Monday, September 2nd, 996 ABE

Ulfric had told Minerva he had something important to do. Instead, he’d left the Leewood Centre and immediately gone back to the dormitories to rest. Orion Hall wasn’t far away, and Ulfric found that his body and mind were too tired from the weekend’s activities to stomach anymore escapades for the day. Not to mention, it was even more exhausting to listen to lectures all day about things he already knew. Only the first week, he thought, it’s bound to get interesting later.

But Ulfric didn’t come to the Academy for education. He spent the majority of his time reading books and studying. He already knew everything there was to know about magic theory and spellcraft. For one without magic, such intricate knowledge of it was essential to fight it. That was exactly why he’d come to the Academy in the first place. A true challenge for untested skills. Trial by combat. He’d succeeded in the entrance exam, but that was only the beginning.

A glowing sign above the doorway read ‘Orion Hall’. Ulfric entered the brick building. A broom without a wielder danced in front of the doorway as he entered. He smiled at it like it was an animal. There were interesting applications of magic at the Academy that he probably wouldn’t have ever thought of. Using summoning magic to assign a portion of one’s consciousness and intelligence to a broom, rather than a traditional summon. It's a creative solution, to be sure. I wonder who the summoner is?

He quickly found his answer. The lady who sat behind the dorm’s front counter in the lobby was reclined with her eyes closed. It seemed she’d divided herself into a number of summons. Two brooms covered one side of the room, but on the other side blobs of water scurried along like slimes, wetting the floors while a mop slid behind each of them to finish the job. Ulfric had never seen the cleaning job done before. Likely, it was being done at that time due to the bulk of students away at the speech. Interesting, he thought, so even the desk lady is a mage in this place.

He didn’t interrupt her focus, and lost his interest as quickly as he’d gained it. Carefully avoiding the brooms, he shuffled across the lavish lobby of Orion Hall. The fountain in the middle whistled a song as the water shot out and soared wildly into the air. Ulfric made one final stop before departing. That being the activity board. A sigh escaped him as he found nothing noteworthy. It, like a lot of the other notice boards on campus, had been covered in notices about the Magekiller.

Ulfric had no problems with money. Consequently, he also had no problem with a bunch of nobles getting killed. As such, he found no reason to hunt the vigilante. Even if he managed to find him, it's not like the boost in reputation would’ve been enough to help someone like him anyways. If anything, it would’ve made everyone fear him more than they already did. That being said, if the opportunity conveniently presented itself, sure, he’d take the extra crowns.

He passed into the hall beyond the lobby and found his way into the elevator. So far, he hadn’t seen a single other student. He embraced the silence, drawing the book about barrier magics from his interior pocket and beginning to read as the doors slid shut. Something unusual occurred, though. Ulfric’s mind wandered, and to an even more unusual topic.

She’s cute, even I can admit that, Ulfric thought. But she hasn’t got a clue. This world will eat her up, no doubt. Even so, I find it charming to find someone untainted by the corruption at the top. Ulfric was lost in thought. Usually he didn’t judge people based on personality or any such thing, rather on their power, or their use. Why, then? What is it about her that I find so intriguing, I wonder? Something beneath the surface, I suppose. He closed his book in frustration. Quit thinking about it.

Ulfric looked in the mirror on the side of the elevator, and swiped his hair from his face. I look like I got stung by a Milchakan cactus… Which isn’t exactly untrue, Nina is certainly as prickly as one. He rubbed a hand over the black eye, and smiled at himself. Seeing the battle scars made adrenaline flood his veins. This place is just as exciting as I’d hoped. I can hardly contain it.

The elevator door opened in front of him. This, like many things, was powered by a magical reservoir that needed somewhat regular refilling by a bunch of technicians who constantly ran around the property. Things like automatic doors, public bathrooms and elevators, all of these things required magical power. For this job, the technicians lived in their own bunkhouse, half of them sleeping for twelve hours to recharge their mana while the others worked for twelve hours. A gruelling job that paid handsomely.

