Aethernea : Soulbound [Book 1]

Episode 41 - Urwin

"The trigger spell she was using wasn't the same one you used. Her spell was smaller and quicker to cast."

"How is that possible?! Trigger spells can't be simplified!"

Zerel's eyes twinkled mischievously. "You know, little Dei." Zerel started. "This year, there is a person who applied for the entrance exam that selected a rather peculiar skill from the list of special skills. A skill that no one ever selects."

Deora blinked a few times. "What does that have to do with the previous conversation?"

Zerel tilted his head to the side, completely ignoring Deora's question. "Can you guess what it is?"

"How should I know!?" Deora stomped his feet impatiently.

Zerel grinned wide. "Spell breaking."

Spell breaking. The action of destroying another mage's spell.

It was a term every mage was familiar with, yet people who could actually perform it were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns.

That was because, while it was relatively easy to interfere with spellcasting, it was almost impossible to destroy an already formed spell belonging to another mage.

Deora frowned, his annoyance growing by the minute. "Again. How is that relevant?"

Zerel grinned even wider. "Have you ever heard of spell cracking?"

Deora's frown deepened. "No. I am not a walking encyclopedia like you."

Zerel's eyes twinkled mischievously. "It is a very peculiar skill closely related to spell breaking and mystification..."

Deora scratched his head, still frowning. "What about it?"

Zerel chuckled and smiled mysteriously. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

Deora shook his head annoyed. "Arrgh! If she wasn't using the same spell as the one we gave her then naturally we need to repeat the test."

"Wasn't it you that told her that using an alternate trigger spell was allowed? Are you going to take back your own words?"

Deora ground his teeth. He didn't know what sounded more unpleasant, going back on what he previously said or letting that cheater score full points.

* * *

Kiel waited in front of Elaru's classroom for quite some time before the examinees started coming out. Elaru was among the first to emerge. Seeing her bright smile, he assumed the exam went well. He was about to let out a breath of relief when he noticed that she wasn't alone.

A male argel with ordinary appearance was conversing with her and walking by her side. The guy seemed to be good natured and friendly, giving Kiel no good reason to hate him.

But did Kiel ever require a good reason for hating someone?

Hearing the excited voice with which the boy addressed Elaru, Kiel instantly judged he disliked the guy. Seeing him irked Kiel. He got the urge to turn around and walk away, but before he could do so, Elaru spotted him and animatedly started waving her hand in his direction.

Kiel swore inwardly. They were no longer alone. They were in public. He couldn't give her the cold shoulder and ignore her. Right now, he was supposed to be a benevolent young master.

He plastered a soft smile onto his face and waited for her to walk up to him.

Elaru looked at him apologetically. "Sorry Kiel. I've made you wait."