"Can't I say hello to a friend when I see him in the cafeteria?" Arlo smirked, placing his tray on the table and sitting opposite Noah.

Noah looked around the gold-tier section. There were a lot of empty spaces, as it was still early in the morning, and most students were in their dorms.

"Fuck off." He said. "There are other seats around."

Arlo tore off a piece of bread, stuffing it into his mouth with a wide grin. "But I like this seat."

Noah stared at him for a few seconds as he ate, exasperation on his face.

Arlo was wearing a blue blindfold today, the fabric plain. But somehow, it made him look stylish.

"What do you want?" Noah asked.

"Nothing." Arlo shrugged. "I'm just here to have breakfast. You?"

Noah stared at him for a few seconds, before sighing. It would take too much effort to remove Arlo, or move to another table.

So, he simply continued with his food.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, before Arlo spoke.

"You know, that was fun."

Noah glanced up at him, saying nothing.

"You talking to Princess Ines like that." He grinned. "Did you see the look on her face?"

He chortled, remembering the incident.

He had arrived at the entrance of the cafeteria late in the drama, but he'd gotten there in time to see Noah stop them and challenge the princess for who she was.

"Just shut up and eat." Noah muttered.

"It was like watching a beautiful accident." Arlo said, ignoring Noah. "You could see it about to happen, but the people involved are just too much fun to watch that you can't help but stand aside and enjoy."

He looked up at Noah. "I've always wanted to do that, you know? Say a few choice words to the princess and that prick, Frederick. And for you to do it? In front of everyone no less? Wow."

"I think you just became hero of the week, just for what you did to Frederick. Everyone thinks he's a douchebag." Arlo picked up one of the grapes he had on his tray, popping it into his mouth.

Noah sighed, knowing there was nothing he could do to stop Arlo's rambling.

"But do you think it's wise to make an enemy of the princess?" Arlo asked, chewing.

Noah looked up at him, a frown on his face. "Enemy? We're enemies?"

Arlo blinked, leaning back in his chair in pleasant surprise. "Wow. She's so beneath your notice that she doesn't even qualify as an enemy? That's cold, man."

He picked up another grape, throwing it into his mouth and chewing loudly. "But I'm not sure she sees it that way. From her perspective, you just said she's unimportant. That's like equating her to a random peasant."

Noah tilted his head. "Do I look like I care?"

Then he frowned as Arlo ate another grape. "And can you close your mouth when you chew?"

"Can't you tell?" Arlo grinned. "I'm doing it specifically to annoy you."

"Fuck off." Noah said, his tone serious. "Your existence already annoys me."

Arlo clutched his chest in mock pain, faking wiping away a tear from his eye. "No! I'm hurt! My entire existence? But the ladies said I'm the best thing that has happened since sliced bread."

"Well, guess what?" Noah spooned soup into his mouth. "They lied to you for your money."

"That's the beauty of it." Arlo placed an elbow on the table, leaning forward as he popped another grape into his mouth. He dropped his voice low, a grin on his face. "I'm poor."

Noah tilted his head, staring at Arlo. 'Why is he here? Why is he talking to me?'

Then, Noah's eyes widened.

"What?" Arlo asked, his expression turning serious as he noticed the look on Noah's face.

"It's… silent." Noah said, looking around in confusion.

Arlo frowned, looking around the cafeteria. While it wasn't even halfway full, there was a low hum of conversation, and the clink of their eating utensils. Not to mention the steady stream of students slowly making their way into the cafeteria.

It wasn't loud, but it wasn't quiet either.

So he asked. "What do you mean?"

Noah didn't answer, staring at his hands.

For the first time in what felt like a long time, it was quiet in the privacy of his mind.

His shadows, which followed him everywhere were gone! How hadn't he noticed it?!

He closed his eyes, feeling for the holes within him. That was when he noticed it. The holes had been patched!

Instead of a tattered patchwork of parts, his soul was now a coherent whole.

And the best part? He could still detach the pieces to form shadows when he wanted.

The silence in his head had been his newfound unity of thought.

He'd healed, and his soul was now a whole unit. There were no fragments again. Unlike before where the shadows were him but not him, everything was now him.

His mood rose, and a smile appeared upon his face.

Arlo noticed, teasing him about it.

Noah said nothing, finishing his meal in peace.

They soon began making their way to the arena, where their first class of the day, Duels, would be taking place.

They headed into the changing room, changing out of their uniforms into their usual dueling tunics.

They made their way into the arena proper, heading to the viewers stand above the ring.

Noah leaned on the railing, his thoughts meandering as the students slowly streamed in.

Then, Professor Oliver walked in, standing in the ring, looking up at his students.

"Welcome to another Duels class." The man said. "Last time, we fought using the most natural weapons we have at our disposal. Our bodies."

"This allowed us to evaluate who we are, down to our very core. And with the truth laid bare before us, we knew where we had to improve."

"But life is rarely fair," he said, "and most of the time, you will be fighting with all the tools at your disposal."

"Your opponent might be a S-rank mage, or an arch demon. It matters not. You still have to fight."

"And that is why today, we shall duel with simple rules. Anything goes."

"It doesn't matter what it is. A spell, a skill, or a fighting technique. Use it, and try your best to survive."

"Feel free to go all out." Oliver said, gesturing to a corner of the ring shrouded in shadow. "As long as you're not dead, our special guest, Archmage Irina Valey here, would be able to heal the damage."

Whispers erupted from the students at the name.

Noah glanced at the patch of shadows, his eyesight unable to pierce through. All he could see was a hazy hooded figure.

Of course, he recognized the name.

Irina Valey.

It was spoken in the same breath as Archmage Sanders and the Stormborn.

It was the same question Professor Geldrin had asked him during his first spellcasting class.

Those were the three living legendary mages who could cast spells higher than their rank.

"With that said," Professor Oliver said, gaining their attention once more, "we shall begin with our first bout."

"Noah Webb vs Princess Ines."

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