Ulfric sometimes had to call the technicians to his room, as well. In the dorms, things like the sink, shower, refrigerator, and even stove were powered by magic. A normal student would be able to refill the reservoirs himself, while Ulfric had to go out of his way to fetch a technician every single time if he didn’t want to bother his neighbours. As he stepped out of the elevator, he cringed imagining the argument he’d had with the technician the last time. It’s not like it's my fault, Ulfric thought.

The tenth floor of the dormitories was essentially empty. Someone quite purposefully nudged Ulfric’s shoulder as he passed, entering the elevator he’d left open. With that, the floor was empty. Ulfric started down the hallway towards his room, which was all the way at the end of the hall. In a building housing thousands of students, getting to the ‘end of the hall’ was not a simple task. In fact, it was about two minutes straight of walking.

Expensive relics and priceless paintings were displayed along the hallway as he walked. He’d already read the plaques hundreds of times, but he quietly repeated them to himself regardless, bored feet shuffling across the carpeted flooring. “Battle of Elfhaven, zero ABE. The unification of Eisendrache, Four-hundred-fifty-five ABE,” he said. Above him, one of the many lights in the hallway buzzed and then died. I’m sure a technician somewhere is upset about that, he noted.

And then, he arrived at his door. He drew a small metal key from his pocket. Ulfric’s door was the only one in the entire dormitory that used a key. It was a standard of security for the poor, or for the magicless. A mana seal was much more effective, and also couldn’t be brute-forced by an average magician, unlike a lock. Oh well. I’m sure if they wanted in here, a mana seal wouldn’t stop them, Ulfric thought. He pushed the key into the lock and turned it.

Something bore down on him. Ulfric froze. He felt it. It wasn’t mana, merely the presence of something powerful. Behind! He left the key in the door and swung his fist aimlessly into the hallway. The target moved. Ulfric caught himself and quickly pivoted behind. This time his fist struck home, except it was caught inside the palm of his target, who squeezed tightly with a fist enhanced by mana. Ulfric cried out in pain, but it was mostly masked by the sudden pumping of adrenaline.

Ulfric had never been caught off guard so thoroughly in his life. Most of the time, he’d been the one sneaking around and stabbing people in the back. His mind raced at a mile a minute. Time dilated from his perspective as he calculated the possibilities. No. It's alright. If the enemy wanted me dead, it would’ve happened already. Play it cool. He let his arm go slack.

“You’re surprisingly quick for a magicless bum,” the man said, squeezing tighter.

This is going to be fun! Ulfric, despite the pain in his restrained hand, looked the man in the eyes with a smile “Cedrick Boneshaw,” he said. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Cedrick let go of Ulfric’s hand. “Certainly not a pleasure,” he said simply. With the hand he freed up, he gestured to Ulfric’s door. “Can we step inside?” He asked.

So you can kill me with no chance of a witness? Ulfric glanced past Cedrick’s shoulder. The last doorway at the very end of the hall belonged to his friend Kal. If he could reach the door… No, stupid. Kal is probably at that speech. Too risky. He eyed the window that took up the entire wall beside Kal’s door. The side of the building. Even riskier, he thought. Then, exhausting all of his possible options, ironically, he decided upon the riskiest course. “Alright,” he said. “Come in.”

Cedrick had been tracking Ulfric’s eyes, so he smiled to himself, looking quite self-satisfied at having driven the boy into a corner. “Lead the way.” He spoke in a deceivingly friendly tone.

I probably can’t win in a one on one fight, Ulfric admitted. If I’m not wise with my words, he’ll kill me. He stepped inside of his own dorm, though it seemed a lot less welcoming than usual with a large shadow looming at his back. “Make yourself at home,” he said wryly.

Cedrick closed the door behind him and turned the lock. Ulfric was shocked that the man even knew how to work a normal lock. He even took his shoes off on the way in. Ulfric supposed that even the worst of people adhered to some sort of standard. A serial killer probably still cleaned his dishes and laundry.

Ulfric immediately set about doing menial tasks as if Cedrick wasn’t even there. He grabbed a sponge, turned on the sink, and started cleaning his dishes from the night before. Then, the sink squeaked and died, the reservoir ran dry. Ulfric moaned as if he was in some sort of physical pain watching this.

