‘I’m supposed to stand there and let him hit me with Concussive Force spells until my insides liquify? In the time it takes for the barrier to drop, he could have fired off at least five of them. Besides, the duelling regulations do not forbid returning fire in self-defence.’
Courtney scowled, but Nava was right about the legislation and she was faced by Nava’s cool gaze which she seemed unable to dent. Nothing seemed capable of getting under the freshman’s skin. She reacted to someone trying to kill her and the death of that person at her own hands in the same way as one might react to discovering a tiny stain on their dress. Such an annoyance. Actually, she reacted less than that.
Try a different tack. ‘You couldn’t know he was using a lethal spell until after he’d used it. You didn’t even look at what it did to the barrier before attacking.’
‘I knew he was using a lethal spell because he was going to use the same spell even before I cut him. You only need to look at his duelling record to know the way he worked. He called out people he was sure he could beat, and he used Concussive Force to attack them because his first hit was unlikely to draw blood. His opponent would be knocked down, if not killed. If they were still alive, he would be justified in continuing until they were badly injured or dead. He was a bully and a murderer. When I landed the first strike, I was quite aware that he would respond violently.’
‘So, you admit that you went into that duel knowing you would kill Devin Girard?’
‘I expected to have to, yes.’
‘You could’ve used… a less extreme weapon and at least tried to keep him alive.’
Nava shook her head. ‘I was casting Slice as a cantrip. I only have one ranged combat spell available at reasonable levels and I used it. I used it in a manner that I was sure would render my opponent incapable of further attacks.’
Then, to Courtney’s surprise, Nava’s eyes tightened. It was just a little, but it was there, and it was the most expression the SSF captain had ever seen in the taciturn freshman.
‘I’ll be candid,’ Nava said. ‘I find the practice of duelling to be abhorrent. You have turned combat into a game you use to enforce your will on those without the skill to defy you and you don’t expect there to be consequences which can’t be fixed by first aid. You duel to “preserve your honour” when all it does is prove your strength. Going forward, if I am challenged and I am at fault, I will apologise. I have no honour to worry about. If, however, I am not at fault, I will agree to the challenge and my opponent had better be ready to duel to the death.’
‘Death duels are forbidden.’
‘Without permission. If someone is not prepared to risk their life to prove their honour, their honour is not worth defending.’
Courtney’s scowl just got worse. ‘I can’t see the Sonkei clan leaving this alone. I’m not sure we’ll be able to–’
‘The Sonkei clan will not intervene in this matter,’ Mitsuko said.
‘But–’
‘I don’t see that Nava Ward did anything wrong. She conducted a legal duel and defended herself when dishonourably attacked with lethal force.’
‘She deliberately went into a blood duel knowing that she would kill her opponent,’ Courtney said. She was not sounding entirely confident. ‘She killed a man from your clan.’
‘I strongly believe that Nava Ward has restored the honour of my clan today. We should not have allowed Devin Girard to continue as he was. He dishonoured the Sonkei name every time he entered an arena. It may take some time for us to regain our lost face, but we will do so more easily without Devin Girard.’
Courtney sighed and said something she probably should not have. ‘She has made my life easier. Very well. No censure will be recorded. Nava Ward, the committee would prefer it if you do not reject duels without good reason and abide by the rules regarding their conduct, but I suspect you will not be getting many frivolous challenges in the future.’
‘So long as I can continue my education in peace,’ Nava said, ‘I will be quite happy.’
‘And I will be quite happy if I never see you in this room again. Unfortunately, I rather doubt that that will be the case.’
Part Two: Student Body Politics
Shinden Alliance School of Sorcery, Shinden, Clan Worlds Alliance, 235/2/1.
The weather was good, that was a definite plus. The skies were clear, if a little cool, so it was easy to see the members of the Flight Club as they demonstrated their aerobatics over one of the school’s four playing fields. Nava watched for a few minutes before heading for the tent where the club was handling any prospective new members they might catch this weekend.
Lessons had finished at lunchtime and, while there were normally lessons on Saturday morning, this week everyone was free. In fact, the school allowed for three and a half days of this in what they called the Extracurricular Activities Fair; lessons would not start again until Tuesday. This was also the start of the campaigning for student president; there had been an announcement concerning that matter in homeroom that morning.
Melissa did not shout or wave when she spotted Nava entering the tent, but she did smile very broadly and the look in her eyes was meant to bring Nava over to the desk Melissa was manning. ‘Can I interest you in membership of the Flight Club?’ Melissa asked, all proper aside from the big grin. Melissa had already joined up and had spent one Sunday afternoon in the air. ‘The Flight Club is an excellent way for aspiring flyers to earn their permit, should you not already have one.’ Like various spells, Flight required a permit to use, essentially confirming that you knew how to use it safely.
