CHAPTER 24 — FIRST OF THE CLASS

The day the first-years had been waiting for had finally arrived. The main arena was completely packed from the morning on. Students had settled into the stands hours in advance. Even the upperclassmen had come out of curiosity. The teachers' section was full as well. Because today was no ordinary ranking. Today, the apex of the first-year class would be decided.

* * *

Adrian Wycliffe walked to the center of the arena. He slowly raised the list in his hand. The noise of the crowd gradually died down. Finally, the entire arena fell silent. Wycliffe looked at his students.

"The rules are quite simple."

"We will use a single-elimination system."

"The loser will be completely out of the tournament."

"The winner will face their next opponent."

"The last two students will play in the final."

Wycliffe paused briefly.

"The winner of the final will be the first of the class."

Applause rose from the stands. Wycliffe raised his hand again.

"And the class president."

* * *

This time, the arena truly exploded. Percy raised his eyebrows.

"There's a presidency too?"

William answered calmly.

"Didn't you read the rules?"

Percy looked at him.

"I pretended to read them."

Charlotte covered her face. Clara wasn't surprised at all. Arthur shook his head.

"Surprisingly, I'm not surprised."

Percy turned to him.

"Nobody asked you, Wall Green."

Arthur's face fell.

"That name isn't going to stick."

Clara answered immediately.

"I think it's actually pretty nice."

Charlotte suppressed a laugh. Arthur looked at Clara.

"You too?"

Clara shrugged.

"Four meters twenty-three centimeters."

Arthur turned to Percy.

"I am really going to kill you."

Percy smirked.

"I'll sleep for seven days."

* * *

Arthur involuntarily laughed. Clara noticed this. She didn't say anything. But a small smile formed on her face.

* * *

Just then, the door opened. It was the large teachers' entrance at the back of the arena. A woman walked inside. The first thing felt was heat. Then Orin.

* * *

Fire.

* * *

The air around the woman was rippling. Her steps were calm and measured. But her aura was definitely not calm. Half of the students instantly turned toward her. Whispers rose from the upperclassmen.

"No way."

"What is she doing here?"

"The transfer rumor was true."

Percy looked at the door. Clara's eyebrows went up. Even Arthur stopped talking.

* * *

A voice echoed over the loudspeakers.

"Attention, academy students."

The arena fell silent once more.

"Professor Elizabeth Olsen..."

"...has transferred to the new Mage Academy faculty."

Murmurs rose from the stands again.

* * *

The three academies were already parts of the same whole. They had merged under a single academy system. However, training classes were still separated. That was why teacher transfers were significant. Especially for teachers of Olsen's level.

* * *

Olsen walked toward the teachers' section. Wycliffe looked at her.

"Your timing is quite dramatic."

Olsen smiled faintly.

"I chose it on purpose."

Wycliffe nodded.

"Of course."

* * *

Olsen looked toward where the students were standing. Her gaze briefly rested on Percy. Then Clara. Arthur. William. Charlotte.

* * *

"An interesting class."

Wycliffe sighed.

"You haven't seen anything yet."

* * *

Just then, another door opened. Eleanor entered. Holar Jun followed behind her. There were marks of battle on both of their clothes. The arena stood up upon seeing them.

* * *

Applause filled the entire hall. Clara instantly looked at her mother. Percy's face lit up.

"Grandpa!"

Holar waved down below. Eleanor smiled at Clara.

* * *

Olsen looked at the two of them.

"I assume they just returned."

Wycliffe nodded.

"The Northern Gate."

"They were there for three days."

* * *

Eleanor took her seat. Holar moved to the seat beside her. Eleanor spoke immediately.

"My side killed more."

Holar looked at her.

"You're still counting wrong."

"One thousand eight hundred forty-two."

"One thousand eight hundred thirty-nine."

"You stole three of them."

"There's no such thing as stealing monsters."

"I had already struck them."

"You couldn't finish them."

"I was going to finish them."

"You were too slow."

* * *

Galahad turned from the seat in front of them.

"Are you two starting again?"

Eleanor looked at him.

"He started it."

Holar spoke at the exact same time.

"She started it."

Galahad closed his eyes.

"Wonderful."

* * *

Percy shouted from below.

"How is the gate doing?"

Holar looked down at Percy.

"Clear."

Eleanor continued.

"We completely cut off their supply lines."

Holar nodded.

