The Academy’s Rejected Mage

The Annual Contest

Kai’s POV

The instructor drops a stack of papers onto his desk. “You know the drill, Partners, now.” The moment the professor speaks, the room scatters in a frenzy as everyone tries to find themselves a partner for the upcoming competition.

I stare out the window, trying to mind my business when a figure stops beside my desk. I look up and see Orin’s girlfriend. “You got a partner yet?” She asks.

“Why do you ask?”

She seems surprised by my question. “Well, didn’t you hear the instructor’s instructions? We are supposed to find partners for the Contest.”

I stare. “Yeah, I know. What has that got to do with you being at my desk?” She looks taken aback a little. “Well, I see you don’t have anyone so I came to make partner.”

Unlike the other girls in class that like to smile unnecessarily, she doesn’t do any of that. She speaks like she’s in an important business, going straight to the point.

I lock my jaw and look away. “Not interested. Find someone else.”

“What?” She scoffs. Around us, I can already hear whispers of people who think she’s crazy for trying to make partner with me. “He doesn’t even have magic, why would she want to work with him?” someone whispers, not trying to hide the contempt for me at all.

She leans towards me, dropping her voice. “I know you hear everything they’re saying so you should know I’m doing you a favor.” I look at her. “One I never asked for.”

Before she speaks, the instructor jumps in. “Don’t bother, Aelia. He’s not participating.” Everyone turns to me. I’m not surprised by his words. Of course I won’t be picked. I’m an F-level student mage and according to their belief, I have no magic. How can I face the monsters?

“Why, if I may ask?” She inquires. He stares at her like she’s trying to cause unnecessary trouble. “You already know why, Aelia. He’s got no magical powers which makes him practically a useless partner. Find someone else.”

******

The competition starts and as expected for someone who’s not participating, I sit in the arena with students from other classes. I’m the only one from my class not participating so I’m not surprised to hear silent laughs behind me.

The fight starts with the first people. Two partners to one monster. This one is a thick-limbed monster with too many limbs and a skin that looks like broken stone. The crowd leans in in anticipation.

One of the fighters shifts to the left, drawing the attention of the monster, and the second comes in from the blind side with a sharp slash that stabs the thing under the jaw. The monster staggers. Purple blood sprays onto the ground and the arena erupts. People are on their feet, shouting like they’ve just watched something legendary. I stay seated because that is the most basic thing I’ve ever seen.

The angle was wrong. A half-step wider and the cut would have opened the throat instead of just the soft tissue beneath it. As for the first fighter, his move was too big. The monster had already started to turn back before the second could even get close enough. They got lucky with the timing, nothing more. But of course my thoughts remain in my head so I watch the same mistake repeat itself from others without much interest anymore. Until I see her. Aelia. Orin’s girlfriend.

The same girl who stepped between me and a bully even though he was her boyfriend. She didn’t fear soiling that relationship just to speak up for me of all people.

She points her sword at the monster as if warning it, eyes colder than usual. Then she starts, making the first move—a clean step that forces the monster to focus solely on her long enough for her partner to swing high. The monster twists to meet him, but Aelia is already between his legs, blade piercing it sharply. The crowd erupts.

It looks flawless. Yes. But it isn’t. His swing was too shallow, giving the monster another chance.

She adjusts, finds the opening, and strikes again. The monster which is the largest so far, stomps his feet, kicking her partner. As he stumbles, the monster turns for her. I expect her to run or at least try to hide but she doesn’t. She stays within its reach, stabs him in the leg, jumps up before he can recover, draws his attention from one direction and in a quick follow up movement, she disappears to the opposite direction and cuts through its limb.

That was all she needed to do. The monster lets out a cry, stumbles and finally collapses. The arena explodes.

A small smile almost lines my lips. But I don’t give in. Instead I slowly look away, my eyes stopping on a scene across the crowded arena floor.

Orin stands with one of his minions, Ryder, their heads close together. Ryder says something I can’t make out and Orin’s mouth curves into that familiar smirk that shows he’s up to no good. Our eyes meet for a short moment and surprisingly he looks away like it never happened.

I instinctively touch my necklace to make sure it’s still intact. It is. So I lock my jaw and look away, forcing my attention back to the competition.

Suddenly, a figure stops in front of me. I look up and see Ryder. He’s standing too close, grinning like he’s already won something. He’s one of the lower-ranked ones, the kind who talks bigger than he can show for it.

“Can I help you?” I ask. “Hello to you to, freak.” His eyes drop to my neck. “I see you're still wearing that little charm?” He pauses, eyes glinting as if his contemplating something. “I wonder what will actually happen if I remove it?”

I give him a sharp look. “Don’t touch it. He laughs mockingly. “Or what? You are going to get angry and do something about it? You? The mage with no single power to his name?”

“I’m warning you—.”

His fingers shoot out before I can finish. They yank the chain. It snaps. The necklace drops, its little crystals scattering around the floor.