24 Ch 24- Rivals

Anticipation arose as the two challenger's names were called. The class was waiting to see what would happen between the two rivals. Looking at each other Wittorf and Caiman started making their way to the field.

Wittorf was excited; he was hoping he would be matched up with Caiman. Things were going to be different this time. He had new tricks up his sleeve. He wasn't going to pass out like their last competition.

Taking his spot on the field Wittorf readied his hands. He was going to need to be quick with this. He knew that Caiman had also been practicing for this. He also knew the raven haired boy was not going to go easy on him.

Raising the flare in the air the teacher gave them the same speech as before and fired it.

Taking no time at all Caiman shouted his command first.

"Energy lance!"

A beam of light formed in his hand and in the same motion he launched it at Wittorf. Reacting quickly Wittorf jumped out of the way and began running. He tried to think about a word to use but Caiman was already there with another lance to throw at him.

Wittorf dodged and weaved the incoming barrage of spears headed his way. It was just like with the boar. He had no time to react at all. All he could do was run. This was getting on his nerves. Why was he so slow to respond?

He needed a second to think. But how was he going to find it? The barrages were endless unlike his stamina. Running took a lot out of him and he knew he was going to need to be on the offensive soon.

"This is too easy! I told you a commoner like you was nothing."

Mocking him Caiman continued to throw the lances. He could tell Wittorf was slowing down which meant it was just a matter of time before one of them struck him.

He was not worried one bit. This lowly commoner was just another obstacle for him to overcome. Like so many in the past Caiman was going to blow through this. He could feel a little fatigue from throwing so many lances but he did not let that slow him down.

"Energy bolt!"

Wittorf managed a small bolt but it did not land anywhere close to Caiman who laughed at the futile attempt.

"Multiple energy darts!"

Small shards of energy shot from Wittorf's hands towards Caiman who swiftly dodged them and chucked another lance. Caiman was able to dodge both his attacks with ease and continues the offensive.

Was this really all Wittorf could do? Just throw small attacks at Caiman in hopes that it would land. He needed to be cautious. He did not want to expend all his mana too quickly. There was no saying how much he actually had available.

It seemed to him as if Caiman had an unlimited source of mana. Where was he getting it all from? Was he really just that much better than Wittorf? Did lineage really play a part in success?

He quickly shook those thoughts away as he continued running. Looking around for a place to hide Wittorf noticed the large tree on the other side of the track.

Thinking quickly he rushed over to land behind it, bolts of energy slamming into the tree shaking it as he took a few deep breaths.

Incantations are too instantiations he needed something more long term. The Connection words took a second to produce but lasted much longer than an incantation word. Perhaps he could use his new spell.

Taking a deep breath in he concentrated on his palm. A ball appeared in it. He then focused hard on the thread appearing from the center of it connecting to the ball. Lances struck into the tree shaking it further. Wittorf tried his best to ignore them as he focused on the goal at hand.

"Focus on the connection word, Stretching, Stretching. Make it as stretchy as possible."

What about a second connection word? It was gutsy but it just might work. What else could be attributed to Wittorf? Ersa said he was a flexible mage. What did flexible mean, adaptable? Was he able to adapt to his environment?

"It's worth a shot."

He thought of a second word, one that was used in one of the last fights as an incantation. One that seemed to last longer.

"Stretchy, Sticky, Make the ball stick to whatever I wanted it to. Make it continue without breaking."

The thread connected to the ball which was slowly turning into a rubbery like texture. It looked different than before. It looked ready.

"Piercing energy lance!"

A bolt of energy slammed into the tree shredding through it like paper a hole in the trunk of the tree revealed the other side. Steel was worried at first that the bolt went straight through Wittorf but there was no accompanying scream that followed.

Diving out of the tree Wittorf was dashing towards Caiman with intent. He had his spell ready now he just needed to use it properly. He had trained for a week with it so he was a little more accurate and he knew better how to use it.

This sticky attribute was going to be interesting to test out. Thinking hard on what to use it on Wittorf quickly swung his arms around and the yoyo followed whipping around him towards Caiman who smirked.

"That isn't going to do anything to me!"

Caiman raised his hands up and called a new command.

"Energy shield!"

A round shield forms in Caimans right arm and he raises it to deflect the oncoming attack. Perfect! The attack connected and Caiman lowered his guard as he laughed.

"That was all you managed to do with all that time? Pathetic."

There was more to it Caiman raised his left arm to throw another spear and from Wittorfs other hand hid another yoyo!

Flinging it towards Caimans hand as he lifted it he smirked and raised his shield arm to block. But it was not cooperating with him. What was going on? Caiman looked down at his shield to see the yoyo was still stuck to it and being dragged to the side to force his arm down.

Looking at Wittorf, Caiman grunted as he tried to force his shield arm up. Wittorf did everything in his power to keep it down.

Connection! The second yoyo found its mark on Caimans hand, wrapping around and sticking to the forearm.

Snarling Caiman barks at Wittorf.

"This isn't going to stop me!"

Running forward with his arms outstretched Wittorf kept Caimans arms on lock down. Struggling to move his arms inward Wittorf decided it was best to let him do just that. By quickly swinging his own arms inwards the momentum of the movement caused Caiman to jerk his arms faster than he anticipated.

Wrapping his arms together the threads bound Caiman to himself. Struggling to break free Wittorf released both threads from his grasp and called on one last command.

"Dull energy blast!"

A dim bolt of energy shot forward from his hand and struck Caiman directly in the chest. The match was over and the crowd cheers as Wittorf falls to the ground on his butt. Exhausted from it all, Loat runs up and helps him back to his feet.

"You did a great job Wittorf; you really showed that pompous noble what's what."

Smiling Wittorf stood up and patted the dust off himself. He looked around to see the rest of the group giving him thumbs up and calling for him. They both continued towards the stands when Steel called out the next match.

"Loat since you are the only one left you will be facing me."

Loat froze in place.