Asclepius

V.

Here we go again! A slightly longer chapter than the usual.

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Inside a train in the afternoon, John sat idly; his arms circling around his backpack. His eyes half closed, lulled by comfort from his seat and boredom of long distant travel.

The train cart was far from empty, filled by ambient noises he had gotten used to.  Most of the passengers were silent, minding their own business like his fellow Wellston students.

There were three in total. The first was none other than Arlo, his arms crossed, his index finger tapping his bicep as he sat in wait.

The second was a third year teenage girl with short teal hair, her purple eyes fixated to the screen of her phone. She was none other than Cecile, the 'bossy beauty' Isen had mentioned in their more private talk, the president of Wellston Weekly.

Last but not least was Agni, the current Jack of Wellston, the fourth year student with auburn hair. His blood red eyes were concealed behind his eye lids. Whether he was sleeping or not, John didn't know.

Arlo had briefed the new Healer before they departed from school. Cecile and Agni were to fight for the title of Jack and whatever the outcome, John's job was to heal them both.

Usually, Jack was chosen through discussion between King and Queen, putting ability prowess and other factors into equation. This time however, a duel was to decide it all.

After his arrival, it was Cecile who first arrived at the meeting spot. He had tried know her better, but against someone who wasn't there to make friends, he felt like talking to his strict math teacher who had no will for idle conversation.

If Cecile had no mood to talk with him, the Jack had blatantly ignored him. The message was clear and John had no reason to bother him further unless necessary. 

One hour after their departure from school, they finally arrived at a vast barren land, a characteristic which all Turf Grounds shared. Both contestants positioned themselves against each other at the middle, waiting for Arlo's signal.

"The winner of this duel will hold the title of Jack," declared Arlo short and simple, more for formality than anything else. "Begin."

In a blink, Cecile made her first move, conjuring green vine-like constructs aimed at her target. The Jack charged up his ability, igniting fire in the palms of his hands, aiming them towards the challenger and her approaching vines.

John narrowed his eyes at the sudden increase of brightness, his skin dried under intense heat. The vines disintegrated under a mighty roar of fire but their creator leapt outside the radius in time, leaving her unharmed.

"Thrilling, isn't it?"

John glanced at Arlo who stood beside him. The King had his trademark smirk in place as he watched the fight unfurled. It took a few seconds for the Healer to answer.

"I guess...."

In NBHS, level 3.7 had been the highest ability level excluding Aura Manipulation, which meant most of the fights were either between mid tiers or a one-sided stomp. In all his life, John had never watched any high tier match in person, making this duel his first.

He did not close his eyes when one of the fireballs get too close to home. John saw the challenger struck back, successfully binding the Jack's leg with more vines soon to follow. A second after, said leg ignited, burning off its shackle.

This was different. Compared to this duel, New Bostin's fights were nothing but children throwing tantrum at each other.

Vines tightened its hold on Agni's left arm, crunching the bones within. The firebender gritted his teeth and Cecile perceived it as an opening. When she chose to close the gap for better offense, the table was turned against her.