Knight (49 page)

Chapter Fifty-One ♣ Not Over Yet

V
aleriana didn't know what got into Corvan to suddenly suggest and say they were going to get the king's younger brother. Well, nevertheless, Headmaster Kylon agreed anyway saying it was a job for the Celestial Twelve.

After being advised not to let the word get out, Headmaster Kylon left. He also reminded them that they had to set out as soon as possible, preferably after classes the next day. If a demon managed to break through the barrier, then no doubt that more will come.

Lord Aeron had taken the initiative to visit the king as he was requested to do, and as per his objectives, he broke the news to the king regarding the situation. Much to everyone's relief, he informed them that the king had given his consent. He sent them his blessings along with the message of his approval, saying he was saddened by the fact that he would not be able to play the necessary role. Prince Bertram, as well, wouldn't be able to fill in for his father because of certain problems he wasn't willing to say.

“I was worried for you yesterday, Valeriana.” Chavi told her as the last subject for the day ended.

Time passed quite quickly on Valeriana's side. She found herself anticipating their little search for the notorious Lord Lienhard. She wanted very much to know why he was helping her—if he was the one responsible for saving her life so many times.

“Really?” She stared at Chavi.

“You expect me not to worry about it? You were attacked by a—”

Valeriana's hand shot out instinctively and covered her mouth before she could finish. “Someone might hear you. We can't let anyone know.”

As her hand dropped from Chavi's mouth, the girl reluctantly nodded her head. “I-I see . . . I'll keep it a secret.”

“Anyhow, I have a very important thing to do today.” She told the other girl.

“What is it about?”

“Sorry. I promised to keep it a secret.” She answered. “Anyway, thanks so much for being with me today!”

“Take care, then.” Chavi answered, brow twitching. Her face contorted in pain, hands flying to her head. She pinched the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes.

Concerned, Valeriana placed a hand on Chavi's shoulders. She felt a strange feeling shoot through her as soon as she made contact, but easily dismissed it from the faintness. “Are you alright, Chavi?”

“Yeah.” She answered. “My head just ached suddenly.”

“Are you sure you're okay?” She asked. “Can I help you to the clinic?”

“No . . . uh . . . please, go where you have to. I'll go there myself.” She took a deep breath and smiled at her friend.

“I don't think I can leave you alone like this. Come on, I'll escort you to Olivia.”

Valeriana started leading Chavi away, but the other fervently resisted.

“No really, Valeriana, please don't bother. I—”

As they continued debating about Valeriana guiding Chavi to the infirmary, they didn't notice the arrival of one more student. Since both of them were currently loitering in the hallway with some people around, they failed to notice the decreasing number of students around them.

“You seem busy.”

She froze.

Her days at the academy felt worse than it did after Courtney came back. Courtney gained favor from a lot of students over Valeriana. The rumors and the mystery about the setup to make her look bad didn't help either—and since they lacked the evidence, they could not currently prove Valeriana's innocence. Now that the Blood Wind Princess was back to claim what was hers, the academy was being riled up.

She honestly did not want trouble right now. Despite how much she wanted to tell Courtney about Charles's conclusions, she was told to hold back for the meanwhile.

“Uh . . . Val?” Chavi looked up at her in confusion.

“Are you avoiding me?”

She turned to face her. “I don't want any trouble.”

“Why?” Courtney crossed her arms. “If you didn't want trouble, then you shouldn't have started it.”

“For the last time.” She answered, getting irritated.

It felt frustrating how somebody could prove to someone that she was innocent, but could not currently speak because of the current circumstances. Without any solid evidence, there was a big chance she would only be brushed off.

“I never did anything, alright? I never planned anything and I never will.” Her voice had a dangerous edge to them.

Someone was trying to make the two of them fight. Possibly kill each other. Spark bad vibes.

“Now, I really have important things to do today. I want to finish them before Corvan starts screaming in my ear.”

She spun, turning her back on the former fifth-ranker. She started to take long strides away when she spoke again.

“Don't turn your back on me when I'm still talking to you.” Courtney said.

“It's alright, Valeriana.” Chavi whispered.

Valeriana took a deep calming breath.

“I don't know what Julian is spouting but I didn’t do it.” She told her. “What will it take for you to believe me? What will it take for you to see?” She clenched her fists and resisted the urge to punch the other girl.

“These arguments are nonsense. If you wish to prove your innocence, fight me.”

Valeriana's eyes narrowed.

“Right here.” She paused. “Right now.”

Fighting outside a duel was against the rules.

“You can't expect me to bite that trap.” Valeriana answered. “Fighting won't prove my innocence. It doesn't present evidence, just violence.”

“In this situation, do you think that applies?” Courtney's leered. “If you're innocent, then prove it to me. Through a fight.”

“Is that a challenge?”

The two glared at each other furiously. The looks in their eyes were intense—intimidating. The tension around the two grew each passing moment they allowed themselves to remain silent, only staring straight into the other's eyes.

Everyone around them grew wary.

“Will you stop it, you damn disgrace for a fifth-ranker!” Her friend yelled. “Just because—”

Valeriana cut her off by holding out a hand that stopped her midst her speech. “Don't.” She said. “I'm sorry for having you involved, but this is my problem. Now, please, Courtney, I don't want to fight you. I'll present you a solid evidence in due time.”

