I wasn't sure why I was here.
I mean, I knew why I was in the dueling arena, but teaching here at the Drachtul Academy of Magic? That was making less and less sense.
The sun had just climbed high enough in the sky to crest the eastern bleachers of the ring. The dry heat that had assaulted this part of the world all summer was building up fast. All part of how awful the first day of classes was turning out. While it was the beginning of the fall semester, the autumn cool down was not here yet.
I missed the more humid summer weather of Stormtower Monastery. While it was easier to cool off when the air wasn?t muggy, the increased cloud cover from the almost constant storms had meant that summers growing up by the ocean never got this hot. This far inland, the heat - no, almost all the weather - just didn't feel right. Only here a few weeks and I was already feeling homesick. I shouldn't have let my brother talk me into teaching here.
To my right, halfway around the dueling ring, Nimbus stood on the main judge's podium. His blue scales were reflecting the sunlight. He was a krangar with innate magical abilities from their supposed ancient dragon bloodline. I was a zama who destroyed of magic. My dark, almost black, violet skin liked to warm up under the bright sun. On the surface, we seemed to be complete opposites of one another. The monks who raised up always seemed surprised that we worked so together. We considered ourselves to be brothers, despite our differences.
When Nimbus asked if I would join him at the magic school he had been teaching at the past few years, I couldn't say no. I had misgivings about being the only one who couldn't cast magic here that have certainly grown. Now, I was here waiting to duel one of my students from my first class.
I'm unsure if Nimbus knew there would be trouble. It might be he just planned for the worst when he took the shielded chest I used as an armory for the few magic weapons I used in duels. When collecting bounties on rogue mages, it was good for keeping their captured magic gear safe from my draining aura. I'm not sure when he brought it to the arena, but it was on the side of my prep area when I got here.
For myself, I was not completely surprised that I had a student get frothing mad that I was besmirching these magical grounds with my presence. Elwyn demanding that I be evicted from the Academy was a bit far. Hopefully, he could be calmed before we started the fight. I didn?t want to hurt him.
Unfortunately, he was a hot headed krangar. They are hard to calm down. I try not to underestimate any mage, but I've been training and dueling since before he hatched. My brother's element was not fire, but he had a mean stubborn streak. Not that I didn't as well.
Elwyn, glared at me from the opposite side of the ring. His reptilian eyes were narrowed, but I still saw his inner fire as it flickered between orange and blue. He certainly fit he stereotype that red krangars all have a short fuse and explosive temper. He was burning hot.
Nimbus was still talking to his students.
My class chatted with each other in the stands. There's not been enough time to even get attendance, so I didn't know the names of my students yet. They were a mix both furry and scaled species, with a few more, calmer, krangars. Even if I wasn't sure I was a good fit for teaching here, I figured I should use the time before the duel prep to get some of the introductory work done. Elwyn had interrupted class before I'd even finished passing out the syllabus.
I stepped out of my prep area to walk towards the layered seating on my right.
``You giving up already, zama trash?'' Elwyn taunted as I moved to the secondary judge's platform and hopped up on it.
``No. Since my brother is teaching before starting the setup, I figure I should too.''
Elwyn gave an angry harrumph that I ignored. The students before me quieted down.
``For those of you who had not gotten a syllabus yet, they will be available in the classroom after we're done here. Make sure to pick one.'' My deep voice carried well here, all part of the design of the arena.
``My name is Marrow Stormtower. I will be teaching Surviving Anti-Magic. I am a zama. Like all members of my species, I have no talent with magic. Potions and spells don't affect me. I can use some magic items, but keeping one with me for too long can eat away at the placed enchantments. Because of this, it is not appropriate to call me Magister Stormtower. That's my brother.'' I gestured to back to where Nimbus was standing, turning to look his way.
He had stopped his lessons to his students, so I gave him the subtle hand signal to ask if he was ready to begin. His scaled snout gave an almost impermeable shake and he signaled back for me to continue.
Wonderful. Now I had the attention of both classes as well as any strays drawn the the activity here. Nothing to do but to keep going.
``My level of skill with several kinds of martial arts means you can refer to me as Sensei Stormtower. Professor can apply to either me or my brother, so best to only use that if there's only one of us present.''
Elwyn gave a dismissive snort. He was making it hard to not want to be rough with him in the upcoming duel. I'm not sure why hes so angry at me, but hopefully I can figure it out without a fight.
