Walking out still in a daze, Harry surveyed the plain terrain around him. It was simple, devoid of objects to hide behind or use as cover. Littered with small rocks that would be suitable for transfiguration and some shrubbery.
The higher end of the stands was occupied by Tanya, Dimitrious, and Elder Merigold, while Harry's fan club, the soldiers, hollered obscenities from the lower end.
"Come on, little prince, fuck him up."
"Show no mercy to this arrogant bastard."
"Shove your wand up his asshole and burn him from the inside."
Harry paused at that, looking incredulously at the soldier who had shouted the obscenity. It seemed like he was the only one who heard it, seeing the grinning soldier shoot him a thumbs up. Shaking his head in disbelief, Harry focused on his opponent in front of him and entered the zone.
"Human, this is the one and only warning I'll give you. I'm Arnold, considered the number one genius in Elthuria. You have no hope," boasted a confident Arnold.
But Harry was in the zone. The only thing he could see was his opponent. His mind was formulating, theorizing. He saw multiple ways to win, but almost all of them involved his fire, something he wanted to keep to himself. No doubt Dimitrius had expected him to end this with his fire. After all, he had only been training with magic for one year, compared to Arnold who had been learning since he was seven—a six-year gap in experience.
If the bout had the prerequisite of making him stand still while they traded spells, he would lose almost instantly, but luckily fights were more than just the magic you knew.
A gong sounded, and Harry moved. He was instantly on Arnold, his wand slashing down. "Reducto," intoned Harry as Arnold hastily conjured a weak shield, which the Reducto broke, striking him. Credit where it's due, he managed to shield himself from Harry's subsequent spells, even as he scowled, taking the fight seriously now.
"Flipendo, Reducto, Reducto, Diffindo," chanted Harry in quick succession, chaining spells together with ease, keeping Arnold on the back foot.
Arnold gritted his teeth, 'Shit' he thought, 'this kid's seriously fucking fast for a mere human to move so fast, He's not giving me any time!' with no time to counter or cast a stronger shield. All he could do was shield himself.
'I refuse to let it go on like this," an angered Arnold muttered to himself, risking his body he decided to take a spell.
"Reducto," he cast in front of Harry, disrupting his spell flow, even as he took a Diffindo to his shoulder. However, that moment of respite was enough for Arnold as he transfigured a small rock into several birds, all intent on poking Harry's eye out.
Harry jumped backwards, giving himself some space, even as he picked out the birds with a widespread "Incendio."
'Seems he's more than just talk', Harry mused even as the birds where instantly replaced by a pack of cats nimbly jumping towards him, replacing the burning birds.
However Harry saw an opportunity, the cats were transfigured quickly, and Arnold had made a mistake, they where too predatory, leaving gaps as he acted with cat like grace himself weaving through the cats while transfiguring a piece of rubble into two dogs who swiftly engaged the cats, leaving Harry to face Arnold yet again.
Arnold cast spells in quick succession, forcing Harry to weave through them and return cover fire without much difficulty, at least initially. "You can't keep this up Human," he taunted.
Harry scowled, knowing he was right, there was less and less time to dodge the spells and Harry could feel them coming closer and Finally, the Elthurian connected with a powerful Bombarda, flinging Harry back, even as he took out the remaining transfigured dog coming towards him, having won the cat-dog fight.
Harry ignored the rapidly forming bruise as he noticed Arnold finish his transfiguration, A rhino came charging towards him and Harry was slightly worried, 'he's transfigured it perfectly, one hit and I'm out' he thought.
Harry avoided the rhino with ease, but he was incapable of transfiguring anything that could match the rhino quickly even as Arnold made his move laughing, "where's the bravado now little Human?"
Harry was forced to defend a bone breaker and then slid under the rhino, using the rhino as temporary cover, he launched a blasting curse back at Arnold, who batted it aside with ease, 'Fuck that's going to hurt' thought Harry, even as he adjusted his body as the charging rhino came back, giving him a glancing but painful blow.
Harry was thrown him backwards, winding him, and instantly forcing him on the defensive as Spells started pelting his hastily put-together shields, some making it past it but missing him by skin of his nails.
Grunting Harry decided to take care of the rhino, throwing up a smoke charm, Harry felt the rumbles of the rhino as it moved towards him with the smoke obscuring everyone's vision, I didn't want to use this but this fucker's way too advanced for a 14 year old he pondered, tracking the rhino with ease through the smoke he shrouded his hand in fire, meeting the rhino's head which melted as if it was made of butter as Harry's his hand cleaved through the top of the rhino even as he flipped on top, all the while maintaining his fire,
All that was left of the rhino was a dead carcass, igniting it would be suspicious, no normal fire should be that hot, so Harry split open the ground with a deprimo and shuffled sand over it with a flick of his wand.
Harry then looked on slightly amused as a spell sputtered against the ground to his left, Arnold had been firing blindly knowing one spell would have been enough, unknowing Harry could see the spells perfectly, tilting his head slightly he dodged the first on-target one with an amused smirk.
