The old man motioned. "Come on."
"That stance..." Cedric murmured. "Why?" Ben asked. "It reminds me of Bruce Lee," Cedric chuckled, his excitement surging.
Ben looked at Merlin. "What's up with him?"
"That posture... It's like Bruce Lee." Merlin explained. "Who's Bruce Lee?" Ben questioned.
"Bruce Lee is a true legend. I remember watching his films, particularly The Way of the Dragon," Merlin replied.
"If he's that legendary, then I'll mark him legendary as well."
Ben asserted. "Oi! Oi!" the old man called out, he waved his right hand at Ben. "What about the battle?" he added, eyebrows raised.
"Apologies, I got a little distracted," Ben admitted.
"Everyone, line up next to each other," the old man commanded, his right hand gesturing.
Merlin and Cedric moved forward, standing with Ben.
"Now it's time for the real test, Brats." the old man muttered. "Before we start, let me introduce myself." He paused for a slight second. "You can call me Van, Van Avaricious."
"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Van," Ben said, his left hand placed on his right chest, with his head bowed down.
"You have good manners, boy, so you'll fight last." "I'll wait for my turn." Ben replied, returning to the house."Oi!, boy! What's your name?" Van asked his gaze shifted to Merlin.
"Merlin. Merlin Vaxian."
"Vaxian, huh?" Van echoed, slightly tilting his head. "Is there a problem? Is my family well-known?" Merlin inquired, tone curious.
Van remained silent, deep in thought.
Is my family significant? Am I somehow exceptional? Could this be a grand twist of fate?Merlin wondered.
After a long contemplation, Van finally spoke. "No. They are not remarkable.
I just found your surname...quite unique."
"Oh. Unique." Merlin said flatly.
I thought I was about to get the most grand plot twist.
"Enough talking brat! Come at me." Van commanded.
Cedric stepped back, giving Merlin enough space for the battle.
In the next seconds, Merlin raised his staff, aimed high and focused, suddenly the staff tips glowed red, forming a roaring ball of flame.
In a span of seconds it blasts off, dashing forward at Van, although he looked like he pay no mind he has tricks up in his sleeve.
He sneezed. he sneezed not out of control but as a form of counter attack, changing the once hot flaming ball into a small seed.
"How is that possible?" Merlin questioned, his mind felt shattered.
" It's a magic trick ey." Van said.
"Is that a form of an illusion?" Cedric asked.
"Correct." Ben spoked, leaning behind the tree on the left.
"Since when did you get here? I saw you entered the house?" Cedric questioned.
"None of it matters. Do you want to know or what?" Ben said his arms crossed.
"Go then." Cedric said.
"He wields a GA, although I'm unable to guess what kind of wish it is, however I know what classification of GA he has." he paused briefly. "it falls under the Absolute."
"Is it powerful? I mean the principal already said the three different types of GA are." Cedric asked.
"Do you mind?" Van asked for permission.
"Sure." Ben answered.
"It is quite powerful, as it revolves around manipulating reality, luck, and probability."
"Then how am I going to defeat you?" Merlin asked, losing hope.
"It is true that it is much harder to fight someone who has the ability rather than a person who has not. But it doesn't mean that you'll give up. Find a way boy. That alone matters more." Van admitted.
"Bars." Cedric smirked.
Suddenly all froze staring at Cedric.
"I'm impressed how unexpected you can be." Ben murmured.
"Let's continue. Come at me." Van said, posturing once again like Bruce Lee.
Merlin thought deeply about what Van said,
causing his mind to reminisce about her mother.
There is a way. You just haven't found it yet.
This line was stuck in his mind. A reminder that his mother once told him.
Merlin closes his eyes with Van waiting, preparing for an attack.
Finally at last, Merlin opened his eyes.
His gaze gradually changed. From a hesitant young man to a focus individual.
In short. He has a great potential.
In a blink of an eye, Merlin with his staff raised, its tip glowed blue.
Van, and Merlin companions look upward as the sky and clouds who grew larger turn dark. The clouds form into a massive circle, positioning it to a specific target.
Slow and deliberate, as the thunder loudly cracks.
Then Van and the companions shifted their gazed at Merlin who stood, his head bowed down low.
Van who stands one meter away from Merlin, he narrowed his eyes and saw Merlin mumbling. Van repeated Merlin words, piecing it together.
At last he concluded.
"He's counting. 5, 4, 3, 2 ,1— THIS BRAT!!"
With a quick realization, Van instinctively dodged lightning, rolling to the left. Afterwards Van looked at the position he once was, the lightning that was supposed to hit him marked the ground, leaving ashes of the burning small pointed green grass.
"Oi!! You gone crazy ey!" Van snapped. "I ask for battle, not a death battle!"
With Van being angry, Merlin came back once again to his comfort place.
I failed didn't I? Did I hurt him? I know I shouldn't let myself—
"But that was solid! You have guts my boy!! Don't worry ey! You didn't hurt me."
Then Cedric and Ben at the back clapped, showing appreciation.
Cedric whistled. "I know you had that one."
"Good job." Ben said, with a warm smile on his face.
"Never hesitate. If you saw it grab it firmly. Never let it go." Van said.
That quote alone forms a smile on Merlin.
With that said, Merlin passed the second trial.
"Oi! your name?" Van said.
"Why do you talk like that?" Cedric asked.
"Name!" Van snapped.
"Fine. Geez man." Cedric said.
Cedric froze for a while, coughing softly.
"I go by the great name. Cedric Myward."
"You mental?" Van asked.
"What? No!" Cedric shocked. "Why everyone think I'm crazy!?"
"You act like one." Said Ben.