191
Lucy
Jessie and anyone she told about me coming back with David’s jacket hadn’t stopped hounding me. I had never been so grateful to be living at Stacy’s. I still wasn’t sure what to do with the jacket, and if I considered keeping it long-term, I tried not to be too embarrassed about it.
Today was another combat training class.
The training room was alive with the sound of clashing staves and the rhythmic thud of footfalls on the polished floor. Duke and I had gotten better. He wasn’t struggling as much, and I could actually channel my magic into the staff. We worked slowly as we were both struggling with the task.
“I guess growing roses really helped,” Duke said, grinning at me. “Maybe I should grow a bush or two.”
I scowled at him. “Stick practicing your scales. You’ll need it for the high notes.”
He laughed.
The sparring session came to an end, leaving me drained. Duke and I exchanged a high-five, grinning like we had just conquered the world. Lucian called a halt to practice.
“I see some good improvement. I’m proud. Put your staves away, and let’s head to the main training hall. There’s another class I want you all to observe.”
I frowned and dropped my staff in the bucket gratefully. My shoulder burned from exercise. Duke grabbed our water bottles, and we headed toward the main training hall. It was huge. Lucian led us upstairs to the observation deck.
“The class we’re observing is a level 5 magical combat class. They’re taking a combat exam today. If you have any interest in entering the Academy, you’ll be in that class eventually.”
I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The other class came in.
I spotted David walking among the group and frowned.
“How is he in level 5? He’s just a year older than us!”
“Probably started early.”
“Oh, he’s here!”
I looked over at a group of women about our age, maybe older, fawning over the incoming group. Some of them waved up at the group, who giggled and squealed, but David didn’t seem to be paying attention.
“Why won’t he look at me?” One of them asked.
“Probably because you’re not pretty enough.”
Duke grinned and let out a familiar whistle. David tilted his head and looked up towards us. He scanned the area before his eyes landed on us.
A flash of purple light went through his eyes as he grinned up at us.
“I didn’t know you were taking magical combat just yet,” he said.
“You’re not the only one full of surprises!” Duke yelled back.
David looked at me again, and he turned to the weapon barrel. The girls scowled at us.
“How come he talked to you?”
Duke grinned and nudged me as he answered. “We’re old friends.”
Then, I realized that all of those girls were looking at David, fawning over him. It was strange to see this side of him or to see the way other people looked at him. He was a leader, but I had never imagined that he had a fan club.
Duke shot me a grin, nudging me playfully. "Ready for this?"
I nudged him back. “Leave me alone.”
“You think he’ll show off a bit?”
“Shut up!”
He snickered as the instructor's voice rang out, and the class divided into pairs for the sparring session. David was paired with another guy. Everyone was armed with various weapons. I didn’t know if they were all at the same level, but my heart raced as I watched them start their warm-up. David raised his hand, conjuring a shield to protect himself from an onslaught of spells. He didn’t stay in one place, and he was quick on his feet, countering with a well-aimed fireball that sent the other guy flying back. He skidded to a stop before rushing forward. They moved so quickly it was hard to follow, but it seemed like they were evenly matched. They each defended and attacked in rapid succession. The exhilaration of the fight, the rush of power coursing through the air as they fight, was heady.
Amidst the chaos, my eyes followed David. He was clearly in his element, his movements fluid and precise. The women near us cheered, but I didn’t think it was spurring him on to fight harder. If anything, he seemed to be completely unaware of them being there. His magic crackled through the air as he cast spells effortlessly, one after the other, as the other guy seemed to be getting slower.
“Can anyone tell me what’s happening with that fight?” Lucian asked. “Red shirt and black shirt, specifically.”
He was talking about David.
“He’s dreamy,” one of the women said.
“Someone from my class?” Lucian scoffed.
“He’s wearing him down,” one of our classmates said. “But I can’t tell how.”
“Good. He’s got a heavy defense, but it doesn’t cost him much by way of magical power. Knowing what your natural abilities are will help you in battle, help you train your weaknesses to match your strengths too.”
I nodded, understanding. The women kept fawning, but I realized that while David was handsome, that wasn’t just what they were focused on. He had this presence about him on the training field. It was a lot like when he was being protective, but more.
“Think you’ll get his jacket back to him?”
I huffed and bumped Duke.
As the session progressed, I caught David's eyes meeting mine a few times. A subtle smile tugged at the corners of his lips that made my face hot. Then, David's staff connected with his opponent's, the impact sending a shockwave through the air.
“Halt!” The instructor called. “Warm-up done. Let’s start melee. David, you’re first.”
David threw his head back and laughed. “You’re picking on me today?”
The instructor cracked a smile. “You said you wanted to be pushed.”
“Why?” I asked, looking at Duke.
He grinned. “Well, the Crescent Moon Festival is coming up. There are competitions and stuff, but mostly probably because we’re supposed to be prepared for a fight to break out.”
“What?”
“Yeah. We’re wearing armor.” He grinned. “Hito’s bringing his sword, I think.”
The training room buzzed with energy as David's class transitioned off the floor, and the instructor had three others on the floor with David.
“Nothing lethal,” the instructor said.
They nodded as the barrier went up. A few moments passed in silence before the three started to attack. The training hall was alive with the sounds of clashing staves and the crackling of magic. I watched in awe as David defended against the three. The instructor was watching closely. His movements were fluid and precise. His staff spun in his hands, deflecting blows and countering strikes with weapons and blasts of magic.
There was a grace to his movements. It was like he was dancing. With each swing of his staff, with every burst of magic, he seemed to be a force of nature, a whirlwind of strength and skill.
“What the hell does he eat for breakfast?” Someone asked. “That can’t be easy.”
“What?” I asked.
“The barriers he’s casting,” the guy said. “The guy must have magic to burn.”
I bit my lip. Did David have magic to burn, or was something else going on?
The opponents he faced were no slouches either, their own staffs whirling through the air as they attempted to land hits on him. But David's defenses were solid, and his attacks were well-timed and accurate.
"Impressive, isn't he?" Duke asked.
I nodded, unable to tear my gaze away. "Yeah, he really is."
“Make you wonder if he was always preparing for war.”
I thought back to what he’d said about his father’s plan to unify the werewolves and wondered if maybe he had been.
Then, he thrust his staff forward, and a gust of hair rushed forward, catching one of them in the chest and throwing him off his feet. For a moment, I could see it. The swirling energy around David and rushed around him like a cyclone as he moved. It surged and moved with him, flowing through him as a soft glow just beneath his skin. Then, he was moving faster, like he was gliding across the ground, getting too close to defend against before he landed solid blows.
The instructor nodded, and more people entered the barrier. He turned and drifted across the ground. One of them shifted into a large cat creature and leaped at him. David spun and caught him in a gust of wind I could feel coming through the barrier. A bolt of light shot out from his hand, hitting the shifter. The man shifted back into his human form. I watched in awe as he effortlessly wielded the staff, his movements a graceful dance of offense and defense. It was clear that his skills extended far beyond just magic; he was a force to be reckoned with in physical combat as well.
Had this been part of what his father had been teaching him?
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