But Harry's smirk dropped as he analyzed the situation, I'm tired, at least physically, he had been weaving in and out while Arnold had remained mostly stationary even as he analyzed the situation, 'so let's shake things up' thought Harry with a smirk.
Arnold was annoyed, somehow he had buried Arnold's rhino and avoided every spell he sent at the now almost cleared-up smoke, but he knew the human was tiring, He can't keep this up for long rationalized Arnold, waiting to seize an opportunity
"Your little human's in trouble, Princess," smirked smugly Elder Merigold.
"Words are cheap, Elder," agitated Tanya, confident in Harry's abilities.
"He has exceeded my expectations by far," mused Dimitrious.
Confusion ran through the Elder's mind as he wondered, "His expectations have been exceeded! Did he not want the boy to win?!"
Aware that Arnold was prepared for any sudden moves, Harry decided to switch things up. While his skill might be lacking, power was something he had in abundance, and power was what he needed. Crouching down, he lightly touched the ground with his wand.
The result was anything but light, as the ground erupted, pieces of earth shooting out in random directions with Harry in the center, crouched down. Arnold shielded himself easily, wondering about his opponent's strategy. Only some of the rocks were launched in his vicinity. It became clear as Harry stood up and conjured up smoke from his wand. When it cleared, he had vanished.
The terrain wasn't to Harry's advantage, making it a head-to-head fight, but now, craters and large pieces of rubble served as cover.
Arnold scowled, realizing that the revealing charm, hominium revelio, would not help him with spectators in such close proximity. In front of him and to his sides, he was effectively blind. He couldn't maintain a strong enough shield while casting to block the human's attack if he guessed wrong, Ratty human bastard he cursed in his mind keenly surveying the battlefield.
The seconds ticked on, a terrifying turn of events. The roles envisioned were switched in an instant— the presumed hunter became the hunted. His enemy had eyes on him while he was a sitting duck the moment he dropped the shield. In frustration, he shouted, "As expected of a human, to resort to such underhanded methods. I can't say I'm surprised."
Harry barely even registered his words as he waited to pounce, looking for any signs of weakness while he pondered something more important, What's for lunch, I haven't eaten after training and I'm famished while stroking his chin.
"He's resorted to baiting, not looking so good, is he, Elder Merigold?" Tanya cruelly rubbed it in.
Elder Merigold gritted his teeth at the slight, eyes blazing with fury. "The human is more impressive than I imagined. However, if he thinks that this is enough, he's in for a rude awakening. ARNOLD, DO NOT HOLD BACK, OUR HONOR IS ON THE LINE," he shouted with finality.
Back in the field, Arnold glared. "To think YOU would force me into this. I'll admit you're worthy of being treated as more than a pest, similar to a cockroach if I do say so myself. So be it."
Arnold maintained his shield, simultaneously casting with visible strain on his face. The air turned colder as Arnold slammed his wand into the ground with a yell.
The ground erupted, ice furiously sprang from it in all directions, rapidly reaching a height of 10 meters. The ice had sharp and jagged ends, a menacing display of magical power. If anyone had been beneath it, they would have met a grisly fate.
The soldiers, for once, fell silent, confronted by the terrifying display of ice that could easily have killed them without a chance to react. There seemed to be some substance to Arnold's claims, evident as he lay panting on the ground, the spell having drained him.
Elder Merigold, visibly relieved, mumbled, "It's over."
Arnold, however, began laughing hysterically between breaths. "Well, Princess, there's not much your little human could do against overwhelming might."
Tanya raised a brow, smirking. She pointed above him, and to his shock, there was Harry, looking down at Arnold coldly. Before Arnold could react, Harry dropped down and smashed his foot into the stomach of the unprepared Elthurian.
Harry was annoyed, he had to use his fire to shield himself from the ice, fortunately, he was in a crater, so the puddle he left behind would be unseen by the elder, but it still rankled him to have been forced to use his fire but it was over and his eyes developed a sinister tinge as he looked down at the shaking body. You won't get away I swear it Harry promised in his mind.
Arnold dropped his wand as he rolled on the floor in pain, Harry put a stop to it as he placed his foot on the back of Arnold's head and looked directly at the Elder, "Bring me the truth potion," he demanded of the soldiers keeping his eyes on Elder Merigold.
Even being so far from the boy, shivers still went down the Elders spine as he looked into the boy's eyes, they sent shivers down his spine and put him on edge, something that he found absurd, HE was pressured by a mere human, while what he has shown is impressive, it's nothing that should alarm me, is it possible he is more than what he has shown, that's impossible he shrugged it off even as he made his way down towards Arnold's prone body with a sense of dread.
The soldier brought him the Truth Potion, and everyone gathered around Arnold.
"My Lord if you would?" Harry asked formally presenting the potion to Lord Dimitrious.
