Open Chronicles The Schools of Magic[Elbion & Vel Anir]

[Kara Orin]

Once the golems sprung to life, Kara activated some sort of magic as she pressed her fingers upon her shoulder. Her body tensed up as she casted a prepared Body Strengthening spell upon herself.

Just after that, the stone automaton had swung its arm across to try to swipe Kara. The student leaped back just in time. Its bulky arm blew some air just as a fan. Some dust kicked up into the air. A few specks of dirt got into Kara’s eyes.

“Damn!” Kara spat as she blinked and wiped her eyes.

Then, Kara drew her Runic Dagger. The golem gave her no time to cast any spell as it slammed its second arm down upon her. Kara managed to roll to the side. Just as with Talus’s golem, the orange one created a solid dent in the ground with its fist.

For just a moment, Kara took a glance at Talus as he attempted to hop onto his own golem’s arm. As her own golem started to charge at her once more, several runes on Kara’s dagger illuminated as she began cast magic.

 

[Phillipa Ebonheart]

With obscene care, Phillipa held the shattered glasses in her hand while the other rummaged through pockets in the jacket. A small scroll and what amounted to raw materials in the form of wire and sand came from one such pocket. The smile shifted to a genuine smirk as she put both hands together, inhaled and then blew into the small gap between her palms. A flash of fire quickly followed by the gentle purple glow of her magic snapped and crackled as the items were consumed. Opening her palms, the glasses were now repaired, though they would have to be fitted once more.

"Do be more careful. It wouldn't do for your glasses to hold you back in your match. As well, no harm, no foul." The small warning against missteps in the future delivered. Her mood shifted back to amiable as she fell into step behind Severin once more.

 

[Talus]

Talus landed on the Golems arm with a solid thud, his boots pressing against the rock and digging into the slightly uneven surface. His blade pulled free of the earth, though Talus hardly had the time to stabilize himself before the golem lashed out again.

It was faster, faster than it really should have been with all of it's weight.

Before Talus could move to crawl up the golem's body it struck out with it's other fist. A heavy hand of stone smashed down from above him. "Shit!"

There was a brief flicker of something.

One moment Talus was standing in place, the next he seemed to be falling to the side just to the left of the Golem's fist.

There was a rumble, then a loud crack as the monster of stone's own hand smashed down on it's arm. Runes and stone cracked as Talus fell onto the ground with a thud, shrapnel of stone going flying as the Golem crushed it's own arm in an attempt to end him.

A cloud of dust raised itself up from the broken rock, bursting out around he and the blue golem.

What would a medic done after that? Talus asked himself as he rolled onto his feet, a thin line of blood on his forehead from where one of the pieces of broken rock had cut him.

Before he could get an answer the now one armed blue golem stepped forward, lashing out with a great swipe of it's remaining hand.

 

[Sigfrith Runecarver]

Sigfrith looked in the direction Selina had been and turned to return to the tent. He had no desire to see such excellent students in mortal peril. Not when it was against the rules to interfere. Children should not be placed in such danger and he was already formulating a strong letter to send to the college, disturbed at the decision.

But in the meantime, he would fortify his tent, enacting runes of warding and reverberation against both magic and those who would try to get close without the passcode. It took him some time to put the work together, but it was finally finished sometime later.

 

[Severin Bellerose]

Severin briefly stepped to a halt to have Phillipa deal with her shortlived business. In silence, he turned to find a good vantage spot to watch one of the matches... The golem of course, Phillipa would love to see Kara excell herself, no?

When the woman returned to him, he already found a nice spot and led her there, just in time.

 

[Kara Orin]

GOLEM FITE

The orange golem continued its charge toward Kara. Runes were carved on the ground near it as the symbols of Kara’s dagger glowed. Not physically by her own dagger or any other means but by some unseen force that quickly drew runes on the dirt itself. The symbols formed a moderately complex pattern one would expect of a preset trap.

