Wizardly

Chapter Nineteen: Conclusion

After more useless blows between us he managed to cut me again. I backed away instantly with a hiss of pain. Damn, he's still too fast, or maybe I'm slowing down. Either way this fight will end soon if I don't do something.

There are more techniques that Shay taught us, but can I actually manage to apply them? Not doing them, before now, in a dueling manner I'm not sure I could pull it off, but I'd better try.

If I don't fight with my friends in the coming battle and something happens, I'd never forgive myself for it. I will help them and I will get stronger for their sakes. If I die protecting the ones I care about, then I will know I did the best that I could.

"Master Faraday, Sir, I've made up my mind. Regardless of the outcome of this match, I will fight along side all of you," I said as I blocked another of his swift sword attacks. He took the opening and tried to hit me again, but this time I managed to block it with one hand. We squared off again.

"If you can't even beat me, you wouldn't stand a chance against them, Tyrian. They're a Dark Guild, which means they are far more ruthless than I am," he replied and blocked my attack easily, though he was slowing down now.

"I know that, but I can't sit back and just watch the people I care about fight. Not when I know I can at least help a little bit. If I die doing what I see is right then so be it," I said.

"None of us want to see you get hurt and we certainly don't want you to die on us. Not when for the first time we feel like we're just starting to understand you better," he said through his heavy breaths.

We were both getting pretty worn out. I'm surprised my training has paid off this much, but I'm close to my limit. Just seeing him struggle though was worth this fight. He dropped his powers and sighed as if a huge weight was lifted off of him. His powers must be seriously draining. Just shows you that using your powers is not always the best option.

We just stared at each other for a long moment then we dropped our swords and sat down. It's a draw, neither of us has the energy to stand or fight any more. Lillyana came over to us and handed us both some waters. No one else moved, just stood stunned in place. That whole battle took just over an hour.

Captain joined us as well and just shook his head at me. He's obviously still not sure how to process what transpired nor can he wrap his head around what he now knows about me. Captain is just as surprised and confused as everyone else.

"Get some good rest tonight Tyrian, because tomorrow you'll be training with me," Captain said bringing me out of my wandering thoughts. What did he just say?!

"I'm sorry, what?" Was all I could manage to eek out. Does Captain really want to train me himself? He repeated his words and my breath caught. Yep, that is definitely what he said. Well crap.

Master nodded and said I could use "that kind of training at this point" and offered to help. Captain agreed he may be needed for demonstrating purposes. Demonstrating what? What was "that kind of training" referring to? Something tells me it's going to be a painful day tomorrow.

"Are you okay, Tyrian? Taking on Master Faraday like that, well you had me worried," Lillyana said and I looked up at her. Her worry was indeed written on her face and I apologized to her. I stood up and she hugged me tightly. I hesitated only a second before hugging back. I'm not ashamed to be seen with her, but I hadn't exactly told Captain or Master about our new relationship.

"I'm okay, just tired. So don't worry," I mumbled and she buried her face into my shoulder. She really was that worried? "I'm sorry," I mumbled. My gaze met Captain's and he nodded firmly at me. I didn't see a trace of anger in his face. Does he know and approve?

Everyone else began to disperse once Master snapped everyone out of their daze and told them to get back to their duties. Lillyana finally let go of me and sighed. My other friends came over as well, but I saw Dustin slip away. Guess he really doesn't want to be friends or anything.

"We better get you some food and get you to your room to rest," Candice said. I rolled my eyes.

"I need to relax, but I don't need bed rest. I'm not that seriously injured," I mumbled and rolled my eyes. Which was kind of a lie, since I'm sure I have a few broken ribs and my whole body was sore from blocking his powerful attacks.

"Really dude? Are you even human?" Oliver asked still looking at me in surprise. Lana came over and I instantly regretted lying to them. Thankfully she didn't say anything about my injuries.

"I'll heal the injuries you do have," she said rolling her eyes at me. "Come with me," she added. I followed her and told the others I'd meet them in the cafeteria in a little bit.

Once we made it to the healer's quarters she had me sit down on one of the beds and shook her head at me. I shrugged, but winced in doing so. She took off my torn and bloody shirt and started cleaning my cuts. I hissed in pain, but didn't stop her. Lana is one healer you don't want to argue with or interrupt. After she cleaned and patched up my cuts she went to work on my ribcage.

"Honestly, I expected more than two of your ribs to be broken. You took a few kicks and punches," She said and I winced as she used her powers to fix my ribs. I really have to stop breaking bones like this. It's almost just as painful fixing, if not more painful.

"Yeah, same here. Though he wasn't clearly holding back, his attacks did seem rather weak, or not really weak, but off. I can't explain it," I said.

"You are not wrong, I noticed his struggling too. But it is not my place to inquire as to why. Perhaps you should ask him yourself if it worries you that much," She said, dropped her hands and looked away, "I'm finished, you should be fine. So get out of here and stop making your friends worry."

She knows more than she's saying. But it's obvious I won't get anything else from her so I'll let her off the hook. I left and headed to my room for a new shirt.