Chapter 107 - A wager

The scorching heat calmed for evening came. The wind pleasantly danced with the orangish sun, it set. The sky seemed gentle and calm, the clouds all changed from white to reddish-orange. It looked like a work of art, the clouds; not bundled up but separated, like snowflakes when it first snowed. The spread felt uneven but mesmerizing; as Staxius's car approached Claireville academy's noble district, the wind sang and hummed. If heaven could be placed into a moment in time, it would have been then and there. Everything harmoniously worked with one another, none had the advantage over the other. Perfectly balanced like a scale, he walked and knocked. The mansion, one he stayed in long ago had a new shine to it.

"Excuse me but who are you?" the door opened, one of the maids asked, her eyes went from top to bottom. "Is Ayleth or Alyson present?" he asked with a gentle tone, the setting sun sprinkled its rays onto his face. "May I inquire to who is asking?" she didn't let up, her suspicion about him being a shady individual was baseless, - it was but a gut feeling. "Do tell them that Staxius Haggard has come to visit," he smiled, the door closed. A few minutes later, what seemed to be an argument, one-sided at that, seeped through the door. Staxius waited casually, the nature of the fight did intrigue but he chose to ignore.

"I a-apologize for the wait," the same maid breathed heavily. The door opened at last and he stepped in. Avon followed close behind, Alyson greeted both with open arms. They were welcomed to stay for it was closer and more practical. Reason being that the destination for the next day was the academy. "Congratulation on your new rank, master," Ayleth softly spoke, her shyness had outgrown her over the years and so did Alyson. When Staxius first met the Silver guardians, Ayleth and Alyson weren't the talkative types. However, sat at the dinner table, it showed how much people changed. For Staxius, one who was very out of touch with the companions he made years ago; it was nice for him to catch up.

With a lovely glass of wine paired with a succulent dinner, the trio reminisced. Staxius was very fond of hearing what they had to say. The way Alyson spoke felt monotonous but it had its charm. Contrary to her, Ayleth's voice felt very soft and timid, but her smile compensated for her lack of self-confidence. Lack of confidence when it came to interacting with others, her strength as a fighter was a different kettle of fish. Amidst the tales they recounted, one stuck in particular. It was when Eira first discovered how to fight.

As Alyson put it, from early on, since Eira was left alone by a certain someone. She grew up in a war-torn country, the battle between Dorchester and Kreston raged on. The companions Staxius left behind had to fend for themselves. Abandoning an angel-like Eira was out of the picture. Adelana and Viola took the reigns and guided everyone to a stable source of income. They became mercenaries, sadly, Eira had to grow up watching people fight and die. The sight of blood felt natural, she laughed rather than getting scared. At the age of six, her little hands first touched the sword. We had to teach her ways to defend herself. Quickly, she memorized techniques, postures, and stances perfectly. Her body though frail was trained harshly. This happened because of a tantrum she threw over not being strong enough to fight. Her eyes lit, each time she held that weapon, it felt as if she was free. Her hands and arms moved gracefully; it was like an angel fluttering her wings. Along with that, Viola taught her magic, thus she began her journey in swordsmanship.

It wasn't until she reached ten that she killed. For four years everyone did what they could to have her avoid taking a pointless life. However, Kreston demanded someone to infiltrate Dorchester and assassinate one of the nobles. The silver guardians were out of the picture and so were the rest of the party. The only option came to Eira – then she left, Fenrir accompanied her.

A few weeks later they returned, Eira completed her assignment but the look in her eyes changed. She came across the then imprisoned statue of her father. Fenrir had taken her to visit and pay homage. Her eyes burnt with passion, "I want to become as strong as my father," those were the words she uttered. Something happened when her tiny hands touched the stone; she said that she caught a glimpse of Staxius's past. None knew what she really meant, but the way her eyes sparkled, it was for the best. She had the passion and talent to become as strong as her old man.

The story ended, all that might not have seemed important. However, for Staxius, knowing that Eira had the drive to become strong was more than enough. The fight he witnessed the day before told more than it let onto. She was being held back, held back by something, her wings were constrained. No longer did they flutter, instead, they shook and remained still. They were bound by chains of unknown nature. Thus, dinner ended and they all slept. 'Wings,' Staxius muttered, '-constrained,' he added again. 'The freedom to fight and fly,' after a few hours of thinking – sleep caught up.

"Rise and shine," a gentle voice spoke, "Ysmay, please give me five more minutes," Eira refused to wake. The night before, Josiah got Eira permission to leave the hospice and to return to the dormitory. "No time for five more minutes, it's already eight, have you forgotten that we have combat classes today?" her eyes wide opened, "I totally forgot," quickly she got ready and headed for school.

"Director, are you sure it's fine for me to barge into the student's training?" They walked, Staxius arrived a few minutes ago; his day began with cold-water being dropped on his face; courtesy of the ever-playful Avon. "It's fine, we're in the middle of the inter-magical tournament. Students who are to fight have been exempted from normal classes. This goes for every class and every year." They headed towards the back of the campus. "-Today is special, the two verses two partners are to be revealed." They entered the stadium, "from our school; we have about five teams including yours. They are all training individually at their own discretion." The arena came into view, "but you're not alone." Josiah stopped, swords and weapons being used echoed all around. "You are to train alongside the third-year team or not, that is up to you." A barrier was erected and it blocked out the view from inside to the outside. It was to make the atmosphere tenser and make the students more alert.