With a twist of Kara’s dagger, the runes on the ground activated. A pillar of earth shot out from the side of the golem from where the rune was. It pulled in the dirt and soil necessary to have the mass to both reach and strike the golem. The pillar itself was very cold to the touch.

Kara’s magical attack hit the golem from the side with enough force to topple it over. She was already in motion toward the golem as it fell to its side. Before it could begin to recover onto its feet, Kara hopped onto the stone behemoth and placed a finger upon the nearest rune. She activated magic one more.

A crack followed – yet it was not at the level of when the blue golem just smashed its arm down upon Talus. The orange golem ceased to move.

A couple seconds passed before the announcer finally went,

“OOONE!”

Just as the monster, Kara remained still as well.

“TWOOO!”

Until she moved her lips as if to speak, yet the crowd drowned out any words.

“THRE-“

The orange golem suddenly threw Kara as it flung a stone arm up.

The girl flew away almost like a rag doll toward the blue golem and Talus. She managed an ungraceful recovery when her body landed on the dirt and rolled to a stop. A few runes on Kara’s dagger continued to glow.

When Kara got back on her feet, the orange golem was already standing once more. She stood between the orange golem and the blue golem that Talus fought. The orange golem began another charge toward Kara.

 

[Sierra]

The proctors would be proud to see that Sierra could school her features as she gazed up at the orc? Elf? Hybrid?

Even worse.

The Academy of Vel Anir was only populated by the human children taken at a young age. And while the ruling houses were not openly at war with elves, the young students, like Sierra, were taught with a xenophobic bias. War would come again.

"Archery," voice was clipped and dry. "Arena Seven. See you on the field."

Even with his size, she doubted he would survive the wolves. Would the Elbion mages step in before one of the creatures tore out the guy's jugular? The 16-year old girl wondered.

Without wasting anymore time, Sierra turned sharply and walked toward the starting gates.

 

[Talus]

Talus dropped to the ground to avoid his head being clipped off by the giant rock hand.

He hit the floor with another muted thud, his sword sliding a few feet away from him as the Golem's attack followed through.

The creature moved enough as it swung that Talus was able to catch a glimpse of what was going on behind it. He saw the girl do something with her knife, the other Golem halt itself, and then heard the announcer call. Something in his stomach dropped.

Fear.

Complete and utter fear that he had already lost.

Then suddenly the other Golem moved once again and the announcer cut himself off. Relief flooded him, though the feeling was short lived as his own opponent rounded on him and raised it's fist. A curse flew from his lips and Talus rolled to the side as the stone giant's fist slammed into the ground again.

This time he felt the earth quake as it struck, it's hand taking only a second before it removed itself from buried earth and snapped to grab him.

Desperately he rolled twice to the side. On the third turn he managed to use his hands to push himself up, hopping to his feet and sliding slightly to the left. From there he could see the girl, and the other Golem charging towards her.

His blade lay opposite his own opponent, but it didn't matter.

Talus struck his plan in an instant, and without much forethought he burst into a sprint. The Golem immediately followed after him, bounding to the side as it gave chase.

The Dreadlord Apprentice ran as fast as he could, using his hands to unlatch a small portion of his gauntlet and remove the glove beneath. He pulled at it, and then began to recite and incantation. Each word rolled off the tongue quickly, and he felt a slight strain on his body as he did so.

An odd pool of brackish brown formed in his palm, cradled between his fingers.

He turned his head for a brief second, catching sight of the blue golem charging forward. Then he turned his head the other way, spotting the girl and the Orange Golem charging in the same path but opposite direction.

His boot twisted in the dirt, and then he sprinted directly towards the girl.

It only took him a handful of steps before he got close enough, his fingers tightening around the odd muck as he threw it into the ground behind himself, directly in front of the blue Golem. The earth there would suddenly shift and form into a pane of slick mud, earth too slippery for the creature to stop itself from running directly into the charging Orange Golem.

Talus ran passed Kara, offering her a wink as he dropped himself to the ground and slid between the Orange Golem's legs.