Cedrick glanced around the room thoughtfully, somewhat impressed by the statement Ulfric was making. He appreciated encountering someone without fear of the superior. It was refreshing. Smiling, he raised a hand briefly and twisted it. The sink restarted, the reservoir filling up.

Ulfric turned with a smile. “Hey, thanks.”

“Least I could do,” Cedrick replied with a shrug. He proceeded into the living area. There was a couch, a table, and a beanbag probably used for meditation placed by the massive wall-window that overlooked the Academy courtyard. Cedrick glanced briefly into Ulfric’s bedroom through the crack open in the doorway, but decided not to pry further and sat down on the couch.

“Tea?” Ulfric asked. Regardless, he poured a cup for himself just as soon as he’d finished cleaning one.

“I’m not much for it,” Cedrick replied. “You keep a remarkably clean space, Ulfric. Not even the nobility live this tidy.”

Ulfric glanced around his dorm. Truly, there was absolutely nothing in sight. Nothing on the table or the counters. The bookshelves were packed tight, and none were loose anywhere in the entire dorm except the one he’d just carried in with him. “The nobility have far too much to be this tidy,” he noted.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“True,” Cedrick admitted.

Ulfric sat down at the kitchen table, tea in front of him. It kept Cedrick at a close enough distance for communication, but far enough to have time to react to any move he might make. “Tea is my lifeblood. My father couldn’t get enough of it,” Ulfric said. He smiled recalling the memory.

“I would appreciate the extra energy, but I’m a bit reluctant to make my body rely upon that kind of thing,” Cedrick explained.

“Fair.” Ulfric stirred his cup and sipped from it. “I can’t say confidently I’d be able to operate properly without it. Far too late for second thoughts now.”

“You must keep yourself busy, Ulfric. I can’t imagine what your training regimen must be like,” Cedrick said. His tone was almost that of admiration.

“Not as extreme as you’d think,” Ulfric said. Ulfric spared a glance towards his bedroom, but Cedrick definitely picked up on it. Inside, Ulfric’s swords and weaponry were stored in the closet. If he would get there, his chances of survival probably doubled. That was assuming he didn’t want to use his Trump card…

“What do you do, exactly?” Cedrick asked.

“Drills, usually. If I’m feeling fancy, I bring in a partner to spar. Usually someone I think is better than me.” Ulfric lied. No matter what he said, Cedrick probably wouldn’t have believed it anyway.

“Hard to believe there is anyone better than you, seeing what you’ve achieved. There must be some sort of secret,” Cedrick pried. “So tell me. What’s the secret? From what I hear, your skills with the sword border on unnatural.”

“The secret is to remain humble. Anyone who claims to be the greatest will certainly never be.” Ulfric blew on the tea. It was too late, he’d already scorched his mouth.

“Eulerian principles,” Cedrick said. “I’ve heard something similar once from a certain Ryuma Hajimori. Have you heard of him?”

“There isn’t a swordsman alive who hasn’t heard of Ryuma Hajimori,” Ulfric snorted. “He’s a legend in our craft, but his words shouldn’t be taken as gospel.”

Cedrick nodded. His questions on that front came from a place of genuine interest, it seemed. “You take swordcraft very seriously,” he noted.

“To me, the sword is precious. It deserves to be treated with respect, used properly and efficiently,” Ulfric explained. “The art of the blade is more sacred than any god.” He lied. Ulfric often lied, but he lied even more so to his enemies. Lying about his principles of sword usage would probably allow him to surprise Cedrick later down the line. A sword is a tool to be used according to my will, he thought.

“You’re an interesting person, Ulfric.” Cedrick laughed softly to himself.

“The sword needs not a wasted movement, just as a conversation needs not a wasted word,” Ulfric said. He stared at Cedrick with a condescending eye. This much is true.

“Sick of indulging me already?” Cedrick asked, frowning.

“I’ve got more important things to do,” Ulfric mused.

