I was a “one”, and I was guessing that meant I would have two against me. After gathering with our groups she picked who would fight against each other.
“Weapons are permitted as well as magic,” Tessam said. “I want you to use a speed enhancement spell and the sunlight spell solaris adonas at least once. Everything else is your choice. Subdue your opponent, that is the goal. When he or she surrenders or—is unable to fight back you will stop, not before then.” My Papa appeared at her side and she smiled. “Professor Magnevera will be my assistant today. We’ll be coaching you as needed. Begin.”
I drew my practice sword and took a deep steadying breath as two opponents, one Collweyan, one Hesstian, circled me. Most of our matches ended when one person was in a “killing” position but not until submission. I had a feeling I was about to get roughed up and it had been a while since that had happened to me.
Mia, auburn-haired and tanned like she’d come from the hot coast, was Hesstian. By her angry expression she had a newfound hatred for me. And the boy with golden locks and a dragon tattoo on his forearm was Logan. I couldn’t see the tat at the moment since it was covered with a thin gray jacket but I knew it was there. He was magic-born, she was not. In the past, Collweya didn’t appear to have magic-born. However, in the last twenty years a new generation of them were born. Not many, but some.
I’d never seen either of them fight so I had no idea of their skill level but I’d find out in a moment.
Logan swung his sword first, I blocked it and Mia threw a kick at me, my shield was instantly up and the blow bounced off. They were only testing me, looking for a weakness. Both swung their swords, I flipped backward out of harm’s way with a little magic assist. They charged, throwing spells and punches. I put up my shield, the one my father taught me would absorb magic, giving me more strength.
Both of them paused, I was one of very few people that knew how to absorb magical attacks. “You have to teach me that,” Logan said and then swung at me.
Clash, ping, pang our swords hit over and over, “It’s a secret,” I said grunting as I pushed my sword against his.
Mia kicked my legs and I went down but into a back roll and barely got out of the way of a sword planted on the frost-covered grass. From a crouched position, chanting the spell in my mind, I let loose the sunlight magic and both of them shielded their eyes, turning away. Whispering a speed spell, Crack I busted Mia in the gut with the hilt of my sword and she doubled over coughing then crashed to the ground. I went to hit her again and she held up a hand, forfeiting. So I turned to Logan. With the magic still coursing through me, I moved at three times my normal speed but Logan did the same as our weapons hit over and over. I caught him on the shoulder and he winced, then the temple and he stumbled, blood spilling down his cheek from a fresh cut and he raised a hand. “I’m out,” he said.
When I thought I’d won, I was smacked in the side so hard my rib cracked and I fell, my breath whooshing from my lungs. Mia came back after I thought she’d surrendered. I tried to breathe in it and hurt so much I whimpered. My side screamed in agony, I tried to get up but my body couldn’t, and a boot collided in my gut. I rolled over coughing, and curled up in the fetal position, tears stinging my eyes.
I struggled to my hands and knees and held up a hand, I was done. Through blurry vision, I tried to see Papa or Professor Tessam who should have called this match. Pain exploded in my cheek as Mia’s fist hit and I collapsed again. But this time I rolled over and an angry, painful cry ripped from me. Within my grasp, I grabbed her hair, wrenching her down on the ground beside me before she could punch me again.
“Stay away from our prince, you little bitch,” Mia gritted out trying to get on top of me to wrap her hands around my neck.
Grabbing her hands, I roared, threw my forehead into her nose; blood leaked out like a faucet. Screaming, she grabbed her face and began to rise up, I heel kicked her in the chin before she moved out of reach then my magic burst from me, throwing her at least twenty feet.
Papa dashed over and stooped down beside me. I curled back up, holding my broken rib. Although I was still heated from the fight, it hurt to move.
“Do you need to go to the infirmary?” he asked gently. “Or I think Tessam has a healing potion or two on hand. I’ll get one.”
Slamming my eyes shut, I nodded trying to hold back tears. The pain was really setting in now. The kick to my gut after she’d broken my rib with her sword, did me in.
“Mia kept going even after she conceded, sir,” Logan said and I heard their footsteps leaving.
Papa let out a low grumble. “I’ll talk with her.”
While silent tears slid down my cheeks, a hand pulled mine away from my ribs and a penetrating warm trickle pulsed into my side. The pain started to ease, and within moments I could take in a deeper breath. I opened an eye, Zyacus knelt beside me, hands over my injury. “I saw what happened, I was still defending myself in the match so I couldn’t come over to intervene. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. This is what this academy is about, broken ribs and bloody noses.” I was just grateful
