Elemental Blitz

2

Rael sat on a crate outside their home, the invitation to the Magi War Academy crumpled in his hand. It had come that morning, delivered by a rider dressed in royal colors, his horse looking better fed than most of the villagers. Rael had barely glanced at the letter before tossing it aside.

Jerman picked it up, looking it over. “You’re goin’. No discussion.”

Rael raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t say I wasn’t.”

Jerman grunted. “Could’ve fooled me. You go, you make ‘em remember you.”

Rael stared out toward the horizon. “I’ll make ‘em remember me.”

Jerman chuckled, leaning against the doorway, his old sword slung across his back. “You think too much.”

Rael grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder, sword strapped to his side. He looked at his father, who had aged more in the past year than he had in the last ten. “I’ll be back. Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.”

Jerman spat into the dirt. “You’re your mother’s son.”

Rael froze for a moment, then shrugged and walked away. “That’s news.”

It was a week’s walk to the nearest Magi War Academy branch in the trade town of Masonford, and the road out of Assex was as shitty as he expected. The countryside was quiet, the smell of salt from the southern coast hanging in the air. Rael traveled alone, knowing he’d probably run into the other recruits along the way.

On the third day, he found them. A small group of three noble pricks, dressed in fine armor that looked like it had never seen real combat. They were sitting by a campfire, laughing at some joke one of them had made. Rael knew the type. They probably hadn’t lifted a sword in their lives without a tutor nearby.

He kept walking, but one of them, a tall, pale kid with slicked-back hair, stood up. “Oi! Country boy! Where do you think you’re going?”

Rael glanced at him, unimpressed. “Forward.”

The kid smirked, nudging his buddies. “You’re one of the recruits, huh? Thought the academy didn’t take in farmhands.”

Rael kept walking.

“You deaf, country boy? I’m talking to you.”

Rael stopped, turning slowly. “You’re talking. That doesn’t mean I give a shit.”

The kid’s face twisted in anger. He reached for the hilt of his sword. “You’ve got a smart mouth for a peasant. Let’s see if your sword hand’s as quick.”

Rael sighed. “Alright.”

He unbuckled his sword and tossed it aside. The noble and his friends stared.

“What the hell are you—”

Rael stepped forward, throwing a punch that hit the noble square in the nose with a sickening crunch. The kid hit the ground like a sack of flour, clutching his face, blood pouring from his nostrils. His friends jumped to their feet, but Rael was already moving.

The first one came at him with a shortsword, slashing wildly. Rael ducked under the swing, grabbed the guy by the arm, and twisted until he heard a pop. The guy screamed, dropping his sword. Rael slammed his fist into his stomach, and the noble crumpled.

The last one had a staff, trying to summon a fireball. Rael saw the prismatic pattern forming, the red and yellow of the fire swirling together. He waved a hand, and the flames sputtered out before they could even form.

“s**t!” the kid yelled, stumbling back.

Rael stepped forward, grabbing the staff and breaking it over his knee. He threw the pieces into the dirt and looked down at the three nobles, all groaning on the ground. “Is that it?”

The first one, still clutching his nose, glared up at him. “You… you’re going to regret this.”

Rael shrugged. “Doubt it.”

He picked up his sword, buckling it back on. “If you’re going to the academy, I suggest you work on your fighting. Otherwise, you’re gonna get embarrassed again. But hey, what do I know? I’m just a country boy.”

By the time Rael reached the academy gates, word had already spread. The nobles were waiting, glaring at him from across the courtyard as he stepped inside. The academy was a sprawling fortress, its stone walls towering above, banners of blue and gold flapping in the wind. It sat on a hill overlooking the trade town.

A woman in heavy armor stepped forward, her face stern. She had a scar running from her temple to her jawline, and her eyes locked onto Rael like a hawk spotting prey.

“You’re Phaze?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m Captain Olysia. You’re late.”

Rael raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t know there was a set time.”

She snorted. “There isn’t. Just f*****g with you. Follow me.”

They walked through the courtyard, past rows of recruits practicing spells and swordplay. Rael noticed the different groups already forming—nobles sticking together, commoners on the other side, the magical and non-magical recruits keeping their distance from each other. Tensions were high, and it hadn’t even been a full day.

Olysia led him to a large hall, where a long table sat in the center. At the head of the table sat Baron Hargath, looking as smug as ever.

“So, you made it,” Hargath said, leaning back in his chair. “I’m surprised.”

Rael shrugged. “Surprised by the fact that I can walk or read a map?”

Hargath’s smirk faded. “Watch your tongue, boy. You may have impressed us in the tryouts, but this is the academy. You’re in over your head.”

Rael stared at him, bored. “If you say so.”

Olysia cleared her throat. “He’s been assigned quarters in the western wing with the other recruits. Shall I show him the way?”

Hargath waved her off. “Go ahead. But remember this, Phaze—you’re here because we allowed it. Don’t forget that.”

Rael gave him a mock salute. “Sure thing.”

As they walked toward the barracks, Olysia glanced at him. “You know how to make friends, don’t you?”

Rael smirked. “Never been good at it.”

She shook her head. “Keep that up, and they’re going to try and break you.”

“I look forward to the entertainment.”

Olysia stopped in front of a door, pushing it open. Inside was a small room with a bed, a desk, and a single window overlooking the training grounds. “This is you. Get settled. Training starts at dawn.”

Rael nodded. “Thanks.”

She hesitated at the door. “One more thing. You’ve made some enemies already. Keep your head down, or you’re going to have a target on your back.”

Rael shrugged. “Good. Makes it easier to see who’s coming.”

She laughed softly. “You’ve got guts, Phaze. Let’s hope you’ve got the brains to back it up.”