The rest of that day passed in ignorant exultation. Jacob was congratulated upon returning to the stands. He felt almost like a celebrity during the rest of the matches and eating dinner in the cafeteria that night. For that evening there was nothing on his mind but the revelry of victory.

But as the night drew on and the emotions settled down, the overload of the day lessening to the empty silence of night, he felt it. As he lay in bed with his eyes closed, it was there in his sensation, a rushing braid of magic.

The bind with Father Emil's shade. It had been there the whole time, he just hadn't been able to feel it. He sat up on his bed. It was still there, of course. He put his shoes on and slipped down to the lobby and out into the crisp night. It followed him, ever-present. He could feel the latent energy in it, the latent tension that would lash out at him if it snapped or broke or whatever happened when he failed to fulfil the conditions.

He didn't sleep well.

----------------------------------------

The next morning Jacob seriously, blissfully considered skipping Magical Basics before Blake roused him. He got ready completely on autopilot and tried to wake himself up as they made their way across campus and into the Magical Basics building. Maybe this was what coffee was for?

Students trickled into the auditorium doors. Leaning on the wall next to the doors, wearing a gunmetal three piece suit, his arms folded, a frown on his mature face—all of which made him look like a mafioso—was Archie.

Uh oh. Something was up.

"Mornin' Archie," Blake said.

Archie nodded curtly to Blake. "Good morning, McGinnis," he levelled his gaze on Jacob. "I need to talk with Jacob."

"Oh," Blake said. He looked between them, then shrugged. "Aight, I'll see ya in there."

Jacob grunted. Whatever this was, he was too tired to deal with it right now. "Archie, we have class."

"It will be quick," Archie said.

Blake looked between them again, then walked into class. Jacob debated doing the same. Archie's stance brokered no arguments, but why should Jacob let the boy boss him around? They were the same age.

"Fine. What is it?" Jacob said.

Archie met his eyes. "You are my friend, and I value our friendship. But next round we are fighting. You know how seriously I take the Tournament. Until our match is over, you are my sworn enemy. I felt it was the mature thing to let you know instead of dancing around it for the next three weeks like a scheming girl."

Jacob blinked. "Oh," he hadn't been expecting this at all. He'd been wondering about how to treat Archie until their match, but he hadn't put too much thought into it, impending loss of magic and all.

He was a little peeved the boy was bothering him with this now, since their match wasn't for three weekends, but, actually, Archie was right. This was a good thing. "Okay. Yeah. I'm in. I agree, it's better to clear the air right now."

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Archie relaxed a little. "You understand. Good. No matter what happens, I will still be your friend afterwards, but until then, I will not engage with you unnecessarily."

"Same," Jacob said.

Archie nodded, a short, sharp movement of his head. "Good luck."

"You too," Jacob said.

Archie pushed himself up off the wall and then, to Jacob's surprise, strode out of the Magical Basics building. Jacob watched him walk down the path outside, a little confused.

He's not going to class. He's going to train.

Jacob could hardly believe it. Their match was still so far away, and they had midterms next week. He couldn't afford to just skip class now, even if Archie was. But what did he value more, his marks or his matches?

"Shit," Jacob ground his teeth in frustration. Indecision riddled him, like several elastics pulling him in different directions.

He caved in and entered the auditorium, silently cursing himself. He walked up the aisle to his seat next to Blake, oblivious to the hubbub of the packed class. Clearly, Archie had his priorities straight. He was already stronger than Jacob, and it became very apparent that there was no chance in hell Jacob could win without taking it at least as seriously.

He clenched his fist around his pen. No, he wasn't going to lose. Not after all the work he'd put in so far. Not after beating Altman and Wilkins.

Ms Sterling launched into the lecture. They were continuing to learn about different families and sub-families of magical creatures. Normally, he'd be enraptured, but her voice went in one ear and out the other.

Could he afford to go to a single class this week?

But what about the bargain with Father Emil? Could he afford to neglect that altogether?

Christ, what had he gotten himself into? He put his head in his hands. He felt like screaming. If he exploded right now he wouldn't have to deal with any of this.

He pictured himself blowing up right in the middle of the class, and chuckled.

Okay, he knew he couldn't panic. It was the exact same as when he'd been lost in the magical world. He had to stay calm, think rationally.

He'd need Camilla's help to beat Archie. Point blank period. Would Archie have already asked her for help? No, didn't seem like the type to ask for help.

Jacob leaned around Grace.

"Camilla?" He whispered.

She looked over at him, blinking her eyes several times. "Hmm?"

"Can you help me train?"

"When?"

"Today?"

"Mr Caibo!" Ms Sterling barked.

Jacob froze.

"Would you like to share with the rest of the class what you were talking about?"

Shut the fuck up! Jacob almost burst out, suddenly furious. Goddamn Ms Sterling. He did not need her bullshit right now.

"No. Nothing," he managed.

Ms Sterling gave him a long, hard look, then went back to lecturing.

Jacob hissed out a sigh and pulled out his phone and texted Camilla, feeling like an idiot:

Today?

What time?

Right after class

I can't. I have to finish the Intro assignment.

Jacob jerked in his seat. He felt like shaking Camilla, yelling at her. Intro? This is way more important! He forced himself to take a deep breath. She'd never help him if he did that. She was more likely to incinerate him. Beg, then? Plead with her? No, that wouldn't work either.

He was being selfish. She had to train for her own match. She had her own school to do.

Tonight? Like 6pm?

Okay.

Can you book it?

Yes.

Thank you!

Np!

He put his phone away. That still left him with most of the day. He couldn't twiddle his thumbs. Maybe research the killer's magic some more?

Jacob pushed the bargain to the back of his mind as best he could.

Did he train by himself? He could get Blake to book a session. That wasn't a bad idea, but Blake's arms still weren't at full strength. He wouldn't be able to fight or spar. His third option would have been Archie, but that was out of the question.

Tanaka.

The thought froze Jacob to the spot. Train with Tanaka? He was crazy.

No. No, actually it was a good idea. A really good idea.