“So, you want some advice on how to beat Lily,” Professor Lionel said after eating the roasted chicken leg in his hand. “Tell me, why should we help you with this? If other people knew that we are giving you pointers, they might say that we are giving favoritism to some of the students.”
“… I didn’t think that far.” Ethan had an awkward look on his face because he didn’t consider this matter. If the Professors were to get in trouble for helping him because others would call it favoritism, then it would be best if he just looked for answers on his own.
Seeing his troubled expression, Professor Violet giggled before placing her wine cup on top of the table.
“Don’t tease him too much, Lionel,” Professor Violet stated. “Can’t you see that the poor boy is desperate right now?”
The beautiful Professor then winked at Ethan before resting her chin on the back of her intertwined hands.
“Truth be told, I’m a bit annoyed because Schwartz Manor didn’t even reach the Semifinals,” Professor Violet stated. “How about you, Lionel? Aren’t you disappointed that Eques Manor didn’t make it as well?”
Professor Violet was one of the advisors of Schwartz Manor, while Professor Lionel belonged to Eques Manor. Both of their Manors had been kicked out of the tournament, and could only watch from the sides and cheer for their favorites. Still, she had a good impression of Ethan, so she didn’t think badly of the him even if they lost.
“Of course I am disappointed,” Professor Lionel answered. “But, that’s just how things are. We win some, we lose some. Also, Jaeger Manor is truly strong this year. Stronger than the past year.”
Professor Violet nodded her head in agreement because she was also surprised by how strong Jaeger Manor had become.
“Right now, they are the favorite to win the tournament,” Professor Violet commented. “They just need to completely beat the Dud Manor to secure enough points to win. Also, that annoying Professor Njal still hasn’t paid me the debt he owes me. Perhaps I should help make his team lose some points as well?”
Professor Lionel chuckled after hearing the beautiful Professor’s words. However, his laughter came to a complete stop as he placed his mug on top of the table.
“Come to think of it, Njal didn’t return the 5,000 Gold Coins he owed me either.” Professor Lionel frowned. “That two-faced snake, I should beat him to a pulp one of these days.”
“Oh! Do call me when you do that,” Professor Violet smiled evilly. “I want to join the fun.”
The two Professors then nodded at each other before glancing at the young man with smiles on their faces.
“You’re in luck, Ethan,” Professor Lionel. “Right now, we have a common enemy.”
“Right.” Professor Violet agreed. “It’s time to bring Professor Njal down a peg.”
The two Professors then gave the teenage boy a critical look before shaking their heads at the same time.
“No good,” Professor Lionel stated. “If he doesn’t use Partial Resonance, there is no way to beat Lily. Ethan is simply too weak, and too slow to fight her.”
“Indeed.” Professor Violet nodded. “Unless her period comes on that day, and she’s suffering from cramps, I doubt that this Dud will have a chance to win.”
The corner of Ethan’s lips twitch after hearing the two Professors’ hurtful words. However, since it was the truth, he was unable to refute them!
“But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that there is no way to beat her.” Professor Lionel crossed his arms over his chest. “But, before that, there is one spell that you need to overcome first.”
The Knightly Professor raised a finger as if making sure that Ethan was paying full attention to him.
“Magna Amplifico,” Professor Lionel stated. “Unless you can use this spell, or find ways to overcome it, you won’t stand a chance against Lily. You already mastered Amplifico, so you need to master Magna Amplifico before you duel with her.”
Professor Violet also raised a finger as she gave Ethan her own tip.
“Lily belongs to the Jaeger Manor, which means that all of her senses are stronger than normal people,” Professor Violet commented. “After using Magna Amplifico, those senses are heightened even further. It means that her eyesight becomes clearer, her hearing sharper, her sense of taste more detailed, and her sense of touch more profound.
“Having stronger senses isn’t necessarily a good thing. Sometimes, they can be double-edged swords that can also harm their owner. Bats navigate using Echo-location. If you are able to counter their high-pitched sound waves then they can lose their sense of direction and bump into trees when they fly.”
Professor Violet then gave more examples, which made Ethan realize how ignorant he was of the world.
Professor Lionel and Professor Violet didn’t directly tell him what to do, but the way they explained things allowed Ethan to suddenly think of many different ideas for how to fight Lily in their duel.
‘Amazing,’ Ethan thought. ‘Several minutes ago, I had no clue on how to fight against Lily. Now, I’m brimming with ideas.’
The handsome teenager absorbed Professor Lionel’s and Professor Violet’s words like a sponge, allowing them to talk uninterrupted. When dinner ended, Ethan profusely thanked his two Professors before running towards the Library of the Academy.
The two Professors watched him go with smiles on their faces.
“Is he really a Dud?” Professor Lionel inquired.
“I don’t know anymore.” Professor Violet shrugged. “However, after the tournament is over, the Headmaster plans to have Ethan retake the Appraisal Test. It seems that some of the prestigious guests in the Academy demanded this of him, including Langston’s father.”
“Ah, that snake wearing a human’s skin.” Professor Lionel sneered. “I’m really glad that he wasn’t able to win the vote to become the Headmaster of this Academy. If he really gets that position, I’ll leave this place without a second thought.”
“I feel the same.” Professor Violet agreed. “Fortunately, his Faction wasn’t able to sway the others and Professor Rinehart got the post from his predecessor.”
“And I’d like it if it stayed that way.” Professor Lionel refilled his mug with mead before drinking half of it in one gulp. “The Academy will be better off without him.”
Professor Violet smiled as she swirled the wine in her glass.
The Magical World was run by many influential people, who were still trying to extend their reach into Brynhildr Academy.
Even now, there were skirmishes happening in the shadows.
Fortunately, Professor Rinehart wasn’t a pushover and was able to thwart the plans of those who wished to use the Academy for personal gains.
“After this tournament is over, I’m sure that those old geezers will begin to move again,” Professor Violet stated.
Professor Lionel nodded. “Well, this is no longer our problem. Let’s just hope this year will be more peaceful than last year.”
Professor Violet giggled after hearing her colleague’s somewhat hopeful words. 𝔬𝒱𝑳xt.𝒸𝚘𝓂
“Do you even think that what you hope for will happen?” Professor Violet inquired.
“Nope,” Professor Lionel replied. “But, one can dream, right?”
The two Professors then clinked their glasses together as if reaching an agreement. Right now, the focus of everyone was the Clash of Manors. But after that, everyone’s Practical Tests would soon begin.
A test that would allow the students to leave Brynhildr Academy, and explore the Magical World… and all the dangers that could be found inside it.