"Illusions,” she said in a louder voice.
Aster shut his eyes. "Horrible pick."
"Oh, I think we can make it work." I put my arm around her and walked to the middle of the arena. I filled her in on what her role would be and how she could be beneficial to our small group.
"You could let me on in the plan," Aster asked as he caught up to me.
"You know, I never did ask. What is your specialty?" I turned to face him.
"Wind," Aster replied.
"Actually, this might work out perfect. Come here." I grabbed his shoulder and brought him close.
We huddled together.
"Match. Start!" a voice called out.
We separated after we had our game plan.
The ground was loose dirt, so Aster had no trouble calling up a blinding wind. With Aster and Elise at my back, I claimed the front with my sword out. I didn't know our opponents but I could tell there was a seven in the group from the way he snarled at me.
"Hey. How ya doing?" I yelled across so he could hear over the wind.
"You are going to lose," he said. A small scar went up his neck from his shoulder. He was well built but I felt like he belonged outside a pub drinking.
"All I did was say hi. Rude." I widened my stance, waiting for him to cast or charge first. Aster and Elise started screaming at one another while dealing with the other two. Mr. Scar circled and decided to charge with a double-sided spear, a weapon I had never seen in Ian’s books.
He swung down as I sidestepped but immediately came back around with the other end of the spear aimed at my head. The only option I had was to back up, creating more distance between us. Which was a problem because I needed to be closer in order to harm him. He never gave me the chance to get close. He cut off all avenues of approach, constantly swinging his spear.
"Stop running and fight." Scar said.
"I am fighting. Just not very well right now."
He screamed and his spear began to glow. "No way! You can enchant." I smiled and almost dropped my sword. I wanted to go up to the weapon and touch it. Was I really getting excited right now?
"Only one here who can. Now shut it."
He came at me again, only this time he was superior in speed. I ran in a circle, forcing him to make small stabs with his spear. Even though I was evading as best I could, his blade still connected with my skin. It seemed his spear grew to match my distance. I had nicks and cuts all over me due to my shitty armor, but I had yet to feel any magical impact. I decided to run back to my group for support and make it an unfair advantage for me.
"Aster, how is everything?" I calmly said.
In response, he whipped up a small funnel of wind, which picked up one of the other mages and threw him into the stands. "Oh, just fine. You? Watch out!"
I ducked just as the spear grazed my back. I stood up and it was already returning to Scar, who was holding it firm.
"That was awesome," Aster said.
"Go help Elise so we can end this." I turned back to the seven who was now smiling at me.
"Right." Aster hesitated but he eventually stepped away.
"You aren't so tough. I thought you were the strongest?"
"Haven't had to use magic yet, have I?"
A scream left him and he charged again. He separated his spears at the handle, creating two pointed swords.
I smiled. My type of fight. I rotated my sword and took up a small jog. I chose to meet him in the middle.
Our blades clashed with one another as his still glowed with a faint white light. I backed away, on the defensive again. It reminded me of something Father always used to say.
Defense can’t last forever.
I needed to turn this around somehow.
Scar swung his blades down, nearly splitting me like a pumpkin. I crashed to my knees from the hard hit.
He must have enchanted them for more significant impact.
Again, he hit with one of his swords, nearly cracking my knee open from the force transferring down into the ground.
I rolled out of the way because I didn't think I could take another hit.
I heard Elise cheer and my mouth spread upwards.
It was time.
"Elise!" I screamed.
"Coming!" She replied.
I took off at a sprint with Scar right behind me. My path matched the dirt that swirled and rose higher from all around. I had to keep him right in the path of Aster’s casting.
My teammates’ timing was perfect.
I continued running in a circle as fast as I could.
"You can’t run all day." Scar yelled out.
"I don't have too,” I called back.
An echo of my voice filled the air. Scar stopped in his tracks. I stopped in front of him and then took off in the opposite direction. The cloud of dust rose even higher, covering my movements. The sand and rock calmed.
At least thirty Noah’s looked at him and all repeated my movements exactly. We became spread out even just looking at him.
"Yield,” My voice echoed through the cheering spectators.
"Like I ever would." He crouched and turned in place.
I shrugged. "So be it."
"Come on!" he screamed, and all my copies charged into him.
Not knowing which one was me, he reconnected his spear and continued to swing it in a circle above his head. Not a bad play, but he should just run. More dust covered our vision as I got closer. Before the blade severed my head, I slid down, becoming completely covered in the dust storm Aster had summoned again.
Scar’s voice pierced the air. The dust settled and dug my blade deeper through the bicep of his arm. I tightened my grip around his neck. He had no room to maneuver. He dropped his spear.
I had won.
We had won.
He went to his knees. My sword was still sticking out of him. Lowering his head, he mumbled, “I yield.”
"What?" I leaned closer putting my hand to my ear.
"I yield. Now let me go." His head sank.
I pulled the sword out and healers came rushing onto the field. Then, a voice echoed inside the arena. "Match won. Noah, Aster, and Random person Elise."
Aster let out a laugh and threw his arm around Elise. "Welcome to the group, Random," he said as they both walked over.
