The Alcoholic Mage's Guild Intro/Exam

The black haired mage looks around Hargeon in a bit of disbelief. Fairy Tail didn't seem like a guild for her. It seemed a tad too crowded and 'cuddly' to her. Legal guilds seemed to have too many rules that she would break without even trying too. Dark guilds... just seem too dark for even her sometimes. She grabs her flask and tips it up as she looks around the port town closest to the Fairy Tail guild city. The only other guild there was was the West Fiore Trading Company. "I might get better luck there..." She stashes the flask on her hip in it's own little pouch, and wanders around. Traveling would be so much better if she didn't get so motion sick from riding vehicles... maybe she should see about getting an exceed to be her companion? Like one would accept her.

Maybe going to a tavern would warrant her luck on finding someone who knew anything about the other guild. Adalinda makes her way around when someone bumped into her, making her grunt and growl a bit. "Hey! Watch it!" She glares her ice blue eyes at the man who passed, who seemed a bit scared at her cold gaze, before hurrying off. "Annoying prick..." She grumbles to herself and shakes her head. The streets were seeming a tad too crowded now too. What was up with people crowding together? She makes her way to the docks and looks out around the waters quietly. "Blah... boats are terrible..." She squats down after climbing up onto a wall, and observes the people looking around while she was flipping a little kunai in her hands. She guessed she looked a little threatening sitting there doing what she was, but she at least knew she wasn't going to harm anyone, not unless they started it.

"Now... just where to go to find someone of that Trading Company guild...?" She mumbles to herself while flipping her little tool in her hands still, not taking her eyes off of the people working down on the docks to load boats and the like. "It wouldn't be so close to Fairy Tail... so probably not here... And I don't remember their stupid Guild Mark too... but watch, the moment I see it, I'll know it..." A chuckle was at the back of the girls throat as she hangs her head. "Jeez... Pathetic." She grumbles to herself.

Words: 403

"Careful with those, the lacrima are fragile !" Johann shouted over to a man in a white uniform who had just picked up a crate of wares, bending a little under its weight and making a face while stumbling around a bit, prompting the normally relatively reserved mage to get a little nervous with the West Fiore Trading Company employee. "My friend" he placed his hands on the man's shoulder as the other put down the crate, somewhat exhausted and heavily breathing "you might want to get help with that" he commented before smiling at the other sinisterly and continuing "if you break it, I'll make sure to let the CEO know who trashed the client's wares, not to mention that it would naturally come out of your pay". The worker apologized profusely before running off, looking for someone to help with the crate. Johann sighed. It's not like the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company necessarily enjoyed reprimanding like that, but it was part of his duties to make sure the wares were delivered to the client in their entirety and without damage. After all, the West Fiore Trading Company had managed to build up a spotless reputation in Fiore and he wasn't gonna be the one to change that. Not this side of him, at least.

He stepped away from the ship and down the docks, his rapier dangling side to side on his belt as his shoes created a crunching sound on the wet layer of dirt on the cobblestone of the dock. He was dressed in one of his more pompous and exotic uniforms now that he was dealing with a client, dress to impress as they say, covered in a tight, white formal shirt that emphasized the mans slender, yet muscular physique, a white, thick coat with grey decorations over that, his company pin tucked into the left side of his uniform right above his heart, its usual place, and lastly a pair of formal white pants with a pair of grey leather shoes, his guild mark shining on his right hand in a light grey. Leaving the dock and setting his feet on the streets of Hargeon he saw what he was looking for at a nearby bench, a man in a black suit and waving him over, accompanied by two brutish men that looked like they might have had just a little too much exercise, easily towering over both Johann and his client. He knew that dealing with clients directly was more one of Ruvel's strengths, and he didn't look forward to talking to the other, but this, too, was one of the duties he had as a representative and official of the Company, reluctantly making his way over to the men, careful to not show any of his dislike, approaching with a friendly and warm smile before giving his client a deep and respectful bow.

"Good morning Mr. Glass, I am very pleased to see you here. I do hope you had an enjoyable journey from Magnolia ?" he asked the man before standing up straight, the two goons in his company staring down on him with bored, almost indifferent expressions while their boss stretched out a hand towards the West Fiore Trading Company Mage, Johann taking it and eagerly shaking it."Eh, was alright. Forgive me the informal meeting, but" the other took off his sunglasses and smiled back "as a renown businessman I'd prefer this over a private meeting for ... security reasons. I'm certain you understand". "Most certainly, good sir" Johann's hand met each other as he continued to smile at the other "Now, I had the workers deliver the wares to your storage hall. I do hope everything will be to your satisfaction" , the other nodded, replying simply with "Has there ever been a time when that wasn't the case ?" before he laughed out loudly, prompting a few passerbys to turn their head for him ."Thank you" he stretched out his hand one more time and Johann shook it. "The West Fiore Trading Company thanks you" he gave back before once more raising his right hand to his chest and bowing respectfully before excusing himself with "At your service" as the other turned around and was undoubtedly heading for his warehouse where the wares would be stored, the two grunts following him closely.

