Chapter 317: Flawless Victory

“MAY THE 11TH MATCH OF THE CHALLENGE OF SPELL & STEEL… BEGIN!”

Kalliste immediately threw her hands up in the air, “I surrender!”

Stryg stumbled a step forward, “Huh!?”

“I, Kalliste Lilith of Frost Rim, do hereby declare my absolute and indisputable surrender!”

The crowds booed and shouted in bewilderment. Kalliste grinned wide and ignored them.

“W-what? Why?” Stryg frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“Hmm, I suppose you wouldn’t,” she said softly. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not afraid of you, Aspirant. In fact, I look forward to the day that we can fight on fair terms.”

“Fair terms?” Stryg cocked his head to the side.

“You’re injured, don’t try to deny it,” Kalliste smirked, “I can smell your blood from over here. Hybrid blood has always had a… powerful scent.”

Stryg had heard of such things, but he had never thought of his own blood as having a particularly strong scent.

Kalliste placed a finger to her lips, “My guess is you were probably injured in last night’s attack. Your healers seem to have done a decent job, I can’t see any external wounds, but you’re favoring your left leg.”

“I can still fight just fine,” he growled.

“Even so, I will not fight you.”

“Why? I thought you said you wanted to fight?” he taunted.

“I do, on my own terms. But that’s not what this is, is it?” Kalliste looked up at the private upper terrace, where Ophelia Thorn sat. “This is all just a part of that woman’s schemes.”

“What?” Stryg glanced up the terrace and then back at Kalliste, confused.

“Gods, for being the realm’s only Ebon Aspirant you really are slow,” Kalliste shook her head. “As much as I hate to admit it… I lost my last match. At the very best it should have been a tie, but here I am, while Callum is still resting in the infirmary. Why is that?”

“That’s…–”

“No need to strain that little head of yours, Aspirant, it’s simple. Lady Thorn pulled some strings and did what every powerful lord and lady always does, do whatever they can to advance their agenda. Lady Thorn wants Hollow Shade to lose, no matter what. She gave me the victory so I could stand here and defeat you. And with that limp of yours, the odds are definitely in my favor.”

“Then why did you surrender? Don’t you want to win?” Stryg asked.

“I will win my matches with my own power, not that of others. Nor will I be the puppet of Lady Thorn,” she said adamantly.

“But what about your team and your family? Wouldn’t they be ashamed of you for just giving up?”

“The false victory in my last match is the true shame and I will not abide by it.”

Stryg leaned back in surprise and abruptly broke into a smile. “Kalliste, you… you’re actually honorable, aren’t you?”

“Obviously, I’m a Lilith.” She turned around and walked away.

“Why do I feel like not fighting her anymore…?” Stryg muttered under his breath.

“Oh! And by the way,” Kalliste looked back, “Tell Callum that I underestimated him in our last match. The victory is his and his alone. But next time I won’t underestimate a Veres. I will not lose.”

“Right,” Stryg smiled half-heartedly.

“Hmph, good,” Kalliste held her head up high and walked back towards her gate.

“WELL, FOLKS, IT SEEMS AS IF OUR LONG-AWAITED MATCH IS… OVER?” Mark said uncertainly.

