Magic of Shadow and Secrets

Chapter 12

"Now that you have an idea of what sparring is like, allow me to elaborate on what this tournament will be like." Professor Meyer began. When he noticed the two girls standing in the doorway, he encouraged them to take a seat. He pointed toward the white board, showing the brackets. "We have special officials called the Council. They're some of the most high ranking magikers throughout Zardon. They are also the individuals that fund this academy. They'll be spectating these matches and deciding who would be given the title 'Legend'. The first match will take place in six months between Miss Vargas and Mr Burns.

"This gives you a lot of time to train. I expect you to use it wisely. And, if you do well, we may do a little camping trip as a reward before the tournament starts. After the first match, you have only three weeks before the next one. And to those who the headmaster said weren't legible," he turned to Saiyah and Romelle. "Remember, it is the Council who decides the Legend, not Banthikaar. Should they see potential in you, there is a likelihood that they may call you the winner."

"YES!" Romelle exclaimed, pumping her fists in triumph. But Saiyah was more concerned. She had to compete against Vex, one of the most powerful magikers in their class. He would roast her alive without remorse. She suspected that Banthikaar had something to do with this. He pinned her and Vex against one another, thinking that Saiyah would have no choice but to use her powers against him. But the girl refused to do it.

"Questions?" Meyer asked the class.

Zadro lifted his hand, "Why are you revealing who our opponents are beforehand? Wouldn't that create separation in the team?" The corners of Meyer's lips curled upward, but he didn't answer the question.

The next day, Meyer led them to the basement, an area that was strictly prohibited for students. Saiyah gasped when the professor turned on the light. Glass cubicles filled the basement, a dozen at most. But instead of work stations or offices, these cubicles were larger and empty.

"In the future, I was instructed to avoid the training yard. We don't want to distract the older students." Meyer explained. "So we were given special permission to use the basement for our practices."

A shiver of excitement coursed through Saiyah, but she rubbed her palm together, a nervous tick she did occasionally. They weren't getting graded on performance were they?

"Okay, so pair up then. The person who is left without a partner will be mine." Meyer added. West and Romelle teamed up. Since he didn't want to spar with Vex, Zadro volunteered to be with Meyer.

Saiyah groaned to herself, as she was forced to pair up with Vex. The arrogant man sneered as they stepped into a cubicle, taking off his sweater to reveal a yellow–stained undershirt. "This'll be over in an instant."

"The thing about sparring, Mr. Tsudan, is that you have to show some restraint." Professor Meyer advised, standing on the other side of the glass wall.

"Who said I'd be giving it my all?" Vex's trypan blue eyes glowered menacingly at Saiyah. "It'd seem like a waste of energy." The girl was tempted to bang her fists on the glass, begging to get out of the same room as this animal.

Alas, it was too late as he charged at her. Saiyah darted out of the way, already taking in greedy gulps of air. "Is that all you got?" Vex grinned as the sparring mats beneath him began to sizzle. Saiyah planned to continue to hold back. As much as she loathed him, she didn't want what happened to the headmaster to happen to him.

She dodged a fire blast from his hand, the room around them erupted into flames. But abnormally, the atmosphere was free of smoke. Perhaps Zadro could use his ice to extinguish the room later.

Vex's fist missed her face by a hair's breadth, and collided into the stone wall. Gray chips of marble scattered onto the floor. If Vex found it painful, his face betrayed nothing. Much like a bulldozer, he shook it off. "Stop running and fight me!" He thundered, his crimson and gold hair rippled like a dancing flame. Sparks from it caught a nearby towel on fire, but his clothes didn't burn.

They're HIS flames, Saiyah's head voice rumbled with exasperation. He cannot be harmed by them, unlike you. So FIGHT BACK!

Saiyah gritted her teeth, a back up plan assembling in the back of her mind. While it was risky, she didn't have much of a choice.

Sparks flickered from Vex's glowing palms, a tell that he was prepping for his next attack. Instead of running out of the way this time, Saiyah ran towards her opponent. Sweat dotted her brow as goose bumps pimpled her flesh, confirming her fear and exhilaration.

Vex's eyes widened at her movement, but then he smiled maliciously. "It's your funeral!" He bellowed over the crackling blaze surrounding his swift movements. He began to sprint at her as well. As they rapidly closed the distance between each other, Meyer's thick, graying brows furrowed.

Saiyah braced for impact as she had no intention of slowing down. Vex's eyes widened, his smile faltering when she didn't stop her charge.

Unexpectedly, as Saiyah neared closer, Vex abruptly swerved out of the way. Saiyah stumbled, attempting to stop herself from slamming into the glass wall. She whipped around, about to demand an explanation for Vex's withdrawal.

But the words were lodged in her throat as she saw Vex stand there, staring at his own quivering hands with bulging eyes.