 

[Harry]

Hal's posture was rigid as the announcer spoke. The rules were as he expected, aside from not being permitted to attack the other contestant. As the final rule was spoken, Hal unconsciously gazed at Selina. The rest of the announcer's monologue fell on deaf ears as the Dreadlord Apprentice prepared himself.

Then, before the beasts were set upon the contestants, Selina Altas approached Hal.

Cooperating in a contest? Did she not care whether she won or lost? He looked down on her, her face painted with concern. To him, painted with weakness. He frowned, thinking of the potential consequences if he won with her assistance. His jaw muscles danced as he grit his teeth.

"Support?" He mused aloud, "Do you not intend to win?"

The creaking of gates being lifted pried his attention from the young scholar. He saw as two large blurs swiftly entered the foliage that surrounded them. He could, at times, see the massive silhouettes of the beast as they circled the two. He never saw the manticores completely, instead he tracked their general locations by how the brush moved. He scoffed, amused with the irony of the contest.

They were being hunted, not the beasts.

He yanked two spears out of the dirt, one in each hand, and turned to Selina, "Have you knowledge of enchantments?" He paused, and lifted his left arm up, drawing attention to his shield, "Strengthen it, if you can."

He scanned their forested prison, "We should focus our attention on a single manticore. I will draw them out, and keep their attention on myself. If you have the ability, immobilize one."

 

[Kara Orin]

GOLUM FITE

As the orange golem charged toward her, Kara looked back to see Talus now running straight for her with a ball of something in his hands. The blue golem chased after Talus as the Dreadlord Apprentice threw the muck to the ground – casting some sort of grease spell directly in front of the blue golem.

Kara kept her eyes on Talus as he passed by. She was now in danger of becoming a rock sandwich.

Yet her reply to Talus’s wink was a flat, “Thanks.”

The orange golem did not react to Talus sliding between its legs. It kept moving forward.

Kara leaped to the side and out of the golem’s path. She pointed her runic dagger toward the blue golem. With the slick footing, the blue golem could not change course. The orange golem failed to react to the change in its quarry’s position.

The result: a deafening crash as the two behemoths collided into each other.

 

[Nicodemus]

Having been too busy spending some quality time alone by the latrines Nicodemus had missed most of the competition. Not that he particularly mind, but he swore to himself that if he ever found the vendor again he’d scribble him up some runes that’d make him shit himself. Literally.

Judging by the cheering, oooh’s and various other sounds coming from the audience the competition so far was quite something. At one point he could sworn he had felt the ground tremble ever so slightly. His best guess was that the golems had either hit each other or a wall. Or perhaps somebody had petted the griffin without approval? Far away he could even hear somebody shout “Get the beasts!” so clearly they had let out even more spectacle since he made his retreat.

The sorcerer hoped the students were okey, talented practitioners didn’t grow on trees after all. If his memory served him corrected a researcher of the slightly more experimental mindset had tested the hypothesis a century or so back with flawed results. It had been less tree nymphs and more plant zombies as far as he’d understood it.

Going by that thought the College could really use some good publicity, hopefully the festival had assured them some good will among the plebeians. He didn’t particularly enjoy the scornful looks he knew they gave him behind his back normally, and he was pretty sure the last tavern he had visited the chef had spit in his porridge.

As Nicodemus navigated his way back towards the cheering crowds, his tool punch tucked in under one arm he couldn’t help but notice the lone figure working away by a tent. To the normal eye there was nothing remarkable about it, but to a sorcerer from the college it stood out like a sore thumb. Runes surrounded the tent, glowing with a faint light to those that could see it. Whoever the short man was he wasn’t fooling around. Before approaching the figure Nicodemus slipped on his enchanted glasses, carefully inspecting the runes. They were masterfully crafted while at the same time there was no wasted energy. More a talented craftsman than an artist, that was something Nicodemus could approve off.

Slipping the glasses back into his breast pocket he stepped closer and could by now see that it was a dwarf and not just any dwarf. Master Sigfrith Runecarver, perhaps one of, if not the greatest authority on rune carving and it’s practical and theoretical uses in the Elbion College. While never really having exchanged words Nicodemus recognized him from the lectures he had held as well as ever so seldom seeing him in the library.

