Hero's Dead Brother

23. Exam

The place was very crowded. This was as if there existed only one sport in the world and it happened once a year. You can imagine.

I wasn't used to being around so many people but it felt amazing. Every one was cheering for their favourite student who had to fight others in a duel.
The exams were a real show. Every mage had the possibility to show up their power and thus, earn respect.

I sat next to Greg who wasn't hiding his joy for me being there. When he had to pass the exam, I was too young to be allowed in the stadium. All I knew was that my brother was going to win. Kevin was a year older from him so I was reassured that they would never fight against each other.

Reading the book, I was sad that Caleb never made it to the exam. She was killed by Mika when trying to assassinate Greg. Kevin, you crazy bastard!

Let's not think about it.

It was an amazing show! I could know all the theory in the world, seeing the spells in real life was a whole other thing. While training the boys I could see them but using it against other people was forbidden when out of the Academy.

Magic had to be used only by royal knights and mages, magicians that worked for the Crown.

Any other use of attacking magic was considered as a crime.

Finally it was Caleb's turn. She won her first spar with ease. The second one was against a the young master of a powerful dukedom, Cremin.

The student had the powers of ice and light, a very powerful combination. Caleb was able to use a difficult spell and lure him in a spell called Ice Castle, anyone trapped in it gives up except a 4 or 5 level mage. It's a powerful spell that consumes way too much energy for a 3rd level magician.

Caleb for sure, impressed many people today. I couldn't help but have a genuine smile.

The students were accorded a two hour break after what Caleb had the first spar. She used the space with a lot of strategy, clearly recovering her powers for the final spar. After such a powerful spell, two hours were nearly enough to recover. She was wise to choose to fight strategically and I know how good she is at that.

She left his opponent no choice but to back down after placing simple first level thunder spells at a calculated distance from hers. The opponent's Ans would react if she put a spell in an area too close to his and she had to lose energy by casting spells high in the sky.

She used that at her advantage and exhausted her until she fell in her trap and her legs were frozen. She had no choice but to give up.

Finally, she had to spar with Crown Princess Caroline's brother, prince Maximilan Ragnor. At only 10 years old he already mastered Level 2 of light magic. He was a real future master mage.

Caleb had used almost all of her energy. She was exhausted and slow compared to the Prince. If she didn't develop a strategy fast, she was gonna lose.

"Chains of Sun!"

Oh no! This spell is a level 4 light magic spell! The whole ground in a radius of five kilometres is under the Princes's control, rays of light magic being able to emerge from anywhere!

If Caleb doesn't find a way of taking the whole perimeter of the ground, which was almost impossible in her exhausted state, she was going to lose! Or worse, get seriously injured!

Why is she not moving? This is getting dangerous if she doesn't move fast she's gonna get hit buy a ray!

"Caleb!" I shouted.

She turned her head and saw me. What are you doing idiot? Move!

She didn't move. Instead she smiled at me and looked back confidently. 'What's your plan?'

The chains were formed and the Prince was getting ready to strike at any moment.

Now! He directed all his chains against Caleb! If she doesn't move, nothing can protect her!

"Thunderstorm Ring!"
"Snake's Circle!

This is...

"Merge!"

A powerful purple lightning hit the ground all around Caleb right from the sky. From under the ground, a purple energy emerged and started spinning around the ring firmed around her and took the form of a gigantic turning snake.

'She did it...' The lightning wasn't enough to repulse the rays but with the snake, it formed a double level protection and emphasized. The rays were repulsed by the ring and swallowed by the snake.

It was spectacular! The first time those spells were combined in this world! I was mesmerized!

The Prince had used all of his energy and a simple level 2 Owl of Snow spell was enough to win.

'Caleb, I'm so proud of you!'

As everyone was shocked by the show, I wanted to run and find her to congratulate her.

Greg stood up, as if knowing exactly what I was thinking, to let me step out of my seat. 'An angel'.

I stepped out, smiled at him and ran to find Caleb. The crowd started to move and push me like a river and I bumped into someone (because I'm a cheesy writer).

"Ouch"

"Minus! We need to stop meeting like this don't you think?"

"Lord Kevin! How... how are you?"

"Better than ever"

He then got called by a group of very - I mean very pretty girls. 'Wasn't he supposed to be dating a baroness?'

Anyways, it's none of my business. I guess if he didn't fall in love with the Princess, he was meant to be a womanizer. What have I done.

"I... l'll take my leave now". But he stopped me.

"I'd like to invite you for a tea if you're free this week".

TEA? The villain that killed tons of people and was living in a dark castle surrounded by bats on a full moon listening to Wagner wanted to invite me for tea? Are you kidding me?

Isn't it too ridiculous?

I'm in.

"Of course. See you soon then".

I went straight to Caleb. She must be surrounded by crazy fans by now but I'll pull through... somehow...

In front of her cloakroom, there was a zombie apocalypse taking place.

Thanks for reading!