One Vengeance - Raven's Scheme

The start of the school season began with another blistery day for Roespeye. While snow blanketed the rest of the city, Nine Star Academy was snow-free, thanks to Panka’s Well. However, the bedeviled temperature broke even the strongest human’s breaking point.

When Raven arrived at the pool that morning, the courtyard was nearly empty. Heavily bundled students scurried direct paths to the warmth found inside the towers, but otherwise there was nobody to be found except the priest huddled beside the well, ladle clutched tightly in hand. Raven stood patiently, observing his surroundings with interest. It was surprising that so few of Roespeye’s citizens were well-equipped to handle extreme cold. Granted, this winter was colder than any other in recent memory, but they lived on top of a mountain. Did they expect the sun?

“You’re the son of an ice demon, aren’t you?” Van said as he approached. He hugged himself, rubbing his arms vigorously.

“I just like the cold,” he replied. “You’re late.”

“Oh, I’m sorry! Did my natural human response to horrible weather delay you by a few minutes?” He slapped the top of his other hand. “Bad Van. Very bad.”

“Let’s go.”

“Wait a moment. I need to drink.”

“You didn’t do that last night?”

“I was too exhausted. You know… from having my Hydra literally ripped from my body by an albino dwarf.”

Raven scowled as Van made his way to the priest. “I’m sure I’ll grow taller this year,” he grumbled.

The shivering priest reached his ladle over the well. Sprinkles collected into a drink, which he offered to Van. He drank quickly, wiping his mouth and thanking the priest with a sympathetic nod. Then, he ran back to Raven.

“I feel great!” he said, stretching his arms.

“I envy you,” Raven replied. “I’ve never known the experience. To be able to take a simple drink of water and refresh your spirit whenever you desire.”

“I’d switch with you if I could,” he replied, rubbing his arms again as the cold set back in. “You may have to steal Hydra to use it, but at least you never have to worry about running out when you leave home. You don’t have the weakness every other person in Fallowreyk has to deal with when they leave their own city.”

“Yes, you are right. Even so, I’d give a great deal to experience it just once.”

Alabanie Smith’s Seals Epo class was located in the southern-most tower, tucked against Roespeye’s mighty wall. Unlike Funny Tower, this one featured heavy wood doors as the entrance. Upon arrival, Raven reached for the handle, but Van stopped him.

“I think it might be best if we don’t enter together,” he said.

“Why?”

“You’ll know when you go in.” He pulled open the door and slipped inside before closing the door behind him.

Raven tilted his head before reopening the door. He immediately realized what Van meant. Two hundred eyeballs focused in on him at once, and a silence cut through a chorus of student chatter. He was indeed infamous, and his presence chilled the smiles of all in attendance.

The Seals lecture hall consumed the entirety of this tower’s lower level. Walls of sleek white reached to a high ceiling, the floor was one immense limestone slab, and a professional grade seals table commanded the center space. Four wood supports thicker than elephant legs maintained a white square board with a flip scorekeeper.

Rising steps surrounded the seals table, arena-style and pitch-black. The grandstand took only a relatively small space in the middle of the hall, a dark bull’s-eye, but it was large enough to support a hundred large desks on its four levels. Each of the desks also featured a white square surface. And once Van took up one of the desks in the corner, only one remained empty, directly in the middle.

The waiting students whispered nervously as Raven lowered his hood and approached, and those close to the empty desk groaned as he climbed two flights of stairs and claimed it, sitting down and folding his hands together. Immediately, the whispers grew more excited, as they always did when people discovered the scar on the back of his head.

“A Drymouth? Then he shouldn’t be that scary.”

“What if it’s fake?”

“He probably did it himself.”

Raven ignored their murmuring, scanning the room and making observations. There were students of all ages, even an elderly man buried in several thick cloaks. Most were buzzing with excitement over the first day of school. Raven could see a few students with swords, Munians in pursuit of a double education. And there was even a student from Reyk Zaliance. His collapsed armor floated behind his neck, a block of shining metal humming quietly with incredible power. There were forty-five girls in the class; most were still heavily bundled in winter cloaks as the tower was barely warmer inside than out. And all of them avoided eye contact with him… except one.