Johann sighed once again before turning around once more. The other, Mr. Glass, was a businessman through and through and one of the trading companies valued clients, and while some people would regard him as somewhat dubious he was an honest merchant at his core, embracing his reputation as he was obsessed with security. Johann shrugged internally. It was not like the other was a bad man or anything of the sort, he was just one of the more ... extraordinary people the WFTC was doing business with. Regardless, he made his way back to the docks, heading for the ship to go and get a bit of rest before they would leave for Divide Island tomorrow. He didn't like traveling by ship too much these days as he regarded it as inefficient with his ability to teleport pretty much anywhere where there was wind, but he couldn't really be everywhere at the same time or move an excessive amount of wares, so ships where a necessity not just for him, but also a vital part the Company as well. He got closer to where the large vessel of the West Fiore Trading Company was ankered, the crew would have shore leave for the rest of today and tomorrow when their work was finished, noticing someone sitting there on a wall, playing with a ... knife of sorts ? He had never seen something like that before, but she seemed to stare at the Company's ship for some reason. Johann was a little suspicious of that and got closer, holding his hands behind his back before addressing the peculiar black and blue haired woman in a friendly tone, smiling as he spoke.

"Excuse me Miss, is  there a way I can help you ?"

Adalinda was just aimlessly looking out over the boats and the people on the dock. It wasn't entirely her fault that she was in the area for a certain boat to be in front of her. When she was approached by the man dressed quite well, and in white, Adalinda slowly stands up on the wall as she molded her knife away, showing she wasn't going to hurt anyone since he looked like he might berate her for using magic or seeming like she was targeting someone. She patted her skirt down and adjusted her mesh top. Did she look like she was that suspicious of a person or something? Of course she didn't think she looked that much like a thug, despite her dark clothing and bandaged up leg. With a shrug of her shoulders, Adalinda steps off of the wall casually and falls on the ground rather crudely on her feet. If one couldn't guess already, she was pretty much a tomboy, regardless of the fact she was wearing a skirt. She moves her arms to rest behind her head while eyeing him over briefly. Could this guy help her out? He certainly looked spiffy enough to. She was gonna try her luck with him. Her hands drop to her sides and she perked an eyebrow while cocking her head to the side a bit.

"Yeah. I'm trying to look for a guild. West Fiore Trading Company. Mind telling me where I can go and see if they'll let me join? Or know someone who could get me in? Already tried Fairy Tail, but they... Oye... They're just too much for me." A snort escapes her as she shrugs her shoulders once more.

The mage blinks and looks back as she smelled some smoke coming from somewhere behind her. It was messing with her nose a bit. Her eyes locked on someone smoking a cigar not too terribly far from them. With a low growl, the mage gives the person an icy glare and runs a hand through her hair. "Oye! Mind directing that smoke elsewhere? Some people have sensitive noses here." She rolls her eyes and turns to look back at the older guy who was in front of her. She had grabbed her flask again and opened it before putting it under her nostrils. It wasn't too strong of an alcohol to make her reek of it, but it was just enough for her to block out the smoke smell temporarily.

Words: 415
Total: 818

Johann, his eyes resting on the, as he saw it, somewhat suspicious, yet passive girl as she made her way off the wall, hitting the ground in a not ungraceful, yet crude way, smirked a little as the other opened her mouth to respond to his question, hearing that she was, coincidentally, looking for the West Fiore Trading Company or somebody who could "get her in". Johann held back his laughter as she turned to another, somewhat dubious person nearby, scolding the man for smoking before starting to drink from what was, judging by the smell, a flask of alcohol. The elder male sighed, looking at the sky. It was barely noon, but he couldn't blame her, for he too enjoyed a good glass of wine frequently, but still, she wouldn't exactly be advantaged in what was to come while drunk, or at least that's what he thought.