``I had not intended on bringing you all to this arena until weeks thirteen and fourteen. That's when you will practice everything you've learned before finals. This class is mandatory, as I'm sure you all know. I hope when you finish this class you will not underestimate your opponent because they lack your level of magic. Being too confident in your ability to handle anything increases your chances of getting hurt, or worse. It might not happen your first encounter, or even the twentieth, but such hubris will eventually catch up to you.''
``Yeah, yeah, explain why me kicking your ass in this duel doesn't matter,'' Elwyn sneered. ``No one believes you.''
``That kind of attitude,'' I continued, gesturing with a thumb over my shoulder at Elwyn so I could keep watching the rest of my students, ``gets more mages killed than anything. I'm here to teach you how to survive and succeed when your magic fails.''
``There's magic that counters other spells. There's zones that prevent magic from being used. If you've been casting a lot, either you or the area you're in might not have the magical energy you need. I can think of over a dozen situations that stops magic use. That doesn't count the species, like my own, that can resist or negate magic.''
``Which is why you shouldn't be here,'' Elwyn snarled.
I didn't let Elwyn slow down what I was saying, my students needed to hear this. ``Will what you learn in this class make you completely safe out in the real world? No, but it will certainly increase your chances to survive.''
``On that cheerful note, lets begin the duel,'' Nimbus said, his rumbling voice carrying well. ``Both prep and wrap up will be handled different than normal. You're still in class here, so both my brother and I will pause to explain when appropriate.''
I hopped off the platform and walked back to my prep area. Once there, I faced my brother, keeping both him and Elwyn in my sight.
``The first step is to make sure the challenge remains in effect,'' Nimbus said. ``There is no shame in withdrawing a challenge or an answer to a challenge. Depending on the situation, that might require compensation on the part of one side or the other. The first to be asked to verify is the one who gave the challenge. Mr. Brightforge, do you maintain your challenge against Sensei Stormtower?''
``Absolutely,'' the red scaled krangar replied.
``And what is the nature of your challenge?'' my brother asked.
``Zamas do not belong anywhere near an academy for learning magic. One of them teaching a class is absurd and offensive. He needs to leave immediately.''
Nimbus turned his attention to me. ``Sensei Stormtower, do you wish to answer this challenge?''
``Yes,'' I answered my brother. ``The Deans and ruling council have invited me here to teach Surviving Anti-Magic. If I let one of my students chase me off, I would be doing a great disservice to the faculty and students of the academy. I cannot do as Mr. Brightforge's desires in this case.''
Smoke rose in curls out Elwyn's nostrils. ``You're a shell-cracking, haploid mage killer!''
Nimbus's right brow twitched up, ``Sensei Stormtower, do you have a response to Mr. Brightforge's outburst?''
I wasn't sure a response would help calm my student, but I also didn't want everyone thinking his insult had any merit. ``Quite the list of inaccurate accusations. First, I've never cracked an egg. Certainly not of a sentient, but personally not of livestock either. The few times the latter was served in the monastery where I grew up, they were awful; bland. Never developed a taste for them.''
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my brother giving a subtle nod of agreement. Neither of us had liked the food we grew up on.
``I'm not sure what the second part, haploid, is trying to say. I am not an unfertilized egg. Zamas don't even eggs. Since I was born, mother and father were fertile. While I haven't tried to have children yet, I can assure you that I'm productive. I can't use the magic tests like a lot of young males do when they reach the, `who has the biggest cock' phase of bragging with their buddies. Fortunately, there are non-magical tests as well. In fact, there are alternatives to magic when it's unavailable for many things. Weeks seven and eight will cover these kinds of alternatives.''
Now for the big one.
``As for being a mage killer, that is absolutely a lie and would definitely be grounds for an honor duel. As a zama, I do resist, cancel and break magic. But as my official bounty hunting records will attest, I have brought every rogue, killer magic user I've hunted back to face justice alive. Even the ones wanted dead or alive were not killed for ease of transport. I do not hate magic or those who wield it. If I did, I certainly wouldn't be here teaching a class on how to survive when your magic fails you.''
I turned to face Elwyn. ``If you have had a bad experience with zama in the past, you have my sympathy. But, we're all individuals. Nimbus - like you - is a natural conduit for elemental magic. He is also my brother and I would die to protect him. Whatever burr you have under your scales with zamas is between you and the individual who wronged you, not you and my entire species.''
I was glad that I had managed to keep calm through the entire response. I can get a little worked up when killing mages is brought up. Hopefully that didn't leak through any.
Elwyn looked a little taken aback. His brows seemed furled in thought rather than anger. The fire in his eyes burned a softer, flickering between orange and red.
