Chapter 127: Final Duel

Chapter 127: Final Duel

As annoyed as he was, Milo pondered the situation. The students of The Tower of Strife certainly lived up to their name. They must fight constantly with each other. The crowd was excited and he saw several students eyeing him and considering a challenge, while others were placing bets. The threat of getting their skull beat in with a spanner certainly wasn't convincing anyone that this was a bad idea. Worse, they seemed to like it!

The crowd hushed, and two new people walked towards him as the students moved hastily to clear a path. Both were older ratkin that oozed confidence and authority.

Professor Arlothe Sparktail Level 19 Storm Mage

Professor Cremona Strifebringer Level 18 Poisoned Soul

Milo started to relax. Cooler and wiser heads had finally showed up to put an end to this nonsense.

Arlothe smiled at him. "Welcome to the Tower of Strife. I see that you have already studied our ancient traditions and engaged our students in duels."

"uh...no? They sort of attacked me a couple of times. I just came over to look at the machine. I wasn't trying to duel."

Cremona scowled at him, a green cloud floating over her head. "What? You didn't even come to visit with us? Are we less interesting that a stupid pile of wires."

Milo felt that the answer was obvious. "Well, yes. Who doesn't like strange machines?"

Arlothe smiled and nodded in agreement. "Right?! What did you think of the electro-interface and...." He broke off as his wife elbowed him in the ribs.The initial instance of this chapter being available happened at N0v3l.Bin.

He turned to his wife. "And my wife won't be using Murgatroid’s Infernal Disintegration, will we dear?"

Cremona smiled. "Why, of course not. I want him begging for mercy, not floating away as a cloud of mold dust."

Arlothe turned to Tallsqueak. "Any questions? And as the challenged, do you prefer to go first or second."

Tallsqueak thought about that for several seconds, then surprised everyone by saying,

"I have a question: Who's taking the bets, and what are the odds?" Milo had heard and seen bets being made, and there was a flurry of activity around three eels from Clan Emerald Wyrm.

Arlothe turned and addressed the crowd. "I'm sure we all know that betting isn't allowed, but in this case, I'll make an exception. Mr. Moray, will you be kind enough to tell us what the current odds are against Tallsqueak?

Brer Moray was not happy about being called out. The eels ran all of the betting on duel days, and by creative use of odds and points spreads made a tidy sum. They didn’t need the attention of one of the Professors. "The odds are 1 to 17 in Professor Cremona's favor, with a point spread of 32."

Tallsqueak looked at the eels, then at Cremona. "I'll be going second and I bet five full wheels of one-year-aged cheddar on myself to win by beating the points spread."

As the crowd began to talk and surge towards the eels, Arlothe yelled out. "All betting is closed!"

Arlothe's hands glowed with blue electrical energy and two glowing circles appeared on the ground. He motioned Tallsqueak and Cremona to take their places. "Tallsqueak has ceded his option to go first against a superiorly ranked opponent. Cremona, you may begin your round and cast your first spell!