"It appears that you have more luck than manners" he grinned, giving the girl a friendly smile, looking over to the red headed man before shifting his eyes back to the woman with the ebony hair. "May I introduce myself" the man raised his right hand to his shoulder before bowing respectfully to the girl, standing up straight again before following up "Johann von Weiss, Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company. I would assume that one would be me, then." , visibly amused at the girls reaction. "In general, the West Fiore Trading Company is always welcoming new members to it's ranks ... but", he continued, the smile on his face changing to a more serious expression "the WFTC is not an ordinary guild. We are a an organization that places great emphasis on both loyalty and competence, and so, everyone who wishes to apply for a position at the WFTC will receive a test to test resolve and both strength and determination."

The Vice President crossed his arms behind his back, his hands folding as he leaned forward addressing ,as he thought, not just the girl, but also the other man nearby who seemed to have taken an interest in what he had to say before he once more opened his mouth "If you would be interested in that, I'd be the one to issue you the test and, depending on the results, I will make sure to pass on your application to our CEO. I hope all question have been answered to your satisfaction, if not, I'm open to questions" he uttered before concluding "additionally, I want to present you with the option to prepare both mentally and physically for this test, as I have received the same opportunity. The ship to Divide Island, where the Headquarters of the West Fiore Trading Company is located, will leave tomorrow evening. You will have until then to pass your test." The Vice President took a deep breath and finished up his little monologue with a little sigh "Should you still want to pursue your path, I will now give you a task that you will have to complete: I want you to challenge me to a duel and fight me in single combat" he ended his speech, the welcoming smile finding its way back onto his face, a slightly sinister undertone mixing in.

The mage had given a short nod at the man who had been smoking not too far from them, and looked at the mage who had approached her once again. As soon as she saw the guy's hand, her eyes grew quite wide. A wide grin started to form on her lips. She recognized the symbol near immediately as the West Fiore Trading Company's tattoo. She finally takes a sip from her flask before she capped it and sticks it away in it's pouch once more. As he introduced himself, she puts two fingers to her temple and gives a slight salute back to his bow. She has on a cheeky grin as she did indeed feel quite lucky to have come face to face with the Vice President of the very guild she was looking for.

She listened to his speech and raises her eyebrow to the mention of a test, and soon that eyebrow raised, turned to a rather coy smile when the words 'test' and 'challenge' came from Johann's lips. She hooks her right hand on her belt and shifts her weight onto that leg. "I'll be honest... You've peaked my fancy, sir. I can't quite resist a challenge... I most definitely think this guild is for me now. I'm Adalinda Ortinbras." She was aware that he seemed to extend the same information for the fellow not too far from them, and raises an eyebrow to him when she turned to see his response. When he didn't seem to answer yet, she looked back to Johann, and smirks once more.

"I got a couple questions for you first, though." She holds up her free hand, and then holds up her index finger. "I assume you would prefer not to do it here on the dock where there could be casualties... so location that this test will take place at? And two..." She holds up her middle finger along with her index finger while she leans her head to the side slightly while pursing out her lips some. "You planning on taking on taking us both on at the same time if the other guy over there accepts as well? Or just one at a time?" She bet he probably could take them both on at the same time since he was the vice president of a guild. She honestly didn't think that a person couldn't be one if that wasn't the case, unless they were useful in some other way and could help out greatly.

Words: 418
Total: 1,236

Johann, his lips still forming a gentle smile, eagerly awaited the girls and the strangers response, glad that one of the two seemed more than satisfied with the offer before raising a few questions herself. It was indeed enthusiasm he was looking for, and he would make sure to give this his all, it was for the the group that he had come to see as not just colleagues and friends, but also family, after all. A friendly expression decorating his face, he listened to what the girl had to say, nodding as she finished her last sentence before giving her the answers he hoped she would desire. "First, it is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Ortinbras" he uttered before once more raising his hand to his shoulder for a respectful bow "it is indeed preferable to seek out a remote location to avoid collateral damage. The West Fiore Trading Company enjoys a most excellent reputation all over Fiore and even beyond, and we wouldn't to change that, now, would we ?"

"As for your second concern", the Vice President raised his right hand up, his palm and fingers forming a flat surface before continuing "that is entirely up to you. I extend this offer to anyone interested and willing to listen. Should your friend desire to join us I will, of course, accept the challenge, it would only be fair ..." he answered, a barely noticeable smirk raising one side of his mouth slightly before stretching out his left and right hand, both of them forming a fist. "If you are in want of starting the test right now, you need only take my hand and I will make sure to transport us somewhere remote".