"They won't be able to attack for three months."

Hearing this, the arena applauded. Eleanor looked at Holar.

"I cut them off."

Holar turned to her.

"The plan was mine."

"I was the one who executed it."

"Without the plan, you couldn't have executed it."

"I would have done it without a plan too."

"That's precisely what I'm afraid of."

* * *

Galahad put his head between his hands. Charlotte was laughing. William said calmly.

"I see Percy and Clara's future."

Clara turned around instantly.

"WHAT?"

Percy turned too.

"Why did you drag us into this?"

William pointed at Holar and Eleanor. Percy watched for a few seconds. Clara watched too.

* * *

Holar:

"I killed more."

Eleanor:

"In your dreams."

* * *

Percy and Clara spoke at the same time.

"We are not like that."

William nodded.

"Sure."

* * *

Wycliffe raised his voice.

"Can we start the tournament?"

Holar raised his hand.

"Go ahead."

Eleanor looked at him.

"Is it your tournament?"

Holar:

"The academy is mine."

Eleanor:

"Arrogant."

Holar:

"Windbag."

Eleanor:

"Old goat."

* * *

Olsen watched the two of them. Then she looked at Wycliffe.

"Are they always like this?"

Wycliffe answered without hesitation.

"Unfortunately."

* * *

The first matchups appeared on the screen.

MARCUS VALE — THEODORE HALE

NATHANIEL REED — DANIEL CRAWFORD

CHARLOTTE ASHFORD — ELIAS MORGAN

ARTHUR GREEN — LUCAS FERRAN

CLARA LEYVAR — SOPHIA MERCER

WILLIAM HART — NOAH BENNETT

PERCY GRANT — ADRIAN COLE

ETHAN BROOKS — AMELIA

* * *

Percy looked at the list.

"It's the same as the professor's name."

Wycliffe looked at him.

"He is not my son."

Percy:

"I didn't ask."

Wycliffe:

"It was obvious from your face."

Percy:

"I was a bit curious."

* * *

The first match began.

MARCUS VALE.

THEODORE HALE.

* * *

Theodore started his attack quickly. He formed spears of wind. Marcus met them with an earth shield. The first two attacks shattered. The third passed over Marcus's shoulder. Applause rose from the stands.

* * *

Theodore increased the pressure. Marcus fell back. Then he touched the ground with both hands. Earth wrapped around Theodore's feet. Theodore tried to leap into the air. He was too late.

* * *

Marcus slammed his fist into the ground. A stone pillar rose up. Theodore was launched out of the arena.

* * *

Wycliffe:

"The winner is Marcus Vale!"

* * *

Percy applauded.

"He used it well."

William nodded.

"His timing was better."

* * *

The second match began.

NATHANIEL REED.

DANIEL CRAWFORD.

* * *

Daniel immediately demonstrated his Core 4 power. Nathaniel was blasted back on the first attack. But he didn't fall to the ground. He expanded his shield of light.

* * *

Daniel attacked from three different angles. Nathaniel blocked two of them. The third shattered his shield. Daniel closed the distance instantly.

* * *

BAM!

* * *

Nathaniel fell outside the arena line.

* * *

"The winner is Daniel Crawford!"

* * *

Olsen nodded slightly.

"Clean."

Wycliffe:

"Daniel is quite disciplined."

* * *

Charlotte was up next.

* * *

Elias Morgan started strong. He launched fire spheres one after another. Charlotte stopped the first two with her shield. She dodged to the side of the third.

* * *

Percy was watching carefully. Arthur came up beside him.

"Will she lose?"

Percy looked at him.

"No."

Arthur:

"Are you that sure?"

Percy:

"Yes."

Arthur looked back at the arena.

* * *

Charlotte was pulling back. Elias mistook this for superiority. He advanced faster. William smiled faintly.

"A trap."

Arthur looked at him.

"What?"

William:

"Three seconds."

* * *

Three. Two. One.

* * *

Light erupted beneath Elias's feet. Charlotte had set the attack in advance. Elias lost his balance.

* * *

Charlotte raised her palm.

"Flash."

* * *

White light engulfed the arena. Elias couldn't see a thing. Charlotte struck him with her shoulder. Elias went over the line.

* * *

"The winner is Charlotte Ashford!"

* * *

Arthur applauded. Then he realized what he did. Percy realized it too. Percy smirked.

* * *

Arthur immediately looked at him.