“Not one for the competition either Master Sigfrith?” Nicodemus asked as he stepped closer giving the dwarf a small nod. "Going by the work you're doing one would think you were preparing for a battle of your own?" He said with an attempt at a small smile.

 

[Selina Della Altas]

"Do I intend to win?..."
She was thoughtful for a moment. So this apprentice didn't see the danger of actually treating the situation like a contest... But, perhaps she could use that.
The request for assistance, that was the best she was likely to get for a response. She indeed knew an enchanting spell that temporarily enhanced objects magically, shields tougher, swords magically sharpened, armor enhanced. She knew her limitations, but using this spell was factored into her strategy.

He had only requested his shield to be enchanted, but she decided to enhance his spears and sword as well, since the spell had the capacity to do so. She drew her wand and spoke the arcane words of the spell, using her wand to focus the magic at first his shield, then his spears and sword. A soft golden light radiated from his weapons and it should last for about an hour.

That was her first real spell of the day so she still felt fine, but she knew how far she could push herself.
She looked at Henry Bauer with new resolve in her eyes, "Yes, I fully intend to win. But you should know that a Manticore will favor firing his spines at you over tangling with you up close, and if there are two and they aren't attacking each other, then they are paired and will likely coordinate their attacks. Pack tactics."

She began casting her second spell, this one will take a moment longer to cast, but she hoped they would be distracted by the armed challenger just long enough for her to get her spell off. If she used up all of her daily castings in this match she would be forced to rely on her cantrips which weren't nearly as effective, but she could cast them however many times she wanted.

 

[Harry]

Henry let out a satisfied huff and he balanced the spears in each hand. The sudden confidence that the girl gave made Hal's previously stoic expression relax. He nodded, and the corners of his mouth curled upwards ever so slightly.

"Good," He nodded to her, "Confidence is good."

With that, he turned away to face the trees. He rotated his stance, following the movement of the foliage and audible cracking of branches.

He slightly bounced on his toes, the armor that covered his legs and arms clacking as he did so. The movements in the trees overlapped, which resulted in Hal springing forward. He slightly swayed as he moved, and he kept the round shield up.

It was a blur. Fast. Nearly impossible to track with the eye. A spine launched from the darkness within the trees. Had he not expected it, the contest would most likely have been over.

He extended the shield to meet the projectile. His arm recoiled back as it made contact with the enchanted wood, but the spine itself hit the ground instead of lodging itself into the shield. A fine spell.

He stopped his dash, simultaneously twirling the spear in his right hand and raising his arm, which bent at the elbow. Using his forward momentum, he twisted his body and extended his arm. With a strained grunt, he released the spear, and with more strength than a boy his age should possess, threw the spear from the source of the spine.

There was a mighty roar moments later, and the first manticore seemed to burst from the treeline. Hal could see movement to the side as if the other were circling around.

He began to take steps back, retreating to the three remaining spears still lodged in the ground. As he did so, he took the spear from his left hand into his right. The one he threw hadn't impaled the beast, but he could see fresh blood on its coat.

"I do not enjoy fighting beasts," He said aloud, mostly to himself.

 

[Talus]

The sound of the golems crashing into one another was nearly enough to deafen Talus all together.

Rock, stone, debris, and dust went flying all over the arena. The cloud of it was big enough to cover the two golems, Talus and of course Kara. He could make out the panic in the announcers voice over the sound of rocks pelting his armor.

"WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!"​

He shouted loudly as Talus pushed himself back onto his feet and readied himself. His fists moved outward, one hand without it's gauntlet as he prepared to fight the Golem still charging at him.

Ten seconds passed, then twenty, then thirty.

Nothing came through the cloud of dust, nothing charging at him. He frowned for a brief moment, glancing around himself to see if he could spot anything. A few feet away from him he could swear he saw the girl, but he didn't think she was moving either.

Did I win? Talus thought to himself as the dust began to settle.

