A World Of Decree: And The Seven Laws

As soon as Calvins lips closed shut after initiating the fight, Leo took no hesitation in his movement. Quickly lighting a small match he kept around his b.r.e.a.s.t pocket in his red flannel, purging the flame into the air, ready to vanquish his target into ash.

However, Cartuja stood motionless in his place since the start. The only movement that vibrated off him was the deep expansion of his c.h.e.s.t, followed by a quick contraction of air. Leo was confused by Cartuja's actions, thinking he was a little overconfident in himself.

The level of Leo's flames have evolved since the last time Calvin has seen them, making him smirk from the sidelines. Leo was now surrounded by a thick red flame, circling him in countless patterns of perfect rhythm. His eyes glowed bright red, masking his devious smile of confidence.

From the sidelines, Faibel was the first to break the everflowing silence among the rest, "Although Leo was the reason we managed to escape victorious against the plant not too long ago, Cartuja should not be underestimated," he paused, leaving Atlas in thought about when Faibel first mentioned something similar on their first meeting.

"Cartuja and I are from the same town. We've been childhood friends for many years, him being my only so called friend," Faibel looked at Calvin slowly, changing his tone, "You have to be ready to stop the match…"

Calvin responded by looking back at the fight, where Leo was preparing to dive bomb Cartuja with the flames gravitating around him.

As Leo swung his arms in perfect motion to release the flames from their entrapment, Cartuja took his last breath, deep within the chambers of his lungs, ready to end the match. The flames forged through the air like gusts of wind through a storm. As the flames reached Cartuja's motionless body, they covered him head to toe in an instant, not leaving a single part of him visible to Leo.

Calvin smiled, the rest in shock, and Leo awaiting for the flames to disappear into thin air and reveal their projected massacre. To his apprehension, Cartuja was no longer standing motionless in the same spot as before, but rather right behind him.

Cartuja exhaled the breath he took at the start of the duel, releasing the humid oxygen onto Leo's left shoulder, and placing his hand on the right.

"That was a pretty strong attack Leo. But, it's too slow. You lost." Cartuja looked at him without hesitation to attack at such a close range, being a friendly match afterall.

Leo looked at him with slight embarrassment, but eagerness to become stronger, taking today as a lesson to heart, "Haha, I guess I had no idea how fast you really were! Good fight man!" Leo stretched out his hand to Cartuja, hoping to get the same response. Instead, Cartuja slowly clenched Leo's hand into a fist, to proceeed with a friendly fistbump instead.

Calvin walked over hastily, "A magnificent performance! I can't believe the talents that you all have given me this year and to the ones ahead." He motioned for Leo and Cartuja to go back to the sidelines before continuing, "You both have grown miraculously in just one week, and yet you still have so much to improve."

Leo smiled in excitement, while Cartuja was already next to everyone else, waiting for the next matchup to start.

Rina and Paris were trembling in their shoes for this match. Both so hesitant to see what Atlas and Calvin had in store for each other. Even Faibel stood up, and confirmed the correct placement for his glasses to be in to witness every detail of this duel. Leo was jumping up and down in the same spot, showing his unfulfilled elation, while Laena was holding her hands together by her c.h.e.s.t, just hoping no one gets hurt.

With all that being said, Calvin assigned Cartuja the role of starting the match.

Atlas turned his nervousness into spirit, digging his feet in the ground, concentrating all his momentum to be ready to leap into Calvin.

Calvin on the other hand, had his arms crossed, smiling with p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to await Atlas's performance against him and for the amus.e.m.e.nt of the guild.

Cartuja began to count down overdramatically for the start of the match, "100… 99.." He managed to get in a few more number before being interrupted by a punch from Rina, "Are you serious?! Do it from five or something dumbass."

Cartuja laughed hysterically, "I was going to anyway, no need for violence there water girl."

Before Paris burst into laughter, and Rina punched him again with actual force, Cartuja Yelled "Begin!" to shift everyone's focus onto the battlefield.

Atlas was ready to show everyone what he's got, not holding anything back. With all his concentration on his feet, he burst towards Calvin so fast he managed to leave small cracks in the ground where he was planted. His muscles tightened, ready to strike Calvin with his b.a.r.e fists. Atlas was flying through the air swiftly in a horizontal motion, ready to be taken by gravity at any moment. However, he reached his destination before hand, swinging his fist in the center of Calvin's rib cage.

Calvin, who stood motionless since the start of the match, easily stepped to the side, avoiding the uncontrolled jab aimed at his ribs. In a flash of time, Calvin grabbed Atlas by the back of his shirt, all while dodging his attack, and plummeting him into the ground, sinking him a few inches into the soft dirt.

Rina was worried, shaking in her boots and afraid to say anything. Faibel even thought that Calvin went too far, and Leo discontinued jumping up and down.

