As we neared the constables' office, I braced myself for the familiar struggle with the daunting doors. I summoned my wand, preparing a physical enhancement spell. However, Jake, with surprising ease, pushed open one of the 14-foot doors. I watched, more than slightly envious.
Doors throughout our realm were built to this scale to accommodate the diverse collection of species that coexisted here. At least we didn't have to deal with the massive 35-foot entrances of the capitol. I'm greatful most of the main doors have doorman giants or Giganas to open those doors.
Why didn't anyone make Daedalus constructs to open them on command? Even the non-magicals had automatic doors...
Julie and I stepped through, her gazes drifting upwards in awe, followed by Jake. The vastness of the doors gave an air of grandeur to even this inglorious public service office. I paused as I saw Arabel behind the front desk. I smiled as Jake and Julie stumbled over me when they caught sight of her. Thankfully the recovered their steps quickly, and we approached the desk.
Arabel's greeting was warm, her smile revealing sharp pointy teeth. "Hey John! Haven't seen you since I graduated. How's it going?" She shifted around on her legs in her usual anxious movements.
Jake shot me a questioning look with a suspicious smile. I ignored both and casually said, "Hi, Arabel. We're here to turn in some community service papers."
She smirked, her eyes performing an intriguing one-by-one blink. "Naughty, naughty!" She said waving a slender finger. Scanning the paper she asked, "Did my dad catch you?" I could feel my cheeks warm up at her teasing. "Uh-huh," I mumbled, glancing at the grinning Jake and Julie.
Arrabel nodded and waved her hand. Her eight legs moved with an elegant, almost rhythmic motion as she scuttled to the back of the office with a blazing speed, her voice trailing behind her, "I'll be right back."
In her absence, the room felt larger, the silence broken only by the distant rustle of paperwork and muted conversations. Julie and Jake were quiet until Arabel disappeared and closed the door behind her.
John nudged me in the ribs, a mischievous glint in his eye, grin on his lips. "Your girlfriend?" he whispered, just loud enough for Julie to overhear.
I felt my cheeks heat up. I clenched my fists in frustration, "No!" I protested, perhaps too quickly, but that was the only thing I could come up with as a retort.
Julie, not missing a beat, danced around and teased a bit too loudly, "You're blushing." She was just out of reach, and her grin was just as annoying as Jake's.
I opened my mouth to retort, planning to launch a playful tickle attack, but was interrupted as Arabel reappeared, accompanied by an Ork constable of imposing stature well taller than Jake and me.
Jake stiffened immediately, his hands curling into tight fists. Julie, sensing the tension, glanced around and froze for a split second, seeing the Ork. With a squeak, she instinctively retreated behind Jake and me. Arabel stepped behind the desk again with a concerned look on her face, her eyes darting between me Jake, and Julie.
The Ork, with a stern demeanor, demanded attention and obedience. He stepped behind the desk with a huff, his tusks were neatly trimmed and sharpened, course hair combed immaculately. He looked down at the three of us and introduced himself, "My name is Murdock Boartusk. Weavelin hauled my kid in here last night, all beat up. I didn't believe that the teacher's pet was involved in it." His glare bore into me, igniting a protective instinct in Jake and making Julie emit a small, nervous squeak.
Gathering my courage, I matched his gaze and addressed him. "Sir, I'm sure Mr. Weavelin explained that we were jumped by a group of kids, including your child." The atmosphere was thick with tension, charged with an unspoken threat that lingered in the air.
To our collective relief, Murdok's demeanor shifted as he broke into a massive toothy smile, his tusks catching the light. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not angry at you. My idiot of a kid is being tight-lipped, so I wanted some more info to decide how to handle him."
John, looking confused, asked, "What do you mean?" I glanced over and saw his jaw still set firm, and his fist still clenched.
Murdok stepped closer to the desk of our community service papers in his large, calloused hands. He drew a wand from his holster, examined it, then switched it for another wand, with strip lines on it. With a flourish, he marked off the paper. As he did so, a small ball of light formed, shimmering with an ethereal glow. It split into three distinct orbs, each zipping into our pockets. "There you go," he said with a hint of cheer and grunt of acceptance, "Your passport restriction is lifted. Now, tell me honestly what happened."