He and Kara were revealed first, then almost a minute after the debris cloud fell down enough to reveal the two golems. Both of them were in utter shambles. The Orange lay on the ground as just a pair of legs, it's entire top half destroyed in the collision. The Blue lay completed bisected from the strike, it's torso and legs separated on the ground with neither moving.

A frown touched Talus' face, and he glanced around the arena as he waited for the announcer to say something else.

"CAN YOU BELIEVE IT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN?! BOTH GOLEMS ARE DOWN!"​

Oh no.

"THEY'VE DONE IT! IT'S A TIE!"​

Horror crossed Talus' face and a sense of defeat sunk his heart in his chest. More than a little bit of panic struck him and he had to force himself to stand still as the crowd began to loudly cheer for the two mages. Crane is going to murder me

Nevermind the Proctors. An Archon had told him to win, and now...Talus swallowed hard, his face a mask of emotionless.

What the fuck happened? The Orange Golem had been charging, the blue one just barreling forward into it. The collision should have eradicated his opponent and left most of the girl's in tact. He frowned, glancing over to Kara.

She must have done something, he was sure of it.

 

[Selina Della Altas]

Her spell took effect, she focused the defensive spell on both of them, creating a magical bubble around them. Just in time for herself, as a spine shot out from the underbrush and hit her shield, shattering the spine but also leaving a noticeable crack in the blue dome around her.

Henry Bauer would find that he could still attack through the shield, but that it would receive damage in his place.

She listened to the sound of the beast running through the forest, a flanking tactic hoping to catch her from behind. She tracked its position and finally used an offensive spell. She aimed her wand and spoke the arcane script. An immense gout of flames erupted from the focus point, expanding like a cone to engulf that section of the forest, the Manticore roared in pain as it was caught in the midst of the inferno. The roar of the beast was met by the roar of the crowd at the first major display of magic they had seen all day.

But Selina knew the beast wasn't done. It may be hurt, but that was a mixed blessing. She had cast three spells and was beginning to enter the yellow zone of her power. She had more in her, but now there was a scorched and angry Manticore advancing on Selina.

 

[Trahaearn]

The man watched the golem fight to its finale. He silently applauded the creativity of the young man, and turned towards the sounds of magic elsewhere. Being lower in the crowd, he marched through to the next match.

Manticores.

He came into view of the last licks of fire as the charred beast advanced forward. He leaned against the railing and watched silently, waiting to see how these two pulled through.

 

[Ukrit Nahr]

Ukrit didn’t know what to expect from Lady Ebonheart. He’d expected a verbal lashing, perhaps a demerit? Instead, she’d been nice enough to take his glasses and repair them. The glasses nearly back to the condition they’d been in previously. On closer inspection, it actually seemed like they were in a better state. “Thank you Madam Ebonheart. I’ll be sure to be more attentive and cautious.” Giving a slight bow as she left Ukrit returned his attention to the board, the young lady he’d asked speaking.

The voice and reply that came to his question was so curt and to the point, the half-orc couldn’t help but feel it was aimed at him. The more pressing concern than the girl’s temperament towards him was the fact that the event was archery against a pack of Timber Wolves. If it had been at least simply hunting the wolves Ukrit could’ve relied on his blood magic. Or at least the hand to hand strategies his father had taught and utilized his claws. The Elbion mage was at a distinct disadvantage in the next event. He simply stood there a few moments longer staring at his opponent as she walked away.

There wasn’t any friendly competitiveness, it seemed as though she wished to outright destroy him. “This school certainly knows how to set up its challenges,” Ukrit mumbled to himself. Of course, he’d be put in one where he’d be at a disadvantage, there had to be a few students skilled in archery.

The various greens of Ukrit’s skin were as pale as he’d ever been as he neared the starting grounds. All around seated and watching the various other events were rows upon rows of people. It chilled the hybrid’s blood, made him want to turn away and leave. Those charcoal black eyes scanned the crowd for any signs of Iggy or his adoptive father Arun. It was easy to find the retired knight that sat among the crowd. Wearing a shirt that bore the Nahr family crest on it. Arun had grown elderly over the years since taking Ukrit in, now a man seeing his sixtieth summer, his hair an elegant gray. Offering a smile to Ukrit, Arun nodded.

