Chapter 10: Gliding By pt.1

Today was the 15th day of teōtlehco.

“Okay, so one of the first misconceptions of blood magic is that other casters can use your blood for their spells.” Anya said, going over some of the basics in spellcasting. I was sitting next to Helen and I needed to go to the bathroom so I asked to leave. It took a lot to convince the teacher to let me go to the bathroom since Dark was already out for a while.

While I was walking my way to the bathroom, I heard something coming down from the hallway on the way to the bathroom.

“THWACK”

“THWACK”

I quickly took out my mock macuahuitl and ran towards the noise, my shoes echoed in the hallways. I listened to the boise from a corner right before the source.

“What did I tell you?” Dark said, looking down at the beaten up beginner lying in front of him, his face painted on the hall’s cold rocks, struggling to move. He must've jumped behind him since the guy was bigger and stronger looking, behind dark stood another beginner, a girl in the academy I didn't recognise. Must be from another group.

“Wh-what the h-hell?!” the beaten up guy whispered.

“You better pay for this excuse of an answer, at least try to give an excuse” Dark said, with the same tone he says thanks. “Come on, I'm waiting.” Dark’s friend stood behind him completely unwavered.

“I…I don't have money…” The beaten up man whimpered.

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“Liar.” Dark’s alley moved his mock macuahuitl against the man's bruised back, pushing out a jade-beaded necklace.

“Really?” Dark asked, with a slight smirk. “Was 5 beads really worth your life? I feel as if I'm committing a favour now” Dark said and pressed his ceremonial sandal against the beaten up guy’s leg. “Surely… your leg must cost less than 2 beads. I'm sure if I only take 3 you'd be happy with the fair exchange.”

“N-no p-please oh Zond” The guy begged and that was my cue to intervene.

“I thought it was weird!” I stepped forwards, in a fighting stance. “That your bathroom break was this long!” I said with a proud smile. I watched Dark and his alley’s expression stretch to fear and anger.

“Ah, Val daughter of Alice the Spark” He said my name formally informally “Try your best not to intervene between me and his conflict.

“P-Please…” The beaten up guy begged, and that was all the permission I needed.

“Like cowards, you both had to sneak behind him to beat him up.” I said and walked closer. “So I'm not convinced~” And now I'm running, they quickly got into defensive positions. but… as clever as they are.

“THWOOSH! THWACK!”

“THWACK THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!”

…it's hard to be defensive without shields. And plus…

“You need to work on your defensive position, you broke your stance the second I pushed you a bit.” I said pointing at Dark’s friend’s feet since he broke his leg’s positioning first.

“And Dark son of Grimwood” I pointed to him as a whole “Clever that you ducked but you had no cover to run towards, I suggest eating more meat and fat to get some muscle.”

“Y-You…” Dark clenched his fists, knowing that I'm standing in a good and safe distance from both of them, that the second he'll try anything he will get black stones whacked into his stomach. The guy that was beat-up by Dark quickly got up and limped away. “…I-If you knew half the story… You wouldn't dare even look into my eyes” Dark blurred.

“Oh I will” I say leaning down and looking into his pure black pupils and sharp face, his defenseless state made him appear like an angry small ocelot, that rush in my heart made me fluster. Sadly, though, it looked like I was happily smiling at his misery. I got up again into my prepared stance and just held them in place until break started and walked away. I avoided telling the priests because I didn't want him to get in trouble, just punished.