rushed through his blade, combining with each of the five other elements. Concentrating further, he focused them around his sword like a volatile coating of magic. His sword felt heavier now. He struggled to keep it above his head and chose to lower into a Rabbit-Sai style. With Elucard’s training, he would be able to counter any attack Trent threw at him and counter with a set of unpredictable attacks. All he had to do was get in close.
Estinians have too much pride to run from a fight. I’ll take advantage of this!
Koda gave Trent an aggressive look and dashed at him. Trent’s eyes widened in surprise and flung the wind hand straight for Koda.
Koda whipped his blade up, carving the hand into and dissipating into mist. He continued to run. His lungs burned like tar, his muscles ached, and in his mind every ounce of his being screamed to stop, but he kept moving. Kept deflecting any spell slung at him. Kept his focus and kept his magic streaming. Trent was his greatest challenge. He would only be met with defeat if he underestimated him.
Finally he was inches from Trent. Inches from victory. He lept through the air, sword poised for one last strike. The attack that would end it. The tournament. His journey. His misery. His…
Koda’s pupils shrank two sizes smaller and his body gave out. He lost feeling in his limbs as he dropped at the feet of Trent. A hush fell over the crowd.
My magic… why are you doing this to me?! How is it that no matter how much power I find… it's still not strong enough against Trent?
Koda urged his body to grab his sword and get up. Come on! Move!
Trent let out a confident chuckle. He squatted down and lifted Koda’s chin. “Close, but not close enough, dear Koda.”
All Koda could do was bite his teeth down and growl. The rest of his body failed to listen to him. Arrelion, your damn magic did NOTHING! he screamed across his mind.
Trent stood up and gave an elegant bow. “I vould say you’ve taught me something about hard vork and endurance, but really Koda, this vas a disappointing match.”
Trent wooshed his hand aside and a gust of wind slid Koda off the arena.
“Koda Dawndege has gone out of bounds, the winner of the Bi-Annual Mage Tournament is Trent Brawnlion!”
The crowd erupted into a frenzy at the announcement of the winner. Healing magic rippled through body, restoring his stamina. He pushed himself to his feet. Koda reached for his sword and grabbed it. Everything Arrelion taught him still wasn’t enough to beat Trent. If he had the Magi, he would have won. So it was not just some crutch, it was a gift! Now thanks to Arrelion and Wildeye he’d squandered that gift and lost the tournament! Koda stared hard at the blade. A glimpse of Mateo’s school appeared within its surface before returning to his reflection. Hot tears ran down his face and with a gut wrenching roar he heaved the blade away.
“Koda!” Arrelion marched to his student. “What are you doing?”
“What I should have done long ago,” he sneered. He bumped his shoulder against his former teacher and stormed off the arena and into the crowd. Koda passed by Raine and Wildeye without making eye contact and into the arms of Strife.