Jake exchanged a hesitant glance with me. I gave a subtle nod, encouraging him to speak the truth. He unclenched his fists and exhaled deeply. "They yelled something about me being mundane after he touched me at the playground. Then they stalked us and attacked us. John defended us, but we still got injured. Jake's...mom fixed us up."
Murdok listened intently, his expression softening. When Jake finished, his face went hard, and he ground his teeth as he said, "I'm sorry you got tangled up in this mess."
Arabel had her mouth covered with both hands as she shrank on her spider legs, hiding behind the desk. She was barely taller than Julie. It would have been funny, and I would have teased her if we were in different circumstances.
The Constable, Murdok Boartusk, shifted his gaze between me, Jake, Arabel, and the door, a storm of anger brewing in his eyes. "Guess I really have to beat his ass. Where'd he get those idiotic ideas... probably from one of those life suckers..." He trailed off, his gaze drifting towards the ceiling in contemplation. With a final nod, he turned back to us, the anger gone, a smile on his lips. "That's not your concern, though. You're all cleared. Enjoy your day, and thanks for humoring an old Ork."
He nodded and turned before we could respond. With far less steps then i was expecting he walked through the door to the back.
Arabel lifted her legs and looked at him with her trademark smile. She leaned forward, placing her head on her folded hands, and asked, "What are your plans now?" she inquired.
Julie, still partially hiding behind Jake and me, peeked out, her face lighting up. "We're going to the arcade and the market!" she declared, her voice filled with excitement and anticipation.
Arabel's smile broadened, but it was tinged with a hint of regret. "I wish I could join you. But duty calls, and I'm here all day. It was nice seeing you, John. Hope to see you again." Her gaze lingered on us for a moment longer before she turned to attend to her responsibilities.
I said, "Bey Arabel." and motioned for Jake and Julie to head to the door.
As we stepped onto the sidewalk, even before the door closed all the way, Jake nudged me, his expression a mix of curiosity and skepticism. "What's the history there?" he inquired, tilting his head slightly.
I exhaled slowly, preparing to delve into my personal history. "Arabel was technically an upperclassman. You see, arachnoids, her kind, live at a different pace than humans. They live even faster than non-magical humans. She's actually the same age as Julie, twelve. They mature quickly, undergoing their adult molt around six years old, which comes with a burst of genetic memory."
Julie's eyes widened in wonder. "Really? That's incredibly convenient. No need for boring classes in school."
Jake's gaze remained fixed on me as if trying to unravel a deeper story. "And that's it?" he probed.
I let out another sigh, feeling a bit nostalgic. "We shared some field trips when I was in my 9th year, and she was in her final year. Oh, and we were in the same clubs. Nothing more."
John waved a hand dismissively and said with a sigh of disappointment. "Sounds pretty boring."
I was going to ask what he meant or was trying to say. But a glance at Julie twirling around, looking with curiosity at everything. Jake being unsatisfied with gossip of my history wasn't my problem.
As we stepped into the arcade, a wave of nostalgia hit me. The familiar sights and sounds of the gaming machines filled the air with a sense of excitement. I hadn't realized how much I loved this place until now. Jake and Julie, however, were in a state of awe. They stopped abruptly, causing me to stumble slightly to not crash into them before catching my balance.
Their heads swiveled slowly, eyes wide as they took in the vibrant lights and the cacophony of noises. Their eyes seemed to be most focused on the non-magical games.
I nudged Jake, a smile playing on my lips. "You like?"
"Yeah, this looks exciting," Jake replied, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "It looks like there's so much to do here; we could get lost in this place."
Julie's eyes sparkled with delight. "Too bad we only have a couple of hours."
Before I could further indulge in their excitement, a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts. "Oh! Hi, John! You're back from your trip?"
I turned, my cheeks warming despite my efforts to appear nonchalant. Laura, with her infectious energy and darling smile, stood at the entrance, flanked by some of our school friends. Julie's gaze shifted between me and Laura, her curiosity evident in her sparkling eyes and mischievous smile.
"Hi, Laura," I greeted, striving for a casual tone, and begging my voice to not fail me. "Yeah, my cousins and I had to deal with some things..." I trailed off thinking of my family drama.
