Chapter 80: Challenge

Sen

Before the match was officially called, Sen smiled at the outcome. Dasai had performed well. He would certainly get opportunities in the world after this showing. Susanna had won, and she’d used her powers in a way he hadn’t expected. Using creation magic similarly to elemental magic wasn’t something he’d expected from her. But she’d proven just how effective it could be. 

Over his shoulder, Girch huddled behind him. The small shield Sen had covered them with was just large enough to protect them from the surge of silver water. “She’s dragging this out,” Girch grumbled as the water surged around them.

Sen smiled. He agreed, but didn’t disapprove. This was a big moment for her. He only wished he could see the faces of her family. Something smacked against the outside of his barrier, and he looked up to see the wide-eyed attendant’s face plastered against it. 

Sen’s mouth parted, and he held a hand out to pull the attendant into the ward. But the man slid off the ward and was carried away by the tide. 

[He’ll be fine. Probably.]

The events of the night weren’t officially over yet. There were still four days of graduation duels left. But today, on the first day, the final match-ups would be decided. The top-ranked students would make their challenges today. The graduation duels themselves were a chance to announce yourself to the world. Influential people and factions from all over the Isle of Magic were present. Even some from outside it, the Tower family for instance. 

But on the first night of graduation duels, the top-ranked students across the Isle of Magic made and accepted challenges that would take place on the last day. These were the matches that would be the most anticipated. Typically, these matches were about challenging other influential students. The children of royals, nobles, and powerful people from all over the world. Other times, students would use these moments to settle grudges against rivals. You could lose to someone a hundred times, but if you beat them on a stage like this, the only thing people would remember was your victory. The first few challenges were all between students he was unfamiliar with. He paid little mind, watching from the side of the arena with Susanna and Girch. The attendant wasn’t far behind them. He’d wrapped a white towel around himself and watched the challenges with interest. 

It wasn’t until the end that Sen perked up. The top three students were about to decide who would fight. 

Ano was ranked third. The blue-haired student entered the stadium from the same entrance Susanna had, walking right past them. He wore a blue robe with a sash around it, and his pillow was tucked under his arm. He winked at them as he walked by. 

“Anonymous Student! Ranked third in the country!” 

The crowd went wild. Women screamed and whistled. Flowers were thrown from the audience. Ano lifted a hand and waved at adoring fans. He seemed surprisingly energetic. He must have something up his sleeve.

The announcer hurried onto the stage. His hair was slicked back, and he wore a tight-fitting suit. “Anonymous! I’ve heard your friends call you Ano, can I do that as well?”

Ano shrugged. “Sure, doesn’t bother me at all.”

The announcer smiled. “Excellent! Well, Ano, that last fight was rather exciting. But now it’s time to look to the future. I’m sure you’ve been thinking carefully about which student you’d like to face in the last match of your academic career. So, with no further ado, who would you like to challenge?” He held the tiny mana device up to Ano. A simple blue crystal cupped in his hand.

“Actually, I’m waiving my right to challenge anyone.”

That certainly surprised the audience. A chorus of gasps resounded all around. “I’m guessing that’s not common?” Sen asked.

Susanna frowned. “It’s not.” 

The announcer looked at him in shock. But he quickly regained his composure. “I see…and you’re sure about that? You realize if the top two students choose to face each other, you could be left without a match altogether? Isn’t there anyone you want to fight? Maybe you want revenge on someone for a stolen quest, or…”

Ano cleared his throat. “No, and it’s fine if I don’t get a fight. I don’t really care if I’m being honest, and I don’t need anyone’s approval. I’m strong, I’ll make my own way.” 

That was the right way to bounce back. 

“You’re so cool, Ano!” a woman shouted. 

The announcer nodded. “Cool indeed! Alright, well, there’s a chance that someone still challenges you. So if you don’t mind, just wait to the side over there.” 

Ano nodded. 

The announcer turned to face the entrance Dasai had entered. “The second-ranked student in the country needs no introduction, but honor demands I give her one! Alari Kingcrew, the Flamelord’s daughter and top student of the prestigious Fire Kite Academy!” Alari stepped up with Flamesaber roaring on her back. Her armor appeared improved from the version she’d worn during the Academy War’s and she radiated a strength unlike anything Sen had sensed from her before. She was stronger now. More confident than she already had been. Flames burst to life on either side of the path as she walked. She had many fans of her own as well. Men shouted their support. Women screamed her name. She was the daughter of a living legend; most people would like her well enough for that reason alone. But she’d earned a reputation of her own on top of that. 

[Plus, she has a fire sword…]

She reached the top of the stairs, tensed her legs, then jumped toward the announcer before he could continue his spiel. She grabbed his wrist and lifted the mana device so she could speak into it. “I challenge him.” She pointed with her other finger directly at Ano. 

