Page 60 of Ashes of Aether

My lips curl. Fear glistens in Kaely’s eyes—in the eyes of all three of them. But the fleeting emotion vanishes as swiftly as it appears.

“Aquis!”the three Kaelys shout together.

A water blast shoots from their fingers and meets in the middle. Then their attack gains momentum and charges at my fireball.

The two spells collide with each other at the center of the arena. Though water holds a colossal advantage against fire, my fireball is fueled with immense power, and that makes our attacks equal.

Magic roars. The force flings back both Kaely and me. Her mirror images dissolve. The blast is so thunderous I don’t hear myself slamming into the ground. Nor do I hear Kaely’s thud.

The resulting haze is so thick I can barely see her across the arena. But the hatred in her eyes burns vividly enough to penetrate the dense steam.

In our third-year finals, I scored the same mark as her. And last year, Ibeather. By ten whole marks across all of our classes. To achieve that, I had to study day and night, and my father was so very pleased by my dedication to my studies. I even scored the highest in our year.

That’s why she hates me more than ever. She can no longer say I’m undeserving of our tutors’ praise. Now I might actually be better than her.

At least with written examinations. I’ve yet to beat her in a duel.

That’s why I must defeat her today. Once we graduate from the Arcanium and become magi, I may never again have the opportunity to duel her.

And if I can’t beat Kaely, how will I ever protect those I love from monsters like Heston?

I scramble back onto my feet. Through the smoke, I scarcely make out her doing the same.

But before either of us can unleash another spell, aether radiates from the center of the arena. Archmage Lorette Gidston emerges from the cloud of violet light.

Our duel is over before the real fight can begin.

“That is enough.” The Archmage’s crisp voice rings through the arena. “Ventrez.” She conjures a wind spell and uses it to blow away all the steam.

With the fog cleared, Kaely glares at me, every ounce of the loathing in her heart unveiled. I glare back at her with as much bile, my own expression as disdainful as hers.

If Archmage Gidston notices our murderous scowls, she doesn’t comment on them. “Excellent work, both of you.”

Neither of us responds. We continue glowering at each other.

Lorette turns and scans across the other fifth-years sitting in the audience. “Trindell, Varsley—you’re both up next.”

Koby stands, as does Jaron.

But Archmage Gidston shakes her head at Jaron and says, “Not you. You’ve already had your turn in the arena.” She gestures to the other Trindell twin. “On your feet, Braedon.”

The two of them teleport down to the arena.

Kaely and I hold each other’s glare for a moment longer. Then she scrunches her nose and murmurslaxus, teleporting back up to the stone seats. I do the same, appearing on the stairs at the end of Eliya’s row. My fists curl as I stride over to where she sits.

“What’s the matter?” she asks as I slump down beside her.

My jaw hardens. “Nothing.”

She arches a brow at me. “Really? You don’t look mad at all.”

I lean back, the stone wall of the row behind digging into my shoulders, and I blow out a breath. “I didn’t beat her.”

“Your match was a draw.”

“Drawing with her isn’t the same as winning.”

“Why are you so focused on beating her? Three years ago, she was completely wiping the floor with you. Look at how far you’ve come. Now you’re her equal.”