"Are you serious?"
"No way. Captains vs Instructors? That is awesome!"
"Who do you think will win?"
"The Captains?"
"Instructor Seventeen, obviously."
"You sure about that?"
These were the whispers that circulated among the students when they heard the words 'Captains vs Instructors'. Zephyrus looked like he was enjoying it.
(The young ones are pretty confident in your abilities. Better not disappoint them.)
'You mean not disappoint you?', Seventeen asked Prime in his mind.
(Heh.)
'I'm honestly getting tired of your smugness.', he sighed.
"We're doing this battle in a different location. None of our training halls are designed to withstand the combined magia energy of captains and instructors. I will explain the rules when we reach there.", Zephyrus said.
'You seem pretty confident.', a familiar voice asked Seventeen in his mind. He looked at the group and saw Vanessa who was smiling.
'Telepathy?', he asked mentally.
She nodded, 'A rare ability we vampires have. But most who do have it are not aware of this power.'
Seventeen can't help but be amazed by the Vampire Queen. What other secrets does she have?
"Alright then.", Zephyrus clapped his hands, "Let's get going."
He placed his hand on the pedestal of the warp gate. The runes on it glowed and the space inside the gate warped and with a pop, a beach was seen on the other side.
Jade looked confused, "A beach?"
Zephyrus grinned, "Oh it's much better.", saying this he walked into the gate and stepped onto the beach.
The others followed him. Seventeen noticed Arthur stop and talk to Vesta. Both of them had serious looks on their faces. He wondered what they were talking about.
"You coming?", Ruth asked. He turned to her and smiled, "Yep. I can't wait to fight two captains."
She smiled back, "You are one crazy guy."
*******
A few moments ago Vesta felt a vibration in her pocket. It was the communication orb she had and this one was connected to an important informant.
She melted into the shadows and moved a bit far from the group. Headmaster Zephyrus just told them about the Captains vs Instructor battle and she was excited to watch it. Why did her informant call now?
She looked around to see no one nearby and took out the orb. She had put it in vibration mode to not cause any inconvenience. She accepted the call.
"What is it?", she went straight for the matter. There is no time for pleasantries.
A male voice spoke from the orb, "Arthur is in danger. The elders have sent someone for him. Be careful.", the call cut after these disturbing words.
Vesta clenched the orb. This is bad. How did the elders of the branch family know where Arthur will be? Was there a mole?
"But this is bold. Doing something like this when a Cardinal is present.", she murmured. Unless those cunning bastards knew about the Headmaster's presence and have come up with appropriate measures."
"If whatever they are planning fails, it could invite trouble for the branch family from the Cardinal and they will also have to deal with the wrath of the Family Head."
She then gulped as realization struck her, "Unless they are confident about being successful."
Vesta has a really bad feeling. She must be at Arthur's side at all times.
Zephyrus had opened the warp gate by the time she returned to the group. She remained in the shadows until most of the group have passed the gate. She then appeared beside Arthur.
"The branch family is making a move and it seems like they are targeting you. Be careful.", she said. Arthur was not surprised but he did raise his eyebrows.
"I expected them to do something but this is too risky. Everything could go wrong if whatever they came up with fails. They must be confident in the successful execution of it", he said in a particularly worried tone that was not missed by Vesta.
"You have an idea of what it is?", she asked. "I think so and I am nervous about it.", was his reply.
"Someone gave away where you will be.", she said.
"I have a rough idea who it is."
"Who?"
Arthur looked just looked at her with a small smile, "I believe you can guess it."
She thought of the people in the academy who would want to harm Arthur; one stands out the most.
"Him. You think he is capable of that?", she asked doubtfully. Arthur nodded, "That guy hates our class and probably me for my lack of an attribute."
Vesta thought about it. "Did he overhear about the plans for the duel?"
"Well. We weren't particularly secretive about it. He must've sent a pair of eyes on me, someone good enough to evade your detection.", Arthur replied.
Vesta frowned. This is bad. "We should tell Alice."
He nodded, "Let's do it after her duel. Until then let's be alert but also make sure to not make the person tailing me suspicious."
She nodded. It is a good plan and she would remain by his side all of the time until Arthur is safely in his room in the dorm.
'Let's hope nothing bad happens.'
*******
"When did you get an island?", Alice asked when she realized where they are. It was an island the size of the academy campus. It has a large wooded area in the center and one side has some small hills that dropped off to a cliff on the other side. About 70 percent of the island's coast is a huge beach.
He looked proud, "Perks of being a Cardinal, dear Alice. I use this place to improve my skills."
"That explains why this place has a piece sliced off like cake.", Seventeen said, looking at the farthest coast from where they stood, the cliff face was neatly cut, as if by a very sharp blade.
