“So, how was it?” Chloe asked Luna with her arms crossed over her chest.
The two who had stayed inside Dud Manor after Ethan left went to the Grand Stadium with the excuse that they needed to do something first before heading to the Stadium.
“It’s different from the first time he kissed me,” Luna replied with a flushed face. “This time, it felt more intimate and special.”
Chloe nodded in understanding. “I see.”
She didn’t need to ask more questions because she herself had experienced it in the past. That intimate and fluffy feeling inside her chest after Ethan and her kissed, which gave her a feeling of joy that was hard to describe.
“But, are you sure about this?” Luna asked. “Will this really work out?”
“You are a noble in Eastshire,” Chloe replied. “You already know the answer to this question.”
Luna lowered her head because Chloe was right. She already knew the answer to her question, so all that was left was to know Ethan’s true feelings.
“Don’t worry.” Chloe smiled. “Although you might not know it, Ethan is a very responsible person. He will not make a decision in a casual way. He will think about it seriously, and once he has made up his mind, he will pursue it with everything he has.
“Just like the way he fights in these magical duels. No matter what he is about to face, regardless if he wins or loses, he will take that step forward. I’ve been with him the longest, so I believe in him. You should believe in him as well.”
Luna placed her right hand over her heart and nodded her head.
“Un.” Luna nodded. “You are right, Chloe. I believe in him. Also, I want you to know one thing.”
“And that is?”
“I won’t lose to you.”
“Hah~ then you better do your best. My mother, and Ethan’s Grandma have been talking a lot and arranging things in the background. I have the family advantage, so you need to put more effort in on your part.”
Chloe gave Luna a confident smile as if she had already won before the battle started. Even so, the angelic beauty didn’t look disappointed and even smiled back at her.
“I’ll accept that challenge,” Luna stated. “I won’t lose, Chloe.”
The two girls both nodded their heads and left Dud Manor to go to the Grand Stadium. Both of them wished to support the handsome teenager, who would be fighting his last battle in the tournament.
Regardless of the outcome, both of them would be there to witness it.
——————————
Inside the Waiting Room of the Grand Stadium…
“We’ve come this far, so let’s do our best to win,” George said as he placed his hands on his waist. “Ethan, no matter what happens, you need to win your duel. Noah’s chances of winning against his opponent are fifty-fifty. We can’t count on our awe-inspiring-hen-pecked Head Prefect to win his match.”
Henry averted his gaze and just allowed George to take the lead and say anything he wanted. Although Ethan still had no idea what George was talking about, he had a feeling that he would understand after the tournament was over.
Noah had a conflicted look on his face, and the determined expression that he wore during his previous duels in the tournament was nowhere to be seen. This made Ethan worried for his friend, who was one of his first friends in Brynhildr Academy.
“Noah, are you alright?” Ethan asked. “Don’t worry. Just do your best like always. Winning or losing doesn’t matter.”
“Y-Yeah,” Noah replied with a stiff smile on his face. “Thank you, Ethan. Do your best in your match.”
“I will.” Ethan nodded and even raised his fist in order to encourage the silver-haired boy, making Noah chuckle.
A moment later, Ethan heard Professor Barret’s booming voice spread throughout the Stadium, calling out his name, and his opponent, Kurt, to stand in the arena.
“I’m going,” Ethan said as he walked towards the path that would lead him to the arena.
“Break a leg!” George shouted. “Or better yet, break your opponent’s leg! Don’t worry, the medics in the infirmary are good. I can guarantee it!”
As someone who had been sent there almost every time during the tournament, George’s words were very convincing, which made everyone laugh.
Ethan nodded before leaving everyone behind.
As he walked towards the arena, he saw Kurt walking towards it from the opposite direction.
Both of them stared at each other as they climbed up to the stage, on which both of them would represent their respective Manors in a battle that would bring it glory.
“Ethan Gremory, Kurt Hale, are both of you ready?” Professor Barret asked.
“Ready,” Kurt replied as he adjusted the glasses on his face. He was already holding his wand with his right hand, ready for battle.
“I am ready,” Ethan answered as he held his wand with his right hand, and his pitchfork with his left hand.
Moon magic was coursing through his body, and with it, the anxiety he felt a day ago disappeared without a trace.
Seeing that both fighters were ready, Professor Barret raised his hand and declared the start of the duel. 𝗈𝚟𝓁xt.𝗇𝓔t
“Begin!” Professor Barret declared.
As soon as the signal was given, Kurt pointed his wand to his opponent and unleashed his strongest offensive spell.
He had learned his lesson in his fight against Lily, so he decided to end the battle at the very start, giving Ethan no opportunity to make a comeback.
“Magna Ortus Eden!”
Countless thorny vines that were as large as tree trunks erupted from the ground and lashed towards Ethan, making the ground under his feet tremble.
Facing such a threat, Ethan didn’t back down, and instead, ran towards his opponent fearlessly.
If he fought against Kurt by using only his Martial Arts, he would have definitely lost to his opponent’s opening move.
However, right now, Ethan was not fighting by himself, but with the support, and power of one of the witches that cared for him.
Ethan gripped his Pitchfork with both hands, while his wand flew a meter ahead of him.
“Illumina!” Ethan roared, and the wand transformed into the Mermaid Princess, who had given the teenage boy the go signal to use his strongest offensive spell.
The only reason why she forbade Ethan to use Partial Resonance was because Fae Magic wasn’t compatible with his body. But, Moon Magic was different.
It was a magic that was wielded by humans. Also, it was the first type of magic that Ethan had absorbed, allowing his body to have a very high compatibility with it.
Just like Kurt, Illumina thought that using Ethan’s strongest spell as the opener would allow him to gain victory over his opponent.
Neither of them wanted to take any chances, so using every ounce of their magical powers, they unleashed the strongest attack that they were capable of casting.
“Rising Dragon Thrust!”
Ethan thrust his spear forward, and Illumina merged with his body, granting him her power that was rightfully his, the moment he chose her as his life-long companion.
Ethan and his spear transformed into a water dragon that flew towards the thorny vines that were also heading in their direction.
The moment the two attacks collided, the vines were cut to pieces. This was due to Illumina’s power that imbued Ethan’s weapon with the purest type of Elemental Water that gave it sharpness that surpassed any blade in existence.
“So, the rumors are true,” Langston’s Father, Zack Kerr, clenched his fist subconsciously when he saw the marvelous sight in front of him. “This Dud can really use Partial Resonance.”
Although there was no draconic roar that erupted in the surroundings, the magical power that Ethan unleashed overwhelmed his opponents, making Kurt’s eyes widen in shock.
A second later, he found himself standing outside of the arena and panting for breath.
His gaze locked on Ethan’s figure who was still standing in a fighting pose with his spear pointing forward, as if piercing through an invisible opponent who was no longer there.
“A-Amazing…,” Kurt muttered as he stared with awe at Ethan’s gallant figure.
Although he was his opponent, he couldn’t help but be mesmerized by his current form.
Yes, Ethan, who was still shrouded by Illumina’s magic power, was coated in a brilliant light, making him look like a Magic Knight that had just vanquished a Demon Lord in battle.
After a silence that lasted for half a minute, cheers erupted from the stands as everyone applauded the winner of the First Match.
“Ethan won!” Chloe hugged Luna, and the latter hugged back in return.
Both of them were extremely happy with the outcome of the match, just like everyone in Dud Manor, who were all in high spirits.
Just as everyone was praising the victor, Ethan collapsed in the arena completely unconscious.
But, when the Lady Medics came to take care of him, they saw a faint smile on his exhausted face, which made their hearts skip a beat.