Ano closed his eyes, and his shoulders sagged. 

The announcer’s eyes threatened to bulge out of his head and run for dear life until she released his wrist. He took a healthy step back, composed himself, and then summoned his persona back like a professional. “Alari Kingcrew of Fire Kite has issued a challenge to Ano of Green Book! This could end up being a match between two of the top three students in the country, folks!”

He paused and looked up at a private booth high in the area. “But that all depends on one man.”

The audience turned to look at once. Sen gazed up there as well. High above in the stadium, Snake looked down upon them all as if he were some kind of emperor. This must be how the top-ranked student was treated. A green sword hung at his waist, and even from this distance Sen could see the look of pure contempt on Snake’s face. Snake was used to looking down at the rest of the world; now he had the perfect perch to do so from. 

“Snake of Bright Sail Academy! He led his team to victory during the Academy War, an accolade they hadn’t earned in years! Now, he’s here in search of even more. As the top-ranked student, he can challenge anyone he wants. Any student from any academy on the Isle of Magic. If he wishes to fight either Ano or Alari Kingcrew, their match will be cancelled. In Ano’s case, he’s forfeited his right to challenge. In Alari’s she’d have the chance to choose a new opponent if Snake chose to fight Ano instead. So, what will it be, number one? Will you intervene and take one of these combatants for yourself? Or will you choose someone else altogether?” he asked.

Sen tensed. This was the moment he’d been waiting for. This was his best shot. He gave the signal, a simple pulse of magic that would travel rapidly toward his target. To anyone else, it would be unnoticeable. But not to the intended recipient. Now, he simply needed to wait for his message to be delivered. 

Snake 

He’d taken Marrow’s bribe. The powerful sword hung at his waist. But there was no way in hell he’d fight a first-year student for his graduation duel. Despite whatever crooked logic the man had thrown at him, Snake wouldn’t waste an opportunity like this. There would be consequences. Marrow would try to kill him. But if he defeated the Flamelord’s daughter, everything would change for him. He’d have access to any opportunity he wanted. The Flamelord had plenty of enemies. Snake only needed to take advantage of one of the more powerful ones. Find somewhere to lie low until he was strong enough to sink his teeth into Marrow’s throat like the prey he was. Marrow and the accursed cult he was a part of. 

His eyes locked on Alari’s. She stared back at him defiantly. She’d insulted him by choosing to fight Ano. As if the lazy wretch were a better fight than Snake could offer. As if defeating some Green Book student was even half the opportunity that losing to Snake was. There was no shame in losing to the best, after all. No, his decision was obvious. He’d deal with Marrow later. 

The mana device was next to him. He looked over and filled it with mana. “I intervene. I’ll be fighting Alari Kingcrew.” 

The sound was supposed to resound all over the audience. Instead, there was silence. 

The announcer shielded his face with a hand and squinted up. “I’m sorry, we didn’t catch that. Come again?”

Snake cursed. Had they given him a shoddy mana device to embarrass him? He tried again to no avail.

Finally, he gave up and filled his voice with mana. He’d simply shout loud enough. 

“I—”

Someone cleared their throat behind him. He spun. There wasn’t supposed to be anyone else up here. 

Sen? No. He realized the man in white robes was actually Sen’s older brother, Mori. “What are you doing here?” he demanded. 

The murmur of the audience was deafening. They couldn’t see why Snake had turned around. 

“Is everything alright up there?” the announcer joked. “A moment, folks, I think number one needs time to decide! No big deal! It’s a big moment for him. Let’s give him some time. In the meantime, I’ve been meaning to ask you, Alari—” 

Snake toned him out. 

Mori bowed politely. “My mast…brother sent me. He asked me to deliver a message to you.”

Snake glared at him. “Now? Of all times he wanted you to deliver it now?” he asked. His annoyance grew by the second. He was half tempted to run a claw through Mori and throw him over the balcony. 

“That’s correct. It’s a message for your ears only. Or…eyes, I should say.” Mori approached and pulled a note from his pocket. He passed it to Snake. 

Snake snatched it away and unfolded it. 

It was a simple doodle. The image of a snake with its head chopped off. The snake had a distinct pattern on it that made Snake do a double take. “How did—” He looked up at Mori, but the man was gone. 

Anger flooded him. What the hell did Sen know about her? 

Who did he think he was to threatenher? 

He gritted his fangs and turned toward the balcony in a sprint. He moved so fast that he nearly toppled over it. His lungs filled with mana, and he shouted at the top of his lungs. “I challenge Sen!” 

The smug, white-haired boy stared up at him with a serious look on his face. 

Snake’s nostrils flared. 

He would wipe that look off his face. He would wipe the skin off it. 

It seemed Marrow would get what he wanted. 

The final graduation duel was set. 

Sen Locke was going to die.