Chapter 3 #5
Maeve smirked and shot him a look as the rest laughed.
“I have no idea what you’re laughing about, Roswyn,” said Maeve. “Based on your Alchemy test I saw the other day you could stand to read at least one book.”
“Oooh,” said Abraxas, covering his mouth and grinning ear to ear. Roswyn scowled at her and turned away. He was a brutish boy, tall and broad shouldered. Bright green eyes and a dirty blonde under-shave.
Presley Barton, who played on the Volaticus Fencing Team and the Harpastum Team, came around and took their bets.
“Fawley? Yikes,” said Presley, shaking her head.
There were a few laughs.
“Maeve,” said Presley, “We thought for sure you’d end up at try outs finally this year. Everyone says your brother was the best fly-half Vaukore ever had.”
A cold sensation filled Maeve’s stomach at the mention of Anthony Sinclair.
“Hurry up Barton,” said Lavinia Roberts. She seemed to appear from nowhere. “We can’t start until you’ve taken all the bloody bets.”
She pushed Presley along.
The group of Serpentine students, and Lavinia, knew better than to make any comment, but their sudden silence spoke volumes about the uncomfortableness of the situation. Maeve was admittedly grateful for Lavinia’s quick action and change of conversation topic.
Lavinia pulled up a seat next to Maeve, offering her a bar of chocolate, which Maeve happily accepted. Lavinia also had a large bag of sweets which was getting passed around.
Professor Larliesl made his way atop the dueling stage and urged them all to quiet down.
He was a broad shouldered half Magical half Elvish man with blonde hair braided down to his waist. His ears were pointed at the tips.
Once a member of the Magical Militia, Larliesl was now a retired educator and head of the Dueling Club.
“Welcome to another year of Dueling Club!” Larliesl clapped his hands excitedly. “The customs are the same and I trust you all know them, if not best of luck. Tonight we’ll start with our new comers and make our way up to the undefeated third year Serpentine Paragon: Malachite Peur!”
There were a few hollers of praise and clapping among the students. Maeve rolled her eyes and suppressed a smile as Abraxas whistled loudly. Mal was undeniably well liked.
“Let’s begin!” Shouted Larliesl.
Two first years took the stage timidly. With much encouragement from Larliesl, they did well.
As the night went on, and the skill level rose, the duels became more grand. Lavinia was very impressive against Randolf Grisham, a Draconem boy who, rumor had it, was always talking down to specifically the girls in his classes. The two bested each other at the same time, calling for a draw.
Kash didn’t disappoint, losing to Fawley, and earning Maeve twenty rubies, about sixty euros of human money. Fawley had a very strong Deterioration Hex that slowed Kash down completely.
Larliesl had even asked for Fawley to demonstrate the Hex once more on his next opponent.
“For educational purposes of course,” said Larliesl.
Mal praised Fawley as he walked by and Kash sulked.
Finally it was Mal’s turn. He took his place opposite Phineas, who was his first opponent of the night. Their duel was impressive. Maeve could see that Phineas had been working hard over the summer. Though, she suspected that Mal was going rather easy on him, observing his progress.
When it seemed Mal had enough, he defeated Phineus with a quick flick of his wrist, solidifying Maeve’s assumption.
There were two more that had challenged Mal. Randolf Grisham and Davey Gunner, both fourth year Draconem students in their final year at Vaukore.
As Grisham took the stage, Mal turned to Larliesl. “Sir. Would it be against protocol to, perhaps, duel Gunner and Grisham at the same time?”
There was a wave of whispering that buzzed around the room.
Larliesl contemplated this for a moment, biting down on his lip.
“I don’t see why not,” said Larliesl, excitedly. “If your opponents are up for it.”
“Absolutely,” said Gunner stepping up onto the platform, and sharing a smirk with Grisham.
Maeve and Abraxas scoffed in synchronization. There was no doubt in Maeve’s mind that even if there were four of the school’s best against him, Mal would still win. He beat her sister Arianna so badly the previous year she refused to duel him ever again.
The three boys stood at the ready as the room collectively held its breath.
Larliesl had a bright gleam in his eye. “Begin!”
“Vulnus!” Shouted Mal with one long slender finger pointed at Grisham.
One finger. A symbol of Mal’s power.
The symbol of a Supreme. A Supreme far ahead of his time.
With a loud bang, Grisham was knocked backwards, clutching his stomach.
Simultaneously, Gunner sent Mal a hefty stunning spell from three tightly clenched fingers. Mal dodged the jet of blue light.
“Ligare!” Thick rope like strand of Magic burst out of Mal’s finger tip heading straight for Gunner.
“Obstris!” Gunner blocked the spell with his palm, creating a misty shield between them. This gave Grisham time to get back on his feet.
“Concutere!” Shouted Grisham, attempting to blast Mal.
A collective gasp came from the crowd at this was a potentially brutal spell if cast well and aimed properly.
Mal blocked the spell, his robes whipping behind him.
He sent a curse towards Gunner then Grisham, one right after the other. Mal had stopped using verbal spells on them, firing from each pointer finger.
The pair successfully blocked him, but it brought Gunner to a knee.
Grisham was distracted and Mal sent him a stunning spell, knocking him square in the chest. He fell to the ground, unconscious.
Maeve looked to Mal, expecting a smirk of satisfaction, but he was completely focused on finishing Gunner.
There were a few jets of light back and forth, but Gunner had taken quite the hit. Mal’s stunning spells were strong.
Gunner was back on his knees and Mal delivered a stunning spell with so much force that Gunner flipped over backwards, losing the duel.
The room erupted with cheers. Larliesl made his way swiftly to Gunner and Grisham to ensure their well-being. They were fine, albeit a little knocked around, but contrary to the scowls on their faces as they arose, they were fine. Magically exhausted, but fine.
The goal of a duel at Vaukore was, after all, not to cause fatal harm.
Larliesl took the stage and gave Mal a pat on the back. The corner of his mouth turned up at the Professor.
“Unless anyone else would like to challenge our reining champion,” said Larliesl, “that concludes tonight’s duels! Off to your duties and dormitories!”
Mal gave Larliesl a full smile as the Professor gave him another heartfelt congratulations. The room began to empty.
After the dueling club Maeve had monitoring duties on the second floor, part of being the Volaticus Paragon. She was sure that there would be plenty of students out of bed after such an exciting event.
Abraxas was boasting Mal’s achievements as they made their way up the stairs.
“Well done,” said Maeve as Mal appeared at her side.
His attention turned from Roswyn as he smirked at Maeve.
“I’d like to see you up there.”
Roswyn hurried up a few steps and joined the others.
Maeve laughed and changed the subject. “You should come this weekend.”
Mal laughed. “To London?”
Maeve nodded as he stared at her in disbelief.
“Why?” Mal’s eyes narrowed, instantly locked with hers. Maeve hated when he did that.
She shrugged carelessly. “I dunno. But I’m looking forward to a day off. Maybe you could use one too. There’s a tea shop there I like to study in.”
Mal seemed to contemplate his response for a brief moment, before giving her a small sympathy smile, which she also hated. They had reached the second floor. Mal continued on to the third floor for his Paragon duties.
“Enjoy your day, Sinclair. I’ll be in the library should you change your mind.”