“WELL THEN, THE VICTORY GOES TO STRYG OF TEAM HOLLOW SHADE!” Jane yelled.

~~~

Stryg opened his team’s training room door and was mildly surprised to see his friends were already waiting for him. Even Callum was there, though his arms and legs were still covered in bandages.

“Three cheers for the quickest win of this year’s tourney!” Freya shouted with a raised mug.

“I’ll drink to that!” Callum raised his mug.

“Agreed!” Sylvie yelled.

“Congratulations on the easy win!” Tauri said cheerfully.

“Thanks, guys,” Stryg smiled.

“Yes, I suppose congratulations are in order,” Ismene noted. “Still, one must wonder why exactly Kalliste surrendered.”

“I bet that vampiress was quivering in her boots when she saw our boy!” Cornelius laughed confidently.

“Doubtful,” Ismene said dryly. “Care to enlighten us, Stryg?”

He nodded, “Kalliste surrendered because she didn’t want to be manipulated by Lady Thorn. She also said that Cal was the rightful winner of their last match.”

“She said that?” Callum mumbled with wide eyes.

“Hm, the Lilith child is wiser than most,” Ismene said.

“Yeah, I guess she is,” Stryg said thoughtfully.

“...Stryg, I spoke with Loh earlier this morning,” Ismene said.

The happiness in the room suddenly died.

Tauri frowned, though she said nothing and sipped her drink.

Callum coughed loudly, “Anyone want to get some more drinks over at the other end of the room?”

“Of course,” Freya understood his words and quickly motioned everyone to give Stryg and Ismene some space.

Stryg sighed to himself and sat down next to Ismene, “What did she say…?”

“Loh just wanted to know you were okay after last night’s attack. I told her you were a bit banged up, but overall you were fine,” Ismene said.

“Is she… is she injured?” Stryg whispered.

“No, unsurprisingly. Riri trained her since little to be a fighter. He did his job well, a little too well if you ask me.”

“I see…”

“Vayu is also doing fine, relatively. He hasn’t left the city yet. He spends most of his time in a tavern, mostly drinking or sleeping with the barmaids, or so I hear.”

“Barmaids?” Stryg asked, surprised.

“Yes, wealthy men tend to drown their sorrows with drink and women. I’m afraid Vayu has not taken any of this well.”

“Loh and Vayu had a falling out…” Stryg recalled.

“Yes, I suppose they did… Is there something else you want to ask me?”

“Like what?”

“Like perhaps how your surrogate sister is doing after everything that's happened?” Ismene raised her eyebrow.

“Loh is not my sister,” Stryg said angrily.

“And yet you assumed I was talking about her,” Ismene smiled faintly, “Hm, I distinctly recall you once telling me that Loh was family to you. If she wasn’t your sister, then what is she to you?”

“She’s… nothing to me,” he muttered.

Ismene shook her head, “Are you so cold-hearted that you cannot admit to caring for those who love you?”

“She betrayed me, she lied to me,” Stryg growled.

“She was afraid, as most of us have been at one point or another. I think she has always been afraid; afraid of losing those close to her, Tauri, her grandfather, and… you.”

“And that somehow justifies her betrayal?” he said bitterly.

“We all do stupid things when we are afraid, child. I reckon you have had similar experiences, hm?”

Stryg stiffened at her words. He could still hear the cries of his tribemates as he climbed outside the lamias’ cave and ran away. He had abandoned them.

“You know, Stryg, Loh in many ways is just like you. A talented magical genius with impossible expectations thrust upon her that she could never hope to meet.”

“What do you mean?” Stryg said curiously.

Ismene smiled sadly, “Like you, Loh had a difficult childhood, with a family who neglected her. The only person who cared for her was a bitter old man who pushed her beyond her breaking point. However, unlike you, Loh never had anyone to rely on. She had no family or tribe who cared for her well-being. She was alone, Stryg. And so, all that pain and all that resentment built up inside of her until she broke.”

Ismene placed her hand on Stryg’s shoulder, “Who would you be if you hadn’t had people who cared for you? If you hadn’t had Feli’s love? Rhian’s cheerful presence? Clypeus’ friendship? Loh’s protection?”

“Protection?” Stryg furrowed his brow.

“Do you think you would be alive if it wasn’t for Loh? It was she who hid your chromatic talents from the world so you wouldn’t be exploited. It was she who gathered masters such as me to teach you the ways of magic. She is the only one who has been by your side since the beginning.”

“So what are you saying?” he laughed mirthlessly, “That I… I should just forgive her… after everything?”

“I’m not telling you to forgive Loh. I’m not telling you to forget your wounds. I’m asking you to look beyond your self, beyond your pain and desires. Because right now Loh is alone and she is hurting more than she ever has and still she worries about you. If that doesn’t mean something to you, then you really are just like the rest.”

“...The rest?” he whispered.

“The Ebon Lords who came before you.” Ismene leaned on her cane and pushed herself to her feet, “Freya! Would you mind getting this old woman a drink?”

“Of course, Professor!” Freya nodded and rushed to grab a mug.

Ismene left Stryg alone with his thoughts. He was uncertain of what to make of her words. He didn’t know how to feel. All he knew was that he felt angry, frustrated, and confused.

Tauri walked over and lightly kicked his foot, “Oi, what did Lady Ismene say?”

“Huh?” Stryg looked up slowly.

“What did she say about Loh? Did she say where Loh was?”

Stryg glared at Tauri, “Why? Do you still want to kill her?”

“And if I did?” she crossed her arms.

