Page 80 of Rebirth Of Order
“Ma’am,” Paige speaks, raising her hand at an alarming rate, damn near detaching it from her torso.
“Yes?”
“I understand being punished for breaking rules, but why must it be this harsh?”
“There are much worse things beyond our wards in which ‘harsh’ will seem pleasant. This Academy builds Gods, or bare minimum, fays strong enough to endure what’s out there. You accidentally kill another student while in here…” Yasmine steps forward. “Punished. You break a rule, punished. I’m not here to hold your hand. I’m here to teach you the correct ways of using magical assistance. Got it?” Her leer alone makes me shiver. I’m in complete awe of this woman.
“Y-Yes ma’am.” Paige fidgets, sharing a look with Gina.
“Stop calling me ma’am. I’m one year your senior,” Yasmine scoffs. “With that being said, if either of you have an inkling of challenging me, by all means, have at it. But be warned, I’m not the merciful type. This is your one and only warning.” She gives us all an inviting smile. However, the way her fingers twitch says she more so hopes one of us does, and I’m not falling for her sweet and innocent voice. “If we’re done with interruptions, let the training begin.”
Yasmine spends the next few minutes going over today’s exercises. First up is to attack and shield simultaneously. My side of the room, which includes me and eight others, will attack a mannequinshe summoned during her explanation. A realistic one at that. The left side, Gina, Paige, and those around them, will defend it as we attack. One from each side at a time.
We have two minutes, and if the object remains standing by the end, whomever is shielding will gain ten House points. If it falls, the students on my side gain said points. Simple.
“Shields, you’ll be using this spell.” Her hand raises, and she voices, “Scutum,” releasing a blue light, which flows identical to water pouring over an invisible surface, taking an orb-like shape around our target.
Onlookers gasp and murmur over her magic as I sit here trying to figure out how the hell to even spell such a word.Scrotum-skrewtum-scut…never mind.
“Attackers,” Yasmine says, drawing silence. “You can use whatever magic fits you best. Your order’s magic, or this attacking spell.” Her wrist flicks while speaking the word “Impetum,” and two bright blue rings spawn around her shield. As she commences forming a fist, those rings begin tightening, squeezing until cracks manifest within the shield, similar to glass.
Her palm snaps shut, and a detonation causes miniature blue sparkles to rain down over the mannequin as her shield explodes, vanishing along with the rings. “Keep in mind, this spell will pull from your strongest order.”
The fay next to me claps with enthusiasm and leans my way. “Damn, that’s cool. I think I’m in love.” I return a smile, because yes, it’s by far one of the best displays of abilities I’ve seen. Also, this fay is insane, saying something like that aloud. And I think she hears him, judging by her unamused leer.
We both sit up straight and pretend something on our desks has our attention. Thankfully, she moves on, addressing the class.
“The goal of this exercise is for you to learn control. How much magic is needed to destroy or protect. Younger fays exert an unnecessary amount of energy achieving either. So, take it slow and feel the resistance of your aura. Any questions?” she asks. “If not, let me getGina and Jace to the front. Stand within the blue square closest to your side, and everyone else, take mental notes. You’ll have your turn.”
Now knowing his name, Jace scoots past me, showing an eager smirk, quickly raising and lowering his brows, ready to show off his abilities. Either that or he is happy to be near our instructor, and I can’t help but laugh. It’s ridiculous. Yet another cheerful guy but this one gives a more brotherish atmosphere.
“Can we pick our opponents?” Gina asks, scowling my way and ruining the mood.She’s getting on my nerves.
“No, I’m not here to nurture your rivalry with another student. Leave it at the door or simply leave.” Yasmine folds her arms, putting emphasis on how tight her school uniform is. Not because it’s small, but rather she is thick in all the right places.
The white infinity emblem perched above her left breast has Jace’s vision superglued to its position. “Keep staring at me like that, and it’ll be you everyone’s protecting and attacking,” she says, without so much of a blink. He averts his gaze towards the window, and she smiles. Her enjoyment of toying with her students makes me like her even more.
A countdown clock for two minutes is summoned, and Yasmine instructs them to begin. Gina yells, “Scutum,” and embers of hot pink fire whisk around the target, forming a colorful shield.
Right, Ethan’s girlfriend has two magical orders. Both assholes deserve each other.Scrunching my nose, I roll my eyes.
Vibrant colors sweep the room, and Jace takes a step back. Raising both hands, he summons a water cyclops, ten feet or so high, and my back stiffens. I appear to be the only one fascinated by his show of magic, gripping the edge of my desk as excitement pounds inside my ears. Because of course, something this spectacular is normal.
Jace passes his summon a nod, and with a thundering yell, he slams his water club into Gina’s shield, dousing part of her flames while cracks form around the impact spot. Smoke twirlshigh above.
“That’s not fair; he’s using way too much magic,” she whines, lifting her other hand and fortifying her shield.
We can’t see inside her flames, but magical blows thrash around with each smash of his attack, letting us know she is losing this battle. Jace may appear smaller in comparison to most, but after witnessing this, his five foot-eight point is clear.
“Weak fays complain. If you can’t match your opponent’s strength, try outsmarting them. Unless you’re useless in that department also,” Yasmine gibes, and I snort a cackle. She is by far my favorite professor.
One last swing from Jace’s drinkable cyclops and Gina’s defense shatters on impact, destroying the mannequin and sending her airborne. The funny thing about it all is Yasmine wastes no time moving on.
“Good job, Jace. Though judging by Gina’s shield, such force wasn’t necessary to destroy it. Next time, control yourself and stop showing off. It never works on a female and sure as shit won’t get you laid,” she remarks. “This goes for each male in attendance. We like our males to show constraint when needed, and roughness when it comes time to pound on something that can take it.” She smothers a grin.
Jace drops his jaw at her advice, and Yasmine has officially become one of the most badass females I know. He moves back to his seat, trying to conceal the bit of liveliness dancing below his waist. Holding a laugh, I whisper, “Good job,” and he returns those damn elevator eyebrows.
“Get up and take your seat,” Yasmine commands, standing over Gina. Her pride is shot, and like a dog licking its wounds, she limps back.