“WOULD SIERRA AND UKRIT PLEASE ENTER THE ARENA?!” The announcer’s voice chimed in, cutting through the air and above the raucous cheers of the crowds at other arena’s watching the events that were already taking place.

Standing outside the gate to their arena Ukrit looked in at the area that was obviously being controlled through some sort of environmental magic. There was snow still falling, and thick trees wider around than his entire body that littered the area. Upon entering the temperature dropped immensely the half-orc able to see his breath. Snow crunched beneath his feet, stinging the hybrid's bare feet. There was a lineup of bows waiting for him on a stand nearby but Ukrit walked past them.

Eyes darting back and forth across the field Ukrit felt a sense of worry and anxiety washing over him. His stomach turned and he felt nauseated. Eyes closing the figure fought it down, drowning out the sounds around him till he was in a vacuum. Nothing but darkness, in that darkness there was a light, that light being Ukrit’s magical essence. Reaching out he seized it pulling it into himself, letting it flow through his being. Molding it. “Vik-ra” The word orcish in origin escaped Ukrit’s maw. A word used to channel the magic into his hands. Beginning at the base of his fingers small golden bolts of lightning rode down to his fingertips, his palms pressing together then opening. Between them the lances of energy dancing to and fro, forming a shape in his hands till there was a bow made of pure electricity there. Fingertips blackened from the magic a sharp stinging pain radiating from them Ukrit grit his teeth now holding the magical bow in his hands. When his eyes open he looked across to where his opponent Sierra would be before quickly glancing back to the field.

 

[Kara Orin]

GOLLUMMM FITEH

Before the dust enveloped Kara, she could be seen shielding her eyes with the arm holding her dagger. A fist-size chunk of orange painted rock landed near her. She did not move from that spot as the time passed.

When the dissipating cloud revealed her once again, Kara wiped some dirt off her face. Just enough to open her eyes once again. The light from her dagger’s runes was gone. With a sigh, she sheathed her dagger as the crushed golems were slowly revealed.

Instead of with a frown like Talus, Kara just stared blankly at the golems.

The result of the match was then announced: a tie. Kara failed to live to her promise to her brother to lose. Yet, Kara’s body seemed relaxed as if it did not matter to her. She did not have the words of an Archon hanging over her life, yet.

Depending on how particular Idrig Crane took his words, Talus at least did not lose.

“GIVE IT UP FOR TALUS MORID AND KARA ORIN!”

The crowd continued to cheer for the mages – nearly all oblivious to their own feelings about the result.

“BUT WE CAN’T LEAVE IT AT A TIE!”

Kara’s gaze shot to the announcer with a raised eyebrow.

“WE’LL BE GIVING TALUS AND KARA A BREAK! TOMORROW, WE’LL SEE WHO IS THE BETTER MAGE IN THE MAZE!”

With that announcement, Kara shook her head as her sight drifted to the ground.

“MEANWHILE, PLEASE WATCH THE OTHER EXCITING BOUTS! WE HAVE MANTICORES, ARCHERY, AND MORE TO SHOW!”

After that announcement, the crowd began to migrate to the rest of the entertainment. Kara took a look toward Talus – just to see if he might have any desire to have a sportsman-like end to their match. If not, she would immediately start looking for the brother with the hope he did not pick up any unpleasant company in the stands.

 

[Talus]

GOLLUM FITE

"Maze?" Talus echoed out loud with a frown, lips thinning slightly as he wondered what the hell the man was talking about.

After a few seconds his head shook, deciding that it didn't much matter. If the stories about Archon Crane were correct he wasn't going to live for tomorrow anyway. His fingers tightened for a moment, grasping after an invisible sword.

His frown deepened as he noted the absence of his blade, peering around the arena until he spotted his sword laying on the ground just passed Kara.

