Chapter 32 WRATH OF THE MAGICLESS

Chapter 32 WRATH OF THE MAGICLESS

The stone structures that had erupted throughout the arena, twisting themselves into towering walls and jagged corridors to form the combat maze, began to recede.
Massive slabs of rock groaned as they sank back into the earth, grinding against one another as though the ground itself were swallowing its own bones.
A low, persistent tremor rolled through the arena, vibrating beneath our feet as the constructs were dragged downward and regurgitated back into the soil from which they had risen.
Within moments, the battlefield was stripped bare.
The maze was gone, leaving behind an open plain scarred with cracks and scorched marks, the silent testimony of everything that had transpired within it.
From the stands, the crowd finally caught a clear view of the remaining teams.
Cheers erupted almost immediately.
Most of them were aimed at the first-year students, voices raised in awe and disbelief at the fact that we had survived long enough to see the end.
Some shouted praise, others chanted names, and a few simply roared, drunk on spectacle and victory.
I exhaled slowly, a long breath slipping past my lips before I even realized I’d been holding it.
Relief spread through my chest, loosening the tight knot that had sat there for the entire trial.
There was no need to fight anymore.
The stupid competition was over.
We had won.
For the first time since stepping into that cursed arena, I allowed my shoulders to relax.
At least, that was what I thought.
A sudden blast of heat tore through the air.
Before I could turn fully, a violent surge of flame exploded outward, striking Zephyr squarely and hurling him across the field like a discarded doll.
He slammed into the plain stone with a dull, sickening thud.
Katerina stood where she had unleashed the attack, her arm still faintly glowing with residual heat.
She didn’t even spare me a glance as she turned away, her entire focus locking onto Zephyr as he struggled to rise.
“What are you doing?” my teammate demanded, pushing himself up from the ground and brushing dust from his sleeves.
His voice carried disbelief, sharpened with a hint of alarm.
Katerina rolled her shoulders slowly, as though warming up rather than breaking every unspoken rule of the trial.
“I’ve always wanted to test myself against the enigma of the Andorin house,” she said coolly.
“Well, there’s no better opportunity than now.”
She lunged forward without warning, her movements sharp and decisive.
Zephyr barely had time to react, throwing himself to the side as her attack carved a scorching line through the air where he had been standing moments before.
The arena, moments ago filled with celebration, fell into stunned silence.
“Are you insane, the completion is over, we are done, what are you doing?” 

“I just told you,” Katerina sighed. “Come on, let’s fight.”

Zephyr shook his head and began to walk away. “As crazy as a dancing goat,” he muttered under his breath as he ignored her.

“I think you need a bit of motivation,” she said. Then she turned her hand towards me and a blue colored flame rose in her hand. “Even the lightning god up there can't save her face from getting singed when I release this wave. So what is it going to be Zephyr, a scarred teammate or a bout between us like true warriors!”

The crowd quieted down at this point, they couldn't hear what was happening but they could see. 

“What is this? Stop this  charade at once. I am not going to fight you because you ordered it. You might not know but I don't pander to people’s whims!” 

“I think I am not being clear enough, let me make this clear!” Katerina walked towards me and grabbed me by my hair, a singe of pain burned through me as I yelled. “I will burn her, if you don't fight me!”

“Hey, princess, stop that, this isn't funny!” Ciora's voice called from behind. I glanced up from my position into the sky and I saw Kael watching this. Then I realized my situation and anger welled within me. 

“Let go of my hair!” I said grabbing her hand and pulling it off but she held fast. 

“Shut up detestable peasant, the adults are talking!” She said and a sharp slap stung my cheek and then she pulled harder on my hair.

Then it struck me, like the alarm bell of the school clock, I heard that same oppressive voice that existed to silence me and anger welled within me. No, it would be making light of this matter to call it anger. I felt the fury of a thousand gods.

All my months of training had meant nothing? Am I still the pathetic kid that just came to the school. Have I not grown at all?

I couldn't hear what either of them were saying anymore. I could feel Katerina’s heated hand getting dangerously close but instead of fear it only increased my rage. 

“Leave my hair,” I said again, but this time she didn't hear me because I felt maybe I hadn't spoken the words, just muttered it but it didn't matter. The feeling of being ignored seemed to loosen a knot within me and I felt heat rise from my body. 

I touched Katerina’s arm. “I said, let go of my hair!” I roared and a blast of energy wave escaped from me and blasted everyone surrounding me to the ground. Katerina bore the most of the hit as she was knocked unconscious. 

I stood there for a while but soon enough, I felt faint and I fell to the ground, unconscious.

When I woke up, Nesari’s green eyes were staring back at me. “Hey girl, you did quite a number on yourself,” she smiled.

“I, what happened?” I began to ask. 

“Well, better ask him instead,” she pointed in a direction and I turned. Kael was on a chair, patiently waiting for me.

“Kael?” I blurted out, surprised.

“You don't need to be too shocked, are you okay?”