Curties’ sneer carved deeper lines into his face. “We duel right now, unless you’re scared.”

  Adrian’s brow knit tightly, his gaze narrowing into a glare that locked onto Curties. The weight of the students’ stares prickled against his skin. A duel here would turn into a spectacle, the kind of attention Adrian could do without. But Curties’ smug grin, the way it dripped with unearned confidence, scratched at his resolve. He won’t let this drop. Walking away will only make things worse later.

  “This isn’t the place for a fight.” Adrian said.

  Curties shrugged with exaggerated indifference. “What’s the matter? Afraid of a little audience? Or maybe you just don’t want them to see you lose.”

  Adrian’s jaw tightened, his patience wearing thinner with every word Curties threw at him. The rising murmur of the crowd only added fuel to the fire. Fine. If he’s this desperate to be put in his place, so be it. “There’s a clearing near the eastern training grounds. No spectators. Just you and me.”

  “Lead the way, hero.”

  Adrian turned sharply on his heel, weaving through the parting crowd as whispers followed him. The gathered students moved aside reluctantly, their curiosity keeping them rooted to the edges of the courtyard. Alisha trailed a step behind him, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her voice was low as she muttered, “This is not going to end well for anyone."

  "Maybe it is, but I can't let Curties just get his way." Adrian said.

  "But you'll probably get in trouble again, you know that right?"

  "I do, Alisha. But weren't you the one who told me to go stand up for Remus?"

  "Well… yes, but I didn't think things would escalate like this."

  "It's fine, really, I'll manage."

  The path to the clearing stretched under a canopy of several trees. The faint rustle of dry leaves scraped at the air, the sound sharp and brittle.

  When they reached the clearing, Adrian stopped, his boots grinding against loose pebbles. Open space, no cover. My guess is Curties will try to overwhelm me at range.

  Curties stepped forward, rolling his shoulders as if loosening up for a casual game instead of a duel. “Let’s make this quick, I’ve got better things to do than humiliate you all night.”

  Adrian’s gaze flicked over Curties, ignoring the taunts as he surveyed the environment again. HHe’s going to throw power around like a battering ram. Just stay calm. Observe.

  “Ready?” Curties called, planting his feet as he squared off.

  Adrian exhaled, hluish flames sparked faintly to life at his fingertips. “Whenever you are.”

  Curties’ grin stretched wider. He drove his hand into the ground with a force that rippled through the clearing. The earth groaned beneath him, cracks branching out like veins from his point of impact. A heartbeat later, sharp spikes of stone erupted from the ground, their jagged forms slicing through the air with deadly precision. Earth magic? He'll have a bit of an advantage here in the field.

  The first spike hurtled toward Adrian, whistling like an arrow, but he shifted his weight and sidestepped it smoothly. The jagged edge brushed his sleeve, close enough to leave a faint tear in the fabric.

  “What’s wrong, Adrian? Too scared to fight back?” Curties taunted.

  Adrian didn’t respond. His body moved with controlled precision, darting left, then right, as more spikes launched in rapid succession. Dust and debris clouded the air, the acrid scent of pulverized earth filling his lungs.

  The ground bore the scars of Curties’ assault: long trenches and shattered stone marking the chaos. Adrian’s gaze flicked over his opponent. Stay focused. Watch for his rhythm.

  The next barrage came thicker and faster, stone pillars bursting from the ground like the limbs of some enraged beast. Adrian rolled forward, his body low to the ground as a massive pillar crashed down behind him, shattering into chunks that skittered across the dirt. The momentum carried him toward the edge of the clearing, where the moonlight failed to reach, and shadows gathered beneath the trees. He rose to his feet quickly, boots grinding against loose dirt as his sharp gaze locked onto Curties.

  The other boy stood tall, moving his hands with forceful, decisive gestures. Each motion sent another tremor through the clearing, another eruption of stone. His smirk twisted into something sharper. “What’s the point of all that running? Or are you holding out for Princess Alisha to save you?”

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Adrian’s fingers flexed, a flicker of bluish flame licking briefly at his fingertips. Let him waste his strength.

  Curties slammed both hands onto the ground, his frustration manifesting in a violent tremor that rippled toward Adrian. The earth cracked and split beneath his feet, a jagged fissure forcing Adrian to leap back. He landed lightly, the soles of his boots skidding slightly against loose dirt as the momentum carried him toward the edge of the clearing.

  Curties’ voice rose, thick with scorn. “Look at you, always running! No clever speeches this time?”

  Adrian brushed the dust from his sleeve with a slow, measured motion, his breathing steady despite the exertion. His gaze met Curties’, calm and unwavering. “You’re wasting a lot of energy for someone who thinks this is going to end quickly.”

  For the first time, Curties’ grin faltered. His hands curled into fists, and the ground rippled in response “I don’t need energy to deal with you,” he spat, forcing another wave of spikes to erupt. “You’re just stalling!”

