The tenth night

It had been ten days since the test started.

The group of dice players had somehow discovered a few jugs of wine and decided to empty them.

No one joined the feast, some were nervously awaiting a challenge, others practices their new spells.

An almost transparent sphere slightly shimmered under the moonlight as it rolled through a briefly opened window.

Vincent snapped his eyes open, instinctually rolling from the bed. His brother had surprised him a few times like this, soaking him in cold water.

A shiver ran down his spine, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He was awaken and on alert scanning the room for the intruder.

The mana that he felt was concentrated and strange, unlike anything he had ever seen before.

It had a core like a humans, but no form aside from it. Not the faint shapes of arms and legs, just tendrils reaching outwards.

His eyes were wide open, jet the little the room appeared to be empty.

Vincent snatched the lamp on the end of his bed and snapped his finger – the steel produced sparks setting the oil ablaze.

Then he found it, a transparent floating core slowly raising higher and preparing some sort of magic.

Before he could observe more, the spell was complete and tendrils shot out, wanting to skewer him alive. He dodged nimbly, letting only a single one hit his shoulder. It pushed him back a little, jet it was weaker than one of Typh's punches.

"You are damn weak for such a dramatic entrance."

Not too cautious any more he morphed a coin and flung it at the core. The mana surrounding it was unable to block the attack, and it pierced straight through the invisible shield surrounding the creature.

The core was thrown against the wall, the mana constructiones it build to attack, crumbling.

Rushing towards it, Vincent reached out with his hand. Before the attacker could stabilize itself, it was caught in a layer of pulsing steel.

"Probably a wind attribute magic beast, my brother never thought me about them, said I would learn it in the academy."

Pushing the sphere into a cloth pouch, he could feel the quiver from inside. It could not break free.

He opened the door and went to his neighbours room, wondering how the sphere looked like smashed into pieces.

"Why did they have to do it in the night. Could they not wait."

An angry Typh kicked a small shard against the wall. It shattered like glass, the pieces dissolving into glowing pure magic.

"You were right, should we check how the others fared?"

Contrary to her words however, dark circles were on her eyes and she barley stood in a slouching position. Her hair was a mess and her clothes ruffled up.

"You should sleep, I will guard the room."

She gave Vincent a curios look, her eyebrows furrowed. Opening he mouth slightly, she wanted to protest, jet when she opened her lips she only mumbled to herself.

"Forget it, I am too tired to think." She told Vincnet and collapsed on the bed, sleeping.

Vincent sat down on the floor, concentrating fully on his mana sense. What remained of the night was a quit time to reflect upon oneself.

Well, after the screams in the beginning gradually died down.