I saw that relaxation slip from his grasp. He's not the first arrogant krangar I've had to deal with. I might have blunted his anger enough for him to think about where it came from, but the flame in his eyes flared blue. His ego likely decided that he couldn't back down.
``We done chattin' yet?'' He growled. I wasn't entirely sure what accent was trying to creep in. He was slipping from how he tried to present himself. This was going to get rough. I hoped that this next step before the fighting started would help.
``I'm ready to set the codex of conduct for this duel,'' I said, being sure that I did everything by the book. My brother might be teaching the dueling class, but I'd been in a lot more of them than him.
``Very well,'' Nimbus said. ``As the one challenged, Marrow Stormtower, you may name your first limitation.''
``No summoning of any kind,'' I said.
``Why not?'' Elwyn asked with one of his tiring elven sneers. ``Summoning is magic. You afraid such spells can get around your immunity?''
``If you get to summon items, I would be allowed me to call in outsiders for assistance,'' I responded.
``There is nothing a magic null like you can do equal to summoning magic.'' Elwyn had an unbecoming sneer.
I turned right to face my students in the stands. ``Do I have any volunteers to counter Elwyn's use of magic during our duel if he decides he can't win without his summoning spells?''
Almost all of my class responded with confusion. First years couldn't take my brother's dueling class yet. The earliest a student could take it was year three. So most of my class had likely not heard of pulling other mages into a one on one duel.
I noted that the two Taxideans in my class shot their hands up as soon as I asked. The badger folk rarely had a problem jumping into a fight. Looking to my left, a half dozen of my brother's students had their hands up.
I looked back over at Elwyn. ``So many volunteers and I haven't even offered any extra credit to convince more of your classmates.''
``You can't do that! Duels are one on one only,'' the fiery krangar sputtered.
I looked over to my brother. ``I will let you handle this explination since your class probably covers it.''
Krangar have enough draconic features to really unnerve people when they give a toothy grin. Personally, I thought my brother's grin was quite impressive. But I'd seen it enough times it lost its ability to unnerve me.
``The act of summoning creatures to help a mage means that mage is not fighting as one, but as a team. This negates the one versus one rule, replacing it with team rules. If the opponent can not also summon due to a lack of training or ability in that school of magic, they are allowed to have assistance from allied pets, animal companions, hirelings or even volunteers to even things out.''
Elwyn froze for a few seconds. The blue flame in his eyes dimmed. Eventually, he huffed and gestured as if dismissing a servant. ``Fine! No summoning.''
``Everyone who volunteered, thank you. It looks like I won't need your help for this duel,'' I said, making sure to acknowledge the students who were willing to assist me.
There were a few groans from the audience.
``Will there be any other limitations you need to apply?'' the elf spat.
Nimbus immediately cut in. ``Mr. Brightforge, it is your turn to suggest your first limitation. Are you declining to do so?''
``Why would I want to limit myself against someone who shouldn't be fighting mages to begin with?'' Elwyn asked his arrogant tone still strong.
``Is that a `yes'?'' Nimbus growled.
I knew it might be a mark against me, but figured I needed to be point out what Elwyn had done wrong. ``A duelist should always respond clearly and with respect to a referee. In a real duel, failing to do so can be a mark against you. My interruption here could also count a mark against me.''
``Yes. I have no rules to add.'' Elwyn responded. He wasn't respectful with his tone, but at least he sort of knew what to say to not fully turn my brother against him.
``Does the challenged have a second rule to apply?'' My brother asked me.
``Yes. No magic from the bladestorm school of spells.''
``Ridiculous,'' Elwyn sputtered. ``That removes a good third of the attack spells magi most often use.''
``I am willing to withdraw that restriction. Before I do, I request access yo my armory. I'd like to show everyone what I would use to even out my opponent's bladestorm spells.''
Nimbus nodded. ``I will allow it. Students, take note that he is not required to do this during this stage of a normal duel.''
``What? Why is he getting things from an armory? That's not allowed,'' Elwyn cried out.
I turned and went to my chest.
Nimbus responded to Elwyn with another lesson. ``It is allowed. A magi can use foci, wands, staves and other magical items they've attuned their aura to. A duelist without magic gets to bring in items they own.''
I opened the crate as Nimbus continued. ``My brother, as foolish as I think it is, tries his best to handle these duels with only his fists. With the training he's had plus the talent he inherited as a zama, it usually works out fine. That said, he is absolutely in his rights to have his equipment, just as you do, Elwyn.''