A girl on the left side of the stands was eyeing him with a pointed gaze. Raven was reminded strongly of a hawk, so smoldering was her stare. She had midnight black hair that draped down her back along with two long ponytails. And unlike the other girls, she was dressed as if the cold had little effect on her. A dark pinafore dress over a white shirt with short sleeves. Her skin was quite pale, and her lips were painted a red so deep, it was closer to black.

“Do you think she’s the one?” Rue asked.

Before Raven could ponder the answer, a side door opened with a small squeak and Master Smith entered, donned in his teaching robes and clutching a leather-bound blotter. He stood behind the Seals table and looked over his rectangular spectacles to give Raven a scornful glare. Then, his expression changed in a moment, and he smiled to the rest of his new students.

“Welcome, learners, to Nine Star Academy. This is Seals Epo, an excellent class to start your academic endeavors, as it will provide a fundamental foundation to the rest of your studies. In my class, you will learn about seals and the nine holy runes, including but not limited to: their history, their usefulness in conjunction with pandora and Hydra, and their limits. When you finish this course, you will be able to successfully draw up three-star seals and also pair them with appropriate pandora. And, of course, you will obtain a foundation for Seals Suna, the next course. You will not need your materials right now so you may put them away, but I expect all of you to be ready with paper and writing utensil in hand by the next assembly. Today, I will introduce you to the subject matter in a more practical manner.”

Master Smith placed his blotter on the table and produced a pandora and a reed-thin stick from a sleeve in the binder. He attached the tip of the instrument to a corner of the card and then raised it up for all to see.

“Seals… are a gift from the Holy One. As you will learn in Master Bastille’s classes, they are one of many blessings handed down to the dwellers of His land. When made properly, they can draw upon the Hydra within one’s self, enhance the abilities of particular pandora, and even work all things together in unison to create new mysteries.”

He swished his wand-like reed through the air, and three black lines appeared on the surface of the limestone floor, surrounding him in a triangle. Chairs screeched as students shuffled to get a closer look. At each point of the triangle was a rune or “star” of distinctly different design. Smith stepped out of the enclosure and produced another pandora. It was a Class One light-giving soul. He activated it, and the card began to glow.

“As you can see, I have a pandora here giving me ample light to see for some distance. And I stand before a three-star seal. Does anyone recognize it?”

The girl in the black dress raised her hand, and Smith pointed at her.

“A Sur-Lam-Pro variant… the Seal of Minor Enhancement,” she answered. Her voice was an icy lake, smooth and cold.

“Correct. So then, if my seal is properly drawn up, what will happen if I step inside with an activated pandora such as this? Let’s find out.”

He reentered the seal, and the shine of his pandora immediately doubled. He received no applause, as his students were definitely already acquainted with such seals, but most appeared interested in finally learning how to draw them up properly.

“But that’s just the beginning!” Smith said. He stepped out again and flicked his apparatus. The seal crawled along the floor and transferred to the nearest wall, growing until it consumed a sizable portion. The reason for the classroom’s all-white form was now apparent. Every wall could be used to draw up seals.

“How about a seal within a seal?” Smith said. With a wave of his hand, two more black triangles were written on the wall. Two formed a base, while the third sat upon them to form an even larger triangle. Each of the seals had identical runes to each other.

“So then, there are three Sur-Lam-Pro seals there, connected to form a larger seal. What will happen if my illuminated pandora sits in the middle?”

The same girl raised her hand, and Smith pointed at her again.

“Nothing at all,” she replied with a small smile. This time, her voice was soft and sweeter, nothing like how she sounded the first time.

Smith tapped his nose. “Exactly. Can anyone else explain why?” His gaze bounced over his uneager charges, looking for a sacrifice. When it fell on Raven, he smiled loftily. “What about you, Whitesong. Care to have a go?”