Lips thinned, but his head shook and he set off towards the girl.

"What did you do?" Talus asked as he approached her. There was no greeting, no pleasantry or anything of the sort. The Academy did not really teach etiquette. "With the golem, I mean."

There was no hostility to his tone, though his nerves were practically shattered.

He knew that he had to collect his sword and make his way back towards the Academy encampment, but once he did...well, he didn't want to think about that.

 

[Kara Orin]

gawlum phite

Kara watched Talus approach. Her hands curled into a fist. Stories of the Dreadlords’ grudges could be found within the College’s walls. She stood still, though.

Yet she was taken aback by Talus’s question. A couple blinks followed. When Talus clarified, Kara immediately responded with, “Oh.”

Kara’s fists relaxed. She looked down to the left for a second before she looked back to Talus.

Then with a gesture of her finger, Kara calmly told him, “I rewrote some of its runes.”

An obviously incomplete explanation.

Then in the distance, someone called out, “KARA! THANK THE GODS YOU’RE ALIVE!”

 

[Talus]

Gorem Fout

Rune Magic.

He logged that into the back of his mind for if he survived the day, mostly because it would be useful tomorrow.

Talus didn't know much about Rune Magic, just what the Proctors had stated. It was an ancient practice, old enough that no one quite remembered who had come up with it first. The Academy Archives of course claimed it was humans, the ancestors of Vel Anir nonetheless, but the truth was even they didn't know.

Exactly how it functioned or why it would be chosen above College Magic was beyond Talus, but if he survived the day perhaps he would be able to find out.

Taking a few steps further Talus walked by Kara, picking up the sword that had been tossed away from him and turning his head as someone called out to the girl. "Friend?"

He asked as he inspected the blade.

It wasn't damaged, thankfully, that would have earned him another beating if he survived whatever Crane had in store for him.

 

[Harry]

Henry heard the roar of the second beast, and he swiftly rotated his head only to see the manticore charging at Selina, enraged from the flames. Without breaking his backward stride, Hal twisted his body to the left, performing a pirouette much too graceful for a man of his appearance, and using that momentum he threw the spear towards the beast charging at Selina Altas. The spear flew true, impaling itself on the hind end of the beast. It came to a halt, sliding for a few paces, kicking up a large cloud of dirt in the process.

He dashed towards the bubble the mage erected, arriving in a few large strides. He pulled two more spears from the dirt. Behind him, the bubble cracked as spines collided against it.

"Your spells," Despite his displays of athleticism, he did not appear the slightest bit winded, "Quite useful."

 

[Kara Orin]

FESTIVAL SHENANIGANS SOON™

When Arne called out to her, Kara turned her head to see him waving at her from the edge of the arena’s fence. A rather beefy orc stood next to him. The contents of Arne’s mug sloshed around spilled out as the man waved.

“My brother,” Kara answered Talus.

Turning back to the apprentice, Kara then said, “Good game.”

Kara offered a handshake to the apprentice. For some reason, she was not displaying the concern she expressed to Phillipa before this trip.

 

[Selina Della Altas]

She had frozen for a moment, hesitating in the face of the enraged beast. It's nearly human face was badly scorched, its shark like teeth gnashed angrily as drool and spittle dripped into the wiry remains of its beard, its mane of curly hair now in patches and its disturbingly human blue eyes stabbing through her soul.
She was snapped out of it as the spear buried itself in its hind leg, drawing another roar of pain.

She smiled at the compliment and her confidence grew. She threw back a friendly retort, "Perhaps I can teach you some of it!"
But even she knew that her shields couldn't hold out long against these things, her shield was already cracked, and his just received a whole barrage, creating many more cracks in his shell. If it received much more damage it would shatter. She had to give him more of an edge when fighting up close with the Manticore. He may be athletic and able beyond his years, but these were monsters and classified as magical beasts... They were lucky that the manticore were crippled to the ground and unable to take flight.

