Duelcrest Academy

9. The game begins

It was as if the entire academy had been dragged underwater.

For several seconds, no one dared to exhale a single breath. It was as if, when Carl's head had touched the floor, time had frozen. Perhaps we were all waiting to wake up from what was undoubtedly a nightmare.

Finally, a scream broke the silence. A female student crouched down and began to cry desperately, pressing her hands against her ears, as if trying to isolate herself from this terrible reality. It was like a signal.

All hell broke loose.

Panic ensued, many sought refuge in the dining hall, while others fled to the dormitories. I saw some students collapse back onto the floor, while others slumped unconscious. The bravest ones drew swords and wands, pointing them in Valentine's direction, but refrained from attacking.

The murderer simply smiled and raised his hands in surrender, knowing full well that no one would actually dare to challenge his terrible power.

I was petrified.

My gaze kept returning to Carl's empty eyes. It was impossible for something like this to happen.

Amy clung to my right arm, trembling. Unable to speak, I held onto her in return.

We remained like that for what seemed like hours.

Finally, a group of people arrived on the scene. Among them, escorted by two guards and followed by a handful of students, was the headmaster.

Professor Skylark glanced around at those present, pausing for a few seconds on Carl Stuart's corpse and finally on Igor Valentine, still held at bay by several students.

I wanted to scream at Skylark to be careful, that boy was dangerous even for an experienced wizard like him. But it was as if my voice had vanished the moment Carl was killed.

It was the elderly professor who spoke first.

«Lower your wands and sheathe your swords!» he ordered.

The students hesitated.

One of them retorted, «Professor, this piece of shit is a murderer! He's capable of anything. We can't let our guard down!»

«I appreciate your initiative, but this is a matter within my jurisdiction. If you want to be of help, assist your unconscious classmates and take them to the infirmary. I will personally ensure that Mr. Valentine receives appropriate punishment,» the headmaster replied.

«But, Professor, his power is too much even for the-»

Skylark cut him off. With a wave of his hand, the students' swords and wands clattered to the floor.

"That's insane... he didn't use a wand or utter any spells."

But it was as the boy had said. If Valentine had wanted to, he could have killed Skylark simply by looking at him.

Unfazed, the headmaster approached the boy. The smirk on Valentine's face had vanished, replaced by a neutral expression. Though he didn't seem intimidated, he refrained from mocking Skylark.

«Mr. Valentine, have you read the list of rules provided to you?» the professor asked calmly.

Rather than addressing a murderer, it was allmost like he was lecturing a student who had arrived late to class.

«Yes, Sir,» Valentine replied without hesitation.

«Then you should know that acts of violence among students are strictly prohibited outside of duels, correct?» Skylark questioned.