Cedrick sighed. He stopped sitting up straight, reclining full back and sinking into the couch. He rolled his head back, resting on the pillow, and then turned his gaze to Ulfric. Surprisingly, it was still a friendly one. “I’m not a fan of my younger brother, Ulfric. Frankly, I think if you were able to beat him, then he deserved it. If it were up to me, I probably wouldn’t be here at all. It seems like a trivial matter.”

Ulfric narrowed his eyes. “But you’re here,” he noted. Ulfric only then could be bothered to recall the name of that noble he’d beat up in the entrance exam. I remember now. It was Darius Boneshaw, right? This guy’s younger brother.

“Because it isn’t up to me,” Cedrick said, throwing his hands up. “I have a reputation to uphold.”

“I’m sure,” Ulfric said, only half-serious. He sipped on his tea idly.

“I’m serious,” Cedrick said. “I respect you. I know the average magicless wouldn’t be able to make it here. But you aren’t supposed to be here. That slot you took, by all right, belonged to my brother. My family… We finance this academy. Do you understand?” He pointed to the window. Across Adler Court was the female dorm, otherwise known as Boneshaw Hall. This gesture needed no explanation.

Ulfric made a complicated expression. He didn’t understand why Cedrick was trying to be empathetic to him. Ulfric would have rathered if they took the gloves off, so he decided to do it himself. “I understand very well. Why do you think I did it?” He asked. “You think I came here because I have a dream, or because I’m idealistic? I came here to cause a disturbance.” A devilish smile spread from ear to ear. “I came here to take your place,” he said. “If you genuinely see me as a threat, it would seem I’m making progress.”

Cedrick took a deep breath to calm himself. “Then you’re a fool, albeit a fool with a choice. Drop out. Get out of the city. That, or I kill you where you stand.”

“Compelling,” Ulfric replied immediately. “Compelling indeed.”

The room fell into silence. Ulfric knew he’d lose the fight purely because of lack of information. He didn’t know anything about Cedrick’s elemental affinities or fighting style, so coming up with an effective counter before he could be killed would be unlikely. Perhaps words were still an option? Ulfric took one glance at Cedrick’s face and decided against it. It was best to take the first action. This will be a pain to clean up.

Cedrick moved first, despite Ulfric’s thoughts. Unlike Ulfric, his movements were enhanced by mana, effectively doubling or tripling his speed. He summoned a small, triangular shaped rock and used a gust of wind magic to send it towards Ulfric. Ulfric swung his cup of tea to block it, the ceramic mug exploding into a rain of liquid in front of him. Even if it was only a moment, the explosion of tea blocked Cedrick’s view.

Ulfric retreated to the kitchen. Two elements! He just used a gas and solid magic back to back. I’ll be at a big disadvantage in such a small space. He opened a drawer and drew out three butter knives, one between each finger. Cedrick swung his hand and flared his mana, conjuring a sword of stone and honing its edge. His magic would reinforce the makeshift weapon, giving it the effective durability of a real sword. Swordplay is something I can get behind!

“So you choose to die? Shame. I’m sure you’d have a promising life ahead on the outside.” Cedrick brandished his blade, taking a few steps towards Ulfric.

“Doesn’t something about this situation feel wrong to you?” Ulfric asked. He raised his knife laden fist and took a combat stance. Guess its time to use my card.

“Hm?” Cedrick advanced and struck out wildly as if he was wielding a rapier.

Ulfric dove out of the way and rolled to a stop, sliding across the smooth wood flooring and sliding into the wall. He stabilised himself on it, and clambered to his feet. “You really think a magicless would be able to get here without some outside help?” He asked.

Cedrick froze. Indeed, he hadn’t even stopped to consider such a simple possibility. He gritted his teeth, troubled head staying his hand for only a moment. Ulfric was allowed a brief window to elaborate.

“I’m not just some… What did you call me? Magicless bum?” He’d give away only as much of this particular card that was necessary. “You can’t kill me,” he said. “You wouldn’t want to find out what would happen if you do.”

“You–” Cedrick ran it through his head. The Principal of the Academy had to approve personally every student that attended. For someone like Ulfric, it simply didn’t make sense why he’d do it. Unless Ulfric was from some sort of influential family… In which case, killing him could spell something bad for Lancaster’s nobles. Cedrick shook his head. “I won't buy such a simple trick. Which family are you from!? Show me the proof!”