I clasped their hands and congratulated them. This victory had been theirs, not mine. If anything, it reminded me of how much I was in over my head.
We returned to the sitting area and received congratulations from the other competitors. Apparently, we were the last match. I really wished Urani had let us remain there the whole time. We could have seen everyone’s weaknesses and strengths. Chatter arose in the small arena and looking up I saw names started to float in the middle of the stadium.
"Here are the results based on the seven’s council judgment." Professor Tra’s voice echoed the arena.
Aster nudged me.
"We got second!" Elise screamed.
I smiled but it quickly faded when I saw that Tye was ranked number one. I shook my head slightly and Aster focused on me. "It doesn't mean anything."
"I hope it takes the attention off of me being the strongest," I said but there was a small part of me that was disappointed. Maybe if I had done something different in the battle?
"It won’t. Now Tye will come for you again, for sure," Aster said. "He wants to make his place known and he can’t do that until he beats you."
* * *
Later that night a knock came at our door. I took a pause from my brooding over what to do about Tye. I jumped up to answer it as Aster was getting dressed into some different attire I hadn’t noticed before.
"Elise, what brings you by?” I took a step back in surprise.
"Oh, sorry, I invited her," Aster said as he finished buttoning up his breeches.
"Sorry to intrude, seven." Elise slightly bowed.
"Just Noah is fine," I assured her.
She smiled and nodded.
"So,
what’s going on?" I asked.
"We are all going out," Aster announced.
"What?" I spun to face him with my lower jaw jutted out. I was exhausted from the trial. I don’t need any more excitement today.
"You heard me. We got second in sponsorship placements. That’s no easy feat. And you didn't even have to use your magic." He winked at me. He couldn't have made it more evident that I was hiding something.
"Am I invited?" Elise asked from the doorway.
"No, I just brought you here to carry our coats," Aster said walking closer to the door.
"Oh..."
I put my arm around her shoulder and brought her inside. "Ignore him. Of course, you're invited."
Her face went red and she dropped a book she was carrying. "Sorry!”
“It's fine,” I said.
She bent down and picked up the book and came back up under my arm, closer to me. I'm pretty sure I just made this very uncomfortable for myself. Thankfully, Aster came over and saved me by stealing her away. "Tell me Elise, how old are you?"
"Twenty-three."
"How do you feel about younger men?" His voice faded off as they walked through the door.
I smiled and followed.
We didn't have to walk far from the school to find a place to eat, drink, and dance. The place, called Arbiter, had an outside dance floor that seemed to be popular with all the students. I was finally able to spend some of my hard-earned bet money. I bought the first-round while Aster and Elise went to dance. It was going to take quite a bit more drink before I got out on that floor.
The music was lively and festive. Soon winter would be here, and it would be too cold for all the outdoor activities. We had to enjoy it while it lasted. The evening turned into the night and ale continued to flow.
I was becoming dangerously drunk. But it looked like I was to be the responsible one from the look of Elise and Aster.
They stumbled on the dance floor with one another. I continued to stare at Aster. I caught myself right before the worst person I could imagine approached.
"How does second feel?" I closed my eyes to Tye’s voice.
"You tell me. Last time I checked, I’m undefeated," I said to Tye without looking up. "Congratulations on the win, by the way."
"It won’t be my last."
"Good, mine either." I turned around and faced his group of four. "Now tell me, what is it you want?"
"I want to offer you a way back in, Noah. You are better than this. I know you don’t think so from your upbringing, but I can show you a better way to live rather than hanging out with ma—” Obscenely loud laughter interrupted Tye’s sentence.
"Oh, don't stop on my account," Aster said from my side, causing me to stare at his drunken sway.
"I wasn’t going to." Aster leaned on me for stability.
Elise was still dancing.
"As I was saying, there’s no need for him to rot down here with you. He is—" Tye tried to finish again.
"Yea, a seven. Best of the lot, I’d say. Hasn't even used magic once. What’s your excuse?"
"Noah, take your dog somewhere else.” Tye switched his gaze to Aster.
“Yes… You are embarrassing yourself." Detrick said from Tye’s side.
Aster stepped forward. "What did you say?"
"You heard me. Dog."
"Aster, it’s okay. Calm down. Let’s just go."
I tried to grab him but he got into Tye's face. "Take it back."
"Filthy mage. Get. Out. Of. My. Face." Tye pushed Aster into me.
Great.
Aster righted himself and tried to punch Tye. But Tye was too fast for Aster’s slurred movements and countered with one of his own.
I got between them but Aster pushed me away. "No. This is my fight."
"Aster, stop this," Elise said. I hadn’t seen her approach.
"Yea, what she said," Tye mocked.
"No magic?" Aster said staring down Tye.
"Accepted." A grin filled Tye’s face.
Everyone backed up. Even I couldn't do anything at that point. An official challenge was made and accepted.
"Aster, you fool," I said to myself as I took Elise's hand and took her to the edge of the circle.
They began to circle one another. Aster had his hands up at least. Tye threw his cloak to Detrick and cracked his neck.