  Adrian moved fluidly, his body flowing like water through the relentless assault. His sharp eyes tracked every shift in the ground, reading the tremors and cracks before they formed. Each spike missed by inches, shattering harmlessly into the dirt. He’s starting to slip up.

  The clearing was a battlefield now, littered with jagged stone and scorched earth. Adrian came to a halt near the center of the chaos, his chest rising and falling in controlled rhythm. Dust clung to his hair and clothes, but his eyes remained clear and focused.

  Curties’ smirk had vanished entirely, replaced with a scowl etched deep into his features. His breaths came fast and shallow, his movements less deliberate, more desperate.

  Adrian tilted his head slightly, a faint, almost teasing smile tugging at his lips. “You done yet?”

  Curties snarled, as he raised both hands, summoning every ounce of power left in him. The ground beneath him rumbled with fury, cracks splintering outward as the earth itself groaned under the strain. “Not even close!”

  The arrogant boy slammed both palms into the earth, his face twisting with anger. The ground shuddered violently, cracks splintering outward as if the very earth were groaning under the strain. Rocks erupted from the ground, spiraling upward to form a massive sphere of jagged stone and debris, hovering menacingly above him.

  Adrian’s breath steadied as he watched. His bluish flames flickered to life, dancing along his fingertips. He’s throwing everything into this. One last desperate shot to prove himself.

  “Let’s see you dodge this!” Curties bellowed, his voice raw with desperation. He thrust his hands forward, the massive sphere of jagged stone and debris tearing through the air with a deafening roar.

  Adrian stood rooted, his body calm and steady despite the chaos hurtling toward him. He drew a deep breath, the air filling his lungs. He thinks brute force will overwhelm me. Let’s show him why he’s wrong.

  With a sharp exhale, Adrian released the flames, a torrent of azure fire roaring forth with terrifying intensity. The stream met the incoming sphere in a clash of power, the impact rippling through the clearing like a thunderclap. The bluish fire carved through the stone effortlessly, slicing it apart as though the massive construct were no more substantial than brittle parchment. The sphere shattered into glowing shards and embers, the fragments scattering harmlessly to the ground in a fine mist of ash.

  The clearing fell silent, the only sound Curties’ sharp, unsteady intake of breath. The air hung heavy with the acrid tang of scorched stone and residual heat.

  Adrian straightened, exhaling some fumes from his lips as he stepped forward. That should be it for him.

  Curties stood frozen, his smirk wiped clean. His hands moved in frantic, desperate gestures, summoning small projectiles from the ground and hurling them at Adrian. But the attacks never landed. Swirling flames surged to meet them, consuming each stone mid-air and reducing it to harmless specks of ash before they could come close.

  “Give up, this isn’t a fight you can win.” Adrian said.

  Curties stumbled back, his bravado unraveling with each step. His hands trembled, his magic faltering as his attempts to summon the earth grew weaker, more erratic. Each new projectile was devoured by Adrian’s flames, the attacks disintegrating into nothingness. The glow of the bluish fire reflected in Curties’ wide eyes, its light flickering over his pale, sweat-drenched face.

  “Stay back!” Curties shouted, the edge of his voice cracking as panic replaced his arrogance. His back hit the trunk of a tree, the bark scraping against his clothes as he shrank further into the shadows. His breaths came in shallow, uneven gasps, his earlier confidence replaced with raw, unmasked terror.

  Adrian advanced, flames twisting lazily around him like a serpent toying with its prey. “This isn’t a game, Curties. You don’t get to throw your weight around and walk away unscathed.”

  The clearing hung heavy with tension, the heat pressing against every surface, until the sharp, precise click of boots against cobblestones shattered the silence. “What is the meaning of this?”

  The voice cut through the charged air like a whip, crisp and commanding. Adrian froze, the flames around him vanishing instantly as his head turned toward the source.

  “Ms. Greythorne,” Adrian said, lowering his hands slowly. “It’s not what it looks like—”

  “It’s exactly what it looks like!” Curties interrupted. “Adrian ambushed me! He dragged me here to settle some grudge, and he’s been throwing fire around like a lunatic!”

  Adrian’s eyes widened. “That’s not true! He—”

  Ms. Greythorne raised a hand, silencing him with a sharp glare. Her piercing eyes locked onto Adrian, her expression stern and unyielding. “I’ve heard enough. Adrian, this is the second time you’ve been involved in an altercation. Do you understand how serious this is?”

  Adrian opened his mouth to protest, but her unwavering gaze stopped him cold. Of course, Curties gets away with everything.

  “Curties,” Ms. Greythorne said, her voice softening slightly as she turned to him, “are you injured?”

  Curties straightened, brushing dirt from his shirt. “No, ma’am. Just a little shaken.”

  “Good. I suggest you return to your dorm and rest.” Then, she turned back to Adrian. “As for you, report to the Principal's office immediately, no ifs and buts.”