If the other two had no objections and would touch him, a chalk white magic circle would appear beneath their feet, turning them into wind before they would find themselves in the middle of a plain outside of Hargeon, the grassland stretching out from one end of the horizon to the next, with not a soul to be seen far and wide. "I hope this is sufficient" he spoke out after he, too, had reappeared from a stream of wind and set foot onto the grass. He took off his coat, folding it and placing it on the ground a few meters away before turning around to his challengers, his right hand going to his left side and vice versa, each one firmly grasping the hilt of a rapier, pulling them to unsheath the weapons and reveal their blades that reflected off them the shining summer sun. From both hands, flames sprang forth, covering the weapons in scorching fire as his left eye turned completely black, a glowing red pupil in its middle before the elder male calmly spoke out to his opponents "If you have no more questions or objections then I, Johann von Weiss, accept your challenge, your test starts now"

"You don't have to be so formal with me... makes me sound old when you call me 'Mrs. Ortinbras...'" She snickers as she rolls her eyes. She listens in to him talk about the location and about the other person, before lets up a snort. "Well... considering I don't even know who my 'friend' is, I don't think I could call them that yet. Either way, let's get this started." Her ice blue eyes were lit up with pure excitement for this now. She had quickly put her own hand on top of the vice presidents, and glanced over to the guy who had been smoking prior.

When the magic circle came up from under her, Adalinda looks down for a brief second in shock. She wasn't expecting it. She looks up and sees that they're no longer on the dock, and feels the wind whipping through her black and blue hair. "Woah..." She murmurs before nodding as she was rather impressed with what happened. "I hope we don't have to pay anyone for any sort of damage out here... I'm not going to hold back." She grins. She glances over to the other guy, and raises an eyebrow without wiping her smile off her face. "You ready to do this?" She quickly looks back at Johann and notices his flaming swords, snickering to herself. Her only hope, was that it wouldn't hinder her own magic.

Adalinda holds a hand behind her body, and seems to grab at the air before a iron kunai is suddenly there, glinting in the light. After it's fully formed, she grips it tight and brings it around to be at her side. Her eyes never seemed to leave Johann as she studied his stance, slowly crouching into one of her own before she charges after Johann, with her single kunai. After she was a decent distance away from him, just out of range of his swords blades on their own, she quickly jumps off of the ground to get over him. She was intending to let him catch her kunai against at least one of his swords, risking those flames, as a sort of diversion for the other mage to attack as well. She kind of hoped the other mage would take that advantage if she did create a good enough distraction. "Not gonna hold back, are ya old man?" She couldn't help but taunt to their proctor for this test when she flipped herself to land on her feet on the other side of him. Her kunai was gone now, and she only held her hands into fists as she smirks to the other now.

Words: 443
Total: 1,679

Adalinda's Stats:

"I thought that was a given, as I will not hold back either. Do your best !" the elder male responded to the girl, his eyes firmly fixed on his temporary adversaries. In reality, he wasn't exactly holding back, but standing there rather passively as Adalinda started advancing towards him, waiting for an attack, trying to gather as much information about his opponents as he could before he'd have to engage. when the knife came flying at him, aimed straight at his chest. For Johann, it was moving at an excruciatingly slow pace, and a mere second before it came close to his body simply shifted through space, turning into shadow before instantly appearing a good 15 meters to the side. He did not know by what magical means the rune was managing to produce this effect, and he did not know how it managed to rip through space itself, but he paid it no mind, trusting his instinct for runery and the elements granted to him by his unusual blood to endow him with the necessary prowess to defeat any and all opponents.

"I do hope that is not the full extend of your abilities" Johann returned the taunt, knowing that in combat not just blows and spells were of importance, but also confidence, moral, the belief in one's own strength. A visible, light grey and glowing aura started to surround the Vice President, and he too assumed his prefered fighting stance, kneeling down to resemble a wolf in sprint before the air he had accumulated and compressed around himself was released explosively, sending dirt and grass flying into every direction as he was catapulted forward at close to 1000 meters per second towards the girl, the enormous speed momentarily producing a colossally loud bang, the characteristic sonic boom, as he ripped through the air, appearing behind his target. His rapiers had retained their aura of scorching flame as the atmosphere showed no effect on Johann, and out of a spin, he swund down the blades towards where the girl was standing, incinerating the area as the flames burst from the weapons, producing pure, black smoke, flame and cinder that now elegantly danced through the air, but at the same time made it hard to see. Whether he had hit her or not he didn't know, but he retreated back a few meters nonetheless, regaining his balance after the attack, focussing on the other two combatants as the smoke cleared.

Adalinda was surprised when Johann had moved before she could touch him, and quickly locks her head on him as he was a distance away now. As her taunt was returned, her eyes crinkles as she grinned and stuck her tongue out. "Like hell is it all I got! Maybe if I was twenty years older, but never right now!" She laughs with amusement before she notices that he is getting into a strange stance to her. As he launches herself, she let up a slight yelp and flinches to cover her ears at the sound of the sonic boom. It hurt her ears quite a bit, making them ring in pain. She growls to herself as she forces herself not to close her eyes due to the ringing that the Vice President caused to her.

