CHAPTER 225: COMBAT IV

Rachel won her own fight.But it had been by a sharp luck; the senior had been varsed in combat, very varsed, despite her not so big stature. Probably why the organizers had linked her to Rachel; they had thought it would be an easy defeat.

After her match, the Queen had called for a little recess, so that the final contestants could have some rest before the last phase of the competition. It was why I was reclining on the chair in my tent, drinking an energy mix that Laura had given me.

"I’m sure that the Queen is giving Rachel some tools on how to fight you, some tricks. You have to be careful out there, Dora..." Diana spoke, with a disgusted expression on her face. "That woman can be so sneaky." She added, placing her arm around my shoulder. "If you win Rachel, I will give you my meat sauce for a week."

I laughed then, unable to hold it this time around. Diana was a darling. "Deal!" I shouted, jamming fists with her, whilst her parents and Levina watched on with wide smiles on their lips.

Just then principal Lethon stepped into the tent, with a somber expression, drying up my smile immediately.

"Good afternoon sir..." I greeted, after he had exchanged greetings with the people in the tent.

"Good afternoon Dora, how are you doing?"

I nodded. "I feel great."

"That’s good. Keep the feeling up. I just walked by Rachel’s tent, curiosity you know...and I saw something...." The sharp anger that underlied that sentence informed me that what he saw wasn’t good. It made me curious.

"What did you see, Lethon?" Peter asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"I saw the Queen prepping Rachel on how to coat her punches with magic, a magic that wouldn’t be discovered with the normal hand examination; an old magic..."

Peter cursed out loud, and Laura gritted her teeth, an action that was mirrored by Levina and Diana. They knew what he was talking about. I didn’t.

"How dare she do that? Why would a queen do that? She seems to be losing her mind with every passing day!" Peter exclaimed, throwing up his hands in anger.

"The woman needs to be put in her place, very soon." Laura supported, her hands on her waist, her feet taping the floor as anger rolled around her in waves.

"Who would do so? There’s not one with white hair in our community yet, apart from Dora. But according to papa, she isn’t exactly from here." Levina muttered, looking at me, or rather my hair. I knew she wished I was from the community. Sadly, I wasn’t. Never mind that the news about me was that I was Laura’s niece. Of course, most would know it was a lie now. They wouldn’t dare to ask me though.

Mr Lethon sighed wearily just then, looking at me with what would be akin with pity. I hated pity.

"What’s the magic all about? Why can’t the magic be found out?"

Mr Lethon sighed again. "I’m not sure, but it is what it is. It hasn’t been used for a long time, and it’s mostly adept to royals and magic experts. It is called the cheating magic, as it can’t be found out in combat. I’m not sure if the little one can master that magic now, considering the complications surrounding it, but Rachel has always been intelligent and strong, despite the fact that her hair is black; royal blood still runs in her veins. So, Dora..."

He paused, as if not knowing what to say next. Then he sighed. "You just have to be careful of her punches. You can’t use magic either, unless you know how to use the old cheating magic..."

I shook my head, when he piqued an eyebrow at me. I had no idea a cheating magic existed. My guardians hadn’t thought to mention it either because they had thought the games would be fair and square. The Queen had hoped so too, seeing that she was just teaching Rachel the magic now. Or rather, she didn’t think that I would make it to the finals. The punch to Preye’s stomach had solidified me as a threat, and so she was making all things possible to make sure I lost.

From what I heard from Diana, the competition happened once in two years, meaning that Rachel wouldn’t have the chance to compete again. This was the only chance to make her mother proud.

"Well...you just have to be careful then. And don’t bother using magic either. She would make a report, and you would be disqualified. Just...fight fair and square. We will be praying for you."

"Thanks Mr. Lethon. I really appreciate the heads-up." I bowed my head a little as I appreciated the principal who had come to see me as his daughter.

Peter and Laura conveyed their thanks too, even though dread schooled on their faces. But there was nothing they could do except to pray.

Just then the whistle was blown, indicating the resumption of the combat.

"Godspeed." Mr Lethon spoke, clasping my shoulders stiffly.

I nodded my thanks, as a soldier would, before he turned around and walked out of the tent. I stood up then, and embraced my family in a hug, Levina too, my eyes widening a fraction when I saw Adam standing at the tent’s entrance.

’Goodluck’ He mouthed, raising his thumbs up. I gave him a thin smile, before my family disengaged from the hug. When I looked at the tent’s entrance again, he was already gone. Good for him. My family still hated him. Well, except Levina.

"You will win." Peter said, holding me by my shoulders.

"She has no choice, unless she wants to forfeit her meat sauce to me for a month.." Diana mused, causing Levina and Laura to laugh.

"Hey, that wasn’t part of the deal!" I threw my hands up, watching them leave the tent.

Diana paused at the entrance, and turned. There was a notable smirk on her lips. "It’s part of it now, Dora Akwoods. Win Rachel, or lose your meat sauce for a month."