10 Disciplined (2/2)

They look at each other eager to take on a challenge of strength. Before they answer I say.

”Actually how about you both come at me bare-handed, that should be fair, right?”

They nod enthusiastically, seeming to have not had a fistfight in a while. I take off all my armor and clothes apart from my pants and boots. The two wrap their knuckles in cloth wraps and when they're done I'm staring down two 6.6ft 250lb guys ready to bash my head in, ”Easy.” I think.

The smaller of the brothers, Joseph, makes the first move. He steps forward and throws a right hook aimed for my jaw, I quickly step back, allowing the punch to pass harmlessly in front of me.

I don't have much time until Mathew tried to join the fight, I could handle both of them easily, but I want to end this fight quickly. So I dash forward using all the force from my legs and plow my fist into Joseph's abdomen, making him drop to his knees in pain.

Mathew quickly advances and throws a succession of quick jabs aimed at my face, I dodge each one, then throw a harsh right hook. He's stunned for a moment but smiles with a bruising cheek and continues, he goes for a gut punch, I jump to the side to avoid it. He doesn't give me any room to breathe, throwing punches left and right, but before he can recover from a jab he put too much force into, I get under him, pushing up with both my legs and ram my fist forcefully into jaw from under him knocking him out.

I walk away from the two felled goliaths rubbing my knuckles and ask Dontae.

”So what do you what to try?” I say while grinning wickedly.

He pales from fear and swallows, then says with the little bravado he can summon. ”You're nothing more than a bruiser, I've studied at the capitals magic academy. I'll beat you in a magic duel before you can even cast anything.” But the glint in my eye makes him doubt his own words.

”Sure, rules are the first one to be knocked on the ground loses. Fair? I'll even let you cast the first spell.” He nods with satisfaction, he thinks that he'll be able to take me out with one spell.

After a lengthy incantation Dontae casts [Tidal Flame ], which summons a wave of flames that try to completely engulf me. I whistle as it rushes forward, It has pretty good destructive power and would be pretty good against a swarm of enemies, but not me.

Just before the wave of flames reach me I mentally cast [Tempest Guard] which splits the flames with a gale of wind and causes them to bypass me entirely. Before the flame disappears I cast [Erase Presence], [Light Refraction], [Soft Step], spells that I'm used to casting.

As the smoke dissipates and I'm nowhere to be seen Dontae can only assume that the flame turned my body to ash and he won. He doesn't seem that remorseful after he's just ”killed” someone. He turns to Rachel and says.

”You see that Rachel, yep that twerp had nothing on me. So how about we go get something at the post's tavern, you know you want to treat me to something after such a magnificent display. I'm basically the best mage here, you're really lucky you know there's probably tons of girls that would swoon over a mage as great as myself. So how about we....”

I can't stand any more of his egotism, so it might be time to burst his little bubble. Undetectable, I walk up to Dontae and put my arm around his shoulder while dispelling all my spells and say to Rachel.

”You know if you don't want to go with him, I'm always free,” I say while giving Dontae an otherworldly grin.

He stares at me like he's seen a ghost, well actually I guess he thinks he has. He jumps back landing on his butt putting up his hands to protect his face, he says frantically.

”Please I'm sorry for killing you, I know you're a vengeful spirit, but please spare my life. I'll do anything you say, just don't kill me please!” He says pitifully begging for his life. ”I can have a little fun with this.” I think.

I roll my eyes into the back of my head then cast [Voice Modulation] which deepens my voice by modifying the vibrations of my voice, then also cast [Voice Distortion] and [Voice Contortion]. All spells that basically modified my voice to sound like a demon, ”this is going to be fun,” I think.

I look at him with only the white of my eyes showing and my voice distorted and deepened while simultaneously speaking from every direction and say.

”You have killed an innocent man,” I say in an imposing demonic voice. ”The price of this shall not be your life.” Dontae sighs a sigh of relief, then I continue. ”But your soul.”

He cries out in complete and total fear and I relish in the look of absolute hopeless terror in his eyes, probably not a good thing, but he deserves this.

I summon my wisp right outside of Dontae's chest and make it come towards my hand with a thought. Once his ”Soul” was in my hand, I cast [Pillar of Flame] to either side of me and say.

”Enjoy you're last few moments alive Dontae, I'll see you in Hell.” I relinquish the spells and simultaneously cast [Pillar of Flame] on myself and cast [Tempest Guard] to protect myself from the flames. As soon as I dropped the flame spell I cast [Erase Presence] and [Light Refraction] to vanish.

Dontae pisses himself and faints falling in his own puddle after a demonic ”Christian” claims his soul and vanishes back to hell in a pillar of flames. I relinquish all my spells and I'm left there laughing hysterically.

I say while wiping a tear from laughter. ”I didn't think he'd soil himself, I guess I went too far.”

I look around to the others and ask. ”So did I win?”

The Brawn brothers, Rachel, and Jake are dumbstruck and can only manage a nod.

I grin at Rachel and ask. ”So what did you want to try?”

She just shakes her head and says. ”I'm good, let's say you win. I don't think anyone doubts you anymore after that performance.”

I smile and nod. ”Good, good, I hope everyone comes to terms with me being the commander.” I give the collective group a deadly stare. ”If not then you can deal with me directly.”

They all recoil at the perceived threat, I continue taking it as a good sign.

”All of you get some rest because we'll be training hard tomorrow, and the rest of the three weeks we're here waiting.”

They all groan, except for Dontae who is still unconscious in a puddle of his own piss.