"Don't you dare."

Percy:

"I didn't say anything."

Arthur:

"Your face did."

Percy:

"Her hair looks nice today."

Arthur:

"Grant."

Percy ran off.

* * *

Clara grabbed Percy's arm.

"Leave the guy alone."

Percy looked astonished.

"Did you just defend Arthur?"

Clara was surprised too.

"I guess I did."

Arthur shouted from a distance.

"I DON'T NEED IT."

Clara:

"SHUT UP."

Arthur:

"Okay."

* * *

Arthur was next.

* * *

LUCAS FERRAN began his attack. Arthur was completely different this time. He wasn't angry. There was no rush in him. He blocked Lucas's first attack. He evaded the second by stepping aside.

* * *

Percy looked carefully.

"Right shoulder."

Clara:

"What?"

Percy:

"He fixed it."

Galahad heard this from above. He smiled.

* * *

Arthur closed the distance. Lucas formed a shield. Arthur didn't try to break it directly. He attacked beneath the shield. Lucas's balance was broken.

* * *

Arthur pushed with his shoulder. Lucas went outside.

* * *

"The winner is Arthur Green!"

* * *

Percy applauded. Arthur looked at him. Percy pointed at his right shoulder. Arthur understood what he meant. He nodded faintly.

* * *

Then Clara stepped up.

* * *

SOPHIA MERCER was facing her. Sophia was using water. Clara light.

* * *

Sophia soaked the arena floor. She wanted to restrict Clara's movements. Clara noticed this.

* * *

She sent out a sphere of light. Sophia dodged to the side. But the sphere changed direction.

* * *

Olsen instantly leaned forward.

"What did she do?"

Wycliffe:

"External Orin."

Olsen looked at him.

"In the first year?"

Wycliffe:

"Long story."

* * *

The sphere accelerated. Sophia raised a shield. The collision shattered the shield.

* * *

Clara didn't launch a second attack. She approached before Sophia could recover her balance. She placed her palm on her shoulder.

* * *

"Surrender."

Sophia looked at her for a few seconds. Then she laughed.

"I surrender."

* * *

"The winner is Clara Leyvar!"

* * *

Eleanor stood up.

"MY DAUGHTER!"

Clara's face flushed red.

"MOM!"

Holar laughed.

"I taught her well."

Eleanor turned to him.

"What did you teach?"

Holar:

"The basics."

Eleanor:

"I developed them."

Holar:

"Without the basics, you couldn't have developed them."

Eleanor:

"You're starting again."

Galahad:

"Both of you started it."

* * *

William's match began.

* * *

NOAH BENNETT was fast. He was really fast. He reached William on the very first attack.

* * *

But William wasn't there.

* * *

Noah attacked a second time. William slipped half a step again. Third attack. Still the same.

* * *

Olsen frowned.

"He's not fast."

Wycliffe smiled.

"No."

Olsen:

"He knows in advance."

Wycliffe:

"William Hart."

* * *

Noah launched his fourth attack. William retaliated for the first time. A single, small gust of wind.

* * *

Noah's foot slipped. William sent a second blow. Noah crossed the line.

* * *

"The winner is William Hart!"

* * *

Percy shook his head.

"Annoying."

William heard him as he turned back.

"Thank you."

* * *

Then... Percy's name was called.

* * *

"PERCY GRANT!"

"ADRIAN COLE!"

* * *

Percy walked onto the arena. Adrian took his stance opposite him. Adrian was at Core Level 3. He was quite strong.

* * *

Wycliffe brought his hand down.

"Begin!"

* * *

Adrian prepared his spell. Percy looked at him. Shoulder. Foot. Fingers.

* * *

Adrian attacked.

* * *

Percy stepped aside. A single step.

* * *

Adrian prepared a second spell. Percy had already moved.

* * *

Third attack.

* * *

Percy was gone again.

* * *

Galahad's smile broadened.

* * *

Adrian fell back. Percy attacked for the first time. A simple strike of Orin.

* * *

BAM!

* * *

Adrian went backward along with his shield. He stopped outside the line.

* * *

Silence.

* * *

Wycliffe:

"The winner is Percy Grant!"

* * *

Olsen looked at Percy.

"How many spells did he use?"

Wycliffe:

"One."

Olsen:

"The kid is dangerous."

Galahad laughed from afar.

"You don't even know."

