Hallor Chronicles

CHAPTER III. - A TALE OF LOVE BENEATH A FIERY HORIZON

Ms. Edite entered the combats ground a moment after Woreus warned me about her return. She brought a bunch of books and handed themover to me. With the amount of time she had, there is no way she got throughall of them, but she took those that might be of help too just judging by theirname. Besides the bench, there is nowhere to sit down and study, so Ms. Editeallowed me to leave early. I already know the answer to the aim problem andit's not like I will find anything helpful, since I am not Zeus descendantanyway. But I still took the books and told Ms. Edite that I will read themhere.

Surrounded by books while sitting on the mat, I pretend to read through them. Ms. Edite sat on a chair that one of the students brought her and she also joined me in the research. She sits like a lady with her legs tugged under the chair, covered in her usual vintage dress, meanwhile I am hunched over the remaining books and look like a shrimp. I kept one book open and placed in front of Woreus. At first, I kept watching his head movements and when it seemed like he is at the end of the page, I flipped it for him, but he told me not to worry about him. I was still going to do it, but when I reached for the page again, he exhaled through his snout, flipping the page. I laughed at how funny that looks like but let him play with the book he is probably not reading anyway, or he is not paying much attention to it, since he told me he hates to read.

At the end, we didn't find anything coherent. Ms. Edite also closed her book gently and placed it on the stack of the others that I have cleaned up and put them on the bench. No one really write manuals on how to control powers when everyone gets taught by their families, so there are no books that could explain it to me. All of the descendants apparently refused to teach at Umbras and are scattered around the world. Even if we contact someone and they agree to come for a consultation, it will still take days until they arrive, so the only viable option is the one I hate the most – Saxa becoming my teacher. Ms. Edite asked me to wait again while she goes and brings her.

I debated faking a sickness or even quickly summoning more lightnings to exhaust myself and bring out the nosebleeds, just to get out of here. Not having time for any of those, I at least text Reilly if she can come to stand guard. I tossed the phone on top of the backpack as Ms. Edite entered the room with Saxa. This should be fun!

Woreus: Having troubles with that blondie?

Me: She is a little entitled self-proclaimed queen who is trying to kill me.

Woreus: How did you manage to piss someone off, little sister?

Me: No idea. She just got jealous because I am close to this one professor she has a crush on, and it escalated even more when I got placed as the same descendant as her.

Woreus: One of those, huh? And... are you trying anything serious with that professor?

Me: I am with Draco.

Woreus: If you say so.

I glared at Woreus but he ignores me and walks away to hide under the bench. Saxa notices me and judging by her expression, she wasn't informed about who will be here. I sent a fake smile in her direction. Saxa scoffed but she didn't leave and only crossed her arms in front of her chest, shifting her weight to the left. Ms. Edite explained why she summoned her and points with her arm to the mat as a sign for Saxa to proceed with a demonstration. Saxa rolled her eyes but she listened to the teacher and I got also called.

Ms. Edite asked if Saxa can destroy one of the targets with the summoned lightning. I got confused as to what is that supposed to mean, and also a little bit scared because I am standing on the mat too. The shield won't protect me if I am inside and if Saxa decides to smite me instead of the target. Even if Ms. Edite is present, this is still considered an open space to fight and any injuries caused in the combat grounds are pardoned. From what I have seen Saxa do before, it would be over in less than five seconds.