Finally it was Mal’s turn. He took his place opposite Phineas, who was his first opponent of the night. Their duel was impressive. Maeve could see that Phineas had been working hard over the summer. Though, she suspected that Mal was going rather easy on him, observing his progress.
When it seemed Mal had enough, he defeated Phineus with a quick flick of his wrist, solidifying Maeve’s assumption.
There were two more that had challenged Mal. Randolf Grisham and Davey Gunner, both fourth year Draconem students in their final year at Vaukore.
As Grisham took the stage, Mal turned to Larliesl. “Sir. Would it be against protocol to, perhaps, duel Gunner and Grisham at the same time?”
There was a wave of whispering that buzzed around the room.
Larliesl contemplated this for a moment, biting down on his lip.
“I don’t see why not,” said Larliesl, excitedly. “If your opponents are up for it.”
“Absolutely,” said Gunner stepping up onto the platform, and sharing a smirk with Grisham.
Maeve and Abraxas scoffed in synchronization. There was no doubt in Maeve’s mind that even if there were four of the school’s best against him, Mal would still win. He beat her sister Arianna so badly the previous year she refused to duel him ever again.
The three boys stood at the ready as the room collectively held its breath.
Larliesl had a bright gleam in his eye. “Begin!”
“Vulnus!” Shouted Mal with one long slender finger pointed at Grisham.
One finger. A symbol of Mal’s power.
The symbol of a Supreme. A Supreme far ahead of his time.
With a loud bang, Grisham was knocked backwards, clutching his stomach.
Simultaneously, Gunner sent Mal a hefty stunning spell from three tightly clenched fingers. Mal dodged the jet of blue light.
“Ligare!” Thick rope like strand of Magic burst out of Mal’s finger tip heading straight for Gunner.
“Obstris!” Gunner blocked the spell with his palm, creating a misty shield between them. This gave Grisham time to get back on his feet.
“Concutere!” Shouted Grisham, attempting to blast Mal.
A collective gasp came from the crowd at this was a potentially brutal spell if cast well and aimed properly.
Mal blocked the spell, his robes whipping behind him.
He sent a curse towards Gunner then Grisham, one right after the other. Mal had stopped using verbal spells on them, firing from each pointer finger.
The pair successfully blocked him, but it brought Gunner to a knee.
Grisham was distracted and Mal sent him a stunning spell, knocking him square in the chest. He fell to the ground, unconscious.
Maeve looked to Mal, expecting a smirk of satisfaction, but he was completely focused on finishing Gunner.
There were a few jets of light back and forth, but Gunner had taken quite the hit. Mal’s stunning spells were strong.
Gunner was back on his knees and Mal delivered a stunning spell with so much force that Gunner flipped over backwards, losing the duel.
The room erupted with cheers. Larliesl made his way swiftly to Gunner and Grisham to ensure their well-being. They were fine, albeit a little knocked around, but contrary to the scowls on their faces as they arose, they were fine. Magically exhausted, but fine.
The goal of a duel at Vaukore was, after all, not to cause fatal harm.
Larliesl took the stage and gave Mal a pat on the back. The corner of his mouth turned up at the Professor.