The room was bereft of student whispers, and all eyes were on him.

“This is it, Raven,” Rue said happily. “Do your thing.”

“You have arranged the seals in a manner that does not allow pandora to flow in equal measures,” Raven answered. “Seals work according to the provision of the Holy One as ordained within His decrees. And that provision includes balance between Mind, Sword and Shield, the symbols of His kingdom. One of your seals is positioned incorrectly. Arrange the seals in a position that allows each of the three chosen stars to form a major point, and the new seal will successfully enhance your pandora to a magnitude of about six – the Seal of Major Enhancement.”

Smith frowned. “Correct,” he replied from the corner of his mouth.

As the teacher waved his hand again to rearrange the seals, Raven looked at the girl in the black dress. She was staring at him again, this time with a hard look devoid of restraint. Raven smirked and looked back ahead. Smith had corrected the “seal within a seal” and flicked his pandora through the air. It stuck to the wall, positioned between the three triangles. Immediately, the card glowed with a severe light that threatened to blind them all. Smith quickly disbanded the seals, and the pandora floated back to his hand.

“Now, I show you all what a seal within a seal can do, but the one I just displayed is the simplest known to mankind. All others are far more intricate, and more importantly, far more perilous. Seals drawn incorrectly aren’t always lifeless, as I’m sure your parents have all explained to you at one point or another. Remember this the rest of your lives: Seals are dangerous. Treat them with respect.”

“Master Smith,” one student in a black cowl called out. “Will we learn how to draw seals within seals?”

He chuckled. “No, no, no. Those are far beyond the potential of beginners.”

Raven jumped at the chance. “What about seals within seals within seals?” he asked.

“No such thing.”

“I disagree.”

Smith frowned while his class went silent again.

“Young man, you may have gotten away with contempt during your admittance hearing, but I won’t tolerate such a thing in my own class.”

“I meant no disrespect. I was simply stating my viewpoint.”

“And I suppose you’re an expert in seals, are you?”

Raven made no response.

“Suddenly lost your wit, have you? Well, since you seem to be so advanced in this field of study, why don’t we put on a little display for the others here who are… beneath us? Perhaps a game of seals?”

“I like to play seals. Why not?” Raven got up and descended the grandstand before Smith could say another word.

The other students all looked at each other for a moment before they stood in a collective rush and swarmed around the seals table, chattering excitedly. Snippets of confused murmurings issued from Smith’s mouth as this happened, until he was surrounded by his students and Raven stood across from him on the opposite side of the seals table.

“Oh, very well,” he sighed. “This, too, can be instructional.”

Pulling up chairs, Raven and Master Smith sat. The others encircled them. The game of seals was a favorite of all citizens of Fallowreyk. Raven knew this match would be the talk of the school today. And any news about him spreading through Roespeye was good news.

“I assume you know the fundamentals?” Smith said, lowering his head to look at Raven over the top of his spectacles.

“I am familiar with the game.”

“Well, I am a former professional player who once made a living off it. You obviously did not know this. So, despite my displeasure over how you treat your superiors, I am unwilling to display the full brunt of my prowess.”

“You’re going easy on me, Master Smith?”

“For the sake of my students, of course. They can learn about seals in a practical manner if I delay the end of the game.”

“Tournament rules, then?

Smith frowned in confusion. “Er… I suppose that would be fine. Do you know all the rules?”

“All nine stars in play. Five seals to win. Opponents are allotted a chance to respond to any declared victory. A seal within a seal is an automatic victory with no response available. Illegal plays must be challenged by the opponent during the subsequent turn, or the opportunity is forfeit.”

While Smith’s eyebrow rose and the students whispered amongst themselves, Raven reached into his belt and produced a pandora pen. Like the teacher’s device, Raven’s black stylus was topped by an ink-producing pandora. Unlike Smith’s, though, his pandora was a Class Two, and the silver card featured a blue border and an image of a top hat and cane.

