Chapter 9

The students murmured among each other. I was clear that Liam would win but to think he would throw eggs at Tiechie. If it wasn't for the beating that followed it would have been a comedy skit straight out of the theater. 

Back on the elevated watch point there were mixed reactions, to say the least. 

"Eggs? Seriously? Eggs?"

"That kids probably gonna cause some changes to the rule book."

"Probably not, the point of the tournament is to test how the students deal with unfair situations." 

"She should probably get that egg sludge out of her eyes."

"He can take a wolfkin on in a one on one but not a girl?"

"Can you get salmonella through the eyes?"

Kefslan was the only one of the four that stayed silent, irked by the waste of food. He thought about what played out exactly and then let out a slow and deep chuckle. 

"The kid's putting up a show."

Desique thought about Liams behavior until now, he awakened his connection to the arcane on the first day, he prepared himself for the tournament before it was even announced and he doesn't fight like winning is his goal... 

"... he fights like he's making a point."

Tenebrias perked up at that statement. She is an exceptional purple mage, but seeing the meanings of fights is not in the field of her expertise. 

"And what point is he making?"

"I can." 

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"Hey Raya."

I tried to not look at her too much, her constant smile is kind of off putting.

"Hmm?"

"Do I have to worry about your little alchemy getting close to me?"

"Hmm... maybe."

Eh whatever, I'll just hide in my bag-

A wet sensation creeps down my cranium as everyone close by went silent. The unwanted prickling sound of liquid hitting my head and the smell of alcohol settling in as a unwelcome guest. 

Oh that bitch of an office slave. 

I didn't bother looking or waiting any longer, I just threw my bag on the floor and stepped in.

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"Good, he's finally awake."

My head felt light and my arms felt weak as I came back to my senses. 

"Kuh... dam it."

"You put up a great fight, but you panicked." 

"I want to see you stay calm whilst being strangled."

"That guy is pretty good at hiding it."

Both of us looked over at our third brother, Mustafa. 

"Hiding what? You think he's being humble?"

"No. He was, he is afraid."

"I would say he rushed me pretty recklessly."

"He managed to trigger a death grasp, an instinct triggered in the face of death. Usually happens to drowning sailors or fishermen, they hold on to their ships so tight that corpses will hang on to the ships until someone cuts off their fingers or the water calms."

"He feared for his life."

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"Are you alright, Tiechie?"

I wiped the last bit of egg sludge off my face with a wet rag. 

"Y-yeah..."

"No, she's not."

Macus, a friend of ours, spoke up. He's clearly unhappy with what happened.

"Didn't you see how he violated her? Didn't you see how he didn't stop when she was on the ground? Didn't you see that utter lack of Morals and dignity?" 

"Macus, please, it's fine."

"No. it's not fine! I won't just sit here and watch my friend get humiliated like that!"

"Macus, you'll be up against him next. Stay patient till then and you can "avenge" Tiechie."

Lawrence seems to try and calm down Macus who is weirdly offended in my name. 

I don't even hold anything against Liam. 

At least, I don't unless Liam makes this bigger than it has to be.

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I kept my smile on my face as I Stepped into the pit arena. 

"Raya of the first year!"

"Vraire of the first year!"

I didn't pay the announcer any attention, I just looked down the boy that had the misfortune of being matched against me.

Vraire, equipped with a spear that's missing a head he took a stance to become battle ready. He has decent meat on him, but not enough to stand a chance against my little concoction. 

I'm thankful that Liam was willing to abuse his positions power to give the local alchemist a prescription, that stubborn lady banned Thistlewoods from her shop and as a professional errand boy Liam can ask for questionable things without being questioned. 

The metallic gong could be heard ringing through the arena and the stick wielding lad rushed forth. 

Not like it matters. 

I took the first and second into my hands and poured the second into the firsts vial, closed the lid and shook good. 

I threw the shaking potion in Vraires direction, causing him to halt. 

I quickly chugged the third and the stick boys yelp tells me that the sleeping gas burst the bottle by now. 

I looked at the rapidly expanding gas cloud with the little smile I always have. 

"Goodnight, stick boy."