Ruth narrowed her eyes, "How many islands have you used for practice, Headmaster?"
Zephyrus just laughed sheepishly.
"Headmaster?", she crossed her arms. Everyone was looking at him.
"Ten.", he whispered.
"I'm sorry?"
"Ten islands.", he was suddenly interested in a seashell half buried in the sand. Everyone was silent. The crashing of the sea on the rocks and the voices of birds were the only sound for a whole minute.
"Anyway. Let me explain the rules.", he quickly changed the subject and walked along the beach.
"Remind me to ask for a raise.", Ruth said. Alice, Jade, and Seventeen nodded. They are also thinking the same thing. The Cardinal has some very deep pockets.
Everyone followed Zephyrus along the beach.
They finally reached a medium-sized log beach house, complete with a long patio and lawn chairs. The interior was comfortable and cool, despite the sun beaming high above them.
Zephyrus waved his hands about a dozen magia screens popped into existence, each showing a different part of the island.
"This is the live feed shared by wind spirits I have scattered across the island. They will follow our four contestants around and will enable us to watch the battle in real-time."
He turned to the students, "You guys can relax here and watch the duel. Also, observe how these four battle.", he gestured to the captains and instructors.
He turned to them, "The rules are simple. The four of you are divided into teams: Team Captains and Team Instructors."
"The two teams will be taken to opposite sides of the island. I have placed two enchanted items in the middle of the island. The team that finds them and defeats the opposing team is declared the winner."
"Remember. You have to defeat the other team to win. Also no killing.", he emphasized the last part. The four of them nodded.
Zephyrus smiled, "Alright then. Let's get started."
A strong wind came out of nowhere and without warning, picked the four surprised warlocks and whisked them away to opposite sides of the island.
He grinned and turned to the students, "Let's kick back and relax guys. There are refreshments.", he gestured to the counter of the attached kitchen on which a lot of snacks and drinks are placed.
Everyone was a bit nervous around the Cardinal. It was Ray who broke the tension. He grabbed a bowl of chips and sat on one of the comfortable couches in front of a screen showing rather dazed Alice and Jade.
"C'mon Arthur. I saved you a seat.", he patted the space next to him. The others relaxed and found places to sit and watch the duel.
Vanessa went over to Zephyrus, "You seem to be enjoying this a lot."
He grinned, "Of course. I can use this as an excuse to slack off. The work I've been getting is increasing every day."
She laughed, "You remind me of a Crown. He was as carefree as you."
Zephyrus can't help but feel a bit proud after hearing that. "So what do you think of the outcome of this small contest?"
Vanessa didn't even have to think. "I believe Seventeen will come out on top.", she said confidently.
"Even if he is holding back a lot?"
"Do you want to make a bet?", Vanessa asked.
He sighed, "Nah. I'm bad at taking bets."
She laughed and then left the Cardinal as he went on to manipulate his wind spirits. Her eyes lingered on Arthur. Even though he is having fun she can see that he is thinking of something. Probably another interesting plan.
She had a small smile, "I wonder what you are thinking, child."
*******
"You alright?", Seventeen asked Ruth as she shook the sand off her auburn hair.
"Apart from having an unexpected snack of sand. Then yes. I am fine.", she said as she spat out sand. Seventeen helped her up.
"I swear I might end up in jail by the end of this year on charges of murdering a Cardinal.", she grumbled.
Seventeen chuckled nervously, "Let's not get bothered by the Headmaster's antics. You know he is an eccentric man."
"Hmph.", she responded and dusted off the remaining sand on her clothes. "My new combat clothes are now sandy.", she grumbled.
She wore a full-sleeved black vest underneath a light blue sleeveless hoodie and she wore white shorts over black leggings, blue boots, and black leather gauntlets with wavy designs.
This outfit has full physical damage resistance paired with magia resistance up to attacks of mid-level CAT 2. As an added bonus, it also maintains the wearer's body temperature.
"Now that I noticed it, that is a cool outfit. You look pretty good.", Seventeen remarked and then asked, "What are the specs?"
Ruth smiled at the compliment and she became flustered but she told him about the perks of her new outfit.
Seventeen whistled, "It must've been expensive."
"I've been saving up."
"Damn. You have better money management than me."
"I think you should try to control your love for apple wine and get a powerful enchanted item to suppress your sword. Then you will have enough money.", Ruth replied with a sigh.
Seventeen just turned around and walked towards the woods, "I'm sorry I couldn't hear you over the waves."
"Your hopeless.", she rolled her eyes and went over to him. The two of them stood at the edge of the woods. Ruth looked at Seventeen.
"So what's the plan?"