They climbed down the stairs, Staxius spotted some familiar faces. About five individuals were on the field fighting training dummies and such. On the right side, you had the third-year students and their instructor. On the left side, Eira and her friend trained alone. They were given orders to do conditioning. The gates squeaked; it caught their attention. "I apologize for bothering your training," Josiah spoke, the third-years sighed. "Greetings director," the red-haired instructor spoke loudly. "Good morning Sophie," he fired back and returned to Eira and Ysmay. "Must be nice to be the director's apprentice," a familiar voice gnarled. The duo was Huon and Rosalinda to which Sophie reprimanded them.

"Morning master," Eira stopped and bowed, Ysmay followed suit. "Are you here to continue our training?" she asked, Josiah held a weird grin. "About your partner for the two versus two," he paused. Sophie and her students overheard what he said and came closer. "Have you found a good partner for Eira?" Ysmay asked shyly. "Correct," he replied and kept the smile. "Who in the right mind would pair up with that icy demon." Rosalinda whispered, "-I don't know, probably someone the director hired," Huon replied.

"Stop keeping us in suspense," Eira grew tired, she wanted to know her partner. "Sorry, I do like to keep things interesting, but you see; finding a partner for you wasn't that simple. Your fighting style and use of magic are unorthodox, finding someone who can understand and match that is hard." He turned around. "therefore, someone who knows you very well has requested for this – reveal yourself," he winked. The first step he took, the air around the stadium changed, "way to make this difficult," Staxius walked, his head held high, a smile and the usual monotonous tone. "…" Ysmay froze, she recognized who he was, "you d-didn't…" the sword Eira held, dropped.

"Who is that man, why are they acting as if he's some kind of big deal?" Rosalinda asked. Sophie's face froze as well, "t-that man m-means bad-luck." She mumbled; her student's face changed for the worse. Never had they seen the crimson-princess look worried.

"Good to see you, Eira," he smiled. She didn't care, everything about ethics and manners went out the window; the sight of Staxius made her heart beat with excitement. Without wasting time, she rushed into his arms, he held her up high. They looked like an old man holding a baby. "FATHER," she yelled, "WHAT?" Rosalina nearly choked, "that boy is her father?" they laughed. "I've missed you," she embraced him tightly. "Alright you two, this isn't the time." Josiah coughed, "-Eira, you are to partner with Staxius Haggard. The rule says anyone below twenty-five can fight, and you know full well that Staxius is about twenty. Therefore, I have no qualms about this set-up. "Who knew that I'll ever fight alongside father," she spoke. "Yeah, who knew," he added softly. "Alright, starting today and till the tournament ends, Staxius is to be your instructor." The director left, the training ground felt dense. "Okay, I have to see what you can and cannot do." He patted her head and walked toward the opposing team. "Greetings instructor Sophie," he spoke, the aura behind him was menacing. As a statement, he used the left hand to pull down the white glove on his right hand. That motion made him look more imposing than before.

"Greetings Staxius," she replied. "-how may I help you?" she continued. "I'd like our students to have a small match." He suggested casually, "you can't be serious?" Rosalinda tried to protest, "don't speak in-between when two a.d.u.l.ts are speaking to one another. Especially when we didn't ask for your opinion," he fired back with a cold-stare. "HOW DARE YOU DISRESPECT ROSALINDA," Huon tried to jump in, *Death Element: Unleash Aura.* For a second he released part of the pent-up stress. They dropped instantly, it felt nauseating, trying to stand became close to impossible. "Your parents should have really taught you manners," he added insult to injury, Sophie stood by and watched. "I'm sorry but this isn't a way to formally request a fight," she had a good point. "Of course, I apologize," he nodded, "-would you rather us fight?" he asked, Staxius was itching for a match. "a battle between instructors doesn't seem that polite, don't you think?" Sophie spoke casually.

To that, he chuckled, "politeness in this situation is a bit far-fetched. I can feel your animosity reaching from deep within. Not to mention your students, those brats who dared protest when I, a friend, came to ask for a small mock battle." He paused and stared at Sophie directly, "isn't the prospect of a mock battle fancy you the least? You're a teacher, seeing your students, the ones you've nurtured perform in a simulated environment, wouldn't that make the least bit sense?" her sole reply was looking away defiantly, "if I remember correctly, Claireville academy has a rule. Something forgotten over the age, but ever-present," he took out the glove, "this is a mage's school after all," he threw it at Sophie, "mages don't normally resolve conflicts by words, am I, not right. Crimson princess, once SSS-ranked," he smirked.

"You're correct," she picked up the glove, "let's make a bet, the one who wins has the right to ask anything from the other. That can be for you to resign as Eira's partner or me being dismissed as a teacher." She smiled; her confidence overflowed. "Very well, I agree to those terms. Let's have a good battle," his eyes turn to the students still on the ground. "Watch me crumble that fake bubble you call confidence; I'll show you what true strength means." Staxius crouched. Sophie didn't hear what he said. "Go ahead and try," Rosalinda stared back, she was ready to fight.