Jace the Elemental

The next morning, Jace started his normal routine, heading down to the kitchen, only to find he wasn't alone this time.

He eyed the two students with an unpleasant feeling. 

The first, a student cooking, who wore a fully white uniform. His jet-black hair was short and uneven, giving Jace the impression it had been cut in a hurry. His head remained angled downward, as if avoiding eye contact, and his eyes constantly flicked around, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting a threat at any moment.

The second student, in stark contrast, sat casually on the counter behind him. His green and teal uniform was pristine, his platinum hair stopping just above his shoulders, almost glistening under the light. His pale skin made the contrast even sharper. With his head tilted back, eyes closed, he looked completely at ease, twirling a small wand between his fingers.

"Ah if it isn't the talk of the town," the relaxed man said as he opened his eyes to see who had entered. "I had heard that you managed to fight the princess to a draw. Very impressive." He clapped slowly, his applause and his words were dripping with sarcasm.

Jace's expression hardened. "I don't think we've met." His tone was sharp, irritation already settling in.

The man scoffed, lazily brushing his platinum bangs out of his eyes. "I am Giorgi of House Bane," he said, as if that alone explained everything. He gestured toward the cooking student without looking. "And this is my servant, Hurtley."

"..it's Hartley," the boy murmured quietly.

"Literally no one cares," Giorgi said, waving him off without a second thought.

Jace was taken aback, he wasn't sure if he had ever disliked someone faster after just meeting them then this dick. "Just because you are from a noble house, doesn't mean you get to be a dick." 

"It actually does," Giorgi scuffed, still twirling a wand with his fingers. "Besides I'm Rank 9 and he's Rank 20, I can treat him however I want."

Jace felt his frustration bubbling over. "Alright then, Giobbi, since I'm Rank 1 and you're only Rank 9 I can treat you however I want too right?"

Giorgi's smug demeanor vanished in an instant, his expression twisting in anger. "Not for long, peasant." The word dripped with venom. "As the representative of Miss Everwood's team, and of noble superiority, I'll enjoy crushing you." He hopped off the counter, his movements sharp.

Jace blinked. "You're part of the team we're facing," 

Giorgi took a deliberate step towards him. "Not only just part of it. I'm the one on one participant. So yes, I'll be seeing you in the ring." 

Jace grinned, stepping forward until they were nearly nose to nose. Giorgi was taller, but Jace refused to be looked down on. "You've given me a great gift today," he said, his voice low, steady. "Because now, I'm really going to enjoy beating you into the ground." 

Giorgi sneered. "You're free to try, peasant." With a dramatic turn, he strode out of the kitchen. "I've lost my appetite, Hortley. We're leaving." 

"i…Uh…Sorry," Hartly muttered, quickly following after him.

"What was his problem," Jace muttered, grabbing his snack before heading out for a run. He ran harder and longer than usual, trying to burn off the lingering anger Giorgi had stirred in him.

If he hadn't been motivated before, he definitely was now. 

For the next few days, Jace threw himself into training with relentless focus, pushing himself harder than ever. Classes were still covering introductory material, nothing he couldn't skim through while refining his techniques. Even during lectures his mind was on the upcoming battle

Until the night before the first contest.

"Hey man, are you good? Ethan asked, stepping into Jace's path, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. You've been training like a machine the last couple of days. The group was saying that anytime they've seen you, you've just been going nonstop, like full on monster mode.

"Yeah, sorry about worrying y'all," Jace said, waving it off. "I just met the guy I'm supposed to duel tomorrow, and wow, he's a complete dickhead." He rubbed the back of his head. " So I'm training as hard as I can because there is no way I'm losing to him."

"That makes sense," Ethan said, nodding. "Just… don't kill yourself over it man. The whole team was starting to get worried about you." He paused, then added.. "Actually, that's not true. When Felix brought it up to Aurora, all she said was, 'He knows what he's doing' so she didn't seem that concerned." He said laughing a little.

Jace laughed with him. "Yeah, that sounds like her."

"I know right?" Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "Now go back to your dorm and get some sleep… and don't stress about tomorrow. Everyone knows you're going to crush it.

"Thanks man," Jace grinned as they fist bumped, before heading their separate ways. 

As he walked back to his dorm, he could already feel it, the steady beat of excitement building in his chest. Tomorrow was the real test, and he couldn't wait.