Harry had been smart and patient, instead of shoving it down his throat himself, he gave it to the king, whose veracity could not be doubted by a mere Elder.
"Certainly," Dimitrious stepped forward and administered the potion to Arnold, who panicked and looked at his grandfather, who could only look away, Dimitrious poured the potion down his throat, causing his eyes to go glassy.
"Now I will ask the control questions."
"What is your full name?"
"Arnold Armanim Merigold"
"How old are you?"
"17."
"So, his age was lied about, so much for the young Prodigy," muttered a solider from behind them, leading to a cacophony of whispers.
Dimitrious raised his eyebrow at the Elder, who coughed, it had been a marketing ploy to bring attraction to their family, but now it was backfiring.
Dimitrious gestured for Harry to continue, who gladly did.
Harry looked at Elder Merigold, he stared him directly in his eyes, he hadn't switched off, his killing intent spiked, and the Elder panicked, thinking he was going to be attacked and made to defend himself.
However it stopped just as quickly as it had spiked leaving a puzzled Elder, he had led armies and slain powerful sorcerers, he wasn't the strongest but to feel pressure from a human boy who had been training for less than a year for a second time troubled him, no surely he wasn't holding back? but that would be the least of his concerns as Harry asked his question.
"How many times have you committed the act of Rape?"
A gasp went up from the soldier, and a look of dread overcame the Elder, now clearly seeing the intentions of Tanya and Dimitrious, this was planned well in advance, they anticipated that the human would, they planned this! realized Elder Merigold, but he was helpless as Arnold answered
"3."
This time a hiss of anger went up in the air, Harry's killing intent spiked again, but this time it stayed there like an oppressive fog, in the magical world, rape was considered one of the most heinous sins, reviled more than murder, as it was often perceived as an attack on Magic itself, to desecrate one of its wielders in that fashion.
"Who did you rape and how?" Tanya questioned, displaying no emotions.
Arnold listed off three names and spoke of his methods.
"The imperious curse, I often lured them in, by pretending to be amazed by their talents, then used the Imperious curse and then obliviated them." The boy said dreamily dead the world not realizing what would happen to him.
Tanya's magic let loose, even as she went still, his methods would have caused lasting damage, and the girls would wonder why they flinched away from every touch and shied away from intimate acts for the rest of their lives.
'HOW DARE HE!!' an enraged Tanya thought in her mind, but her voice was even as she asked,
"How did you cover these acts?" almost as if the magic weighing down on everyone wasn't hers.
However, before he could answer, Elder Merigold who had taken up a position next to his Grandson slit his neck, killing his own grandson to the shock of everyone there.
Elder Merigold bowed towards the king, it was shallow and belied his true feelings, Elder Merigold was angry that he'd been forced to execute his grandson, Arnold was talented and a big loss, but the family comes first even though his marketable aspect would be missed.
"I'm sorry my lord his actions made me very ashamed, and I couldn't contain myself, I will compensate the victims myself, I am truly ashamed that he committed these actions right under me.
Tanya saw through his and words instantly, Anger clouded her mind as the magic picked up, she looked at Elder Merigold, who let the slightest of smirks peek through, intentionally provoking the princess, if she attacked him, he could come away with something, come on little princess attack me he sneered in his mind.
He succeeded in lighting the fuse as Tanya let her magic go in his direction, or she would have if Harry hadn't pulled her into him the moment before she let go.
As Tanya heaved in anger into his chest, he looked at the Elder, this time no killing intent was let off, but those eyes were intense, as if promising him something.
"See you later," were Harry's parting words as he guided a distraught Tanya away from Dimitrious and the Elder.
"There will be a full investigation into his actions, decreed Dimitrious.
"My Lord, surely me taking my own grandson's life is enough, do not bring more shame to the Merigold line than we have already endured today!" blustered Elder Merigold.
Dimitrious was angry, very angry and he let it be known. "There is no guarantee he had no accomplices, I refuse to let something like this happen again in my kingdom, by dawn the newspapers will know, and I will take care of the three victims, not the perpetrator's grandfather, is that clear Rial." Forgoing the title was a clear indicator that he King was at his limit.
Elder Merigold bowed, even as he seethed on the inside "Very clear my Liege, if you will grant me my leave," walking out immediately.
Hours later, a figure could be seen entering his mansion. Frightened servants moved out as a scowling Elder Merigold stormed into his study, his son entering moments later, "Father, what happened? Where's Arnold?"
Elder Merigold roared with rage at the reminder of what happened, banging his fists onto the table. He glowered before finally decreeing, "Tell the Eizinburn's they have a deal. The royal family will burn.
"But father, they ask for the Princess in return!"
Elder Merigold snorted, "So be it."
AN: If you enjoyed the chapter consider supporting me by voting with Powerstones, it's free and a great motivator.
this took way longer than I thought it would had to write the fighting scene several times. Let me know how it panned out wasn't fully satisfied with it but it is what it is ig.