* * *

In the final match of the first round, Ethan Brooks eliminated Amelia. The second round began.

* * *

Marcus Vale lost to Daniel Crawford.

* * *

In the next quarterfinal, the crowd got truly wild.

* * *

CHARLOTTE ASHFORD.

ETHAN BROOKS.

* * *

Charlotte fought well. Really well.

* * *

Ethan was stronger. But Charlotte was more creative. The match lasted a long time.

* * *

In the end, Ethan expanded his shield. He blocked Charlotte's light completely. Then he pushed her outside the arena.

* * *

Charlotte landed on the ground. She exhaled in frustration. Ethan extended his hand.

* * *

Charlotte held his hand.

"Good match."

Ethan:

"You too."

* * *

Percy shouted to Charlotte.

"YOU WERE GREAT!"

Charlotte:

"I DIDN'T WIN."

Percy:

"YOU WERE STILL GREAT."

Charlotte smiled.

* * *

The next matchup appeared on the screen.

* * *

ARTHUR GREEN.

CLARA LEYVAR.

* * *

The arena suddenly stirred.

* * *

Percy's face turned serious. Eleanor's smile vanished. Richard Green was in the stands as well. He looked at his son too.

* * *

Arthur walked onto the arena. Clara stood opposite him.

* * *

The two looked at each other.

* * *

Wycliffe:

"Begin!"

* * *

Clara immediately prepared a shield. Arthur... Did nothing at all.

* * *

Clara frowned.

"Arthur?"

Arthur:

"Go ahead."

* * *

Clara sent the first attack. Arthur didn't block it.

* * *

BAM!

* * *

He was hit in the shoulder. He staggered backward.

* * *

The arena grew quiet.

This content has been unlawfully taken from NovelPhoenix; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

* * *

Clara:

"What are you doing?"

Arthur stood straight again.

"Go ahead."

* * *

Clara's face hardened.

"Don't mock me."

* * *

Arthur shook his head.

"I'm not."

* * *

Clara sent a second spell. Arthur didn't block it again.

* * *

BAM!

* * *

This time, he fell to the ground.

* * *

Richard stood up. Percy leaned forward too.

* * *

Arthur slowly rose. Blood was coming from his lip.

* * *

Clara:

"Fight back."

Arthur:

"No."

* * *

"ARTHUR."

* * *

Arthur looked into Clara's eyes.

* * *

"I am paying the price."

* * *

Clara froze.

* * *

The arena was completely silent.

* * *

Arthur:

"For hitting you."

"For leaving you while you were on the ground."

"For taking my anger out on you."

* * *

Arthur spread his arms to the sides.

* * *

"Go ahead."

* * *

Clara's hand trembled.

* * *

Percy was watching Arthur. Now he understood what he was doing.

* * *

Clara sent another attack.

* * *

Arthur didn't block it again.

* * *

BAM!

* * *

He fell to his knees.

* * *

Clara looked at him.

* * *

A single thought crossed her mind.

* * *

One day... I will truly beat you.

* * *

Not like this.

* * *

For real.

* * *

And... Right now, I am glad for your growth.

* * *

I am glad you have become like this.

* * *

Clara lowered her hand.

* * *

"Enough."

* * *

Arthur raised his head.

* * *

Clara:

"I forfeit the match."

Arthur's eyebrows furrowed.

* * *

"No."

Clara:

"Yes."

Arthur:

"I forfeit."

Clara:

"I said it first."

Arthur:

"I planned it beforehand."

Clara:

"That doesn't count."

* * *

Wycliffe covered his face.

* * *

"One of you make a decision."

* * *

Percy shouted.

"ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!"

* * *

Clara and Arthur turned to him.

"SHUT UP!"

* * *

Percy smirked.

* * *

Finally, Arthur raised his hand.

"I withdraw."

* * *

Wycliffe waited a few seconds.

"The winner is Clara Leyvar."

* * *

Clara came up beside Arthur. She extended her hand.

* * *

Arthur looked at her hand. Then he took it.

* * *

Clara pulled him up.

* * *

"Next time, you will fight."

Arthur:

"Promise."

Clara:

"And you will lose."

Arthur smiled.

"We'll see about that."

* * *

Richard sat back down.

* * *

A small smile was on his face.

* * *

Percy spoke as Arthur walked by.

"That was good."

Arthur looked at him.

"I took a beating."

Percy:

"You deserved it."

