Wizards

CHAPTER 15: Cross and Fire

Eliot finally closed the Master Wizard, Master Witch: A Guide to Spell Mastery spellbook he has been reading since he woke up this Sunday morning, taking a break only when he's going to the restrooms or to eat in the cafeteria — although what he called "break" exists only in the space between his desk to the restroom and his office to the cafeteria because the moment he sat, or stood still, or leaned on a wall, it was as if on cue, he opens the book and starts reading again.

     It was almost evening in the thirtieth of August; the hands of the clock struck the forty-fifth minute in the hour of five. Eliot was on his way to his class when he stumbled upon a thought; a week passed by since Niflheim left and the last thing he said was still bothering Eliot. There was something in those lines that felt like there was a deeper meaning. Whatever it is, Eliot couldn't decipher.

     "Professor Reeve!" a voice behind him spoke. A rough voice that was annoyingly familiar to him.

     Eliot's eyebrows twitched as he turned around to greet the bald professor, "Professor Valir," he responded.

     "I hope you're ready for our show tomorrow?" Professor Valir grinned.

     "Ready for. . . ?"

     "The duel of course!"

     Oh, yes, the duel. He completely forgot about the duel Professor Valir has been preparing.

     "That got approved?"

     "It did. And it is going to be the biggest event in the history of Nesting Peak."

     "I highly doubt that," Eliot smirked.

     "Come on, Professor. Don't be so pessimistic!" Professor Valir said, "So it will be conducted at the Great Hall. Students can put their dueling skills to the test and professors will be there to support, or to have the chance to play with other professors — or students. But we are the main event."

     Eliot stayed silent.

     "And I was thinking," Professor Valir gently places his hand on Eliot's shoulder, "Maybe you can help me start a motion in the next faculty meeting. I plan to propose an establishment of dueling clubs and some kind of sections for the students' maybe — say — create different houses for students to be sorted too; that way we can have a scoring system! Think about it, it'll boost the students' impulse to study hard — you know how the kids like to boost their status nowadays and —"

     "I think it's great, Professor," said Eliot, cutting off Professor Valir with a rise of tone. And then he paused for a moment, and postured himself to continue, "Why don't we save that enthusiasm in the next faculty meeting?"

     "Great idea, Professor, I'm sure you have much preparing to do."

     Eliot smiled and went up the stairway.

     "The event starts at nine, Professor Reeve! Don't be late!"

     Eliot took a deep sigh. Finally, he got rid of Professor Bald-lir. One more second of blabber would have scarred him for life.

     On the other side of the torus-shaped floating castle, in the Garden of Apples, Rei expressed her disgust with the soup that was made out of the saliva of One-Eyed — a single-eyed feline that has countless dots in its furs. It was raining with protein, says Neil, rare it was, says Neil, expensive it was, says Neil —

     "I don't care how rare it is!" Rei protested, "Curse the living being who invented this dish. . . ."

     "He must be thankful he's dead, then — I think it's good, Rei. . . ." said Neil.