“We will need a judge, of course,” Raven said.

Smith lifted a finger. “Ah, we have someone qualified in attendance.” He turned his head. “Valentine Chessex… if you would.”

The girl with the long ponytails that had been staring at Raven sifted through the crowd and stood beside the table with her hands on her hips and a grave expression.

“I am at your disposal, Master Smith,” she replied. “I will judge fairly and without bias.” She looked directly at Raven. “I’d like to propose the rule of verification to ensure no pandora can be used to somehow cheat during the match.”

“Very well. Thank you, Ms. Chessex.”

She smiled, and in a sudden flip of personality, she replied, “Oh, it’s no problem at all. I love doing this.”

“Uh, yes, very well, very well.”

Raven stared at Valentine. She looked back at him, and her personality flipped again. A cold gaze met his, and she pursed her dark lips. “What are you looking at?” she demanded.

Raven’s eyes narrowed. This will definitely be interesting.

“So then, how about I explain the rules of this game for those here who don’t know how to play?” Smith asked, clearly telling Raven rather than asking. “Now then, pay attention, class. Note the white playing board before us. Raven and I are each equipped with pandora pens. Ink is generated at our command to draw lines on the board. The point of the game is to successfully draw up seals uninterrupted by opponent lines or runes. I shall start our game.”

He lifted his pen and made a slight movement through the air. Two red-colored runes appeared on the board in the master’s handwriting. Then a long red line connected the two stars, which were “Lam” runes. Raven then proceeded to mimic the action. He swiped his pen, and two black “Zal” runes appeared on either side of Smith’s line. A black line connected the two stars, cutting through the first line.

“This is known as the ‘Opening X’ in seals,” Smith instructed. “The first player chooses one of the nine runes and draws two of them, then connects them by a line. The opponent follows suit, crossing the first line. Then, the game begins. As I said before, the goal is to draw up five uninterrupted triangles with identical runes at each of the points. Each player during their turn must subsequently draw two runes and one line, but after the “Opening X,” the two runes must be different each turn. Lines can only connect identical runes. Like so…”

He swished his pen. This time, another Lam rune was drawn in his red ink, but then, a “Roe” as well. Finally, a line connected the new Lam rune with one of the previously drawn ones.

“Now, as you can see, I have drawn two lines, and they form two-thirds of a triangle. However, because Mr. Whitesong’s first line was drawn through mine, this potential triangle can never be completed. It is interrupted. This is the foundation of the game of seals. It’s very important to remember to add the ‘Vich’ to each rune to render these seals dead. Remember, this is just a game. Always respect the seal.”

The students talked amongst themselves. Those who already knew the game immediately began to discuss strategy, while the others leaned closer to look and take in the whole board while listening eagerly.

“I believe it’s your turn, young Whitesong,” Smith said with warmth.

“Hmmmmm.” Raven hummed deeply. He tapped his pen on the table for several moments before taking his turn. He drew up another Zal and connected a line between it and one of his original stars. Then, he drew up yet another rune at the very bottom of the table, right in front of himself. Once it was completed, Valentine’s forehead scrunched in confusion. The other students leaned in all at once, puzzled as well.

Smith, on the other hand, began to chuckle. “Students, look closely. Mr. Whitesong has just demonstrated a classic blunder. As you have noticed, he seems to have attempted what appears to be a Roe, but it’s barely recognizable and therefore won’t be eligible for a proper seal – only the nine true runes can be used in a game of seals, and they must be drawn well. If he were to claim a seal point later in the game, I would have the opportunity to challenge, and Ms. Chessex would be forced to rule the seal ineligible. And this is a valuable lesson for you all. Much like in a game of seals, careful and meticulous drawing is needed for true seals. Otherwise, the consequences could be far more dire.”

Raven scowled, but did not reply.