Laura smiled warmly. "We're trying to keep our Saturday tradition alive after graduation," she explained with a hint of nostalgia in her voice.
I chuckled, the tension easing from my shoulders. "And I'm just showing my cousins around town," I said, careful to keep the more complicated aspects of our family situation to myself.
"Well, if you are up for it, want to play a game of capture the flag? Your cousins can play too," Laura said with a smirk, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "We were down a player as it is. And you would make it even 4v4."
I frowned, considering her offer, glancing at Jake and Julie. With uncertainty, I said, "They aren't magical, so..."
I could feel the weight of a sneer from one of the less friendly guys in our group, directed at my cousins. They didn't seem to notice, Jake speaking up, "We'll watch, you can catch up with your friends." He gave me a wink.
I begged everything above that Laura didn't notice.
With their encouragement, I led the way to the battle arena, a familiar surge of excitement building inside me. Leaving Jake and Julie at the observation booth after explaining how the displays worked, I walked over to the entrance for my team.
I chose my usual role, ice mage-defense, as we took our positions in the expansive 30-meter by 30-matter by 60-meter box. Various obstacles and barriers were thrown about at random. My role as an ice mage defense afforded me a blend of defensive spells and barriers, though they limited my agility and enhancements. But the potent arsenal of mid-range and long-range attack spells more than compensated for any drawbacks.
My team was a diverse mix of talents: Laura, Idrill the Elf, and Sera the Angel. The game was set as a 4 vs 4 match, with the first to three points to win, each round lasting two tense minutes. As the defender, I was positioned by the castle with the assignment of guarding our flag, while Laura played midfield, with Idrill and Sera as our forward attackers.
The sound signaling the start of the round reverberated through the arena. Instantly, Idrill vanished using his shadow step, moving rapidly towards the enemy's flag. Sera, her wings unfurling, soared just below the ceiling, a strategic vantage point for our forward attack.
As the match unfolded, I kept one eye on my cousins. They appeared fascinated, watching intently from the observation box. Their presence added an extra layer of distraction to my play.
Idrill, with nimble grace, secured the enemy's flag and raced back toward our base, dancing between magic missles and weaving around barrier sprouting in his way. Meanwhile, Laura skillfully engaged the opposing team's forwards, taking a hit but holding her ground. Suddenly, Idrill emerged from the shadows to my left, startling me as he swiftly touched our "Castle," scoring us the first point.
"Nice job, everyone!" I exclaimed.
The arena pulsated with a burst of magic, the barriers and obstacles shuffling around, all residual defensive barriers and spells getting wiped, all health bars and spell slots and mana limits restarting. As the signal rang out, marking the start of the next round.
Our opponents, emboldened by their previous loss, launched a more aggressive assault. Idrill was immediately targeted, his movements stifled by their relentless spells, accumulating enough hits to get restrained. Sera, trying to overcome the opponent's onslaught, executed a flawless dive-bomb towards the enemy's flag, but the situation quickly soured. She couldn't dodge a chain flung her way and crashed into the ground, having to wait out the time out.
Laura, my reliable midfield, was cornered and pressed against the edge of the arena, her options dwindling, as she blocked and parried 3 sets of attack spells being flung her way.
I couldn't stand idly by. Ignoring the pounding of my heart, I darted forward, casting ice chains with a flick of my wand as soon as I was within mid-attack range. The chains snaked out, ensnaring two of her attackers and yanking them away from Laura, giving her the much-needed space to regroup. She sent me a look of gratitude, and I returned a nod.
As I shifted my focus to Sera, the triumph was within grasp — she had recovered from her own restraints, secured the flag, and was flying back to our castle. But our moment of hope was shattered by the shrill sound of our flag being captured. I whirled around, a sinking feeling in my gut, to see our flag missing from its post. Frustration simmered within me; our earlier lead had slipped away.
The arena reset once more, the atmosphere crackling with intensity. This round, Sera adapted her strategy, skimming low to the ground, a blur of movement and determination. Idrill, in a feint, drew the enemy's attention, luring them away from their flag. Laura and I fortified our midfield defense, spells at the ready, as I creating a formidable barrier, to funnel the enemies movements.
