Ozahr put one hand behind his back and bowed, extending his other hand towards Redmondel as if he had rehearsed what to do when she showed up.

The Baroness walked away from the guards who escorted her and grabbed Ozahr’s hand. Her jewels and golden claws clinked against each other. Ozahr could barely feel the warmth of her skin beyond all the cold metal. Again, Redmondel smiled with her unnaturally wide mouth before leading Ozahr down the aisle towards the grand seats set up against the wall. The orchestra resumed their playing and the guests began murmuring once more.

They sat on the padded chairs, or rather thrones, and Redmondel looked around silently, still smiling without a wrinkle around her eyes. Ozahr glanced at her a few times. He waited for her to say something about him taking her arm without prior discussion, but she only looked ahead and sat as still as a porcelain doll.

“Exquisite necklace,” Ozahr tossed a compliment to start a conversation. “Is that a real crystal?”

Redmondel slowly turned her head, her eyes lagging slightly behind. “Why, yes,” she said smoothly. “I only wear the finest jewelry to my events. Crystals are hard to come by, much less shape into a pendant. Do you like it?” Redmondel asked with a smile.

Ozahr politely nodded. Pink swirls seemed to dance across the crystal, even when Redmondel sat still. “Do you mind if I take a closer look?” He reached out with his hand before Redmondel clutched his wrist, pinching some of his skin between rings.

Redmondel spoke up while tightening her grip. “You should wait for permission before raising your hand.”

“Of course,” Ozahr said quietly, keeping his hand relaxed until Redmondel let go. He retracted his arm and placed it in his lap, collecting the tiny blue sparks that escaped his hand. Thought so… Ozahr kept Redmondel at the corner of his eye. That crystal did not absorb my magic, which means it’s already fully charged.

He hadn’t heard anyone mention that Redmondel could use magic, but he also didn’t hear anyone deny it. Before Ozahr could think about the matter any longer, a guard stepped up to Redmondel and whispered something in her ear. She nodded and leaned towards Ozahr.

“Why don’t you go join the other guests?” said Redmondel with that creepy smile of hers.

“Gladly.” Ozahr stood up and walked towards the sea of guests to find himself a less dense square on the dance floor. When he glanced behind, Redmondel was getting up as well.

“Welcome! Honorable sorcerers,” announced the Baroness, her voice carrying effortlessly across the ballroom without losing its smooth quality. “Tonight we celebrate the arrival of Ozahr Caldun, Spell Knight of Cadmia! He traveled far from his little kingdom to show us the way magic was meant to be wielded!”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

The crowd cheered and quickly found Ozahr in the middle of the room. They stepped aside, forming a small circle around him. The orchestra stopped the music as well and the hall fell quiet as the Baroness gestured towards the Spell Knight.

Ozahr smiled. The hell am I supposed to do?

“Thank you!” said the Spell Knight. “I’m sure this room is filled with ambitious sorcerers who adore magic as much as I do,” he figured he could buy himself some time with a small speech. “I was fortunate enough to be taught by a wonderful mentor. An elf, no less—one of the earliest people known to wield magic just as the natural world did. In fact, I couldn’t control magic until I met him at the late age of nine.”

Small gasps emerged from the crowd. Elidyr was well known enough, but a great sorcerer being born without magic was unheard of.

“Let this demonstration be an inspiration to you all!” said Ozahr with extended arms. “Remember you can achieve anything with enough perseverance and the right guidance!”

Redmondel nodded with satisfaction.

Blue light began to shimmer in the entire hall, slowly descending towards Ozahr. With a quick swoop of his arms, the light ignited into brilliant, roaring flames. The crowd shrieked in fear for a moment, but when the blue flames brushed against them with nothing but gentle warmth, they started to gasp and watch the light show with great fascination. Ozahr guided his magic through the crowd, above their heads, and the flames flew in a circle around the room, following Ozahr’s motions.

Redmondel was watching carefully as well. Ozahr did not miss that.

With another swoop of his arms, Ozahr added more flames to his flying magic until it soared with two wings and an incredibly long tail trailing behind. Redmondel’s eyes widened, her smile slowly stiffening.

Ozahr guided the burning Phoenix around the room, flying in circles and loops until he sent it to the sky, towards the grand chandelier.

“Enough!” Redmondel shouted, and at once, the flames dissipated. “That will be all,” she commanded with a little more composure.

Ozahr took his bow and received applause from the crowd. The ball quickly resumed, as per Redmondel’s command. The young Spell Knight looked up at where his Phoenix grazed the tip of the chandelier and left his blue sparks trapped within the hanging crystals. Ozahr smiled.

Redmondel left her seat and walked towards him, all while motioning for guests to keep dancing.

“Flawless performance,” she told Ozahr with her still smile. “I appreciate the usage of my house crest.”

“I figured there would be no greater way to honor you,” Ozahr replied. He glanced at Redmondel’s neck and squinted at the pale, white jewel adorning it. “Didn’t you have a different necklace on?”

Redmondel raised her arm and Ozahr quickly clutched her wrist with both his hands. She was holding a long, sharp pin, aimed at his chest.

“Shouldn’t you ask for permission before raising your hand?” Ozahr asked, careful not to let Redmondel’s struggling arm reach any further.

Redmondel simply blew his way, and a stream of orange flames flashed before his eyes. Ozahr covered his face when he felt the approaching heat of the fire. His white jacket was caught ablaze, but he managed to quickly throw it off his body before he would burn along with it. The crowd was already panicking. Figures they’d be party-trick sorcerers who can’t defend themselves.

"Fire user, are we?" Ozahr panted and looked at Redmondel who seemed to have no trouble moving about quickly with her gigantic dress.

She didn't bother wasting time before engaging in battle with her own magic. Ozahr, on the other hand, was surrounded by too many people to attack back. He raised his arm in the air and a magical barrier appeared, blocking Redmondel’s fire. Again and again, he diverted her flames with translucent barriers. His hands were flying in all sorts of directions trying to keep up with her fiery power up close.

She eventually managed to get close enough to reach her hand beyond his defenses. Ozahr may have deflected her fire, but the magical barriers wouldn't stop a physical attack—her golden claws flew right in front of his face and grazed his cheek.

Ozahr jumped back, holding his stinging cheek with one hand. The droplets of blood were staining the white button-up shirt he still had on. He looked at Redmondel and all the jewelry on her hand slipped off her and clinked against the floor. Her decorative golden claws were now replaced by long, black talons.