A moment later, she paled a bit at the fact that she felt someone behind her. "Oh crap..." She breaths before she quickly goes to dodge the attack as the flames came at her. She had quickly called forth a spell while holding her arms above her head in an X formation. When the smoke was starting to clear, she jumps back a couple paces when she notices the lightning and hears the crackle of it. As the smoke was cleared from the area, they'd see Adalinda was still holding her arms up in a blocked stance as she glares between her fists at Johann. Her skin was grey and had scales covering every visible piece of skin on her.

She had a nasty grin on her face as she looks to Johann. "That would have been bad..." She snickers as she glances at the lightning boar that towered over her. She let up a screech as she jumped out of the way of the boar and her blue, now dragon-like, eyes was a bit confused at it. She looks over to the other guy and puffs her cheeks up a bit. "C'mon! I'm here! What is with people nearly hitting me who are supposed to be considered an ally?!" She groans rather loudly. She grips her hand into a fist as she looks at Johann once again. "Now or never I suppose." She chuckles as she wasn't going to back down so easily. "Try aiming at him next time!" She snickers and stands ready for Johann to launch another attack before she runs after him herself again.

Words: 405
Total: 2,048

Adalinda's Stats:

Johann's eyes widened as his eyes locked on the girl, mumbling "Metal ?" under his breath as, from his left flank, a monstrosity crashed forward with explicit force, looking like it would break everything in its path. He was quick to act, flipping through the air with supreme agility and reflexes as the lightning boar struck the ground where he had stood less than a moment ago, sending sparks flying everywhere. He had not expected the attack, and had he not had his peculiar blood he probably would've had to suffer a blow, landing to hear the girl complain. Johann knew that the two weren't all too familiar with each other, and noted the lack of teamwork in the back of his mind, at least for now. "Metal and lightning, hm ? A peculiar combination ..." it rang through his head as the girl broke her block and, again, started charging. "I suppose it's only fair then, it's two against one, after all" the Vice President calmly spoke out before the runes that covered the lower left half of his body, arm and chest dug their way through his flesh, burning themselves into the skin and quickly spreading over his entire body, his other eye turning black as they reached it, an aura of crimson red, bursting energy surrounding the man's body, greatly enhancing both senses and strength.

Johann was still staring at the girl running towards him, quickly sheathing his blades, thus dispelling the flames, to free up his hands. Against her, he figured, this tactic would prove useless, trying something different as he activated another rune that he hoped would prove more effective, surrounding his hands in an aura of absolute cold that started freezing even the air, bits of ice and snow falling to the ground and instantly melting as they hit it. The extraordinarily frigid aura would freeze everything upon touch, and so, he took another stance, reading himself for melee combat with the girl while keeping an eye out for the other challenger, waiting for an attack.

She glances back behind her for a moment to see the other mage following in suit to her. A grin slowly crept on her face. "Change of plans. Aim at me. And make sure I get behind him when you do let out another bolt." She simply mutters as she goes to run faster, trying to pump herself into a sprint. Her hair was whipping wildly behind her as she was getting a thrill from this. Adalinda's plan was to use her weakness to attract lightning to her, to help with getting their proctor for them. She then starts to shake her right arm a bit, and it seemed to get a glint shine over from her fingertips to halfway down her forearm.

She was guessing that the vice president had been holding back on them a bit. Wanting to drive them harder to show their power to him. When he stuck his swords away, she was thinking he wasn't going to hold back, but when she saw the ice and snow, she started to falter. She nearly tripped on her feet before she diverted her course a bit. That slowed her down as she quickly inspected the snow and ice. "Why couldn't he have just stuck with the fire...? Melting is better than rusting..." She groans to herself and leans her head back a little. She sensed the electricity behind her, and dared to look back to see the electrified... butterflies? Adalinda shakes her head and looks to Johann once more. She would have to face it head on. She bit her tongue a little as she ran towards the left side of the older mage. She guessed he would move, but she was trying to reach out with her right hand to grab his left shoulder. If she managed to grab his shoulder, he would feel an iron tight grip as she would wheel around him and stick to his back.

