Chapter 7
2000 Words
“Look, Xavier,” Bella said disdainfully, “you can’t even protect your dearest friend. Are you worthy of me?” She shook her head in disapproval as she walked away from Xavier’s rundown room.
Valen’s guard mage dragged Xavier into the street, towards the city center, where both Valen’s and Bella’s families were waiting. Uncle Black and Evelyn followed closely, their faces a mix of anger and concern.
“Uncle, why didn’t you say anything back there?” Evelyn asked, her eyes brimming with tears.
“I couldn’t,” Uncle Black said, his face clouded with worry. “Bella’s father is a four-star mage and the captain of our team.”
“But still…” Evelyn started, but before she could finish, Uncle Black disappeared.
The residents of Eldoria began to gather, murmuring about the scene unfolding in the city center. When they saw Xavier bound with a magi-rope, their gossip grew louder.
“I knew long ago he was no match for our city defense commander’s daughter.”
“He’s surely the century's greatest trash of Eldoria.”
“Why so? Isn’t he the only living descendant of the great Raymond family?”
“Didn’t you see the news on Magi-Vision? He’s got an unknown element with tiny mana reserves.”
“Such bad luck, poor boy. With 2 MP, how will he survive as a mage?”
Xavier overheard the whispers but refused to show any weakness. He knew that showing vulnerability would only invite more ridicule.
Bella’s father, Defense Commander Ion Ziron, stepped forward, his stern expression unyielding. “Xavier, sign the annulment scroll,” he demanded. “It’s for the best.”
Valen grinned. “You heard him, Raymond. Do the right thing and let my Bella go. She’s got a B-ranked Fire element with over 20,000 MP. Also, she has a talent for potion brewing. You see, you are not worthy of her. Or do you need more convincing?”
Uncle Black stepped forward, his voice firm. “This is outrageous. Leave the boy alone!” He activated a magi recording, which played the contract between Raina and Bella’s mother after Raina saved Bella's late mother during a netherkin invasion.
His voice was steady but strained. “This pact was not Xavier’s fault. He deserves respect. Untie him now!”
Valen’s father, Mayor Jimi, sneered with contempt. “Respect? For a scandal-ridden family member? Your precious Raina was nothing but trouble. The one who made the pact is long gone. My son is a better choice for Bella.”
Uncle Black’s face twisted with fury and disbelief. “What scandal? Raina was a noblewoman, and you all dishonor her memory with your lies.”
“Haha, I don’t expect much from you,” Commander Ziron taunted. “After all, you were involved in the scandal with her.”
As the crowd's murmurs grew louder, Mayor Jimi began to recount the scandal that had tainted the Raymond family’s name. His voice dripped with disdain as he spoke, and the crowd’s curiosity turned into overt expressions of contempt. “The Raymonds have always been a source of trouble,” Mayor Jimi said, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. “Raina Raymond, despite her noble background, was involved in a scandalous affair that tainted her family’s honor. This is the legacy she left behind—a broken engagement with Mage Black and a bastard son with an insignificant mana reserve.”
Commander Ziron chimed in, “You are still unmarried because you love her, am I wrong, Mage Black?”
Uncle Black retorted, “My affair is not of your concern, Commander Ziron. You should mind your business.”
The crowd’s whispers grew into a clamor. “I knew it. They were always trouble, that’s why now the Black family only has Evelyn as a descendant.”
One onlooker muttered, “How could anyone trust someone with such a scandal in their past?”
“What if the trash does the same as his mother?” another voice chimed in.
Uncle Black’s face twisted with fury and disbelief. He stepped forward, his voice trembling with both anger and desperation. “This is outrageous! Mayor Jimi, how dare you sully the memory of the Great Mage Raina Raymond with your lies? Isn't she the one who saved your life more than dozens of times?”
“She did? No proof anyway. However, all of us sure of your love for Raina is a lie or not,” an evil smile bloomed on Mayor Jimi’s face.
Defense Commander Ion Ziron’s eyes were cold and unyielding. “The decision has been made. The annulment must proceed. It’s a matter of honor and practicality.”
Valen smirked, clearly enjoying the spectacle. “Just sign the scroll, Raymond. It’ll save you further embarrassment.”
Xavier’s gaze flickered between Bella and Valen, the hurt in his eyes masked by a gaze of determination. “Bella,” he said, his voice steady but filled with pain. “Please reconsider. Our families arranged this engagement for a reason. Don’t let your pride or Valen’s influence force you into this.”
Bella’s expression remained impassive, her eyes cold. “It’s not just about pride, Xavier. It’s about my future. I can’t be tied to someone who’s nothing but a burden. I’ve made my decision.”
As the crowd continued to whisper and speculate, Evelyn’s heart ached at the sight of her friend’s distress. She stepped forward, her voice trembling but resolute. “Bella, you’re making a mistake. Xavier has more to offer than you realize. If you can’t see that, then you’re the one who’s blind.”
Bella’s eyes narrowed. “You’re just a healer of a fallen family. What do you know about making the right choices in life?”
