"Are you busy today? I wanted to sort some things out" Luke said.
"Sure..." Answered Orion.
When Luke was released, he and Orion headed towards the forge of the academy. Walking through the corridors of the hospital, the two were talking. Luke was relaxed about the situation, unconcerned as he stretched his shoulder. Orion, on the other hand, was still visibly confused.
"Are you really okay? I mean, isn't it a little strange that they released you so quickly?"
"It's okay, I'm actually feeling completely better" Luke replied.
Luke then looked at Orion, and with a confused face he asked.
"But are you really okay with me? I was told that you got that race of ours wrong" The half-wolf said.
"Don't worry about it, it's common for rumors to spread around the academy. But it's not like it bothers me. If someone really doubts my strength, I just need to demonstrate the opposite in the dueling event" Orion said.
The eyes of Zhao's mage were showing a focus and determination that surprised Luke, who gave a small smile as he continued walking.
'He is without a doubt interesting'
[That look, in a way resembles his own].
'Maybe that's why I liked him.'
Walking out the front door of the hospital, the sun was beating down hard on the heads of the two young mages. Luke then put his hand under his head hiding his face from the sun as he watched the blue sky.
"I hope the forge isn't that far away" Luke said
"It's a bit far from here" said Orion
With a movement of his right arm, two gigantic red swords came flying towards the two. Shining reflecting the sun, dancing in the wind while making a fantastic sound, it was as if they were cutting the air while traveling at high speed.
The wind shook Luke and Orion's hair. Until in an abrupt moment, both were standing horizontally in front of the two mages. They were two greatswords similar to the one the Zhao mage had used the other day, both swords were completely identical. With a red edge and gold details, in the center of the handle was an orange stone.
"Come with me, it won't take us more than five minutes" Orion replied.
Luke gave a smile again as he looked at the two swords. The half-wolf then turned to Orion, and then began to run towards the sword.
The sword was floating a few steps in front of him, and with a leap in the air, Luke kicked the sword forward, placing both feet. With the weight of the half-wolf, the greatword came down.
Before it even touched the ground. Luke had already taken control of the sword, which was now supporting him in the air, floating. The half-wolf then turned to Orion.
"I hope that's not yours" Luke said.
Orion then let out a laugh, as he stepped on the other greatsword.
"Don't worry haha." Orion then accelerated forward at an amazing speed, soaring into flight.
"Try to keep up with me newbie" He shouted to Luke, who began to channel as much energy as he could to accelerate and keep up with Zhao's mage.
The two of them were running with surprising energy and excitement. Orion was normally a quiet and calm young man, although he was capable of showing intense aggression when it was necessary. In general, for the members of the flying club who accompanied the young mage from Zhao on a daily basis, it was impossible to imagine that man giving a smile, much less imagine him laughing.
But there was something about the novice that made Orion surprised. He wasn't a man to have many friends, but as much as the half-wolf still couldn't be considered close in that sense, the energy he was getting from Luke's challenges was something that was getting him excited.
After so many years of being the best, standing in a position that no one else could reach, finally having a worthy rival was something that sped up Orion's veins, filling the young man with determination.
'I can't believe this kid is just a rookie. How he managed to evolve so fast.' Orion thought, as he turned back and saw Luke traveling at the same speed as him.
The Zhao mage then put one of his hands on his chin, and looking forward, he thought again.
'I wonder how far this rookie can go? What is the limit of Luke's evolution?
A smile appeared on the face of the Wizard of Zhao, however, he suddenly felt an attack.
Luke had sped up and slapped the back of Orion's head.
"Focus on our race partner, so you'll lose next time." said Luke, who had sped up, taking the lead.
Orion clicked his tongue
*Tsk*
But soon, again he made a smile of genuine happiness. He was grateful to finally have a worthy opponent, someone he felt like seeing evolve and become better.
He now wanted to see Luke become stronger and see how far he could advance by learning from the half-wolf. It was the first time in years that Orion felt the urge to befriend someone, to have a friend who is also a rival.
"That's not a race, you don't even know where the forge is for!" Shouted Orion
Luke then stopped accelerating, waiting for Orion to approach up to where he was standing.
Scratching the back of his ear, he was watching the mage with a lopsided smile.
"You're right, I have no idea what the forge is like. Haha." Luke said.
It was still a while to get to the forge, which was located at one end of the academy. Its location was in front of one of the two main ports of the island. The reason for this was simple, it was easier to transport the materials arriving from the ships. It was better to keep these tons of iron and ore close to the port, than to worry about creating an area closer to the center of the academy.
Orion and Luke continued flying now at the same pace, the two kept talking about the academy's next event, the duels that would take place in the next few weeks.
"I'll probably challenge some other gold pendant. It's the best way to clear my name after all that mess" Orion said.
"The gold pendants are the strongest mages in ademia right? There shouldn't be many of them then." Luke said.
"Actually, no, there are even a significant amount of golden pendants. The thing is that many of them don't specialize in combat" Orion replied.
The Wizard of Zhao then placed his hand on his chin, pondering how to explain.
"Imagine Megan, she is a golden pendant, as much as she has very good notions of magic, she is not a mage who specializes in combat." Orion concluded.
Luke then remembered a doubt that he had not yet fully understood.
"But what about teachers, has anyone ever challenged a teacher to a duel?" Said the half-wolf.
Orion's eyes widened, he then stopped moving forward and crossed both arms.
"I believe not, as far as I know this has never occurred. By the academy rules, it is theoretically possible, since these are only magic demonstration duels. If I remember correctly, there are no limitations regarding who we can challenge, but that doesn't mean that the person will accept a duel." Concluded the mage from Zhao.
Luke then crossed his arms behind his head, and looking up at the sky, he ended up rushing. Letting too much information leak out.
"But I imagine that if a teacher is challenged, he would hardly refuse the duel. After all, it would almost be like a shame to run from a student" Luke said, as he sighed.
'Isn't it possible, Luke really wants to challenge one of the teachers? This kid really has no limits.' Thought Orion who was awestruck by the situation.
"You really never cease to amaze me, Luke." said Orion, again giving a smile and moving forward again with his sword.
"Just to make it clear, I have interest only in women ok?" Answered Luke.
Orion punched the half-wolf lightly, who didn't bother and just started laughing.
"If you play with that again I will blow you up from the inside out with fire magic." Orion said.
"Hmm, what do you think about a duel then?" Luke said.
"Ohh, that would be interesting. We'll duel at the upcoming event. If you don't end up dead for defying a teacher" Orion replied.
"It will be wonderful to punch your face in front of a crowd, so you don't have to worry about the rumors, since it will come true" Luke said.
The two then started laughing together. It had been a while since Luke had had this much fun with a partner. This energy was somehow reminding him of the times he spent with his friends in Oukiwa, a feeling that Luke missed in his life.
The two magicians walked towards the forge, and looking from afar Luke could already recognize the building from the sky. It was a kind of concrete house with a hammer symbol engraved on the front of the building.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om