Words: 323
Total: 2,371

Adalinda's Stats:

Johann was somewhat surprised by Adalinda's relentless assault, the woman bursting towards him in a full sprint. It was rather sluggish for the Vice President, but such was only natural for the man in accordance with the powers he created through his magic and the abilities granted to him by his blood. He made no effort to evade her or dodge in any way, the aura of frost still covering his hands as he waited for her to come into melee range, failing in not one, but two ways: First, he himself did not notice, but tunnel vision ensued, his focus shifting solely to the woman that came storming at him, somewhat disregarding the other stranger that launched an attack that would prove more than successful. Second, a tactical blunder, he had underestimated his enemies, more specifically, the level of power on the red haired stranger ... stranger ? Johann made a small mental note to ask for the man's name after, a duell without etiquette was not honorable, after all.

Additionally, he had underestimated the ferocity of the girl that had now gotten close to him, close enough for Johann to strike but he was somewhat startled by his opponent as the girl tried to grab him. He took a step back but it was too late, the girl had gotten a firm hold of his shoulder and he, instinctively, grabbed her arm with the still active frost spell. It would probably have a reduced effect against the metal-covered limb but still hurt quite a bit nonetheless, still, it was too late, the woman spinned around, maneuvering through the air and getting behind Johann using her momentum before firmly attaching herself to the man's back. Now was the moment where his other mistake would show, a multitude of butterfly-like sparks rushing towards him and the girl, exploding viciously upon contact, covering him, the girl and the immediate surroundings in white flashes of electricity. One hit Johann's shoulder directly, scorching his shirt and the skin beneath, a large black spot now covering it. Yet, the Vice President grinned, thinking to himself just one word "Excellent !".

When the black haired mages' arm had been grabbed, she let up a slight yelp and grits her teeth as she tightened her grip. Her arm had gotten colder than she expected it to when he grabbed her. Adalinda begin swearing under her breath and quickly grabs her alcohol for a quick swing, she needed a boost, and a way to numb her arm so the cold wouldn't get to her. The alcohol helped to also numb her body from the little tingles from the butterflies shocking her a little as well through the metal of her spell. She looks at Johann with her icy blue eyes, boring into him and trying to will him to let go before either of them got hurt though, even though her right arm felt stiff as can be. She clenches her jaw as she lets her eyes trail over to where her partner was.

She spotted the flying cat not too far from him, and the umbrella that was now in his hand. What was he even doing? She looks back to Johann and saw his grin, and she started to worry that she chewed off more than she should have. "What is with that damn smile...?" The worry was clear in her voice as it was low for Johann to hear her.

The flash from the guy leaving his original spot got her attention, and she blinked till she smelled him not too far from her. Her eyes glance to him, noticing that he was now to the opposite side of her and the vice president. She blinks as she was confused about what he was doing, till the other mage started to take a stance. The way he held his umbrella, made her grow wide eyed and seem to panic a bit. "Oh crap! I was expecting bolts of lightning!" She cries out again, in a rather girly fashion unintentionally, before she slips to Johann's left side to avoid attracting the lightning bullets directly. She pries her fingers off of Johann's shoulder, feeling her magic start to disappear. The grey scales started to change back to her pale skin, and her grip wasn't as tight as it had been before as the spell was being released.

Words: 375
Total: 2,746

Adalinda's Stats:

The Vice President kept his smile up, barely hiding the fact that he was enjoying this situation greatly as the thrill of the hunt enveloped his mind. The explosions and the electricity around them started to fade away, and he watched as one of his adversaries received his mysterious gift before he shifted into lightning, getting closer and seeming more than intent to use it all while the girl that had been attached to him now seemed intimidated by the man's assault, letting go of Johann just a second before the volley of magically infused projectiles left the peculiar weapon. Johann acted immediately, and as the wound on his shoulder closed and the skin shifted back into its original state, leaving only the burned shirt as evidence that he had ever received the hit, he calmly spoke the words that would activate one of the most special set of runes in his possession, "Indomabilis".

The runes on his right shoulder unleashed some of their power and started glowing in a deep, royal blue, endless as the ocean. The effect could be felt immediately as time started to slow down to a point where all around the Vice President was moving as if in slow motion. His opponents had seemingly stopped in their motion, moving at just a snail's pace while the hail of spark-covered projectiles were still on their way towards both Johann and Adalinda, seemingly floating through the space between them. The WFTC mage lost not a second, coating his right hand in a layer of pressurized air before storming forward to meet the one that had unleashed the volley onto them, utilizing his inhuman speed to elegantly avoid the bullets in flight while simultaneously making sure they would continue their path towards the girl, appearing before the red haired male moments later, his fist racing towards the man as time returned to its normal flow. If he would hit his opponent directly, the built up pressure would be released in a literally explosive manner, damaging him and launching him back violently.

