A problematic present

The next two months were the most carefree I had experienced so far at the Academy.

Now, besides Amy, I had two other girls I could call friends.

The first was Sophia.

After her initial reluctance, it had become a habit for us to attend classes together. From there we had moved on to eating together at the same table and chatting often in the common room.

This had led to some unexpected changes.

First of all, the aura of terror that surrounded her seemed to have weakened. Sure, no one still dared to speak to her, but at least she was no longer avoided like the plague in the hallways and other students no longer seemed to regard the seats near her as gallows.

Sophia herself had changed a bit. She smiled much more often and in general seemed to have softened a bit.

Not that she and I had stopped arguing at every opportunity, but maybe that was just the way our relationship worked.

Unfortunately, I had not yet been able to find out more about her. I had tried to steer the conversation in that direction, but she had always been evasive to my questions. But perhaps in time she would begin to open up a little more.

Also added to this new routine were training sessions with my second new friend: Celeste.

I had made an excellent choice in asking for her help.

As I had noticed from observing her duels, she was an extremely capable mage, so much so that if we seriously challenged each other, I wasn't sure who would win.

From the standpoint of pure magical power I had the advantage, but Celeste seemed much more accustomed to duels and had even better mana control than I did.

Thanks to her, I had already learned many new spells to add to my arsenal.

When I asked her if she really didn't mind helping a possible future opponent, she replied:

«Then it will be more fun to defeat you!»

Typical Celeste.

Sometimes her fiancé, Philemon, would also join us.

He seemed like a serious, taciturn guy but, despite what Celeste had told me, the two of them seemed quite close.

Perhaps sometimes it was true that opposites attract.

He had helped us train by summoning numerous elemental shields, on which we could test our most powerful spells.

Some evenings Amy would also come to visit us. In those cases, Celeste and I would make an effort to teach her some tricks.

Presently she was safely back in the middle of the rankings.

Both Sophia and I would challenge her every day and then yield, ensuring her a steady amount of points.

Now that both me and her were close to Amy, no one dared to challenge her.

But we knew that this method would not work forever. When the number of students decreased, she would inevitably be in danger.

So it was important that she improved her dueling skills as much as possible.

Speaking of Sophia, unlike Amy, she had never come to train with us.

I was sure that, despite what I had told her, she still suspected Celeste.

In any case, those happy days only made my blood boil. My life would have been perfect at that time if not for the deadly game we were trapped in. Reminding us every day was the leaderboard, which now read:

80 students remaining

Twenty students had already died, and the number would increase week by week. My days of peace were numbered. I had to find a way out before it was too late.

December 18th was supposed to be just another day.

As usual in the morning I met with Amy and Sophia and we had breakfast together. Then we went to class, sitting in the last rows chatting while waiting for the usual teacher.

But he did not show up.

In his place entered Professor Skylark.

I had not seen the old headmaster since he had received me in his office with Sophia. He was probably always holed up in his office on the second floor.

After all, he didn't teach and the professors didn't eat with us students.

Silence immediately fell in the classroom.

We all knew that if the headmaster was here, there could be nothing good behind it.

Skylark waited for the last latecomers to take their seats and addressed the class.

«Good morning. Have no fear, the reason I have come to speak to you is quite pleasant.»

"I'll believe it when I see it."

«As you know, in a week's time the Wintermoon Festival will be held,» the headmaster exclaimed.

"Huh?"

Of course I remembered, it was one of the most important holidays after all.

But did Skylark seriously expect us to celebrate?

After all, even if we were in the mood, during the Wintermoon Festival it was customary to exchange gifts.

But of course here there wasn't even a store where we could buy them.

Maybe he wanted us to make our own with magic?

No, as always when Skylark is involved, there was definitely something unpleasant coming our way.

«That's why the Academy decided to give you a present.»

The entire class shuddered.

"What the hell does he have in mind?"

«Oh, don't worry, it's nothing terrible,» commented Skylark, smiling scornfully under his mustache, «after all, it's nothing different from what you've done so far. The present we want to give you is a duel: the best you've ever had!»

A murmur spread among the students, it was clear that we were all wondering what he meant.

«What I mean is very simple. These past three months, the other professors and I have been carefully observing your abilities. More or less, we now have a good idea of what you are capable of doing and how you fight. We have therefore selected your ideal opponent from among all the other students. In a week's time you will compete in an exciting duel, in which you will have to give your all to win. Since this is a special occasion, the winner will receive 50 points, while the loser will receive no penalty. Consider this an opportunity to show your classmates what you are capable of. As I said, it is a present. No tricks behind it.»

Oddly enough, it didn't seem too bad. Sure, there was the possibility of facing someone with an innate power, but it was unlikely that someone would reveal their cards just for 50 points.

But I had a bad feeling.

«Well, it's time to find out who you will have to challenge.»

The headmaster clapped his hands. The leaderboard on the right side of the room changed. The names of the survivors were shuffled to form 40 pairs. I quickly searched for my name. But in my heart I already knew who I would be dueling against. So, without any surprise, but with resignation, I went to read:

Elizabeth Belvoir vs Sophia Thornton.

"Of fucking course!"

It was so obvious. That Skylark bastard wouldn't have it otherwise.

But after an initial hint of nervousness, I could not help but feel excited.

I had been thinking in my head for a long time about how a duel between Sophia and me might go. In a week I would have the answer.

I cast a sideways glance at my opponent.

Sophia's face betrayed no emotion. I was sure she had expected to face me, too.

