Algernon Black

(Chapter 70) Violence's End

If in Violence it begins, in Violence it will never end.

Lucy reached out to touch the words, but a voice startled her back.

"You've finally arrived." Echoed across the chamber as the group of first years looked for the source. "And I couldn't be more proud." Only Algernon and Lucy could spot Brickwood from where they stood, and the professor approached her, his voice now drowning out with the waterfall. "Especially of you, Lucy," Brickwood said, coming to offer down his helping hand up. "You've done so well,"  He smiled as he felt his cousin's glaring hate at his back. "Much better than I could have ever hoped for." His grin widened and Lucy instinctively accepted his hand but as soon as she did she felt a force behind her. She looked back to King Levithan. He stayed perfectly still watching on with stone eyes as the professor helped her to her feet and pulled her away. Algernon never stopped glowering at Brickwood as he did, not until he let go of Lucy's hand and replaced him at her side.

The professor walked into view of the remaining first years. "Congratulations on making it here. Not many do." He said beaming at his students. "Though you did not make it here as fast as your upperclassmen." From the shadows of the other side of the cave, the fifth-years sauntered forth.

Luke waved a hello and half a smile lifted his cheeks as he greeted them. It ever so slightly grew when it landed on Lucy with a wink to pair with it. He full-out laughed when Algernon looked just about ready to kill him for it.

Pecilia rolled her eyes at the cockiness. "Whatever comes next, please tell me there's no more walking involved." She groaned, sitting down and rubbing her feet.

"Why would you wear such impractical shoes?" Brickwood questioned, looking at her heels.

"Because," Pecilia snarled. "You geniuses insist on keeping every challenge we do a secret."

Brickwood chuckled under his breath. "Part of the challenge is being prepared for anything."

"Well, I'm prepared for a queen's coronation." Pecilia clapped back.

Brickwood took a breathe so his frustration didn't seep into his words as he addressed the rest of them. "Anyways, it's time to finish the third round."

The students gathered around the professor who stood behind the goddess of light's back. "To make it to the final round, each group must choose one person to sacrifice, while the others carry onto the final task."

Everyone froze, digesting the weight of his words.

"What does a sacrifice entail?" Jasper asked, looking at his friends reluctantly.

"They'll need to be rendered unable to continue on," Brickwood clarified. "Incapacitated."

The first years drew closer together while the fifth years started to break apart.

"I say we get rid of the weakest." A fifth-year girl said, her hands alive with dark magic.

"Holly," Luke scolded, holding out his hand to the girl. "Wait, we're going to need-"

He was interrupted when a different fifth-year girl shot a defenseless Holly.

Luke turned to yell at the other girl but his shouts were overrun when a not yet defeated Holly started to fire back. The innocent bystanders were drawn into the brawl, having to defend themselves. Rowland tried to take a stance between the two but was haphazardly knocked out. Luke stepped back finally having enough of the unnecessary violence. With a quick shake of his wrists, he brought his artifacts to hand and jumped backward. On his way down he bashed the two shield halves onto the ground, sending out a surge wave that knocked the fifth years off their feet.