Ladd and Grace climbed the few stairs onto the stage. They reached the middle and stared at Lana, waiting.

“Everyone feeling okay?”

They nodded.

“Good.” She faced the little boy. “Ladd Korr, year one?”

“That’s me.”

“Grace Iquethes, year four?” Lana swiveled her head.

“Yes.”

“And the both of you are Level 2, correct?”

“Yes.” Ladd nodded. Lana looked at him.

“You need to say it out loud.”

“Oh. Yes, I’m Level 2.”

Lana nodded. “Thanks.

“Okay. Ready?”

“Yes.”

“Ready.”

Lana offered a wide smile before taking her place at the side.

“Go.”

Water.

Ladd tossed a wall in Grace’s direction.

“Ah!” She pulled her arms up around her head and took the hit. Lana scanned her – she appeared okay.

A second wall came rushing. Grace stared at it furiously before running to the side. It clapped her on the back.

Ladd paused. Since when does a mage act like that? He glanced at Lana.

The referee put a hand up and jogged to Grace. “Is everything okay?”

“... He’s...” She opened and closed her mouth a few times. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m okay. Just... yeah.” Lana nodded and raised her hand briefly before flagging it down. Ladd Created again, a bit slower. He was worried, even if he was cleared to shoot.

Water. Be gentle.

Grace pounced on the opportunity, sending it back to him.

Down!

The Water crashed onto the stage, barely missing him.

Okay. I see how it is. Water, go to her. Don’t turn back.

Grace ground her teeth, visibly pushing at the Water but failing. It came within feet of her, and she jumped out of the way.

The Water switched directions and dropped on her shoulder.

Good. Keep going.

More.

Grace Iquethes seethed. Why wouldn’t it listen to her?

She summoned her own water while taking another loss, determined to do at least something.

No! Don’t come to me.

The Water approached Ladd. Fast.

Drop. Right now. Obey m-

Ladd hopped to the left, catching a splash on the back of his foot. Another attack was incoming.

I said, drop!

“Agh!” Grace’s eyes widened, surprised at her own outburst. What had just happened? What was that feeling?

She tried again.

Water. No-

Ladd put his hands up in front of him to protect his face.

Linette squeezed her mother’s hand.

Bella squeezed back.

“It’s okay dear, he’s still ahead by two points.”

“He’s anxious. He can’t keep hesitating like that.”

“This is incredible, for a first year.” Fred Bathory looked over his daughter’s head at his wife. “I’ve never heard of anything like it before.”

“I know. It’s so cool.”

“Come on, come on...”

“Lin, sweetie.” Bella tightened her grip again. “He’ll be fine.”

Indeed, Ladd came to a decision and started rapid fire attacks. Wave after wave, the child cleared the remaining six points in less than five minutes. Grace Iquethes stood trembling, eyes closed, and resigned to her fate. Even the crowd had watched quietly as he rained overwhelming power on the poor girl.

Ladd tasted the silence as bitterness in his mouth. He swallowed hard.

Then, Linette’s voice carried from the stands.

“That’s my boy!” She screamed.

The audience burst into thunderous applause, finally roused from their shock. 

Ladd put a hand over his eyes and choked out a breath he didn’t know he was holding onto. When it came back down, his grin widened even more. He pumped a fist into the air. Lana ran over and inspected Grace’s state before hurrying to Ladd’s side. She grabbed onto his raised fist. He turned his face to her and caught her smile. He faltered, too relieved for his facial muscles to express, but for only a moment. He smiled back.

“Well done, Ladd Korr. Well done.”

Linette regrouped with her friends during the lunch break. Beverly brought Grace, holding her hand, and joined them last. Ciel passed her a juice bottle.

“Have some sugar.” Grace shook her head, still trying to wrap her head around her defeat.

“That was the scariest tournament I’ve ever played.”

“I told you, you should come practice with us.” Linette passed her a wrapped candy. “He’s a unique mage.”

“What about Theo? Is he going to be able to handle him?” Ita took Grace’s other hand. Beverly unwrapped the candy and held it up for her sister.

“Theo should be more used to it. He came, like... I wanna say four times? Maybe five?” Linette twisted the lid off the bottle and passed it to Beverly. “Here.”

“Where are your parents?” Beverly smiled as thanks.

“Talking. Adults all...” she waved her hand in a vague direction. “Out over there.” The others glanced instinctually at where her hand was sort of indicating before rolling their eyes collectively. She could be so aloof sometimes.

“Will he be able to win, though?”

Linette looked at Ciel. They locked eyes.

“Not a chance.”

“Oh, dear.” Ciel giggled, somewhat nervously. He brushed his fingers against each other.

“You should be okay, though. You have about as much of a shot as I do.”

“No way, I don’t.”

“You do. Just take tomorrow cleanly. I’m rooting for you.”

Ciel ran a hand through his hair. “Okay. Thanks.”

“What about me?” Matteo walked up to their table with a light meal in hand.

“Theo! We were just talking about you.”

“Rooting for me, too?” He slid into the seat next to Beverly, which was as close as he was going to get to Linette. Ciel smirked and leaned forward onto the table.

“Unfortunately for you, I already have her number one spot.”

Matteo glared. “Shut up.” Linette was laughing. Matteo’s ear glowed red at the sound.

“Don’t get angry, Theo.” Linette gave him a gentle tap on the shoulder. “He’s joking.” Matteo’s eyes followed her hand.

“I want to face you.”

Ita and Beverly looked at each other with matching raised eyebrows and pursed lips.

Linette tilted her head. “Face me?”

“What, in a weddi-”

“In the Tournament! Stop it, Cici!” Matteo banged the table. “Lin, this guy keeps making fun of me.” He pouted at her. She wiped a tear from her eye.

“Sorry, sorry. You know how he is. He loves entertaining.” She fanned herself with her hand. “You guys totally hate each other, don’t you.”

Ciel puckered his lips, feigning ignorance.

“Don’t worry. I’ll wipe that stupid look on your face when I crush you Thursday.”

“Oh, ho! Good luck with that.” Ciel stuck his tongue out. “You have to beat the monster first.”

“I’ll be just fine, don’t you worry about that.”

He was not fine. Better than Grace, yes, but he lost control of his match with Ladd after only three minutes. Matteo didn’t remember their practice being so intense. He might as well have been drowning in the face of raw might.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Again.

One more.

Yes! That’s it, baby! Wahoo!

That is how it’s done!

“...Lin, baby.”

“Look at him go, dad!”

“Lin.”

“What?” She sat back down in her seat, legs still shaking with excitement.

“Are you going to be okay?”

“Huh?” She finally turned to look at him.

“Ladd Korr, winner Day Two!”

The crowd roared.

“He’s... really killing them out there.”

“Yeah, I know!” Linette let out a whoop, eyes shining. She never knew watching a tournament could be so exhilarating.

“Honey, I’m sure it’ll be fine...?”

“Are you? I’m not.”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Linette glanced between her parents. “I’ve practiced with him a lot. I know how he works.”

The Bathory couple looked at each other, telepathically communicating their doubts.

Bella touched Linette’s arm. “You can handle him, right...?”

Linette beamed. “Yes!”

She couldn’t wait.