I didn’t dare draw the sword at my side, this bull wasn’t the cause of the explosion. I was going to have to kill this beast with the weapons I hid everywhere. Thankfully this bull was outraged because of what I did to it in the past, so it was easy to predict its attack.

I dodged to one side and then immediately turned so I could throw the spear. I launched it straight into its back as it recovered from its charge. Its cry in pain was loud enough for everyone in the school to hear. I run to another hidden weapon and pull out a rapier.” I admit you’re stronger than the rest of your kind, but you obviously aren’t smarter than them.” I say

The minotaur gets of its front legs to stand on its hind legs.” I was enraged to find that my opponent was you. The only thing I’ve ever lost to.” It says.” I have come for revenge.”

“You think you can defeat me? If that were true, I would’ve been the one to take the tumble off the cliff, not you.” I say trying to provoke him.

“I will enjoy crushing you.” It says and then it starts its approach.

I was hoping to make it mad again, but it obviously learned from last time we fought. Last time I was able to keep it provoked and made it charge me while a cliff was behind me. Now, I was in a school with only the rapier in my hand and the sword at my side. I take a deep breath and charge for the bull.

I feinted a frontal assault, which made the bull lunge for me, but I was able to dodge its attempt to grab me. I stab the sword straight into its rib cage and immediately fall back. If I had stayed it would have crushed me with its massive right arm. I know I hit one of its lung, I just had to survive until it bled out.

“It’s over, I doubt you have more than a minute before you drown in your own blood.” I say trying to stall.

“This is nothing, my anger will keep me going even after I die.” It says

“I don’t think you get how dying works.” I say and it gets on all four legs again. It charges and I move again, but this time it was able to move its arm out at the last second to hit me. It knocked me into the wall and I could feel a rib or two break.” Okay I should have seen that one coming.”

It charges at me while I’m getting up and I know I have to draw the sword now. I grab for my sword and just before I pull on it, I hear a spell being launched towards the minotaur. Its charge was knocked ten feet to the left of me and I use its confusion to my advantage. I stab it in the heart and leave the rapier in it.

“I’m glad we got here in time.” A familiar voice says. I turn and see an out of breath Arthur with his wand up.” I just wish I was in better shape so I could have gotten here sooner.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“I would’ve left you behind but you insisted on coming.” Edward says.” I would’ve stepped in too, but the minotaur had something that caught my eye.”

I back away from the bull and check my rib cage, no bones out of place, maybe just hairline fractures.” What was so important that it would stop you from helping me?” I ask with a very annoyed tone.

“That rune on right arm, it negates any offensive magic. Had I shot it with my magic, it would’ve bounced off.” Edward says.

“Those are for weaker spells though, why hesitate still?” I ask.

He shakes his head continues,” Yes most runes like that could never block a spell from me, but this one is different. It’s unlike any you’ve seen before. Only very high class magicians even know about that type of rune. It could block any offensive magic produced by anyone at this school.”

“Just my luck. I’m glad Claire didn’t follow me, she probably would’ve casted a spell and it would definitely have hit me.” I say.” This isn’t the only intruder, I heard an explosion earlier coming from the main courtyard.”

We race to the courtyard and I start to hear spells being casted and the sound they make as they pass through the air. We make it to the open and I see the Headmaster facing off against a cloaked mage. Around them were hundreds of dead monsters. Either Rivers took care of them all or they were collateral.

The cloaked mage stops and runs when they see us approaching. I give chase, but they disappear in a cloud of smoke. I run back to the Headmaster who is being supported by Edward.” What the hell happened?” I ask.

“Monsters stormed the front entrance at midnight and I was able to kill almost all of them. That mage appeared as I was trying to deal with that white bull and it got away. That mage was powerful, they were able to match me in offensive capability.” She says.” I can assume you took care of the bull right?”

I nod and say,” Dead in the hallway just over there.”

“Good, and I assume you found the hidden room?” She asks and I’m shocked.

“How did you know?” I ask.

“I’ve been keeping that armor in there safe for a very long time. Just because it changed form doesn’t mean I wouldn’t recognize it.” She says.” Your injuries should recover very soon, that’s the enchantment on the armor.”

“Speaking of which, I have to go back and find Claire.” I say and sprint off.

I make it back to the room and find Claire still reading. She changed into the faded red suit that was hanging opposite of the armor and she looks up at me.” How’d it go?”

“I almost died fighting a minotaur, but your father saved me. The Headmaster, turns out, was fighting off monsters. We found her facing a mage who disappeared before I could pursue.” I say.” FInd anything?”

“Yeah, I found half of this key inside the coat pocket of this robe. I also found out more about the castle on the back of the painting.” She says.

“What about it?” I ask.

“That’s where the Mad King is sealed as well as the gem that we need for your sword. I also found a ritual for bringing back the Mad King and I know now why I’m being targeted.” She says.” I am needed for the ritual. I’m a mage with more mana than ten master level mages. They want me to be used as an energy source for the ritual.”