"Come on, then," Tye taunted.
Aster hit him straight in the jaw. Tye took a few steps back and spit blood out of his mouth. He faked a punch and Aster went to block his face but that gave Tye the opportunity to ruin his ribs. Aster grabbed his side and backed away.
"Aster, you can do this!" I screamed. "Stay calm."
They exchanged hit after hit, but Aster wasn't doing a lot of damage. He just wasn't connecting. How he was still standing was amazing, even to me. Tye hit Aster in the face again and Aster stumbled to me and fell.
"You have lost,” Tye said to me. “Take him and go." Aster simply smiled at me with a bloody mouth.
"Aster..." I whispered.
"Don't... say... it," he said, panting.
Aster got back to his feet and tried to hit Tye again but completely missed. Tye rammed his knee into Asters abdomen, causing him to heave all of the night’s ale and food all over Tye's boots.
"Victory!" Tye yelled as he finished him with a kick to the head.
Aster fell over into his own vomit and didn't move again.
CHAPTER NINE
Powers Awakening
Elise had long fallen asleep as I watched over Aster. I wiped my eyes clear from exhaustion. I wish there was something I could have done. Maybe if I had been better at convincing him not to fight. Perhaps if I’d said more. Morning came, and Aster finally stirred. I sat upright in his bed with his head on my lap. I moved his head and stood looking down at him.
"Aster. You with me?"
"Depends. Are you a gorgeous woman?”
"I mean..." I stopped myself before saying anything more.
"If you have to think about it. The answer is no. Go away." He turned over showing me his back. His voice was covered in defeat.
"Aster, don't be like this. You did well. Nothing to be ashamed of."
He didn't respond. I didn't know what to do. I was never good with intimate moments. Noah the woman wanted to embrace him, but I knew I couldn't. I was playing two sides of a coin. I backed into my closet and changed out of my smoke-filled clothing and into something lighter. When I came back out, I kicked Aster’s bed.
He grumbled.
"Come on,” I said. “We have class, remember? If you get up now, no training afterward."
He rolled out of bed. "I hate you."
"I know." I threw him his satchel and combed over his messy brown hair. After I was finished, he merely shook his head, undoing all my work. He followed silently to class. I opened the door for him, but he stopped mid entry.
"Ah, welcome, Aster,” a familiar voice said. “Please take your seat." He slowly went to his chair.
Jovanni.
I pushed through the door and met his gaze.
"Noah, if you will," Ushering me to my seat.
I sat down with wide eyes and looked to Aster. Jovanni’s presence was enough to get him out of his mood.
"Yea, so this is happening," he whispered to me.
"It could be nothing, let’s just wait and see.”
"Good morning, class. I am Jovanni of the council of seven. Urani is out today due to personal reasons. So, I shall be taking over. There is also another announcement for those participating in the trials, which I will discuss after class. Now, this morning we will start off with something all of you should be familiar with.”
"Fighting without magic?" Tye asked from the back of the room.
I looked to Aster’s beat up face and gave him a faint smile while the class laughed.
"Shouldn't boast, Tye. It’s beneath a seven." Jovanni said.
Tye put his head down. "Of course, sir. Sorry."
The class quiet
ed and Jovanni looked at me.
"Today we will be talking about awakening powers. How to recognize them and develop them." He moved his gaze and I turned to Aster, who was already staring at me. We didn't dare speak but we suspected the same thing.
Jovanni knew somehow, but was he going to use that against me? No, he couldn’t have known I had no powers.
"Is there anyone who's powers haven't awoken yet?"
Nobody in the class raised their hand.
"Excellent. Now what usually happens at awakening?"
None raised their hand.
"I will not ask again."
Everyone’s hands shot up into the air beside Detrick’s and Tye’s.
He pointed to another mage in our class. "Wonderful. You, tell me."
The short boy slowly stood and cleared his throat. "Sir, usually the awakening happens when your sleeping. There have only been four cases recorded where an awakening has happened while actually awake. Because of this, not much is known about what triggers it."
"Well said. You may sit. Now, what has been recorded from the four cases? Aster?”
He stood up. "In all honesty sir, I have no idea."
The class giggled but Aster was serious. I’d never seen him get smart with Jovanni.
Our temporary teacher pursed his lips and told Aster to sit down. "Anyone else?"
Detrick raised his hand.
"Yes." Jovanni pointed.
"It was recorded that one of them died. Is that correct?"
Jovanni waved his hand and words floated midair. "Correct. As stated here the awakening took place during a lunch meal. He was thirty years of age. It killed everyone in the vicinity including the individual."
"What did it look like?" someone asked from the back.
"As far as we know, there was a blinding light which turned to black over time. After that, he combusted. There are many theories on why this might have happened, but my own personal thoughts are that his body simply couldn't adapt to the change. So, with no place to go, the magic just erupted."
I raised my hand.
"Yes, Noah?"
"What is the oldest case of an awakening being successful?"
He turned around and walked behind the wooden desk at the front of the room.
"I believe it is at twenty-nine. But there is only one incident occurring at that age. The usual is eighteen."
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