I pulled my natupa sword from my armory. There was a gasp from the students who recognized the weapon as I revealed the black blade. The natupa alloy is hard to get balanced right, but when successful, the metal eats magic. When sharpened into a blade, it could also cut through spells, runes and mages like they were thin parchment. This was not magic, just a property of the metal. It wouldn't lose this aspect around me. My armory had an inner layer that I once used to protect the magic items of the mages I hunted. Now it protected mages from this weapon. Natupa metal was not good to keep around those who wielded magic.
``He can't use that!'' Elwyn cried out. His already high voice almost squeaked as his voice broke.
I ignored his outburst and went through a few techniques with the blade, warming up and remembering the balance of the weapon. Then - because I can be a bit of a showoff and a jerk - I did a few flashy moves that were not actually useful in combat but looked impressive.
I stopped before I went to far. Elwyn was frightened by the blade. I didn't need to fuel that flame. ``If you use bladestorm magic, then will use this weapon as well as a shield of the same alloy.''
``But, natupa is illegal,'' Elwyn said, his voice shaking. ``You can't own that weapon. You can't have it on campus or use it in a duel.''
``It is not illegal for me to own. The faculty have assured me that there is no rule against it being on campus,'' I said, resisting the urge to run through a few more practice swings. ``I can use it in duels that allow physical attacks. The bladestorm school of magic is absolutely composed of physical attacks even if they are brought about with magic.''
``You can't use that on a student!'' Elwyn screeched.
``This blade can harm a mage's ability to cast magic. Their abilities do return, but it takes a long time for both their body and aura heal. I do not pull this out lightly. This blade does a good job defusing conflicts. I am fortunate I don't have to attack with it every time I wield it.''
In my peripheral vision, I could see many of the observing students start to calm down from their initial panic. I kept talking calmly, hoping to ease Elwyn's fear. ``This blade exists to ensure not only my own safety, but that of those around me. Both those who wield magic and those that do not. So while it is possible that it will be used in a duel, I will also use it in the unlikely event of the university, faculty and students being threatened. I doubt anyone would begrudge me that.''
Elwyn stumbled over his own tongue trying to find words. ``You're a teacher. You can't do this.''
That was a step in the right direction. I decided to give him some more time to collect himself. After I returned the blade to the shielded armory, I shut, but not lock, the chest. Hopefully my student would now accept my terms or forfeit the duel.
Before he could be asked if he still wanted to duel, Elwyn muttered a few words I recognized as the start a bladestorm spell. Might not be able to cast them, but I could identify what was being cast. Did this practice arena had all the normal safety spells in place? Best not to take chances.
I jumped from my starting area, rolling into the middle of the arena.
As five spinning swords shot from Elwyn's extended hand towards where I had been, magical energy shields snapped up around the arena, protecting the judge and audience. A magical force shoved Elwyn into the arena with me. If I had remained in my starting area, a similar spell would have either hit me and broken, or managed to catch me enough before it fell apart to shove me through the shield and into the ring. Either way could collapse the protective fields. Me passing through one most certainly would have.
I twisted so that the two closest blades passed by on either side of me. They were near enough, if I'd had a big breakfast, I'm not sure I could have avoided them both. All five blades hit the protective field on the other side of me, losing their controlled spin and bouncing off in different directions.
I reached out and caught the handle of the one that ricocheted back towards me. The rest hit the sand in different locations.
Turning back to my red scaled student, I saw him shaking. I couldn't tell if it was from rage, adrenaline or fear. Possibly a mix of them all. ``Mr. Brightforge, stand down. Take a breath.''
He screamed out an incantation he was lucky wasn't too muddled to backfire on him and six darts of flame headed towards me. This was not a bladestorm spell so I raised my empty hand to intercept the attacks, which sputtered out as they struck my palm.
I calmly walked towards my panicking student. ``Elwyn,'' I said calmly, hoping my use of his first name would relax him more. I moved slowly, with the blade at a relaxed position at my side. I couldn't drop it in case he had a stronger bladestorm spell to throw at me. Using the sword to deflect physical attacks was better than my bare arm.
My student started a chant and the ground a few steps in front of him started glowing red. Looked like he was summoning a fire elemental. That would be problematic, but not unbeatable. That kind of beast would have trouble hurting me since it was more magical than physical. I kept walking forward.
``Elwyn, you need to stop and relax.'' The summoning spell was coming to a close. The grass smoked where the elemental was going to appear.
A lightning bolt slammed into the summoning area, disrupting the spell completely. My brother wasn't the only one who controlled that element, but I figured he had intervened.
I focused on the red scaled krangar in front of me. I trusted Nimbus to handle anything that needed to be done if a student interfered.