I returned my gaze to the leaderboard. Celeste was going to face Philemon. Now that would have been an interesting confrontation. As for Amy...

«Owen Finch?! But he's like twenty positions ahead of me! I have no chance of winning!» she exclaimed beside me.

«Mmmh, if they chose him as their opponent, there must be a reason... Anyway you can count on me! If you want to try to win, I will help you find a strategy.»

Facing a student in the top 30 could be a good test for the training she had done with me and Celeste.

After waiting for the class to return to silence, Skylark spoke again.

«Very well, that's all. Be sure to prepare yourselves properly. For the occasion, you will compete in a special arena. I expect you'll give me and your classmates a performance worthy of the Academy. Good luck!»

With these words, he left the room, giving way to our usual teacher, who immediately began the lesson.

But probably no one listened to a word that day. We were all thinking about the duel we would face in a week's time.

I couldn't help but cast more glances at Sophia, whose expression remained undisturbed.

I decided to talk to her before lunch.

I wanted to know what was going through her mind....

At the end of the morning lectures, as we were leaving the classroom, I turned to Sophia:

«Can we talk?»

She merely nodded in response.

"What's up with her?"

«I'll wait for you at the usual table,» said Amy, heading for the dining room with the rest of the students.

I waited for the rest of my classmates to leave so that Sophia and I were the only ones left in the room.

«Well?» I asked her.

«Well what?» she retorted, raising an eyebrow.

"Why does it always have to be so difficult with her..."

«I'm talking about the duel, of course,» I replied, rolling my eyes.

«What do you want me to say? It's a waste of time. It's not even worth thinking about for 50 points.»

It was perfectly logical reasoning, as usual. After all, Sophia and I could earn those points in a couple of days.

«So what would you like to do? From the way Skylark talked about it, it doesn't sound like we can refuse to duel.»

«One of us can just surrender as soon as the duel begins,» Sophia replied nonchalantly.

Once again, she was right. In doing so, our "fight" would last only a few seconds.

But there was something I wanted to clarify.

«Okay, so you will be the one to surrender, since you suggested it?»

For the first time, Sophia's seraphic mask seemed to tremble.

I had hit the nail on the head.

«Why? Do you care about those measly 50 points?»

«Not particularly. I was just saying, after all, it's the same thing, isn't it?»

Silence.

"I knew it."

Despite her sacrificing herself every day for Amy's sake, I was sure Sophia hated losing. Especially against me.

«So?» I pressed her, «you said it yourself: it's not worth fighting. So you'll surrender as soon as the duel starts, right?»

Finally Sophia dropped her mask:

«I don't see why I should be the one doing it. In a real duel, I would win for sure! It's more fair for you to yield instead!» she exclaimed, coming out into the open.

I had expected these words but I could not help but feel a certain irritation growing inside me.

«Ah, is that how you see it? Of course you have no problem showing how arrogant you are!»

«What can I say, it's the truth!» replied Sophia, annoyed, «but if you have to make such a fuss, fine, I'll yield.»

But the damage was already done.

«So the things you told me in the infirmary were all bullshit?»

By now my voice was trembling with anger.

Thanks to her I had overcome my insecurities, but that was why I now felt insulted by her words.

Of course, there was no doubt that she would have a distinct advantage over me due to her power, but the fact that she was so confident of winning did not sit well with me.

Although we had become friends, I still considered her a rival, but clearly it was not the same for her.

For her part, Sophia seemed surprised by my reaction and quickly replied:

«That's not true! I... I really meant the things I said to you. But no matter how skillful you are, a mere mage can do nothing against my innate power and you know it!»

But by now, it was like pouring fuel on a fire.

«OH! A mere mage, huh? Is that what you think of me?!»

I wasn't sure what was making me so angry. I knew that deep down Sophia was just telling the truth.

The latter seemed to panic even more when she saw that her words had had the opposite effect to the one she had hoped for.

«No! That's not what I meant! I didn't mean to belittle your abilities, I'm serious... It's like you know... rock, paper, scissors! No matter how hard you try, rock will never beat paper. My power is just the perfect weapon against magic.»

But I didn't want to listen to reason.

«Do you really think you are invincible? I'll show you what happens when someone takes magic lightly!»

By now Sophia did not know what else to say: her expression was somewhere between confusion and regret. It was clear that she wished she could take back everything she had said so far.

«Why are you making a scene over a stupid duel!? Elizabeth!?»

But I had already spun on my heels.

I left the room, ignoring Sophia who was calling my name, exasperated.

Soon, as I ran to the west wing, guilt began to set in. After all, I was sure she had no intention of hurting me with her words.

By behaving this way, I risked undoing all the progress we had made in our relationship.

But nevertheless, I did not turn back.

Despite everything, I could not forgive her.

I understood why I had become so angry.

I could not bear that for her a duel between us was stupid, while for me it was the most special one I could ever fight.

And I was going to prove it to her.

She would probably still beat me, but I would make her sweat bullets before she did.

For this reason, as soon as I arrived in the cafeteria, I did not go to the usual table, where Amy was waiting for me.

My gaze instead wandered among my classmates until I spotted those flashy blond curls.

«Oh Elizabeth, good morning... Oh?»

I grabbed Celeste by the wrist and, nodding apologetically to the girls sitting at her table, dragged her out of the room.

«To what do I owe this kidnapping?» Celeste asked smiling, not at all upset.

«I'm very sorry but I need your help. In a week I HAVE to defeat Sophia!»