[ 53 ] Clone Trap
Added 2025-01-08 19:40:01 +0000 UTCThe plan worked better than Kal expected. Orbel had surprisingly good control over the wires and was easily able to help Kal direct the clone once it was out of sight.
Orbel explained that he couldn't actually see what the wires could, but he could sense their surroundings as if they were an extension of his mana core. Kal was surprised this was even possible. But like himself and his own heightened ability to sense mana—particularly demonic mana—Orbel had trained the skill.
The Mana Thread spell tree was much more than just the spells themselves. To truly master the spell tree, it required the mage to learn the techniques to also master mana sense to a level that allowed them to not just sense other mana signals but to map out the world around them with a sonar-like force created by mana.
Kal was enamored hearing the explanation. It hammered down the importance of learning spell trees. If he continued figuring out everything for himself, he might remain at a deficit. After all, these spell trees had been designed over generations to match spells and complementary skills.
Kal’s magic wouldn’t fool the bracelets provided by the mage clerks. However, they relied on people to stop and use them. As long as he forced the young mages to act quickly, the trick should work.
It took less than an hour for some over-eager team to spot the clone and ready their attack. They knew who Kal was, thanks to the first exam and which team he belonged to. With the exam’s end so close, that was all it took for desperate teams to drop their guards and spring into action.
Unfortunately for them, Kal at Vae was ready. The moment they confirmed the location of their Astral Pouch, they countered.
Vae secured the unwitting prey with thin roots tangling their legs while Kal shot out and snatched the pouch before they even realized what had happened.
Team Superstar was anything but. However, their meager 65 points were still a welcome boost to their score and a guilt-free one at that. Kal didn't want to snatch someone's future away from them, but if they weren't going to pass anyway, he could sleep soundly, knowing he had stolen their objectives.
Team Alpha with their flying contraption had begun gaining points at record speed, and Kal didn’t want to wait around in chance that they might catch up. They took a half hour to meditate and then prepared for another ambush.
A similar scene played out with them stealing 45 points from Team Goodall, and only an hour later, capturing another 35 from Team Whoopass.
The final hours of the exam ticked by as the three teams settled down for lunch. Team Ebenshire had a clear lead, but the scoreboard had gone into a frenzy of activity. Knowing the end was close had brought the weaker teams out of hiding as they played their hail marys, unfortunately for them, that mostly led to stronger teams stealing their objectives.
“Nothing better than bacon after a hard day’s work,” Ellie sighed, biting into the meat that had been lightly glazed with a sweet sauce.
“Hard days’ work?” Vae raised a doubtful brow.
“We’ve all worked hard,” Kal quickly interjected. “Some of us have spells and skills more suited to different tasks, that’s all.”
“If you say so,” Vae sighed.”
“Yeah, dummy,” Ellie wagged her tongue at the noble boy.
“Hey, guys,” Arix said, interrupting the exchange. “You might want to take a look at this.”
Arix sat wide-eyed, staring at the projection of his leaderboard.
Team Ebenshire - 630
Team Alpha - 595
Team Allseeing - 495
Team Dreamkeeper - 440
Team Kingmaker - 360
Team Outcast - 350
Team Law - 295
Team Shadowpact - 290
Team MartialMight - 285
Team Midnight - 260
“Yeah, I noticed,” Kal said, bringing up his own leaderboard. “It’s gotten crazy. Everyone is going all out. Makes sense.”
The sun had already set, and everybody was exhausted from a long day. But Kal couldn’t sit calmly and rest; he had hoped they would end the day with a more comfortable lead.
Placing second wasn’t bad, but after all the work they had done and how long they had spent in the first place, the thought formed a knot in his gut.
“We’re going to have to move fast if we want to collect additional points before this thing ends,” Vae said.
“No, I don’t think that’s possible anymore,” Kal sighed. “We’re exhausted, and they’ve got a flying ship. I don’t want to do something stupid and lose what we have.”
“There is a way,” Michel said. “I know what deal you offered Team Hijinks.”
“You do, do you?” Vae said. “Don’t try anything. You know, we could just take objectives of yours,” he added with a polite smile.
“We made a deal, Vae,” Kal said. He had no intention of robbing a group they had got along with, and he certainly wasn’t breaking a promise. “We’re going to run ourselves ragged trying to keep our spot. I say if everyone agrees, we give them another quarter of our prize.”
“Seriously?” Ellie exclaimed.
“They did help us,” Arix shrugged. “And we’d still win.”
“Fine, whatever,” Vae said indifferently.
“I thought you cared a moment ago?” Ellie snapped at Vae.
“To be honest, I just don't think this team has done enough to earn a quarter of the prize, that’s all. I can’t imagine a government reward is going to be anything my father couldn’t buy me. They’re notoriously cheap. Just ask any demon hunter. Government bounties are always the stingiest.”