“I don’t need to do that,” Ulfric said playfully. I see it in your eyes. You know it to be the truth. According to your nobleman’s pride, it's the only viable answer. A true magicless wouldn’t have made it this far without help. “Shall we continue? It was just starting to get fun.” Ulfric confidently poked at the hornet’s nest.

Cedrick remained still. He balanced on the line of completing his mission and avoiding the consequence of killing another noble. In his mind, he put the chance of Ulfric telling the truth at fifty percent. A fifty percent chance that he was going to strike down the son of someone influential. Such a thing would cause an unfathomable political scandal. In the event it was a bluff, it was a damned good one, even Cedrick could admit that. “Alright. I won't kill you. You’ve made yourself clear, and quite cleverly, too.”

“Great! Now if you could kindly get out of my room–”

“But I’m not satisfied yet,” Cedrick said. He seemed to have decided what he wanted then, confident eyes looking back at Ulfric. “I want to taste the strength that beat my little brother.”

Ulfric ducked, sprawling out across the floor. Cedrick’s sword obliterated the wall behind him. Chunks of drywall hurled across the room, striking the metal door and ringing out. Ulfric grounded himself on the floor and spun, sweeping both of Cedrick’s legs from under him and sending him bounding into the air without a foothold. Nowhere to dodge now! Ulfric let loose the three knives in his hand, but Cedrick deflected them in a flurry of sparks, sending them soaring into different corners of the room. Even while caught off guard, the President’s reflexes were as sharp as a tack. He influenced the wind beneath his foot and flung himself into a standing position before he could hit the ground.

Ulfric was hardly even on his feet when the next attack came. Cedrick discarded his sword and it faded away into invisible particles of mana. His fist would be enough if he didn’t wish to kill. Ulfric blocked an incoming punch and felt the bone in his forearm crack, the remainder of the force pushing him into the couch which he clumsily tumbled over. His arm fell limp to his side as he thumped to the floor.

“That all?” Cedrick asked.

Feint weakness, Ulfric thought. Just let him beat you up, and it’ll be done quicker. The time isn’t right. Ulfric did nothing to resist as Cedrick grabbed his hair and lifted him up. The strands of brown were slowly torn free from his head, and used for leverage as his face was slammed repeatedly into the wooden table.

One slam. Ulfric’s head was held up, giving him time for a brief remark. “You’re afraid,” he said.

“Oh yeah?” Cedrick slammed the boy’s head again.

“You can’t do anything about it,” Ulfric said. “That top spot you hold so dear. I’ll have it for myself!”

“You tell some tall tales, bard!” Cedrick laughed, but his anger flared, and he slammed Ulfric’s head twice more. “My brother is even more pathetic than I thought!” He yelled maniacally. He slammed Ulfric’s face one final time, and discarded him to the floor. The boy went still, blood pooling beneath his face. Cedrick regarded the scene for a moment, but said nothing. Blood was already staining his new uniform. Eventually, he spat on the floor somewhere near Ulfric, and left the room without another word.

Four mana-enhanced slams. That was more than enough to kill an average person, and certainly enough to break the table, which was sagging slightly on one side. Ulfric’s skull was fractured somewhere on the front, his brain likely damaged in some capacity judging by the spotty vision in his remaining eye. He wasn’t dead, though, and that was the important part. He let out a soft groan of pain, which was just about all he could manage.

His working hand touched the floor, and he used all of his strength to flip himself face up. Heavy breaths pained his lungs as his mouth seemed to lull open, drooling unwillingly. The door to his dorm was left open. Likely, it was Cedrick’s intention to have someone find him eventually. When Kal comes back from that speech. Yeah. I’ll be fine. Just need to close my eyes for a moment. A little bit of rest.

Ulfric wasn’t sure what he looked like, but he knew it probably wasn’t good. Sprawled out on the floor, he couldn’t bring himself to do anything other than smile. He reminded himself that this kind of thing was exactly what he’d signed up for. Closing his eyes, he let his consciousness wane. Cedrick Boneshaw… Killing you is gonna be fun.