“Then leave,” he hissed.

Stryg blinked. What was he saying? Was he trying to protect Loh? Why?

“I’m not going to kill her,” Tauri sighed and plopped down next to him. “Not that I could, even if I wanted to. She is a high-master mage and one of the most skilled duelists alive.”

Stryg looked at Tauri and became very aware of her presence right next to him. Something had changed in his mind after that morning in the pool with her. He felt strange, curious, uncertain.

“Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t forgiven her,” Tauri clenched her hands together. “She let Aizel die… and she hid it from everyone all these years. I don’t think anyone can forgive her after that.”

The scent of vanilla filled Stryg’s nostrils. How did Tauri always manage to smell like vanilla? He didn’t know, but he liked the sweet scent.

“Stryg, are you listening?”

“Huh, what?”

“What’s going on in that head of yours?” she raised an eyebrow.

“I was just thinking you smell nice,” he said off-handedly.

“Eh?” Tauri’s cheeks grew warm. Whether it was from the drink or something else, she wasn’t sure.

“What?” Stryg blinked.

“It’s just, that’s a little weird to say, don’t you think?”

“Is it?” he cocked his head to the side.

“Yes, very much so,” she chuckled.

“Oh. I didn’t know…”

“You’re very direct, you know that?” she smirked. “Is that a Sylvan thing? Are your people very direct?”

“I guess,” he shrugged and his shoulder bumped into hers.

Tauri was suddenly very conscious of her close proximity to Stryg. She was 12 years his senior and more so he was her sister’s fiancé. A feeling of discomfort grew in the pit of her stomach. She cleared her throat and leaned back.

“It’s weird…” Stryg muttered.

“Hm? W-what’s weird?” she said awkwardly.

“I think I used to hate you.”

“Hate me?” Tauri said angrily. “I’m the one who should hate you. You were always disrespectful in class and you never listened to directions! You were the worst student in my class! I’m so glad I don’t have to teach you anymore.”

“Because I’m stronger than you now?” he smirked.

“Because you’re graduating, you cocky brat. And you’re not stronger than me.”

“You do realize I’m a master mage like you now.”

“You’re technically not even an adept yet until you graduate.”

“I’m still fairly certain I can beat you this time.”

“As opposed to when I whooped your ass last year in the academy’s grove?” she grinned.

“Well, why don’t we find out who’ll whoop who’s ass this time,” Stryg unwittingly looked down at Tauri’s shapely bottom.

Her tight leather pants accentuated her obvious curves and Stryg found himself at a loss for words as he simply stared.

Tauri noticed his gaze and crossed her legs, “What are you looking at?”

“Your butt.”

“...You know, being direct isn’t always a good thing,” she said dryly.

“Should I lie then?”

“Sometimes it's better if you do.”

“You’re ugly.”

“This is not one of those times,” she frowned.

“Oh, then you’re beautiful.”

“And now you’re just trying to be flattering like all the other men.”

“Do men usually call you beautiful? I suppose they do,” Stryg muttered.

He didn’t know why the thought bothered him, but it did.

“Ugh, you would not believe the number of suitors who come up to me during parties and balls, it’s quite tedious really. Being an unmarried daughter of a Great House can be more annoying than you think,” Tauri grumbled.

“Those men call you beautiful because you’re a Katag?” And the moment Stryg said those words, he remembered Tauri was an orc. He was supposed to hate orcs, but as his eyes wandered over her red warm skin, he couldn’t muster up his usual resentment.

Tauri rolled her eyes, “Oh please, have you seen this body? Don’t answer that. My point is, they call me beautiful because I am. And no, it’s not narcissistic, it’s fact. My suitors suck up to me however, because I’m a Katag.”

“What’s that mean?”

“It means they say a bunch of flowery words about me even though they don’t know anything about me. It’s nice at first, but after the tenth man tells you, ‘you have the most beautiful eyes in the world,’ before you’ve even managed to get a glass of wine… Well, you get my point. You’ll probably end up experiencing something similar when we head back to Hollow Shade.”

Stryg didn’t seem to notice, he simply stared at her face, “You don’t have the most beautiful eyes though.”

“That’s what you got out of that story?”

“I’m just saying I’ve seen more beautiful eyes,” he shrugged.

The memory of iridescent eyes that constantly shifted colors was clear in his mind, though he could not remember where he had seen them.

“Yeah, I suppose I have too…” Tauri mumbled as she stared into his lilac irises and the pupils that had widened to black discs.

~~~

As Freya sipped her drink she noticed a shit-eating grin on Callum’s pale face, “Ew, why are you smiling like that?”

“I’m gonna ignore that because this is all quite hilarious,” Callum chuckled.

“What is?” Freya asked.

“Look over there,” Callum pointed. “Looks like Stryg and Professor Tauri are closer than we thought.”

Freya glanced across the room and spotted the two in question whispering to each other very closely. Too closely.

“Stryg looks very attentive and Tauri doesn’t seem to dislike it,” Freya smirked.

“Ooh, this should be interesting!” Sylvie said excitedly.

“What are you guys talking about–? What the fuck!?” Cornelius screamed.

The dwarf ran over to the bench and sat between Stryg and Tauri, before riddling off a slew of random gibberish.

“Idiot,” Ismene said under her breath.

“Hey, Freya, can I ask you a question?” Sylvie said innocently.

“Sure, what’s up?” Freya nodded.

“What’s your plan to beat Calex Thorn?”