Seizing the chaotic diversion, Sera swooped into the enemy castle, snatching their flag with finesse. Her flight back was a spectacle of agility, aided by wind gusts, maneuvering the enemy's barrage. The enemy wasn't saving anything for later.
To my horror, a restraint spell clipped her wing, sending her spiraling down in a controlled crash. With a pained expression, she passed the flag to Idrill.
Our eyes locked in silent understanding. "Go!" she mouthed through gritted teeth. As Idrill charged towards me, I stepped forward and unleashed a barrage of ice blasts, creating a protective hailstorm around him. Each blast intercepted an enemy spell, my heart racing with every near miss. Idrill and I passed each other in a whirlwind of ice and determination, and I switched to defensive spells, covering Idrill's final dash with my last defensive spell of the round.
He logged the point, a triumphant chime echoing through the arena. "Nice one!" I shouted, adrenaline surging through me as I ran back to our castle, preparing for the next round.
Glancing over at Jake and Julie, their expressions a mixture of awe and excitement.
The arena reset and the signal rang out, marking the beginning of the next round. We were leading 2:1, a comfortable margin that had relaxed our team's guard slightly.
However, the ease was short-lived.
Sera, usually so agile and precise, miscalculated her maneuver. She was struck by two binding spells in rapid succession. The spells snapped her wings shut, sending her tumbling over the 30-meter line. I watched, helpless, as she fell. My instincts screamed to go to her aid, but my duty as the flag's guardian anchored me in place.
Moments later, Idrill found himself in a similar plight. He was pinned and restrained just over the line, his expression a mix of frustration and resolve. As he struggled, I glanced towards the opposing castle and realized with a sinking feeling that all four enemies were advancing in a coordinated strike.
I called out to Laura, "Pull back! Regroup!" My voice was tense, laced with urgency. She turned to heed my call, but it was too late. Four swift restraint spells struck her, rooting her to the spot. The realization hit me like a cold wave – I was the last defense.
I looked up at the clock. Ninety seconds remained. Ninety long seconds to hold the line alone. I needed to hold it to force a tie, making it impossible for the enemy to win. My heart raced as I assessed the situation, looking for a tactic I could use.
Turning my gaze to the 30-meter line, I saw the enemy team strategically positioned, taking cover, readying for their final push. My mind raced, calculating the odds, strategizing. I had to make a move, and it had to count.
I conjured two massive ice walls using more then half of my left over manna. They rose at angles from the castle, designed to funnel the advancing enemies towards me. The walls were a temporary solution – they would hold for just enough time, expiring ten seconds before the round's end. I had to survive until then.
And then try to survive 10 seconds more.
"Stay focused, John. You can do this," I muttered to myself, steeling my nerves.
I stood ready, my ice magic at my fingertips, familiar from many rounds in this arena, prepared to unleash a maelstrom of my attack spells. The seconds ticked by, each one stretching longer than the last. The walls began to show signs of strain, cracks forming as the enemy spells bombarded them.
As the walls crumbled, the enemy lunged forward in a final assault. My heart hammered in my chest as I unleashed a flurry of ice shards, and creating a slippery terrain to impede their progress. The first attacker, aiming for the flag, slipped and fell, skidding across the ice. I quickly encased his hands in ice, using my weakest spell to not waste mana. I hit him enough times to ensuring he couldn't continue.
Two more attackers tried to flank me. I spun, casting a wide arc of freezing mist, freezing chunks of ice to their clothing, forcing a slowed movement and messing with their balance. They lost their footing on the icy ground, crashing to the ground, giving me a chance to pepper them with cheap spells till they were restrained as well.
I had to step closer to them to get within the mid-range, but now it was a 1 v 1.
The last opponent, cunning and patient, waited for an opening. As I dealt with his teammates, he dashed towards the flag, his hand outstretched. I could almost feel the game slipping away.
In a desperate move, I concentrated all my remaining mana into a single, powerful burst of ice energy. It surged forward, enveloping him in a cocoon of frost, stopping him mere inches from our flag. I glanced at the clock. I had 10 seconds and just enough mana to send just enough shards at the immobilized enemy to restrain him as well, clutching a win by elimination.