``Elwyn, you need to stop before someone gets hurt,'' I said, still trying to calm him. Less than a quarter of the dueling field was between us now.
``You don't understand what he'll do if,'' my student choked out, unable to finish what he was saying. Instead he used both hands in a gesture I knew was going to be a nasty bladestorm attack.
I was way too close. Especially when he didn't cast it correctly.
Hundreds of sharp metal shards flew in every direction from where Elwyn stood. There were too many to deflect with the sword. I'm not close to that level of skill. Luckily, my reflexes were well trained. The sword fell from my hand as I dropped to the ground. I curled up to protect my stomach and face. My arms covered the back of my head and neck.
I managed to get in position almost instantly, but the shards still hit my arms and back.
As a species, zama originally lived near and on active volcanoes. This is part of why we are a hearty species. That vigor saved my life, I am sure. Most of the shards that hit me didn't find purchase. Still, more than one did. I felt multiple stinging bites on my upper back and arms.
When the attack came to a stop, I heard Elwyn murmurer, ``I'm sorry, I didn't want this.''
Fortunately, there were no sounds of hurt students. In fact, there were no sounds at all form outside. I rose up on my knees and saw that the protective fields were still in place. They had turned solid black, blocking sight and sound. I hadn't known they could do that, but looking over at Elwyn, I was glad they had.
He didn't need to be seen like this.
I'd never seen anyone so broken.
Elwyn leaned back against the protective magic between us and his starting area.
``Hey, did anything hit you?'' I cautiously stood up.
His head shook.
``Good,'' I took another step. Maybe half a dozen between us now. ``I am not upset with you. I will not hurt you. Do you understand?''
His eyes darted around the arena briefly, before he nodded.
I stopped five steps away from him so he still had space. I so didn't want to spook him. ``You said something about me not understanding what he will do, but didn't finish that. Is some threatening to hurt you?''
He shook his head much too quickly. ``No no no. He's ... I...'' Once again, he didn't finish his thought. Instead, a jet of intense flame shot out of his maw.
I brought my arms up so they caught the brunt of the attack instead of my face. I might be heat resistant, but fire hitting my eyes can certainly blind me. This was not a magical attack, but a natural ability of the red scaled krangar. So it wasn't going to snuff out because of my magic resistance.
I wasn't sure how long he was going to be able to generate this flame. My brother's lightning breath was a crack, boom, done, with the crack and boom happening at the same time. This fire breath was lasting a little longer, but I knew it couldn't be maintained for too long. Felt like I'd have some painful burns and blisters near where the metal shards were sticking from my forearms. But I could take it, even if it hurt like a -
The flames cut off. Elwyn was crying full out now. ``I'm so sorry,'' was rapidly repeating. Tears were pouring as he cried. I was kind of surprised he had breath to say it that often after such a long flame attack.
``Hey. It will be okay. I don't think there's any permanent damage and even if there is, if we can stop whoever it is threatening you, it will be worth it. I meant what I said about protecting my students here. That includes you.''
To say he jumped at me would be giving a collapse in my direction some extra credit. But his arms wrapped around me as I caught him. He held on tight, sobbing into my somewhat charred chest.
``Easy. There's still a lot of sharp points on my arms and back that can hurt you. Is the person threatening you part of the faculty here? A student?''
It was muffled, and broken, but over the next few minutes, Elwyn managed to tell me that it was his father, who was a real menace to his kids. He had not wanted his son to attend a college that accepted non-krangar, so it had been a fight on Elwyn's part to even be able to attend the Drachtul Academy. Growing up, Elwyn's father had made sure to fill his son's head with anti-zama rhetoric. My student hadn't realized how deep it was until he saw me. He feared his father would pull him out if a zama taught him. He reacted without thinking then didn't know how to stop.
The Dean of Combat and the Dean of Healing appeared as Elwyn was saying that last bit. I made sure the healer focused on my student while I spoke with the other Dean about what had happened and what I had learned.
By the time I had finished, the practical healers had arrived. The two Deans took Elwyn somewhere he could recover. He'd be safe from his father, at least. The opaque shielding vanished soon after the Deans took Elwyn.
The only individual left in the arena was my brother. He tried to distract me while the metal shards were slowly pulled from my back and arms. He'd sent everyone else away.
I assured him I was fine. We'd talk about what happened later when I wasn't wincing every few seconds.
My thoughts weren't on my pains, though. They were on Elwyn. I didn't know what could be done to help him. Hopefully he would be able to keep attending school.
I also better understood why I was here.
My students needed me here to protect them while teaching them how to protect themselves.
