Professor Spark lounged back in her chair, one leg crossed over the other, smile sweet and dangerous.
"So," she purred, "what's the rush, Max?"
Max forced a nervous grin as his Shroud spell unraveled and his body faded back into visibility.
"Heeey, Professor Spark. Nice morning, great weather, beautiful day…"
She stood and walked toward him, amused.
"No need to panic. If I intended to fry you again, you'd already smell like roasted marshmallows."
She grasped his wrist.
Max's bracelet flared.
–50 Magic Points deducted
She dropped his hand.
"That belonged to a colleague of mine. He's been very upset since someone broke into the library last night."
Her smile sharpened.
"I'll be taking those points."
Max winced, shoulders slumping.
"And Max? Don't be late to my class again," she added. "And don't get caught after curfew. I won't be merciful twice."
She turned away, already immersed in paperwork.
Max left the classroom like a man walking away from a crime scene he definitely committed.
That's how my day starts? Really?
He rubbed his face as he walked, half-defeated.
All he wanted now was food.
But the cafeteria only made things worse.
Rows of steaming dishes lined the wall—meat, soups, stews, pasta, rice—everything looked incredible.
Max pointed at a rich beef stew.
"How much?" His wrist glowed.
Top-row meals: 20–50 Magic Points
Bottom-row meals: 2–10 Magic Points
The lunch lady raised a brow, waiting.
Max stared.
Then walked away in silence.
I'm poor.
With his attention clouded by misery and hunger, he turned, and collided with something unmovable.
His tray hit the ground empty.
And so did Victoria.
She rose slowly beef stew dripping from her hair, eyes glowing with a murderous emerald fire.
"You," she said quietly, "will regret this."
She walked away without looking back.
Max stood frozen in horror.
A second later, he slumped into a seat and buried his face in his arms.
"I could cry. Today hates me."
Someone slid in beside him.
Alex.
He was laughing.
"Dude. You are a disaster magnet. It's honestly impressive."
Before Max could swat him, the intercom crackled to life.
"Student Max, remain seated. You will be escorted to the stadium shortly."
Every head in the cafeteria turned toward him.
Max stared at the ceiling.
"…Why."
Alex shook his head, eyes wide.
"You didn't move. You didn't talk. You EXISTED and got in trouble again!"
About twenty minutes later.
A hooded figure appeared behind Max silent, sudden, and grabbed him by the collar.
Before he could react, black magic warped the air and dragged him through a portal.
Max tumbled out onto grass, dizzy and nauseous. The world spun until familiar sparks danced in front of him.
Professor Spark.
"Surprised?" she asked, hands on her hips. "You've been challenged to a duel."
Max blinked.
"A duel? Already?"
"Oh yes," she said brightly. "And as your supervising teacher, I approved it immediately."
She pointed across the field. His heart dropped. Victoria stood there, hair clean now but her stare no less lethal.
Spark clapped once, delighted.
"The first duel of the new year! The terms will be displayed soon."
All around them, shimmering projection screens materialized floating above hallways, dorms, rooftops.
Students gathered like moths to fire.
Max rubbed his temples.
"I hate today."
A voice drifted across the field cold and sharp as a blade.
"Because," Victoria said, stepping forward,
"I told you that you'd regret your actions."
Her aura rippled with killing intent.
Spark raised both arms like an announcer at a coliseum.
"The Duel of Max vs. Victoria begins shortly!"
A roar ignited through the academy.
Max closed his eyes.
"…I really should've stayed in bed."