When Johann was suddenly gone, Adalinda grits her teeth. She wasn't expecting it. She quickly realized the lightning bullets were coming at her, and quickly jumps out of the way by throwing herself to the ground and rolling away a bit. She looks back to the other mage just as he was knocked back by the blast of air by their proctor. That could have been bad if she didn't be careful. She could have gotten herself hurt. She needed more magic.

Adalinda slowly closes her eyes and takes a deep breath as she snarls. A moment later, she looks around the area and huffs. She couldn't sense any iron too close to her. Why did they have to be in a field far away from town? She grumbles to herself as she puffs her cheeks up and looks to the two once again. "You having fun toying with us here?" She growls as she stands up properly. She was glaring a little at Johann, wondering if that would entice him to react to her. Yeah, she already let herself take a beating from him, but maybe she could still take a few more hits. Up against Johann? Maybe just one hit. Probably a love tap even and she would be done for with how strong he seemed to be compared to her. She grits her teeth as she interlocks her knuckles together before she cracks them all together. She couldn't take that. Her pride was too much to admit she wasn't strong yet. She needed to be stronger.

"Kay bud!" She calls out to the other mage. "Do me a favor and don't try to hit me again now." She huffs as she realized she had almost used her Curse before. It could have helped her out dodging the bullets earlier, but she needed her magic for at least a bit longer. "I need more iron..." She saw what the other mage was doing, thinking he was going to aim another spell at her, and it made her groan as he sent it over himself instead. She pinches her nose and takes a deep breath. She clenches her hands into fists and prepares herself to go after Johann once more, or see if he'd come after her this time. She didn't have that much she could do to ward him off now that she had already used her dragon scales. "Heavens... don't take me now." She mutters as she runs after the Vice President again.

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A more or less sinister grin spread across the Vice President's face when he felt the force of the impact that launched the red haired man back and off his feet before quickly regaining his composure. He didn't mean for this side to shine through, but his opponents were giving him a ... very interesting fight, and the sweet sting of combat was something that Johann had a weakness for. The explosions were music to the man, the pain a virtue. But he knew that he had gotten carried away, his fellow Vice President would probably frown upon his actions, the man now recovering from the stance of his attack to hear Adalinda shout at him, glancing over his shoulder and back to see her charging once more, he turned his head back forward to see her partner get back up as well. "You two won't give me a break hm ? ... Good" he mumbled more to himself than anyone else before he, too, got ready to continue the brawl. He knew he had to end this quickly, one way or another, and he decided to go with the other.

Johann had noticed that the two started to work together more, the girl favouring close quarters melee combat while the man seemed to prefer ranged attacks. He had, in an effort to bring distance between himself and Adalinda, targeted him before her to play out their perceived weaknesses against them, and with that he readied another spell, surrounding himself in a grey glow before he, once more,got down on his legs and arms, the stance reminiscent of a wolf. The air that was being pulled towards him and compressed caused the air to hum strangely and in mere moments he was ready to launch himself off at extreme speed again, this time aiming it at the other male that had gotten up again, covered now in strange bandages. Johann paid that little mind to that fact anymore, but he did note the ferocity and determination of both his opponents, and for him, this fight was pretty much over. "Just a little more", the Vice President thought to himself before the air around him exploded for the last time, sending him flying like a bullet as the sound barrier was once again breached with the loud and unique boom.

In flight, Johann did something unexpected, the runes on his body binding together, ripping through the back of his clothing to form a pair of black, runic wings that lifted him up almost immediately, using his momentum to launch himself up rather than forward as he soared through the air before he came to a stop a good 50 meters above the ground, hovering in place while he stared down at the two with his black left eye and his now strangely glowing right. "You have fought valiantly, my friends. If you want, I will personally pass on your applications to our CEO ..." Johann was quick to follow up though, just in case the two thought that the fight was already over "... but, that does not mean that I give up just yet. I acknowledge your competence as fighters, prove to me now that you are persistent enough to be a part of the West Fiore Trading Company !". He was finished shouting down to them and, wordlessly and with a stoic expression, he brought his hands together, a ripple skimming through the skies as he did so.

For Johann, this was an all or nothing situation. Practically, the other two had already won: If he'd miss the attack, and there was a substantial chance that he would, it was more or less of an experiment and the spell wouldn't reach its full potential, after all, the other two had automatically won. His body wasn't strong enough yet and he would expend most of his magic energy for this spell, leaving him with not enough to take the two of them on. If he'd hit and not take them out, which was likely, he was sure that the two were clever enough to find a way to block or evade the attack somehow. If he would take them out ... well, that wasn't planned for. But that wouldn't happen, surely.

