The game begins

It was as if the entire academy had been dragged underwater.

For several seconds, no one dared to exhale a single breath. It was as if, when Carl's head had touched the floor, time had frozen. Perhaps we were all waiting to wake up from what was undoubtedly a nightmare.

Finally, a scream broke the silence. A female student crouched down and began to cry desperately, pressing her hands against her ears, as if trying to isolate herself from this terrible reality. It was like a signal.

All hell broke loose.

Panic ensued, many sought refuge in the dining hall, while others fled to the dormitories. I saw some students collapse back onto the floor, while others slumped unconscious. The bravest ones drew swords and wands, pointing them in Valentine's direction, but refrained from attacking.

The murderer simply smiled and raised his hands in surrender, knowing full well that no one would actually dare to challenge his terrible power.

I was petrified.

My gaze kept returning to Carl's empty eyes. It was impossible for something like this to happen.

Amy clung to my right arm, trembling. Unable to speak, I held onto her in return.

We remained like that for what seemed like hours.

Finally, a group of people arrived on the scene. Among them, escorted by two guards and followed by a handful of students, was the headmaster.

Professor Skylark glanced around at those present, pausing for a few seconds on Carl Stuart's corpse and finally on Igor Valentine, still held at bay by several students.

I wanted to scream at Skylark to be careful, that boy was dangerous even for an experienced wizard like him. But it was as if my voice had vanished the moment Carl was killed.

It was the elderly professor who spoke first.

«Lower your wands and sheathe your swords!» he ordered.

The students hesitated.

One of them retorted, «Professor, this piece of shit is a murderer! He's capable of anything. We can't let our guard down!»

«I appreciate your initiative, but this is a matter within my jurisdiction. If you want to be of help, assist your unconscious classmates and take them to the infirmary. I will personally ensure that Mr. Valentine receives appropriate punishment,» the headmaster replied.

«But, Professor, his power is too much even for the-»

Skylark cut him off. With a wave of his hand, the students' swords and wands clattered to the floor.

"That's insane... he didn't use a wand or utter any spells."

But it was as the boy had said. If Valentine had wanted to, he could have killed Skylark simply by looking at him.

Unfazed, the headmaster approached the boy. The smirk on Valentine's face had vanished, replaced by a neutral expression. Though he didn't seem intimidated, he refrained from mocking Skylark.

«Mr. Valentine, have you read the list of rules provided to you?» the professor asked calmly.

Rather than addressing a murderer, it was almost like he was lecturing a student who had arrived late to class.

«Yes, Sir,» Valentine replied without hesitation.

«Then you should know that acts of violence among students are strictly prohibited outside of duels, correct?» Skylark questioned.

«Correct, I apologize for breaking the rules, professor-» Valentine attempted, in a deferential manner.

«I'm afraid apologies won't suffice in this case,» the headmaster admonished him, «Mr. Valentine, outside of class hours, you will be confined to your quarters for a week. Is that clear?» he continued sternly.

«All clear,» the boy replied, nodding.

Despite the two speaking perfectly clearly and audibly, I was certain I had missed something. Perhaps they had suddenly decided to use a strange alien language that used common words but with a different meaning. Because that conversation completely clashed with the situation we were in.

«Professor, do you think it's a good time for jokes?!» an angry student asked.

The professor turned to him and repeated, frowning: «Jokes?»

«This... person, just killed one of our classmates! Are you telling me confining him to his rooms would be his punishment?» another disbelieving student burst out.

«Of course not!» Skylark replied, surprised, «the punishment I have assigned to him is for breaking Mr. Whrite's nose.»

«WHO THE FUCK CARES ABOUT HIS FUCKING NOSE!» another enraged girl exclaimed, «what's the point of punishing him! This scum will rot in prison for killing Carl!» she continued, sobbing.

I stared at Skylark, he seemed annoyed.

