Syzygy Aces

Chapter 1

It was so humid inside the arena. Droplets of sweat were now flowing down my cheeks. The enthusiastic headmaster was giving a speech. He was so full of energy but instead of me being awake, I felt so lethargic because of the oxygen-less atmosphere.

The arena was too crowded and everyone was sitting side by side, skin to skin. I just couldn't stand it but I had to endure while listening to Master Rami speech regarding this tournament.

As a neophyte in this event, I listened attentively. I didn’t want to miss a thing he said but the delegates around me tried to keep their sanity by murmuring words that I could not comprehend as they waited for so long to hear the announcement of the teams. They giggled; they chitchat with  people around them. Some were old acquaintances and they were delighted to see each other... again.

My stomach was now growling wildly. I’m starving. When was the last time I ate? ...hmmmmm

My bro’, brother in arms and I considered as my sibling, tapped my shoulder. I looked back at him. I found myself smiling with his odd face.

"What do you want Maximus?", I asked him.

"When will Master Rami plan to stop? His talking nonsense already", he replied.

Well, Maximus was just impatient when it came to listening to elders especially our own Master Fu. His weakness however, was good food. Our Master will always lecture us in front of delicious rice cakes which is his specialty. It gave motivation for Maximus to listen to him without any complaints.

I could hear his stomach making a rumbling sound. He was starving too. Last time we ate a proper meal was back in our place at Irog, our hometown. It has been two days since we left.

"Stop clamouring stupid, we have to finish the history of this tournament. Though I agree it is nonsense and everyone knew already all about it but we should know the basic rules", I eyed at him to keep his mouth shut. His nuisance was just adding to my headache.

"Yeah witch!," as he rolled his eyeball at me and calculated my patience.

"I'm not a witch! I'm a mage, there is a difference,” I blurted out at his face. I squeezed his mouth with my hand like I was scolding a little child.

He struggled and bit my finger.
“Ouch!” I screamed. The middle-age man who was sitting next to me looked at us with dismay.

We stopped our childish game and sat still.

It seemed that minutes became years as i anxiously waited. Maximus slept leaning at my shoulder with his face down towards his chest. He was slavering like a mad dog. His weight was an added burden to my tired body but I tried to sit still for I didn’t want to make any trouble with the guy next to me who gave me keen looks from time to time.

The scorching heat of the sun was directed to us. The foul smell of men filled the air. yucks...

I think I gonna faint. I need to get out from this place. I just can’t take it anymore!

When I was about to stand, the head master announced that we could take our meal and after that they will decide who will be the members of each team. They would select the qualified participants based on the qualifications and abilities we possessed.

At last, the moment that I waited for, arrived!

I stood up without noticing that Maximus was still leaning on me and he fell on the bench beside me.

“It hurts!” He whined and rubbed his head.

I ran away with a faint smile painted on my lips, hoping that he will not catch me.