In any case, between Johann's fingers a small sphere started to form, beginning to become increasingly visible as the spell sucked in a great quantity of air while simultaneously compressing it more and more. The sheer amount of pressure that was required to just hold the spell was unfathomable for normal people, and it placed on Johann's body a great, painful strain that was pulling and stretching his muscles. He hoped he could spare himself the embarrassment of losing control over the spell with its energy unloading back on its user as it would not only demonstrate the instability of this attack, it would also most likely rip his body apart and scatter the pieces over all of this peaceful steppe. Much to his appreciation he was able to hold the finished sphere in his hands, and he could feel the glowing heat and energy emanating from it bursting through the space between his fingers. An object solely made of simple air, gases compressed to a point where the release of pressure and the ensuing explosion would create heat and kinetic energy rivaling that of, for a lack of a better term, shit-ton of explosive mass. Lucky for everyone involved the spell would be weaker than the finished product, but it didn't stop the Vice President from releasing the sphere, shot out of his hands with the same compressed air, breaking them with a loud crack before they immediately rearranged themselves back to their original state as the projectile rushed down towards the ground, tumbling sideways in flight before it hit the ground. He couldn't exactly make out where, but for just a moment, Johann's head went numb when nothing happened before an enormous explosion shook the ground, the shock wave launching him back as he struggled to keep himself in the air. He opened his eyes to see a cloud of dust and smoke rising up from a crater down below, but failed to make out more details.

He rushed down towards the ground, coughing a bit as he started breathing in the dust that was throwing off his senses, landing close to the point of impact before looking around, ready to admit his opponents' victory and spend the rest of his magical energy on healing the damage he had caused ...

As soon as Adalinda saw Johann go down in the strange stance again, she skids herself to a stop and quickly tries to run out of his path. She shakes her right hand a bit before it starts to form into a rather long claw on her hand. She quickly shoves her hand in the ground, anchoring herself to the ground just before the vice president let loose his magic once more. She braces her head when she felt the blast of air and quickly makes her left hand a claw as well to hold herself down better against the blast of air. She let out a growl when the sonic boom was set off, not liking it one bit again.

When she hears something ripping, Adalinda looks up slowly, only to see Johann going up into the air. "What the hell...?" She mutters as she rips her hands out of the earth before she made the claws disappear. She watches him go up into the sky for a moment. What in the world was this guy doing? She squints to see his hands starting to do something. "I have a very bad feeling about this..." She starts to back up a bit. She knew that would simply spell trouble for her if she stayed right there, so she begun to try to get out of range of, whatever that was, before he launched it. She gasps as she looks back and sees him launching a ball of air at the ground. She panics a second before it hit the ground and an explosion came, starting to push at her back.

She quickly closes her eyes and calms herself down for just a second. Then time started to slow down around Adalinda, and she was able to quickly jump out of the way of the explosion and used the slowed down time to her advantage. "Thank you, curse." She mutters as she quickly runs about another 10 meters out of the way, as far as she guessed the explosion would happen. When she released her curse, Adalinda was still knocked back just a bit, but it wasn't even close to as bad as it would have been when she originally slowed down the time. She was simply knocked onto her butt. For a moment, she stayed quiet while she covered her mouth from the flying dust, and watches what was going on around her. She grabs hold of her flask and brings it to her lips again, feeling like she needed a sip after that. Slowly, she starts to head towards the blast sight, having just barely seen Johann go down into the smoke.

She walks in through the smoke, and suddenly see the other mage's hat on the ground. "Musta dropped when it went of..." She picks it up and goes stumbling about a moment. It actually didn't take her too long to find him through the dirt and dust about them as it was starting to settle about. She had heard his comment about, who she assumed was, her.

"If you're talking about me? Yeah, I'm golden. I'm not frail. I'm a Dragon Slayer." She replies to the other. She crouches down by him, and looks to his arm as he had healed it while she approached. "This would happen to be yours, yes?" She hands him his hat, and then reached into a pouch on her belt while pulling out a roll of cloth to hand to him. "I'm Adalinda. And you seem like you need a bandage for your arm." She stands up as she was feeling sluggish. Her body had been stressed by her curse, a poor side effect that she always hated whenever she used it. The dust was starting to clear a bit more and she growls as she spotted who she was looking for. She honestly had to admit, despite that last spell, she had a thrill with this 'challenge' he gave them. She let up a sharp whistle for the other to hear them as she crossed her arms over her chest and stomped after him. "Hey! Mr Vice President! Did you enjoy yourself?" She growls out to him.

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Total: 3,860

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