Chapter 7: Fighting for Acceptance

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Dean was leaning on a column while looking at Serena who found an opponet and was thinking what transpired some minutes ago "*please allow me to fight before you guys or else I won't be able to focus in my fight as I will be affected by the result.Also, I want to cheer you both full-heartedly!*" Serena pleaded, with him and Helen waiting now their turn all while looking at Serena who found her opponent. Her opponent was a short boy with white spiky hair and blue eyes that was wearing baggy clothing, with him wearing a white, long-sleeved and dark-colored shirt which had a turtleneck while he had brown baggy shorts that reached his knees and he was also wearing purple boots " The match is between Serena Biblos and Kwneios Ostium,begin" said the staff member.

"Huh? A girl? You might be really beautiful and all, but I will have to send you back to your home sick on the bed" said Kwneios cocky and indifferent while having his hands in his pockets, with Serena smiling fired up.

"We will see about that" she said fired up and sure "usually, the weaker and shorter the dog then the louder it barks" she said with her finger on her cheek while seeming thoughtful, with Kwneios removing his hands from his pockets and his grimoire began flipping its pages.

"Short? That's it bitch, you are dead! **Poison Creation Magic: Caress of Achlys**!" he shouted while his fingers were covered in liquid poison, creating claws of poison which he began swinging at Serena who was trying to avoid then "hahaha, keep avoiding them bitch, because your beautiful body will begin to rot with just once slash!" he declared in a psychotic look,but he was suddenly hit and sent back by a drone she created swiftly, with it now moving around him.

"Then, all the more reason to end this. Scan Magic: Sign of Weakness" she said and her drone unleashed a light wave that showed all the weak spots on his body which confused him "sorry, but you needed more training" she said as she unleashed two magic bullets at his right side before he could find a chance to attack, with him falling down in pain.

"The winner is Serena Biblos!" declared the referee to her own and Dean's and Helena's happiness while the other participants were amazed by her abilities. Serena then headed towards Dean and they high-fived each other, with her then holding hands with Helen that was happy with her victory.

"It's time, you two. While I would *love* for Dean to win, I don't want to see you lose either Helen, so I will cher for both of you" said Serena determined.

"Thank you Serena" said both of them as they headed towards the referee ready to fight.

"This battle is between Dean Ktinos and Helen Elpida, begin!" shouted the referee.

Dean instantly clad his hands in wolf heads and his feet in hooves while Helen brought her fire sword out "let's do this!" they shouted fired up. Dean rushed towards Helen who was unleashing streams and arcs of fire at him, with Dean avoiding them barely and then was about to strike, only for her to block with her sword to his surprise "what? You thought that you would be too fast for me or something? I trained myself extensively against speed boosting spells!" she shouted while unleashing a small fire blast at him who while hit, managed to kick her with his two legs and then rolled to put out the fire, with his body and clothes being slightly charred.

"Impressive" he commented honestly while smiling, with her smiling too.

"That's my line.I had to fight someone like you or else the exams would be meaningless" declared Helen with her sword extended, with her taking a lowered stance "now, it's my turn to attack so, en guarde!" she shouted as she swiftly closed the distance between them and was unleashing swift strikes, with Dean being scratched by some but then, he had ape arms surrounding his hands and catched Helen's sword much to her surprise, with it starting to crack from the force he applied and she was hit on the stomach from his free hand, receiving great damage as she sput.

"It's my win Helen" he said serious, but she then smiled.

"As if. **Explosion Slash**!" she shouted as her sword was clad in fire that caused a small explosion that freed it from Dean's grasp, with both smiling for a second and then engaging into close combat, exchanging numerous blows, with everyone watching in amazement.

"Amazing! Both are a match for each other and their eyes...are so fired up and passionate that-" thought Serena but a sudden realization froze her, with her eyes now being cold and angry.

"Ha...Ha..." Dean and Helen were quite bruised and exhausted and the referee was about to intervene, only for them to do a motion to stop him, with him taking a step back "I haven't been so fired up for a long time, thank you Helen. As a thanks..." said Dean while flaring the auras in his hands and feet "I will give this final attack all that I have" he declared to her happiness.

"As will I" she said while bringing out a gold broadsword with three emerald gems on the hilt. Silence was reigning for a moment as everyone was anxiously waiting to see what would happen and after a minute, they began to act.

"Eagh!" roared Dean while rushing towards her ready to strike

"Eagh! **Roaring Light**!" shouted Helen as her sword was clad in light and she brought it down with all her remaining strength as he was about to strike, with an explosion of light engulfing them only to reveal, much to the surprise of everyone, both of them down for the count.

"It's a tie!" declared the referee, with the other participants being either shocked or roaring in excitement while Serena rushed worried to their side along with the healing staff and as all that was happenening, the captain of the Black Bulls was looking at them with a grin and a genuine interest behind his drunken facial expression.