Arthur:

"I know."

* * *

Percy extended his hand. Arthur bumped it with his fist.

* * *

They weren't close. But now... They had begun.

* * *

The next matchup...

WILLIAM HART.

PERCY GRANT.

* * *

The arena stood up.

* * *

Galahad's expression changed.

"Now this is important."

* * *

Holar:

"William is still a problem."

Eleanor:

"Percy has grown."

Galahad:

"So has William."

* * *

Percy stepped into the arena. William was facing him.

* * *

Percy:

"How many times have I lost to you?"

William:

"I stopped counting."

Percy:

"Liar."

William:

"Twenty-one."

Percy:

"I knew it."

* * *

Wycliffe:

"Begin!"

* * *

Percy moved. So did William.

* * *

Percy attacked from the right. William pulled back in advance.

* * *

Percy shifted to a second angle. William wasn't there again.

* * *

Percy smiled.

"I missed this."

William:

"I didn't miss it."

* * *

Percy prepared three possibilities. William chose a fourth.

* * *

Percy's eyes widened.

* * *

BAM!

* * *

William struck Percy's shoulder.

* * *

The arena erupted.

* * *

Arthur stood up.

"THAT'S IT!"

Clara:

"WHO ARE YOU ROOTING FOR?!"

Arthur:

"CHAOS!"

* * *

Eleanor burst out laughing.

* * *

Percy and William clashed again.

* * *

Minutes passed.

* * *

Both of them were out of breath.

* * *

There was blood on Percy's lip. William's arm was trembling.

* * *

Percy closed his eyes.

* * *

Galahad instantly became serious.

* * *

"Here it comes."

* * *

Percy opened his eyes.

* * *

William moved.

* * *

Percy... Moved before him.

* * *

William's eyes widened.

* * *

Percy placed his palm on his chest.

* * *

But he didn't strike.

* * *

William was at the edge of the line.

* * *

Percy pushed lightly.

* * *

William crossed the line.

* * *

Silence.

* * *

Then... Wycliffe raised his hand.

* * *

"The winner is Percy Grant!"

* * *

The arena exploded.

* * *

Percy collapsed to his knees.

"FINALLY!"

* * *

William looked at him. Then he smiled.

* * *

"Twenty-three."

Percy:

"What?"

William:

"Twenty-one for me."

"Two for you."

* * *

Percy's face fell.

* * *

"DON'T GIVE RATIOS."

William:

"Eight point seven percent."

Percy:

"WILLIAM!"

* * *

William extended his hand. Percy took it.

* * *

William pulled him up.

* * *

"You've improved well."

Percy:

"You too."

* * *

Then Percy smirked.

"But I won."

William:

"Twice."

Percy:

"GET OUT OF HERE."

* * *

In the semifinals... Clara defeated Daniel Crawford.

* * *

It wasn't easy. Daniel used all the power of Core 4. He broke Clara's shield twice.

* * *

Eleanor stood up.

"CLARA, LEFT!"

Holar:

"Don't interfere."

Eleanor:

"I'M HER MOTHER."

Holar:

"She needs to learn."

Eleanor:

"You shout at Percy."

Holar:

"I'm the principal."

Eleanor:

"Excuse."

* * *

Clara evaded the third attack.

* * *

Then... She used External Orin.

* * *

Daniel set up a shield. The light sphere changed direction.

* * *

Daniel was taken aback.

* * *

Clara launched a second sphere. The two came from different angles.

* * *

BOOM!

* * *

Daniel went outside the line.

* * *

"The winner is Clara Leyvar!"

* * *

Eleanor leaped to her feet.

"MY DAUGHTER!"

* * *

Holar applauded.

"Good."

Eleanor looked at him.

"Just good?"

Holar:

"Very good."

Eleanor:

"That's more like it."

* * *

Percy won his next match quickly.

* * *

His opponent was Ethan Brooks. He was at Core Level 4.

* * *

Ethan used powerful attacks. Percy didn't block any of them directly.

* * *

Probability. Movement. Timing.

* * *

Percy departed before every attack landed.

* * *

Ethan finally shouted.

"STAND STILL!"

Percy:

"Why?"

Ethan:

"I CAN'T HIT YOU!"

Percy:

"THAT'S THE ENTIRE POINT!"

* * *

Arthur laughed from the stands.

"NOW YOU UNDERSTAND."

