An awful, dark part of Nadrina agreed with him. Even after the professor’s words, she still had to admit how out of her depth she was.

“Professor Rainer, enough!” the headmaster yelled, finally sounding genuinely angry. Rainer ignored him and continued his tirade, his face inches from Nadrina’s.

“Don’t get too ahead of yourself, peasant! Do you really think this stupid competition means anything? You are a commoner and always will be! Nothing you do here will ever change—”

A flying boot suddenly interrupted him.

It made a hollow thunk as it struck Rainer broadside in the face, the man toppling over more from shock than any serious injury. He quickly righted himself and swiveled his head around, trying to find the offending boot owner. His face paled a bit when his eyes landed on someone behind Nadrina.

Turning, she saw Professor Aldric standing on a single booted foot with his other socked one dangling in the air.

“I didn’t have a glove, so I had to improvise. Sorry,” he said in a tone that was anything but apologetic, his steel-grey eyes boring into Rainer. The carefree, lackadaisical professor they knew and loved was nowhere to be seen. This unfamiliar man looked like him, but had none of the passion or humor. Nadrina didn’t like this.

“How does that stupid phrase go again? Oh yeah. Felix Rainer, of house Rainer. You have offended the honor of myself, the young lady, and of this academy. By my right and my house, I demand compensation for your words. The time and place shall be now, and the trial shall be by combat. Let all who stand here bear witness to our duel.”

Chapter 8

Nadrina was busy being dumbfounded, but the headmaster immediately tried to stop everything. “Aldric, this is not the time or place for this!”

“Sorry, Kedrin. An official duel of honor has been declared in front of witnesses,” Aldric replied. “Isn’t that right, Zasia?”

The headmaster looked to Professor Glory for help, but seemed to realize he wouldn’t get any. Looking extremely torn, she warily nodded her head. “He’s right, Kedrin. As heir to house Glory, I stand witness to this duel.” She sounded like she was talking through gritted teeth, but Nadrina didn’t think she was going to budge on this.

“Preposterous!” shouted Professor Rainer, finding his voice again. “We reserve duels of honor for noble born! This vagrant does not have any right to challenge me!”

“Aldric has... peculiar circumstances that are his own to disclose,” Professor Glory hedged. “On the honor of my house, I guarantee he has every right to challenge you.”

“No noble house would claim this... this creature as family,” Rainer shot back, incredulous.