A feeling of pure terror crept into my mind. There was something terribly wrong with all of this. The headmaster's reaction to the murder of one of his students made no sense. Why focus on the broken nose, as if it mattered...

And then I understood. In my mind came flashing the strange circumstances surrounding the Academy, the rules we had been explained, the headmaster's strange behavior.

The pieces fell into place.

There was one terrible explanation for all of this. I prayed with all my being that I had misunderstood. Maybe it was all a coincidence.

But, inevitably, the headmaster's words ruthlessly confirmed what I had just realized:

«Miss, you should also review the rules of the Academy. Mr. Valentine killed his opponent during a duel. This is perfectly in line with the rules, as stated in the regulations, violence among students is prohibited only outside of duels. For this reason, Mr. Valentine will not receive any punishment in this regard.»

For the second time that day, we all stood petrified. What Professor Skylark had said made no sense, just like Carl's death. But deep down, we all understood that the headmaster wasn't joking.

«You are completely insane!» accused a student, many others echoed him. A rain of insults poured towards the professor. Some brandished their wands again. But as in Valentine's case, no one seemed willing to dare to attack.

Skylark merely sighed impatiently.

«For today, I'll pretend nothing happened, since many of you are probably in shock from the death of your fellow student. I advise you to be less emotional if you wish to graduate successfully. If there are no further questions, it's time for me to return to my offices and for you to have breakfast,» serene, he began to walk away.

But a muscular student stood in front of him. I recognized Frank Montague, the boy who had dueled with Sophia three days before. It seemed like an eternity had passed since then.

«You are out of your mind if you think you'll get away with this. It so happens that my family has direct connections with the King, and I'll make sure he knows about this as soon as possible. Murder is the most serious crime in our kingdom, and the punishment is death. Royal law is above the stupid rules of your academy,» he confronted the headmaster.

The latter didn't seem at all bothered by Montague's words and replied:

«His Highness is perfectly aware of the peculiarities of this academy. Our mission, to create Sir Aldric's successor, is of great importance to the Sovereign. That's why he has decided to give us a free hand to achieve our goal.»

«He's lying!» many shouted.

Skylark ignored them and started walking towards the entrance. Montague stopped him again.

«Lies! But it doesn't matter. I have no intention of participating in your perverse game anymore. If someone here can kill with impunity, I don't want to stay here for another second. Prepare a carriage immediately!» ordered the boy.

Many other students cheered in approval.

Skylark finally seemed to be losing patience.

«Once again, I have to note your inability to read. In your admission letter, as well as in the regulations, it is specified that attendance at the Academy is mandatory, so-»

Montague had had enough. He shoved Skylark with both hands, causing him to fall to the ground.

Standing over him triumphantly, he shouted, «I'll wipe my ass with your rules! Now open that gate this instant or I'll write to my father. And let me remind you, as a count, he has an army more than capable of leveling your stupid school to the ground.»

Skylark slowly got up, adjusting his glasses. He seemed to have regained his calm.

He addressed his assailant in a soft tone: «Are you sure you want to leave the Academy early, Mr. Montague?»

Those words made my skin crawl. I wanted to scream "no, don't say it!" but I didn't have the time.

«So, you finally understand, huh?» Montague replied with a triumphant smile, oblivious that it would be the last one of his life.

The headmaster clapped his hands.

A bright light illuminated the corridor, blinding us, accompanied by a thunderous roar. When we regained our sight, all that remained of our classmate was a pile of ashes.

«Well, if no one else wants to leave prematurely, that's all for today. I recommend you review the rules, attend classes, and make sure to engage in your duels. Remember, the last one in the rankings will leave by the end of the week,» the headmaster bid us farewell calmly, as if killing one of his students was routine business for him.

We stayed there, as a terrible smell of burnt flesh began to permeate the air.

It was clear to everyone what would happen to the last one in the rankings.

We were trapped.

Only one of us would leave that school alive.

98 students remaining...