Veils of Shadows

"Excuse me," I said as I pushed the pair of shoulders up against me. 

"There is no space for me to move, dude." He replied as I felt him push back a little. 

"It's my class," I exclaimed. "I will get late!" With that, I shoved his long coat aside and gushed forward. I don't know how many people I have already said to move aside but they just won't listen. But I won't blame them for behaving like this. 

"Yeah!" The crowd roared up high. 

I fixed up my glasses as I peeped through the gaps in between and looked at the open area up front. A few meters forward, he was standing there. Alden Stormrider. What's he up to now? I said while I continued pushing aside the crowd. 

Gosh! It's such a pain to go through this every single time. Whenever practical happens this happens. I'm tired of it. The Academy should just put him into an arena and watch those profits roll in. 

"Finally! I'm out." I feel like I can count this as my warmup. 

"Alden really is something. don't you think so too?" I heard someone say it in the crowd. 

"Yeah, he is," another one said. "Did you see him use that thunder strike at the end to finish that other guy off? It was just amazing."

"I did see it! I wish I could be like him..."

It's true even I wish to be like him. *Slap* I slapped both my cheeks. I have already wasted my nights thinking about this so no point in regretting this as of now. 

I moved to the corner as usual and started to get ready since it's soon going to be my turn. It's wednesday so today is our practical day.

What's that? I'll elaborate on it. Once in a week all of the classes of second year has to gather at the main ground where every indivisual is given a weapon suitable to their style and a duel is conducted amongst themselves. The duel takes place completly based on the indivisuals strengths and potential. How is it determined? It's overseen by the instructor and sometimes even the principle so there has never been a pair where one is so overwhelmed by the opponent that he get's majorly injured. It's always some sligh tbruises which can be cured with a simple heal. 

Except for me... I have been constantly paired with Soren Frost. An agile guy known for his swift movement and stealthy approach. He has the ability to sontrol ice for both offence and defence which is really unfair since most of the indivisuals either have offence or defence but this guy has both which enables him to be always on the heigher ground. 

"Alex," A familiar voice called. 

"..." 

"You know I could say to the teacher I'm not feeling well," Soren said. "I wouldn't mind it at all."

"And why do you keep on saying this all the time? Eh?" With a frown on my face I asked. 

"I don't want you to get hurt," He replied. "I don't mean to insult you but you know we don't stand on the same grounds." 

"..."

"To be honest I think I would be a perfect match for Alden," He said as he turned his way as if I was just a spectator. 

"Yeah sure," I replid. 

"See! Even you agree to it," He replied turning back to me. "Then how come I have been paired up with you?" 

"Hmm... I wonder about that," I really don't like him. "Putting Alden aside for a second, I have been meaning to ask you don't you want to get ready too? I mean it's our turn next." 

"Ready? For you?" He chukled, "Give me a wand and I'll still pulverise you." His voice changed as he put his index fingure at my chest. 

Ahh man I really hate his arrogance even though it's well backed up with his abilities I still hate it. 

"... Who knows maybe it's my lucky day." 

"You can have all the luck in the world still end being at the bottom." 

"..." I really wish to turn that almost white skin of his to red one day. 

[Alex and Soren]

"Last chance," He said with a smile. "I could say I backed down." 

"No need." 

I moved forward knowing well enough that the moment he said he is backing up now every single one of the students present here including the instructor will think he took pity on me. Honestly it wouldn't be anything other than the truth. He will be taking a pity upon me since I don't have any Ability. 

...

"Ahh..." I groaned in paid as I exited the medical room. 

"I have told you multiple times to quit when it starts to hurt but you never listen to me!" Doctor Smith slammed my head hard. 

"Ouch!" I again groaned in pain, "Could you please not hit me as of now I'm really hurt you know." 

Doctor Smith and I have a long history, back to my first ever practical. 

"I'll stop when you stop being stubborn and know when to quit." He said. 

"I'll think about it then..." I said and left the corridor. 

Looking out the window I noticed the practical still going on, but how? I mean my turn is relatively at the end so how come it's still going on. It's already past the usual time. As I peeked through the window I noticed the crowd hasn't reduced a bit but instead it got doubled, even more hyped up than before. What is going on? 

That's when I heard, "Aria and Alden are fighting!" 

Aria? Who is she? 

The moment I was about to let go of the window panel, a huge flame engulfed the main ground, although I should be standing considerably far I could still feel the heat waves here. 

What the f-