* * *

Percy finished the match with a single attack.

* * *

Wycliffe looked at the list.

* * *

Only the final two names remained.

* * *

The arena... Slowly grew quiet.

* * *

PERCY GRANT.

CLARA LEYVAR.

* * *

Charlotte stood up.

* * *

Arthur's eyebrows raised. William sat down. Galahad smiled.

* * *

Eleanor looked at Holar. Holar at Eleanor.

* * *

Even Olsen leaned forward.

* * *

Wycliffe walked to the center of the arena.

* * *

"The final."

* * *

Percy stepped out from one gate.

* * *

Clara from the other.

* * *

The two walked to the center.

* * *

Percy was smiling. Clara was too.

* * *

They came face to face.

* * *

Percy:

"Finally."

Clara:

"Finally."

* * *

Arthur shouted.

"THAT WAS MY LINE!"

* * *

The two turned to Arthur.

"SHUT UP!"

* * *

The arena burst into laughter.

* * *

Wycliffe nodded.

"Can we begin?"

Percy:

"I'm ready."

* * *

Clara looked at Percy.

* * *

Then she raised her hand.

* * *

"I forfeit."

* * *

Silence.

* * *

Percy's smile vanished.

"What?"

* * *

Even Wycliffe was surprised.

* * *

Eleanor stood up.

"Clara?"

* * *

Clara didn't take her eyes off Percy.

* * *

Percy:

"Why?"

* * *

Clara smiled.

* * *

"Because..."

* * *

She stepped one pace closer.

* * *

"I am not your rival yet."

* * *

Percy's eyebrow went up.

* * *

Clara's smile broadened.

* * *

"FOR NOW."

* * *

Percy's mouth dropped open.

* * *

"DAMN IT!"

* * *

Clara burst out laughing.

* * *

Percy:

"THAT'S MY LINE!"

Clara:

"It's mine now."

Percy:

"No!"

Clara:

"Yes."

Percy:

"It's going to stay my line."

* * *

Clara went quiet for a few seconds.

* * *

Then her face softened.

* * *

"Alright."

* * *

Percy was surprised.

* * *

Clara:

"It will stay as your line."

* * *

She stepped a bit closer.

* * *

"Because..."

* * *

Percy was watching her.

* * *

Clara:

"You're always better than me."

* * *

The smile on Percy's face disappeared.

* * *

"Clara."

* * *

Clara continued immediately.

"For now."

* * *

Percy's eyes sparkled.

* * *

"THAT'S IT."

* * *

Clara:

"One day, I will defeat you."

Percy:

"I'm waiting."

Clara:

"You'll be waiting a long time."

Percy:

"You just said I was good."

Clara:

"I changed my mind."

Percy:

"That took three seconds."

Clara:

"Long enough."

* * *

Charlotte stood up.

"STOP FLIRTING!"

* * *

Percy and Clara turned at the exact same time.

"WE ARE NOT FLIRTING!"

* * *

Arthur stood up.

"You are definitely flirting."

* * *

William nodded.

"Quite obvious."

* * *

Galahad brought both hands to his mouth.

"JUST GET MARRIED ALREADY!"

* * *

Clara turned bright red.

"GALAHAD!"

* * *

Percy:

"BRO!"

* * *

Galahad burst into laughter.

* * *

Eleanor was laughing too.

* * *

Holar shook his head.

"Kids."

* * *

Eleanor looked at him.

"Are we so different?"

Holar:

"Yes."

Eleanor:

"Liar."

Holar:

"Windbag."

Eleanor:

"Old goat."

* * *

Olsen turned to Wycliffe.

"Now I understand."

Wycliffe:

"What?"

Olsen:

"Why you're exhausted."

Wycliffe:

"Welcome aboard."

* * *

Clara turned to Wycliffe.

"I officially forfeit."

* * *

Wycliffe looked at Percy. Percy watched Clara for a few seconds.

* * *

Then he nodded.

* * *

Wycliffe raised his hand.

* * *

"The final has concluded."

* * *

The arena fell completely silent.

* * *

"The winner of the first-year tournament..."

* * *

Percy took a breath.

* * *

Galahad stood up instantly.

"Oh no."

* * *

Charlotte:

"What?"

Galahad:

"Brace yourselves."

* * *

Holar's eyes widened.

"Percy."

* * *

Eleanor:

"Don't you dare."

* * *

Percy's chest puffed up.

