Glass Magic

Chapter 39

       I didn't get to tease Jay as I had to go back to my dad, all participants here. "Hey dad..." I pulled on his sleeve while the rules were read to the crowd. "What family is that?"

        "Hmm? Oh, they're from the Reaper house, they council recently gave them a title and land due to their work on the battlefield," He said, glancing at them while I committed it to memory. "I hear the heir will be going to your school next year, though, I think he's participating under Mammoth in this year's tournament,"

      Two for two. This guy... I think he's a dual wielder. "And their temperament?" I asked still watching them from the corner of my eye.

        "I've never met them, dear," Giving in a flat look as his entire job was spent eavesdropping, "...But I hear they're like their name suggests, reapers, give them a task and they'll do it without batting a lash,"

      "Are they competitive?" He sighed looking down at me only to look away in mild horror.

      "I don't know but if they're using the festival to cement their name then I doubt they'll go down easily," I suppose that wouldn't be a far fetched idea, new nobles were rarely given respect until they gathered a reputation. Winning this would definitely be faster.

         "And our special guest, Edward Benson! Our one and only earth elite and head of the council!" My head snapped up as that was not something in the plans, and he was staring at me. Blatantly. Okay, sure, show everyone here that I know the bloody council, put a target on my back why don't you? "And what was it that brought you here this year?" The magic stone in front of him glowing faintly while I hoped he reeled in his bluntness this once.

        "Lilith Windsor, actually, she's a very bright student that has already contributed to the seven kingdoms, more so than many any other family," Is this payback? I feel like this is payback. I mean, sure I was a little rude this morning but did you have to just do that? Because now I have the gaze of flipping reapers burning into my skull. "Despite her combat difficulties, she's proven time and time again that she is not to be underestimating," Why not rub salt into the wound?

       Broadcast to everyone that I suck at fighting? Not like you just put a target on my back and then told everyone my weakness or anything. "... Truly an inspiration," a small but smug smile pulling at his lips while I narrowed my eyes, ready to haggle so much more gold out of him. Oh, I was putting off that potion he wanted so bad too.

      "Lilith..." Dad wavered, every family looking at us like we were meat. He sucks at combat. His magic isn't suited for it. He's a merchant. And now everyone was gunning for us.

      "I know," I ground out taking a deep breath and placing my middle finger on my brow, trying to figure out what to do as the moment the horn blasted they were coming at us.

       "I've never seen a glass user like her in my entire life-" He's still going?! "I came to see how the Windsor house would do this year without a combat type," Oh, I'M RAISING YOUR PRICES THROUGH THE ROOF!

     "Lilith..." He said more panicked.

       "I know!" I snapped this time, Jay and Alex would hesitate but that still means we've got five trained combat types flying at us at full speed and no matter how fast I am Dad wasn't. At all. And they'll be aiming to crush us both. Dad hasn't been invited since he took over as head because he wasn't a combat type but now he had been because I went to a lead school and it was assumed that I was one. 

        He had to accept because he hadn't done it since he was a boy, thought it'd be fun. And it would have been. Had everyone not been turned on us. I was so getting him back for this. Dad was going to back out of the first round as that wasn't even why he wanted to do, he like the ones that followed after. Fighting not his thing.

       "Just... Stick to the original plan," I sighed scratching the small lines on my neck. I'd have to get at least two people and I bet my friends would rather submit immediately than suffer later experiments. 

      "Are you sure? I could-"

      "No you can't," I chuckled while he pursed his lips and sighed.

      "No, I can't, but still, I can try," He offered while I smiled at him, totally ignoring the announcer.

        "It's easier if you don't," He couldn't help but laugh, nodding while I hummed, decision made and plan in the making.