“My turn.” Smith confidently drew a Roe and Lam rune, one each on opposite edges of the board. Then, a long line swept across the board. “Another lesson students,” he said upon completion. “Notice there is no restriction on the length of your lines. But the width of them, along with the size of your stars, must be within regulation when playing by tournament rules. Stars can be as small as you like as long as they are visible, but cannot be larger than a tenth-span.”

Raven and Master Smith traded moves for several minutes, playing all across the board. Each line was played defensively, making sure to draw through multiple opponent lines to prevent whole triangles. Then, Smith made his move, drawing up two new runes and a line on the right side. The students gasped when they saw that Raven had two-thirds of a triangle available on the left side of the board with no interruption.

Raven jumped at the chance, closing the gap by drawing the third line. He hastily drew up two more runes in corners of the board to complete his move. “One point,” he declared.

Valentine looked for a moment, nodded her head, and then flipped the point counter on Raven’s side.

Smith smiled. “Your impatience will cost you, lad. Look closely, students. Two more mistakes. Note how Mr. Whitesong, in his hurry to claim a point, has placed yet another poorly drawn rune in the corner that will prove to be illegal. And while this mark could never be used to form seals, it can be used to connect lines with identical symbols. His intent was to be able to control two of the corners and thus claim the opportunity to connect to any of his other Roe stars on the board during subsequent turns. Theoretically, I shouldn’t be able to surpass his corner stars. However, he asked for tournament rules… and he shall have them.”

Smith directed his pandora pen. And the students in the room save for Raven and Valentine gasped as a Lam rune appeared in mid-air beyond the board, floating and vivid like a red firefly.

“In the business of seals, the only rules are the ones in your mind,” he said. “This goes double for drawing up legitimate seals. The world is always looking for the next legend, for the one who will find new seals that can change the world. I hope you all have gained some perspective on how important this class is to your education.

“Now, back to the game. As I said, Mr. Whitesong made two mistakes. I have exposed the first, and now I will show you the second. In his haste to score his first point, he did not recognize the board I have set up.”

Smith carefully drew up his pen again, this time focusing as he took in the game board. A line slowly and carefully started from his floating Lam rune. It cut through the air, past Raven’s misshapen corner rune and diagonally across the board. It cut right through another Lam rune and kept going until it reached a third Lam rune on the other side. “Now, I believe that is two completed seals.”

Raven and Valentine leaned forward to discover what he said was true. Smith had indeed connected two identical runes with a line. In so doing, however, he also connected a third Lam rune lined up perfectly between them, effectively drawing two new lines instead of one. And his lines, along with his floating rune, created two very long isosceles triangles, uninterrupted by any of Raven’s own runes or lines. The rules were clear. A player could not draw a line through opponent runes, but he could draw lines through his own if it was in the path of a legal line.

Valentine flipped two points on the scorekeeper. The students clapped, thoroughly impressed, as their teacher took the lead.

“That’s a good move,” Raven said, taking in the board and smiling. “But it’s not over yet. As you pointed out, I can at least make use of my mistakes.” He swept his pen across the board, and a non-rune identical to his other two errors was drawn, making three total. Then, he connected a line between two of them, cutting through several of Master Smith’s. He finished his move by making another Zal.

“You’re wasting your available moves,” Smith chided, taking his next turn. “You should be setting up plays in advance. I’d recommend you read up on the fundamentals of the game. The same goes for all of you.”

“Perhaps I will,” Raven replied. “In the meantime, I’ll tie up the match.”

He drew up a long line that streaked across the board. It ran from another of his illegal runes, through two of his Zal runes, and then ended at the corner, where his second ineligible star was located. The line that ran through the two Zal runes formed the third side of a completed seal.

“One point.”

Valentine stared at him with a dangerous fire behind her eyes. She flipped the score.

Smith smiled again, this time with sincere mirth. “And that’s the game.”

Students gasped and crowded in further, consuming the board with their collective gaze.

Raven simply stared at the professor. “How so?”

Smith drew up another rune to float in mid-air, near Raven’s arm. Then a line crossed over the entire board. It ran through multiple Lam runes before reaching its destination on the other side. And in short time, everyone watching realized he appeared to complete three triangles with just one line.

