13 Chapter 13 (1/2)

Facing a still unharmed Isabella, Lucy casted her barrier once more as her current one was almost depleted.

This isn't right, Lucy thought. That was more than enough to break her barrier and damage her.

Grinning, Isabella launches another [Water Spear] at Lucy. Pulling back, Lucy tries to gain distance so she doesn't get enveloped in it once more but this time the spear strikes, the water looking like it was hardened.

Quickly, another mind break came and put Lucy off balance, allowing the water spear striking once more against her barrier.

Tsk. So annoying. I can use that move I suppose, the window will be small though.

With her barrier on its last legs, Lucy decided to try a final gambit. She steeled herself and endured the mind break, the pain being like a very acute migraine and used [Ignite] as Isabella used her water spear once more to try and finish this. Flames erupted from Lucy's hands and boiled the water spear, evaporating It. Lucy then closed in on her cousin and cast [Shock] on the flames while being close to Isabella.

The electricity reacted violently with the water mist and the fire, detonating into an explosion that sent both flying at opposite ends. Lucy's Barrier succ.u.mbed to the explosion and Lucy suffered damage. The best she could hope for was a tie, which was what she aimed to do by sacrificing herself like this.

On the opposite end of the ring, a triumphant Isabella stood up, her barrier finally now blinking out of existence.

Lucy's jaw dropped at the sight of it. That's insane! I know that the [Barrier] spell works by using a portion of your stats as a coefficient and that the spell level greatly helps but it took such a beating…

”Alright, match over. Isabella wins. Next up is…”

Lucy could not hear what was being said next. It was irrelevant. With this loss, she would go back home a failure. No more academy and friends, only her and mother. Despair filled her thoughts until she remembered that Wilfred and Lucius were helping her find out if Isabella was cheating. Yes, that must be it!

Looking around for her friends in the crowd, Lucy could not spot them. Did they run off on her? Argh, those useless guys!

Walking out of the ring, Lucy's shoulders felt heavy. All the cares of the world didn't matter to her anymore. Even her friends didn't have her back she reflected. It was a shame too because she actually liked them, even though she didn't show it. They were the only friends she made here. Sure, she had acquaintances here and there, people she used to study or train with. But nothing like what she had now.

Finally, out of the corner of her eyes, she spotted them. She walked purposefully towards them, taking long strides. She cracked her knuckles in antic.i.p.ation of the punch she'd give them. It would release a lot of the stress she was holding in. But then she noticed they were next to the Headmaster, talking to him. Coming closer, she was able to overhear.

”Hmmm, it's possible. It's a very serious accusation though. There will be consequences if it's false. ”

Wilfred nodded positively.

”I'll trust Lucius, I'm sure there was something fishy. ”

Primus sighed and acquiesced.

”Very well, follow me then. ”

Primus, Wilfred, Lucius and Lucy headed for the teacher in charge of the fights, Nicolas Trechar.

Lucy tagged along behind them, unsure where this was heading. She only heard part of the conversation but realized this was regarding her fate at the academy. If they could prove Isabella cheated, she wouldn't fail. All her hopes now clung only to Wilfred's plan, which she wasn't aware of.

After waiting for a lull in the fights, just before the next one would be announced, Primus motionned to Nicolas to stop the fights and cancelled the magic dampening field. Clearing his throat, he announced.

”Alright, quick recess. Everyone go take a break.”

Gliding down to where Primus waited with the students, Nicolas made his way forward.

”What is it Headmaster?”

”There are grave accusations. These students here say there was cheating involved in one of the fights that miss Lucy fought in.”

Shock and surprise could be seen on Nicholas's face. Wilfred looked intently at him but could not quite make out from his movement and actions that he was guilty. Having dealt with locals in dangerous areas, Wilfred was pretty confident in his ability to determine if someone was lying to him or not. At any rate, something was fishy here.

Nicolas replied.

”Really? Well, we'll have to get the person accused here so she can defend herself. I do hope they have proof Headmaster, no one takes kindly to their honor being besmirched.”

Wilfred smiled and opened his hands.

”Oh, we do. Please go fetch the accused if you please, it's Isabella Rafal.”

But you already know that, Wilfred thought. Why else would you refer to the accused person by their gender right. It only takes a small misstep to get caught in your lies.

Nicolas looked to the Headmaster who nodded and bowed, leaving to go find the student in question. Suddenly, Wilfred has a thought.

”Wait! Maybe it's best if we all go together, there can be no disposing of evidence this way.”

Nicolas rubbed his hands nervously but had no choice but to acquiesce, seeing the Headmaster was also there.

Finding Isabella wasn't too hard as she also had private chambers due to her status. As the daughter of a Duke, there wasn't much she couldn't do or get, which explained the cheating. It was trivial for her family to buy her an enchanted item that would help her graduate and thus bring more prestige to the family name.

Nicolas knocked on the door and waited. A few moments later, a girl opened the door. It wasn't Isabella though, she was a bit taller and older, less chubby than Isabella and her hair was auburn. Lucy spoke from the back.

”Valery, we need to see Isabella.”

Ahh, Wilfred remembered now. It was Lucy's half-sister. What was she doing here though?

”Oh? Well do come in then. It wouldn't be polite to let the Headmaster stand in the hallway.”

The room inside was quite luxurious, even more so than Wilfred's. It seemed this was a private lodging owned by the royalty, lent to royal students who attend the academy so they do not have to mingle with the peasants. Upon entering, a few couches and chairs as well as tables are arranged for relaxation. To the right is a larger table with elegant tall chairs, likely for eating. Meanwhile, to the left is a series of doors likely leading to room of which there are five.

On one of the couches, Isabella is seated and drinking some warm liquid from a cup. Upon noticing who is entering the room, her smile turns into a scowl.

Everyone having entered, Primus addresses Isabella.

”Miss Rafal, there are some serious accusations towards you that are implying you cheated during a match, is that true?”

”I resent these accusations!”

Isabella glanced at Lucy.

”It's not my fault those lacking talent and power envy me. I will not take to these preposterous accusations! Valery, would you please go get the council?”

Valery left quickly without saying a word. Wilfred wished he could have stopped her but she was free to go if she wanted, she wasn't involved in this, at least not yet.

Isabella then resumed.

”If these accusations are proven false, I want the accusers expelled from this academy!”

Primus stroked his beard wistfully.

”Hmmm, I suppose that is fair. The council would likely side with you at any rate. Do you wish to continue with this Wilfred?”

Looking at Isabella and seeing her mischievous smile, thinking she had the upper hand made Wilfred's blood boil. It was a serious threat though. However, there were other academy's and Wilfred's life would not end here if it happened, plus he believed he had the winning hand.

”I do. We have proof.”

”Hmppf, show us this proof then.”

Wilfred motioned to Lucius to come forward.

”Explain to us what it is you saw Lucius.”