* * *

Wycliffe:

"...Percy Grant!"

* * *

The arena exploded.

* * *

Percy threw his arms open.

* * *

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!"

* * *

Holar covered his face.

* * *

Eleanor:

"It has begun."

* * *

Galahad ran downstairs.

* * *

Percy was continuing.

* * *

"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAH!"

* * *

Galahad couldn't reach him in time.

* * *

The entire arena burst into laughter.

* * *

Clara covered her ears.

* * *

"IF ONLY YOU HAD SLEPT FOR SEVEN DAYS!"

* * *

Percy turned to her.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"

Clara:

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

* * *

Arthur couldn't even stay seated from laughing so hard.

* * *

Charlotte was banging on the table.

* * *

William covered his ears.

* * *

Olsen was utterly bewildered.

* * *

"What is this?"

Wycliffe took a deep breath.

"Percy Grant."

* * *

Olsen:

"I see."

Wycliffe:

"No."

* * *

Percy was still shouting.

* * *

Wycliffe:

"You will understand in time."

* * *

Galahad finally reached Percy. He clamped his hand over his mouth.

* * *

"MMMMMMMM YEAAAAAAAH!"

* * *

Galahad:

"HOW ARE YOU STILL GOING?!"

* * *

Percy tried to break free.

* * *

Clara came up beside them.

* * *

She held Percy's hand.

* * *

Percy calmed down instantly.

* * *

Galahad slowly pulled his hand back.

* * *

Then he looked at the two of them.

* * *

"Well, son of a bitch."

* * *

Percy:

"What?"

* * *

Galahad pointed at Clara.

"I'm wrestling with him."

* * *

Then he pointed at their joined hands.

"She just does this."

* * *

Clara smirked.

"Talent."

* * *

Arthur shouted from a distance.

"I SAID LEASH!"

* * *

Percy turned instantly.

"WALL GREEN!"

* * *

Arthur's laugh froze.

* * *

Percy pulled Clara's hand.

"Come on."

Clara:

"Where?"

Percy:

"To beat up Arthur."

Clara:

"Sure."

Arthur:

"HEY!"

* * *

Arthur started running away.

* * *

Percy and Clara ran after him.

* * *

Charlotte joined in too.

* * *

William didn't get up from his spot.

* * *

Galahad shook his head.

* * *

"The first-year class president."

* * *

Holar came beside him.

* * *

He looked down at Percy below.

* * *

He was chasing Arthur. Clara was still holding his hand. Charlotte was shouting behind them.

* * *

Holar smiled.

* * *

"He's going to be a good president."

* * *

Eleanor came up beside them.

* * *

"How did you figure that out?"

* * *

Holar pointed down below.

* * *

Percy shouted at Arthur.

"DON'T RUN, DAMN IT!"

* * *

Arthur:

"REMEMBER YOU'RE THE PRESIDENT!"

* * *

Percy:

"MY FIRST ORDER IS FOR YOU TO STOP!"

* * *

Arthur:

"I REFUSE!"

* * *

Holar laughed.

* * *

"Because..."

* * *

He looked at the kids below.

* * *

"...he's not trying to walk alone."

* * *

Eleanor's face softened.

* * *

Galahad smiled too.

* * *

The arena was slowly emptying out.

* * *

But students were still talking. About Percy finally defeating William. About what Arthur did against Clara. About Clara forfeiting the final. About the tournament won without using an Absolute ability.

* * *

And... About the new class president.

* * *

At the apex of the first year... Stood Percy Grant.

* * *

Furtively, what mattered more to Percy... Arthur was starting to be Arthur again. William could still push him to his limits. Clara wanted to surpass him. Charlotte was by his side. Galahad was watching over him.

* * *

And... For the first time... Percy didn't just have rivals around him.

* * *

There were people he could grow together with.

* * *

From the end of the hallway, Arthur shouted.

"CLARA, LET GO OF HIS HAND!"

* * *

Clara:

"NO!"

* * *

Percy:

"ARTHUR, STOP!"

* * *

Arthur:

"FOR NOW!"

* * *

Percy suddenly stopped.

* * *

"YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

* * *

Arthur's laughter filled the hallway.

* * *

Clara laughed too.

* * *

Percy stood annoyed for a few seconds.

* * *

Then... He laughed as well.

* * *

Because... Arthur had truly come back.

* * *

END OF EPISODE