“I hope this was educational for you,” Smith said, placing his pen down. He began to clean his spectacles with a handkerchief. “Ms. Chessex, please tally my points. I am declaring a victory in this match.”

Valentine again looked at Raven, who looked back at her. An inquisitive glimmer was in her eyes, and her countenance was an unexpected mix of curiosity and caution. She folded her arms behind her back and calmly looked over the board. Raven thought back to the things Van told him about her. He said she was brilliant, and if she was able to survive the Splits as a small child, he didn’t doubt it. But could it be she’d discovered his scheme?

“Ms. Chessex?” Smith repeated, replacing his glasses and glancing up at her. “The score, if you please?”

She inhaled deeply. “You have seven points, Master Smith. The score is seven to two in your favor.”

A shocked hush went through the students, and Raven continued to stare at Valentine, this time with intrigue. She had figured it out. He was… truly impressed. And he wasn’t the only one. A pressure came from Rue’s pandora, pushing against his chest as she also ached to reach out and discover more about her.

Smith was confused, of course. “What?” he replied. “I thought you knew this game, Valentine. I should have five points.”

“Your last line completed five triangles, sir. You have seven points.” Her expression suddenly changed, and she smiled nervously. “Of course, I’m sure you realized that. The more points, the better, right?”

She blushed, looking down at her feet.

Smith looked from Valentine to the board and then to Raven. When Raven made no effort to elaborate, he studied the board again, this time closely. Then, something struck him and he quickly looked back up at Raven. And when he did, Raven smiled so wickedly, it sent a violent shiver up his spine

Alabanie Smith slowly lowered his body, shifting so he could look at the board at eye-level. His mouth immediately fell agape. Not a single one of Raven’s runes or lines were drawn directly onto the board. Each and every one was floating above the board by a few hairs’ length. And because they did, none of his own lines actually crossed with Raven’s.

He sat back up, looking over the board flabbergasted. The whole time, he had been playing his own game while Raven toyed with him, allowing him to believe he was a novice to belittle in front of the other students while setting up his own practically separate board. And each of his stars and lines were drawn with expert precision, floating so close above the board, it would have been impossible to tell without closer examination.

“You tricked me,” Smith finally said.

“I did,” Raven replied.

The students were chattering with explosive confusion and wonder, and when Smith slumped in his chair, the rate increased. But Raven didn’t pay attention to any of it – Smith meant nothing to him. He resumed looking at Valentine, who had been his real target. She folded her arms and stared back at him without fear.

“I think you’ve met your match, Raven,” Rue said. A playful happiness filled her voice as she laughed.

“Doubtful,” he replied. “But you never know.”

“What was that?” Smith asked. Anger was beginning to conquer his helplessness. He sat back up, placing both hands on the table.

“I believe it’s my turn. I am granted a final turn to respond to a declared victory. Tournament rules… as we agreed.”

A small growl issued from Smith’s throat as he looked back at the board. Then, as if a small miracle had been granted to him, his anger immediately turned to surprise, and then to elation.

“Wait a minute,” he said. “Even with everything you’ve done… there’s no single line you can make to create enough seals to beat me.”

He checked again to make sure his statement was accurate. Breathing became quick, and sweat crept onto his cheeks. He smiled. “Yes, I’m sure of it. Well… it seems I am still victorious.” He sat back in his chair, relieved. “That was clever, Mr. Whitesong, but your gamble didn’t pay off in the end.”

“Which gamble, Master Smith?”

“Your ‘floating’ board, of course. It could have beaten me if you’d created a better set-up.”

Raven tsked. “Master Smith… don’t you think that once I realized you didn’t have a clue what I was doing, I could have quickly drawn up five triangles and won the game?”

Smith’s forehead scrunched, and his smile faded.