Calvin stepped back, letting Atlas climb up, regain his consciousness and wipe the dirt off his face.

"Is that.." Atlas wiped the dirt from his mouth to form a devious smile, "all you got?"

Calvin instantly felt relieved he didn't go too far, "I was hoping you still had some fight let in you. Now then, before you get c.o.c.ky I suggest you actually land an attack."

"With p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e."

Atlas started to walk slowly towards Calvin, "You see professor. My first attack was planned out perfectly. I had a feeling you would wait till the last second to act in defense. No need to raise your guard against a little boy who didn't know he had any magic till just a few months ago huh."

Calvin's smiled faded away, but quickly brought back in regards to thinking Atlas was bluffing, "Well, well. You have quite the eye Mr. Bright. But what are you gonna do?"

Atlas stopped dead in his tracks, bent his knees, and ready to pounce once more. This time, he leaped from the ground even faster at Calvin, managing to stop himself just inches away from his face. Without time to think, Calvin dodged back, but not fast enough.

Atlas swung his left hand, with all the concentration in his right. Calvin easily stopped his left blow, but unaware of the follow up from the right. Everything at that moment seemed right, Calvin trapped with nowhere to go, emotions rushing within Calvin and the crowd, and the surge of energy pulsing through Atlas within that mere second of time.

Nonetheless, Calvin still managed to see the second punch coming from a mile away, but he didn't expect how it would be delivered.

Right before Atlas's punch could connect with his target, a single word slipped between his lips, "Augment."

Calvin had no choice, no option to take the hit, he had to use his magic. Atlas's fist was now motionless, an inch away from Calvins jawline, and his hand on Atlas's face, glowing a bright neon blue color.

Atlas fell to the floor, his eyes blank and body completely paralyzed.

The mysterious marks on Calvins neck were glowing a deep, matte black color like before. His jacket was unable to keep them hidden for long. His face showed his worry, causing everyone on the sidelines to rush over quickly.

"I had no choice," Calvin claimed confidently, "If Atlas landed that attack on me. Well…"

He paused, looking back at his guildmates faces, confused on their expression.

Paris had the brave soul to lift up one finger, pointing it right behind Calvin, "Professor… Turn around."

Calvin was unsure of what to expect, having only the slightest clue of what's behind him. He quickly swung his head to the right, with his body following to give him a full glance of what Paris pointed at.

Once he realized what he was looking at, he smiled, grabbing Atlas's motionless body off the floor and waking him up from his deep slumber.

It took a few moments for Atlas to understand the situation, but Calvin explained it quite easily with vision alone. He put his arm around Atlas's shoulder, and happily stated, "You see that Atlas. This is what magic is, and how strong it can be."

His eyes couldn't believe what they were seeing. Right where calvin was standing, the entire arena that was originally behind him was all nearly perished. The direction of Atlas's blow caused all the grass to evaporate into thin air. The ground beneath them showed a tremendous force of corruption. It was similar to looking at the impact of a meteor.

"Did. I do that?" Atlas asked Calvin. Getting a silly response from him,

"Who else kiddo." He laughed, then apologized right after, "You actually made me use my magic on you. I gotta say I'm impressed."

Before Atlas could ask what his magic was, he was slapped on the back of his traps by Cartuja, "You okay bro?"

Atlas coughed in slight pain, "Well, maybe not anymore." Cartuja gave him a small chuckle, with the rest of the Guild coming closer.

Rina came over, looking worried, but trying her hardest not to show it, "I'm not going to lie, but that was pretty amazing!"

Atlas got a little embarrassed, the way she smiled and looked at him was like looking at heaven itself. The playful beauty on her face, her blossoming hair that partially covered her right eye, and that gorgeous smile of happiness. He quickly realized he should say something before it gets too awkward of him just smiling back, "Thank you. I couldn't of done it in the first place if I didn't have you all by my side with your support."

They all looked at one another, being proud of the group they had, and where their adventures were going to begin.

However, Calvin interrupted their lovely little reunion of praise, "Everyone! I think we will call it a day here. Everyone can go on with their day except Laena and Faibel, I will stay here with the two of you to discuss further details. Everyone else is free to leave, and make sure to do weekly missions and attend our Saturday meetings every week!"

That last part was directly pointed towards Cartuja, who gave a quick two-finger salute and disappeared through the rift in the center of the field.

As everyone was gone, Calvin began to explain to Faibel that he would need to start actively participating in the missions from headquarters as well, even if it meant he would need to show his other side.

Faibel agreed, which only left Laena down in the dumps for her to be spoken to. Calvin only noted that he will work one-on-one with her and her magic together every week as well.

And just like that, everyone was gone, which left Calvin alone in the arena, recollecting his thoughts.

Soon there will be a point of no return. These kids can't know my secret, I like them too much already for them to get hurt. Blood will fall, and lives will be taken.