Ruins In The End (We Three Mages, Book Two)

(2)Chapter Seven: Those First Days (Continued)

Calvin's match wouldn't begin until later that afternoon so the two went to a nearby café.

"Even without it, they won't be able to touch me," Calvin mocked Jared. "I counted at least ten different times that man touched you."

"Hey, I won didn't I?" Jared's face was covered in bandages as was the rest of his body.

"Only because that guy took time to teach you a stance," Calvin jeered. "I knew we should have checked the magic box."

"So you're a mage then?" Thad's voice drifted to their ears. He came up and sat down at their table. "That explains why it felt like your style felt hollow."

"Well, uh..." Calvin felt really stupid.

"Your secret is safe with me, so long as you tell me it," Thad leaned forward.

"We were travelling around with a group of friends when we learned we weren't as strong as we thought we were. So we went our separate ways to get stronger." Jared laid out their story as general as he could. He could tell Thad wasn't a bad guy, but nonetheless. "I don't fight like other mages, I have a more hands on approach."

"I noticed. Towards the end I could tell you had found your rhythm , the one you probably used to do with magic." Thad called over a waitress and ordered a round of coffee for the three. "So then your Eestri friend, he the same way?"

"Yep," Calvin answered.

"And I take it you don't have any proper experience without magic either?" Thad raised an eyebrow.

"You'll find out in my match," Calvin sipped his just brewed coffee. "Why are you so interested in us?"

"The young lad here got through that match purely on fighting spirit and determination. Nothing else," Thad was straight forward. "If he could beat someone with just those two things, imagine what would happen if we added a bit of skill?" There, Calvin knew exactly what Thad was hinting at and didn't waste a second.

"You want to train Jared?"

"Hm, you as well depending on the results of your match," Thad confirmed. "It won't be easy, and the training will be hell, but I wouldn't be offering unless I saw something in Jared."

"Calvin, it's time for your match," Jared looked up at the clock that was above their heads.

"Guess I get to see what you're made of," Thad finished his coffee and left a few uni on the table.

"What me to teleport you there?" Jared asked.

"We're supposed to be non-magics. Better act the part while we're here," Calvin stood up and headed to his match.

"Entry Forty-Four, Calvin Trill! Another new contender! His opponent? Entry Twelve, Nessa Verga! This will be Nessa's second time entering the tournament! Let's wish good luck!" The announcer shouted. He did that same he had done with Jared and explained the rules to Calvin. On the announcer's cue, the match began.

"I can't fight a girl, it's against my nature." Calvin complained.

"What was that?!" Nessa fumed. "What, do you think I'm too weak?!" She came at him hard, throwing punch after punch, kick after kick.

"Wha? No, no, no, I just don't want to fight a girl," Calvin dodged attack after attack. "I don't want to hurt you."

"So you think I can't take a punch?" Nessa became angrier. She jumped up and attempted to spin kick Calvin in the face. He caught her leg and forced her hands behind her back.

"I'm sorry, please just surrender," Calvin asked. "You don't want to scar that pretty face of yours, do you?"

"huh?" Nessa head butted Calvin and backed up from him. "Stop fooling around and fight me!" She came at him again, faster this time. Calvin either dodged or caught everything she threw his way.