Raven folded his hands and stared daggers at the man. “You see, Master Smith, I had a far grander scheme in mind. Winning wasn’t enough. The moment I entered this classroom, I was looking to crush you so thoroughly that it would make you question not only your skills as a player, but your qualifications as a teacher. I wanted you to realize with one stroke of my pen that not only do I have knowledge of seals a hundred times greater than your own, but that I have complete contempt of your standing as professor. Contempt so great, in fact, that I was willing to lower myself and play this game with you so I could set up what amounts to the greatest degradation a seals player can ever face. A blight on your record so devastating, word of it would reach every corner of this land, and you would be denied standing as a player of repute for the rest of your days.”

Smith gulped, eyes wide and hands trembling.

“Make your move then and prove it,” he whispered shakily.

Raven promptly drew up two random runes. Then, he connected a line between two of the illegal runes he had drawn up earlier. The result was an apparent completed triangle with the illegal runes at the points. When he finished, he placed his pen inside his robes, and folded his arms.

“I declare victory by a seal within a seal.”

The students again began to chatter nervously. Victory by a “seal within a seal” was understood to be so impossible that losing to it was considered worse than losing to a small child.

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Smith demanded. “Those runes are illegal. I challenge!”

Valentine nodded. “You’re going to have to explain, Whitesong. I saw through your earlier ploy, but this makes no sense.”

“That’s a pity,” Raven replied, grinning deviously. “I heard you used to be the top student. Seems you’re just ordinary after all.”

The students began whispering angrily at his comment. Apparently, they held her in high regard. She stared daggers at him. Then, her anger ceased and she smiled nervously, wringing her hands. “Be nice now. I just want to understand.”

Raven pointed to each of his three stars. “These are not poorly drawn runes, as Smith ignorantly assumed. In fact, they are completed seals made up of three very small Zal stars. However, when I initially drew them up, I did not claim them, forfeiting the points.”

Smith’s jaw dropped. He and Valentine bent over to look at them closely, and discovered what he said to be true. What had appeared to be hastily drawn runes were in fact very tiny seals with three perfectly drawn stars connected by three unbroken lines.

“That’s against the rules!” Smith barked. “You can’t draw more than two runes and one line per turn!”

“As you so eloquently stated, in the business of seals, the only rules are the ones in your mind,” Raven replied. “And in my excellent mind, there are no restrictions. Tournament rules state illegal moves must be challenged in the subsequent turn, and you refrained from doing so. You cannot challenge my previous actions because the runes were drawn more than a turn ago. And now we have come to the finale. By connecting three triangles within a larger triangle, I gain immediate victory with no chance of response.”

Smith grinded his teeth, seething. “That is utter nonsense!”

“Call it what you wish. But the victory I have gained today is even larger than you anticipate,” Raven said, still smiling with supreme satisfaction. “Because for the next year, you are going to stew over this loss. And the seals community will never cease to badger you with mocking gloats and disbelieving stares. ‘How did he lose to a student?’ they will ask. ‘How did he lose in such a way?’ they will ask. It will eat at you, keeping you up for nights on end, until the day draws near for our next match.”

Smith gasped.

“Yeeeees.” Raven tilted his head ever so slightly. “Exactly the proper response. I know your challenge, Master Smith. I know what you wrote on that piece of paper. So let me be the first to express how thankful I am. And you have my word, when that day comes for our rematch, I won’t toy with you as I did today.” He slowly stood. “On that day, I will utterly crush you.”

Something vile pierced Smith’s soul as he stared at the boy across from him. It was sinister and dangerous, a black tarnish in an otherwise whitewashed world. Only one other time had he felt such a suffocating presence… long ago. And after seeing the Titan for the first time, he had wished with all his heart to never lay eyes on him again. The same was true now, maybe more so. Because for all the terror the Titan was capable of inflicting, Raven Whitesong could match it along with a sound topper of humiliation.

“Get out of my classroom,” he managed to rasp. “Never come back again. You hear me? Never. You’ll get your perfect marks. Just stay away from me.”

The students became dead silent. Raven bowed.

“As you wish.”