She cast another spell, pointing her wand at him. There was a shimmering around him and four images of himself appeared all around him, they followed his every movement except when shifting position, making it impossible to track the real person.
She turned back to her own opponent, but stumbled back and cried out when it lunged at her, taking advantage of her distraction to attack. The Manticore hit the shield, bringing another long crack across its surface, the huge creature unhinged its jaw and bit down on the shield, trying to swallow her, shield and all.

She could see down its gullet as it clamped its jaws further and further around her protective shell, more and more cracks appeared, she was on the ground with nowhere to run. But she hadn't quite lost her confidence yet...
She prepared another offensive spell and cast it on a central point, directly in the center of the creatures skull. She was in range of this spell herself, but it was all she could think of.

The spell detonated. There was an incredible crashing sound that would have deafened anyone within a ten foot radius. The shield shattered and the Manticore fell on top of Selina, but as it fell it was as if its body had deflated. Every solid substance in its body, bone, cartilage, spines, even the spear in its leg had turned to dust.

 

[Harry]

He wryly smiled at her offer to teach him. He'd likely never see her again once the tournament was finished.

The Apprentice instinctively raised his guard as she pointed her wand at him, despite knowing attacking each other was forbidden. As he lowered his guard, he noticed the images of himself.

He wondered what the Proctors would think of the event, and worry washed over him like a frigid wave, something even more chilling than his own magic.

He turned to face the other manticore and launched the spear in his right hand. The beast swiftly avoided the half-hearted attack. Grabbing the last spear in the dirt, with one still in his left hand, he left the bubble, ignoring the shriek behind him.

He took a few steps and planted himself. The beast charged forward. As it came closer, Hal prepared to throw the fourth spear. As he began the motion, a sudden eruption had shook the ground. It caused him to lose his balance, slightly stumbling forward and sending the spear high and deep into the treeline. His senses left him for a moment. His ears rang, and his head felt light from the sudden shock behind him. As he stumbled forward, the beast collided into him. He could not tell which part of the massive thing barrelled towards him, but by some instinct drilled into him from a decade of training, he raised his shield as the silhouette of the beast entered the periphery of his vision. He was sent flying backward as if he were weightless. His back hit the dirt first, but he had curled up and rolled to alleviate some damage. The illusory magic was shattered once the beast charged into him.

The monster circled him as if preparing to pounce on its weakened prey. He felt something warm trickle down his forehead and over his right brow. His body screamed as he attempting to rise off his knee, which caused him to nearly double over. The shield he raised in defense had a significant portion broken off.

He balled his right fist, and the color left his hand. A visible vapor rose from the cracks between his fingers. His arm began to shiver, and frost accumulated on his balled fist. His breathing was labored, and he felt sharp pains all over his body down to his bones.

The manticore, as if sensing his weakness, pounced on him. With a pained grunt, he opened his palm to reveal a swirling mass of ice and snow. In the center, there was a faint blue glow. He slammed his hand flat against the earth, which shook the ground around him. Small spikes of ice shot up around his hand, and a visible trail extended out in front of him. The trail stretched outward with incredible speed until it arrived directly under the belly of the charging beast. Then, in the moment it would take for a person to blink, a fissure opened up in the earth. From it, an impressive spike of ice rose from the dirt, gouging the midsection of the beast, and lifting it up into the air.

The beast cried and shrieked as it was suspended in the air. It futilely wriggled, impaled on the spike of ice, all while howling out in pain.

Taking a moment to gather himself, Hal rose. His right hand was cold, almost to the point of being numb. Limping, he approached the beast, which snapped at him and weakly swiped its massive paw at him.

He drove the spear deep into its neck, twisting it, then leaving it there in the beast as its body became limp.

He heard wild cheers. Then came the announcer's voice.

"Incredible! An incredible display from both participants! However, there is a clear winner!
Selina Altas was the first to finish, thus declaring her the winner!"​

Henry felt incredibly sick as the winner was declared. He knew he would face at least a stern lecture from cooperating with her. However, cooperating and still losing?

Hal swallowed hard and looked up at the sky. He prepared himself for the worst.