We won with a score of 3 to 1.
As the simulated terrain, barriers, and magic of the arena faded away, leaving us in a blank room, Laura sprinted towards me, her face alight with joy and relief. "Good job! I really thought we were done for that round," she exclaimed, the adrenaline of the match still evident in her voice.
Sera and Idrill joined in, their cheers adding to the celebratory atmosphere. Even the opposing team managed a strained "Good game," their disappointment clear yet adhering to the code of sportsmanship.
Exiting the arena, Julie's excited squeal cut through the air. "That was awesome! Can you teach me to do that?" she beamed, her eyes sparkling with fascination.
I chuckled softly. "We need to figure out what to do about your magic first," I replied, my tone gentle and quiet.
Laura, overhearing our exchange, looked puzzled. "I thought you said they were non-magical?"
I sighed, remembering everything that we still needed to deal with. "It's complicated," I whispered to make sure the other didn't hear me. Laura nodded, accepting the half-explanation without a word.
As we moved through the arcade, my school friends mingled with Jake and Julie, their laughter and conversations creating a sense of normalcy. Glancing at the time, I saw that there was still plenty before we had to go home.
Jake pointed towards a game, his excitement unmistakable. "Ooh, I love this one," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of surprise and nostalgia. "I'm shocked you have stuff I'm actually familiar with."
Aurelius Vortigern, always one to uphold his haughty demeanor, responded with a dismissive tone. "Of course we do. We aren't lowly rabble, or worse yet mundane."
I grit my teeth about to respond, but Jake raises a hand to stop me.
Jake's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as he issued his challenge. "Care for a game against a lowly mundane rabble?" His smirk widened.
Aurelius sneered, his disdain for the challenge evident. "Why would I bother with that?"
Undeterred, Jake took a step and leaned forward, his gaze intense and challenging under furrowed brows with a daring smile. "Coward?" he spat out, the word hanging in the air like a gauntlet thrown down.
That single word seemed to strike a chord in Aurelius, provoking him into action. Touching his sigil to the pad of the basketball game, he initiated the challenge. Five balls rolled out of the chute, and the timer started its countdown. "Step up! Shoot baskets if you dare," Aurelius taunted, his voice laced with condescension.
Jake stepped up to the line, his focus sharpening instantly. The simplicity of the mundane game was a contrast to the magical duel we just had, but it held its own kind of tension. Me and the rest of clasmates made a semi circle. Julie cheered loudly and infectiously.
Aurelius mirrored Jake, his arrogance barely concealing his determination not to be outdone by a non-magical.
The game began, and it was immediately clear that Jake was more than just a casual player. His movements were fluid and precise, each shot he took sailing through the air with an almost effortless grace. The balls found their mark in the basket again and again, barely grazing the net, a testament to his skill and focus.
"Go, Jake!" Julie's voice rang out, full of excitement and pride. Her cheer seemed to fuel Jake even more, his concentration unwavering as he continued to sink basket after basket.
Aurelius, however, matched Jake's eagerness with his own determination. He used magic to enhance his focus. His shots were calculated and precise. The scores climbed, and each successful shot from Jake met with cheers from us and begrudging acknowledgments from Aurelius's entourage.
As the timer's ticking grew more urgent, the competition intensified. Jake and Aurelius were in the heat of the compittion, each basket heightening the suspense. But Jake was well ahead of the aragant opponent. The final seconds felt like an eternity as Jake took his last shot. The basketball arced beautifully towards the hoop, and time seemed to stand still.
We all held our breaths, eyes fixed on the descending ball. The buzzer sounded just as the ball swooshed through the net, marking a victory with a wide margin.
Julie's cheer was the first sound to break the tense silence after the timer buzzer, followed by our collective laughter and applause. Jake turned towards us, his face lit up with a triumphant grin.
"Looks like 'lowly mundane rabel' can hold their own, huh?" he quipped, his eyes dancing with triumph.
Aurelius, his pride clearly wounded, scowled at his unexpected defeat.
He stepped towards Jake's teeth, grating, and shouted, "AGAIN!"
Jake looked started and shrugged his shoulders. "Your funeral. Want me to play one-handed?"