Evelyn’s eyes flashed with defiance. “More than you think. And I know that abandoning someone in their time of need is not the way to honor anyone’s memory, at least of the one who saved your mom’s life.”
Uncle Black, seeing the escalating situation, activated the magi recording again. This time, he focused on the specific terms of the contract, highlighting Raina’s intentions and the respect she held for the engagement.
Uncle Black said, his voice steady. “By breaking this engagement, you not only dishonor her memory but also undermine the values of mages.”
Defense Commander Ziron’s face hardened as he took out his lightning wand, ready to attack at any moment. “Enough of this. The annulment will be completed, and the scroll will be signed, or all of you can say goodbye to your dear lives.”
He gave an evil laugh, “Now, the choice is yours!”
As the crowd’s discontent grew, Master Orion, the respected Archmage of Eldoria, appeared at the center of the gathering with a blinding flash of light. His silver hair shimmered in the morning light, and his piercing blue eyes scanned the crowd with authority.
“Untie him now!” Master Orion roared, his voice radiating with the force of immense magical power. The crowd fell silent, the very air charged with his commanding presence. His gaze was fierce, a rare display of anger.
The guard mage hesitated at first, but he quickly complied, retracting the binding artifact and stepping back to the crowds, to minimize his presence as much as possible
“How dare you sully the memory of a deceased mage?” Master Orion’s voice was a low growl directed at Mayor Jimi. “Did you forget Eldoria’s rules?”
Mayor Jimi's voice became weak under Master Orion's intense gaze. “Master Orion, you cannot be biased. Raina did break the law—”
Before he could finish, Master Orion’s gaze turned to Xavier. “Xavier Raymond,” he began, his tone softer yet still firm. “Is this about the arranged engagement or personal feelings?”
Xavier, his eyes reflecting a storm of emotions, took a deep breath. “It’s about fulfilling my mother’s wishes,” he said, his voice steady despite the underlying pain. “However, it seems I won't be able to keep it anymore. I don't want to bind Bella just with a promise that she doesn't value.”
Bella, her eyes brimming with tears, her face a mask of desperation. “I really love Valen. If you don’t sign the annulment scroll,” she said, her voice trembling, “I swear, I’ll… I’ll end my life here. I can’t bear this life of shame any longer.”
Xavier’s heart sank at the sight of Bella’s anguish, his eyes filled with sorrow. “Bella, don’t say that. Your life is more important than anything else. Please treasure it.”
Valen’s gaze hardened, a malicious grin spreading across his face as he thought within his mind, ‘I’ll make sure this ends in our favor.’
Before anyone could react, Valen attempted a sneak attack on Xavier, his earthen knife glistening ominously. But Uncle Black intervened with a protective barrier, his magic erupting brightly. The barrier deflected the attack, pushing Valen back with a forceful impact.
“Enough of this madness!” Uncle Black roared, his voice echoing with a mix of fury and desperation. “You want to challenge him in such a cowardly way?”
“Where is your dignity as a mage?” Evelyn approached Valen with fury.
Xavier faced Valen, his eyes blazing with fierce determination. “Valen, do you truly love Bella? Are you willing to do anything for her, or is this just another chance for you to flaunt your superiority?”
Valen’s face flickered with uncertainty before he masked it with a smirk. “Of course, I love Bella. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Xavier nodded, his expression resolute. “Then let us settle this properly. I propose a duel—one month from today, at the city battle arena. The winner will have the final say in this matter.”
The crowd gasped, their murmurs growing louder with shock and excitement. Onlookers exchanged astonished glances, their curiosity touched the sky.
“Did he just challenge Valen to a duel?” one onlooker asked, disbelief in his voice.
“Is he serious?” another murmured. “Valen’s a gifted mage. While Xavier’s still exploring to know about his magic element.”
“The nerve of him!” someone else said, a mix of admiration and skepticism in their tone. “Sadly, I suppose it’s the only way to prove himself.”
Valen, initially taken aback, quickly recovered his composure. His lips curled into a confident smirk. “A duel, you say? I accept your challenge, Raymond. But don’t think this will be easy.”
Bella’s face paled slightly; she felt a sudden chill because of Xavier’s sudden confidence. She turned to Valen, anxiety creeping into her voice. “Are you sure about this, Valen? This won’t be as simple as it seems.”
Valen placed a reassuring hand on Bella’s shoulder, his eyes never leaving Xavier’s. “Don’t worry, Bella. I’ll make sure this will be the end of this mama’s boy.”
Uncle Black, though visibly strained, looked at Xavier with a mix of pride and concern. “Be careful, Xavier. This duel is more than just about proving yourself. It may be fatal…”
Master Orion stepped forward once more, his gaze sweeping over the assembled crowd. “Let it be known that the duel will be held with proper conduct and respect for the rules in the city arena. No interference will be tolerated.”
The crowd, now more subdued, continued to murmur among themselves, their opinions divided but their curiosity was no less.
“Xavier’s got guts, I’ll give him that,” one person said, admiration in his voice.
“Or he’s just desperate,” another countered. “Let’s see if he can truly back up his words.”
The discussion continued as the crowd began to disperse, with full of excitement over the upcoming duel.
- Writer