“So, you don’t even care about the prize?” Ellie glared.
“Nope.”
“Aren’t most of the top teams nobles?” Arix questioned.
“Yeah, who said they particularly care about the prizes? Most of them are probably just doing it for bragging rights.”
Great, so these nobles are not only not worried about missing out on an academy spot, but they don’t care about the prizes either? Life is never fair, is it?
“That’s something. Still, that means two prizes between the three of us,” Kal said. “It’s up to you and Arix,” he added, looking at Ellie.
“It’s fine; you two can have them,” Arix said. “I have barely done anything in this exam anyway.”
“You’re the reason we were even able to start the exam,” Kal countered.
“Seriously, Kal, nobody believes that,” Arix said. “You’d have found a way sooner or later. That’s just who you are.”
Kal dropped his gaze. Arix was right, and while he wanted to say something nice to his friend, he didn’t want to lie.
“It’s fine, seriously,” Arix continued. “It’s not like I plan on separating from you guys anyway. I’m sure I’ll benefit if you take the prize.”
“Arix–”
“Let him, Kal,” Ellie interrupted. “This is important to Arix.”
Arix nodded, and Kal turned to Ellie.
“It’s hard for us to feel important sometimes… you know, with you around all the time. Kinda feels like we’re constantly walking in your shadow. Let us make it up to you when we get a chance. Besides, I haven’t done much either. I’m more than happy to share the reward with Arix.”
“You’ve protected the pouch,” Kal countered.
“Yeah, but there wouldn’t have been much need without all the objectives you and Vae found.”
“Exactly,” Arix nodded.
“If that’s what you want,” Kal said. He didn’t disagree with them. If anyone had earned a prize, it was him. But Arix and Ellie were from poor families, and their magical potential was almost certainly far less than his. He would climb higher than them, and that would likely come with more wealth. However, he wasn’t about to fake some humility to try and feel better. If they wanted to give him the prize, then he would take it.
“Thank you,” Kal murmured.
“Chin up,” Ellie said. “You deserve this. You’ve already done so much for us. I’m just happy you dragged me and Arix along for the ride,” she added with a smile.
“Yeah, imagine being stuck in Ebenshire while you do all this?” Arix said.
“Alright, it’s a deal,” Kal said, turning back to Michel. “We’ll give your team one of the prizes.”
“Nice, it’s been good doing business with you,” Michel said, extending a hand.
Bandy pushed between them, knocking his hand out of the way. “Ye can climb into the endless plains if you think I’m lettin’ you take credit for this. If it was up to ye, we’d have remained enemies, we would’ve. Ye can shake me hand,” Bandy shoved her hand out before Kal.
“Ookay,” Kal said. “Anyway, I guess that settles it?”
“Daphne, the bag?” Michel said.
“Oh, yep,” Daphne said, jumping forward and opening the Astral Pouch. “Here you go,” she continued, pulling out objectives until they only had 100 points left.
Team Ebenshire - 745
Team Alpha - 595
Team Allseeing - 495
Team Dreamkeeper - 450
Team Kingmaker - 360
Team Outcast - 350
Team Law - 295
Team Shadowpact - 290
Team MartialMight - 285
Team Midnight - 260
“Suck it, Team Alpha,” Ellie cheered.
“Positively ladylike,” Vae sighed.
“One hundred and fifty points… that should do it,” Arix murmured.
“Time is ticking,” Kal agreed. “I think we can rest easy now.”
“Can’t believe you’re actually going to do it,” Orbel grunted. “I guess you’re not all bad.”
“Aren’t you a noble as well?” Kal asked, curious about what he had just learned from Vae.
“I am, but not some rich main-branch nobility like your buddy over there. I’m basically just above peasantry in the eyes of most nobles, and I certainly won’t be getting any valuable treasures just handed to me. The only thing I get from my lineage is access to our secret spell trees. If, and only if, I prove myself as a great talent, might my house consider enriching me. But competition ain’t slim. There are two dozen mages between thirteen and twenty-five in my house, all competing for recognition. And it's not just the main branch that has an advantage over me. There are multiple influential branches within the family who I have to be better at just to be seen as their equals. To be seen as more important? Well, I’d have to run laps around them,” Orbel sighed and leaned back against a seat of rock.
“Is it like that in House Draken as well?” Kal asked, turning to Vae.
“More or less.”
So, a noble life is more complicated than some of these people let on. I just it can’t just be all pros.
The last few minutes ticked by agonizingly slow as the three groups watched the leaderboard with bated breath. Each of them had something to gain from Team Enenshire’s victory.
“The Magic Hunt is officially over,” came a voice emanating from the bracelets. “Points are now finalized at their current count. If you're currently in the process of trying to win more, be aware that they won't be counted. You will be collected by government mages and brought back for the reward ceremony shortly. Congratulations on all of your efforts!”
