Chapter 29: The Unseen Victory

" what the fuck, Mr. Frollo? Is it possible to get killed her? Is this an academy of magic. Or a gladiator school? "

" Relax, magic can heal you as well. Besides, I didn't say the duel was to the death. The loser simply falls senseless, having used up all his energy. 

And we're pretty quick to bring him back to his senses here. "

" It's still kind of weird. I'm going to be passed out and someone's going to be doing magic on my body? I don't like the sound of that. "

He responded angrily " we don't force anyone into the dueling club. Combat mages are an elite group, and they have no need for insecure weaklings. But I'm sure you're not one of those. 

You can come back another time when you've thought it over. Come up, name your opponent's department, and we'll go to the arena without further ado."

" Thank you for caring. But I think I'm ready" 

Gabriella suddenly emerged, disrupting our conversation. 

" Jacob, good evening. " 

" Gaby. Great flight last night. I'm glad you mastered your new move. "

" I'm shocked it worked out for me. But it was cool. Is there an opponent for me today? "

" Did you get your strength back so quickly? "

" Of course I did. "

" Then let's what I can offer you. for example, Mr. Pogger here is eager to join the club. "

She looked at me " how interesting....."

" So, Mr. Pogger, what house would you like to challenge? " 

I thought a bit and then I decided. " I want to duel against crowhive student."

" Well, then it's settled. Gaby, I found you an opponent. "

" That sounds interesting. Don't think I'll go easy on you, rookie. You're going to join my win streak. "

" You sound confident. Maybe even too confident. Promise you won't cry too hard after I win. "

" Bring it on. "

Jacob positioned himself between us and uttered " leave this to the duel now follow me "

Guided by Jacob, we proceeded to an arena, donning the attire of magicians. As we entered the ring, anticipation filled the air. 

 Jacob then he said " I'm glad to welcome the participants of the magical duel. Welcome to the nortale arena. Today two of our students will preform in a practice battle. 

Student to my right represents the house crowhive. Student to my left represents the house leonheart. 

Duelist, I expect a fair fight from both of you. Good luck. And may the strongest win. "

Both of us stood in the middle of the arena, and the match began. "This will be an easy match; I'll defeat you in the blink of an eye," she said. Ignoring her comment, I focused on the fight, gathering energy around me, forming an energy ball, and launching it – a combat missile.

She stepped back after my spell hit her, commenting, "Not bad for a beginner, but I'll show you how the experts do it." She retreated slightly and released a smokescreen. 

I felt nothing, but after a few seconds, weakness set in. "Wait, what's this?" I questioned.

"Oh, that's nothing, just warming up," she replied. She was exceptionally skilled, but I had to defeat her. Placing my hands on the ground, I tried to gather energy and sent a beam toward her, but it had no effect. However, when I looked at her, I saw a look of panic. I didn't understand why. "Okay, boy, I'll end this match now."

She stood on one leg, a circle appeared beneath her, and shapes emerged from it. Then she threw them towards me. I felt weak, as if my body would collapse. I didn't know what hit me. I raised my eyes and saw her astonished expression. "Why are you still standing?" she asked. Her attack was strong but not enough to destroy me.

"Okay, time to retaliate." I tried to focus my energy when I heard Leona's voice in my head, "Relax a bit and don't be afraid." I followed her advice, relaxed, moved unconsciously, as if my body wasn't mine. 

I tried to hit her, but nothing happened. She started laughing, "Hahaha, is this a joke or what? With this move, I'll end the battle." Gabriella gathered energy around her, then suddenly stopped. "Wait, what's happening to me? I can't move." She remained frozen, and I was amazed.

After a moment, Gabriella fell. Frollo quickly approached her, then stood up and announced, "The winner of the match is James pogger. That was amazing, James; you surprised me. I didn't expect you to win." 

Moments later, Gabriella got up, congratulated me, and said, "I underestimated you, but you embarrassed me. Congratulations on the victory." I was happy, even though I didn't know how I won or what happened. Who cares? I won.

Remained standing for a moment in the ring until Gabriella regained her composure. I approached her, " I'm sorry, Gabriella, I didn't mean to hurt you." 

She smiled and replied, "Oh, you silly. It's fine. And that spell you cast was amazing. Show me how you did it."

"Alright, I'll do that," if I even knew how I did it."

Gabriella left the ring, and before I could leave too, Frollo called me, "James, I want to talk to you."

 I approached him, "What do you want to talk about, Jacob?"

 He looked at me with surprise, "You won fair and square, but that spell you cast. Where did you learn it?"

 Strange. He seems interested, "Why? Why do you want to know?"

He replied, " Because the spell you cast was Luna's signature move. How can a first-year student perform it?"

"Let's just say I'm a unique talent."

He gave me a skeptical look and didn't prolong the conversation, "That's good. Now change your clothes and return to your room." I left the ring and headed to change. Frollo's conversation planted some doubts. Even with the victory and the spell, I wanted to explore how I did them. But Leona only appears when she wants. And I need to give sam the cure of her problem. Well, now I'll go home and leave the thinking for later. I returned home and found everyone asleep.

I went up to my room and collapsed onto the bed from exhaustion. I didn't wake up until my phone rang.