Angel With Broken Wings

04 - Mash Burnedead, Kat Ride and the Body of the Gods (3)

[KAT POV]

"Nalcompas."

The spell was said fluidly, a large purple orb forming at the tip of his wand as Brad began to brag, "Look at this spell! This is the spell that drove a dragon away from the city all those years ago! You put up a good fight, kid, but let's see you stop this!" His boasting made me flinch, eyes widening soon enough as Mash just bats the orb to the side, not even blinking at the object.

Regro, Terry, Brad, and even myself just stares bewildered at what just happened. "N-No, that spell drove a dragon away..." Brad mutters, clenching his teeth as he then begins to build up for a stronger spell, "Nalcompas Diagorus." Terry seems to finch in his spot, shouting out towards him, "Mr. Coleman! Are you trying to destroy this whole area?!" The question makes me stand quickly, positioning myself in front of Regro, who only tries to bring me back beside him.

"It'll be fine, Pops, even if Mash can't get it...I'll do something about it." I lick my bottom lip, the split on it tasting metallic as I prepare for what could come next if Mash can't block the spell. ‘I'm really...going to reveal myself if I have to. I don't want to, I'm scared, but if I don't then they'll...’ I shake my head at the thought, watching the scene in front of me, unaware of how Regro is staring at my back from my previous sentence.

But my worry was in vain, because as the spell reached Mash, he bats it away once more, a hole appearing through the roof as it shoots up and out of the house. "That was my strongest spell." The spellcaster mutters once more, before continuing to send a volley of magic attacks. My protective stance lowers as Mash begins to just play with the guys attacks, doing a volleyball receive, juggling, and even soccer.

"This is ridiculous." My comment comes out without a second thought, as I move back to sit next to Regro, "Can't this guy see he's no match for Mash?" I mutter, placing my chin on my palm, my right eye analyzing the series of events. Regro only sighs next to me, shaking his head at my comments as Brad raises his wand once more.

"Hey, Pops, I'm gonna borrow your wand real quick." Mash's casual comment makes Brad and Terry tense, and even without mind reading I could tell they're assuming Mash is about to use magic. Brad lets out a cocky scoff once more, "No matter what kind of spell you send, I can block...it..." His words fall short as Mash prepares for a throw, soon shooting it at Brad's defensive barrier.

The barrier breaks, shattering, as the wand then scratches across Brad's face. The situation makes Brad fall over, defeated, as Regro shouts out in surprise, "Mash! Those exercises were only meant to teach you how to defend yourself, how did this happen?" I glance over at Regro with a tilt to my head, "Have you never watched him train?"

My question makes sweat pile up on his face, his head soon shaking no rapidly as his answer, and I let a small smile form on my lips, nodding. Mash making a comment as I stand up and head towards him, lifting my arms to place my hands on his cheeks, soon twisting his head around to make sure nothing hurt him either.

"Good. No injuries." I comment, letting go as I turn to face Brad, his expression downcast before he glares up again. "Hey, Kids, I wanna propose a deal with you two." His words make me tense up, my eyes returning the glare as I itch to strangle the man with my mind.

"Your choice, I just wanna make a deal with you two. If you do it, I'll let all three of you slide." Mash lets out a sound of interest, while I prepare myself for the worst, desperately wanting to quickly reject the offer. "What's the deal?" His question comes out curious and firm, ready for what could be the answer.

"You see, we're a very religious country. Once every year, a single exceptional student is revered as one of God's chosen. They call them the Divine Visionaries. All you two need to do, is enroll into magic school." His sentence makes me look at him with a sharper glare, and I shift slightly, biting my lip again on the split.

"Think about it. If you're selected, that'll make you one of God's Chosen. In other words, society has no choice but to accept you. I just want the cash and prestige that comes with the title. Which is why I'll back you two up." His deal seemed like a good one, a good option, except for small kinds of errors.

"You expect us to listen to someone who just tired to kill us?! Besides, that plan is absurd! Mash, Kat, don't listen to him!" Regro tries to interject, attempting to convince us otherwise but Brad continues, "I can see why you might be skeptical. But if you refuse my offer, we'll never stop hunting you. And when I've got my sights set on you, the whole country does too. You're tough, kids, so maybe you can take it. But what about your old man?

"Watching him around the clock without a moments rest? Never able to set foot in the city again? Well, the choice is yours." He finishes his little speech, and I tense, hating how he makes a point. "So, will you spend the rest of your life being hunted like a dog, or seize this chance to turn society on its head?"

I look at Mash, nodding slightly as we both turn to him. "You got a deal." Regro shouts at our answer, upset with our choice, "Have you two lost your mind?! It's called magic school?!" Mash can only nod, "We'll be fine, Pops, besides, I'm chock full of motivation." I let out a sigh, shaking my head, "Motivation is good and all, but it might not cut it."

"Besides," Mash continues, pointedly ignoring my statement, "I want us to live in peace together." I nod, agreeing with his last statement as I look at Regro with a small smile. "You're such good kids..." He weeps, covering his mouth with his hand. "If this world won't allow that, then we have no choice but to crush it...with our fists!" I finish off, clenching my hands tightly into fists as I look over at the officer, Brad, on the ground.

He gets up slowly, "Great, now, I'll be teaching you on what you need to know." He comments, glancing over at Terry and the unconscious officer. "Terry, don't say a word about this. You and him can go, keep this quiet." Terry could only nod rapidly, promising not to reveal our new deal as he rushes from the house holding his fellow officer.

Brad smirks, pointing his wand at Regro as he chants a healing spell, a green glow forming over the older man as his injuries heal before us. My eyes softening as he regains some of his energy.

"Then, let's begin."