“When is that going to be? After you escape? After you leave? I don't trust you.”

She and Courtney never removed their gazes from one another. The human girl felt her shoulder tense as she moved into a stance. Taking this as a signal, her opponent moved forward to assault Valeriana with a strong swing of her fist.

“I will not fight you.”

Valeriana evaded her attack and blocked her hand with her arm, stopping it with her left before grabbing her wrist with her right and twisting it onto her back. Courtney retaliated by moving her free arm, attempting to elbow the girl on the nose. Valeriana, however, was able to predict this attack and moved to the side to elude her assault.

“Still not fighting me?”

Courtney strictly kept her eyes on Valeriana's movement and the girl did the same. With her hand twisted, Courtney used her feet and kicked Valeriana on the shin, causing her to move back from the hit.

Valeriana managed to block most of her attacks and everything went on for a minute or two, creating a deadly dance between the two. The fifth-ranker refused to fight though, only using necessary movements to defend herself—never making a move for offense. There were times when Courtney would land a punch though.

“You've certainly improved, human.” Courtney said.

“You are right, I'm not the same girl in that arena before.”

They pulled back, hands fisted and feet shifted widely apart in position. Something wet trailed down the side of Valeriana's mouth. She also felt a slight sting on the corner of her lips. Gently brushing the part with her knuckle, she saw a hint of blood.

Valeriana had a busted lip as well and it wasn't at all a pleasant feeling. She tasted the metallic flavor of blood on her tongue as it seeped through spaces between her teeth. The unsavory and coppery taste it possessed urged her to spit it on the ground—which she did.

Chavi stayed on the sidelines but was cheering for Valeriana fervently. “Come on, Val! Fight!”

“You will still not fight me?” Courtney asked. “Are you seriously thinking you can win without attacking?”

“I told you, I'm not fighting.”

“Shut up!” The former fifth yelled. “If you will not fight me, then I will make you!”

Courtney, feeling irritated, conjured a wind blade and shot it to Valeriana's direction. The girl was momentarily shocked to see that the former fifth even dare use her Power Control out of a dueling arena! She had no time to idle around, though. She jumped out of the path where the attack was headed and stumbled as it went overhead—cutting off some of her hair.

The other students began to run away.

“Good gods!”

The human girl scampered to get to her feet as another one came her way. With a hiss, she leaped out of the way and watched as the floor exploded into rubbles. A stream of curses spewed out of her mouth.

Unknown to her, she ended up bumping against Chavi, who stood clueless where she had left her. The girl looked over her shoulder to see Courtney conjuring another one of her wind blades.

Valeriana immediately tugged on the girl's upper arm and pulled her out of the way before it could even hit her. The wind blade crashed into the wall, causing that specific part to end up in a similar scenario as the floor. Small pieces came flying all over the place with one hitting the top of her head.

The explosions were deafening, echoing throughout the long halls. It was as though a wrecking ball was hurtling through the building.

Valeriana's head snapped towards Courtney. She was about to summon another of her elemental attacks so Valeriana jumped on the former fifth before she could even have the chance to raise her hand again. She grabbed both of her arms, trying to hold them into place. It wasn't easy though, since Courtney proved to be a lot stronger than she looked.

“Stop it, Courtney!” Valeriana screamed at her, hands firmly wrapped around her wrists. “You . . .” She grunted. “Cannot use your element . . . when not permitted!”

The current fifth-ranker pushed Courtney back, knocking her completely out of balance. Both of them fell on the floor, Courtney being under Valeriana as both of them struggled for dominance. Although the human girl was trying to keep her enemy under control, the idea was a lot harder to execute since Courtney possessed inhumane strength—not to mention her attacks were virtually impossible for a mere human such as Valeriana to stop.

“Stop rampaging!” She growled at her. “Look, I get your problem, but this isn't the way to vent your anger!”

Courtney merely seethed. “You should've given me what I want.”

“Geez!” She grunted, trying to force her arms down. “Why are you so freaking hotheaded? Do you plan on slicing everyone here to pieces? You should get a hobby! And by that, I don't mean throwing those things around!”

“I do not handle it well when someone betrays the trust I haven't even given to them.” Courtney said. “It seems as if my thoughts were right, humans are all traitors.”

This girl talked as if she was betrayed by one before.

Valeriana snarled. “Now freaking stop it, Courtney! Just stop!”

Courtney struggled from under her, refusing to give in. Valeriana suppressed the girl by starting to lock her arms on a wrestling hold—a move similar to the one she used on Corvan but somewhat different due to their current position.

“What's going on here?” A voice boomed. “Stop this commotion at once!”

Valeriana was slightly distracted by the demand. Courtney saw this and took advantage of the chance, pushing Valeriana back and reversing their positions. The girl gasped as she was suddenly pushed down hard, Courtney pinning her down forcefully against the floor. Courtney pulled her hand back and landed a punch on her face.

Valeriana groaned as she felt the impact. It hurt so much her vision swam and the dizziness practically made her go blind.