Mark of the Fool

Chapter 592: Ram's Pride

Harsha Ram was a warrior.

A man who had long realised that there was a governing law that decided everything encompassing ones life: force.

As a boy, his closest friend drew other children to him by possessing an athletic body, a decisive manner, and a mesmerising personality. The adults in his village achieved security and peace through force; combining their peoples martial arts, weapons arts and tactics to vanquish bandits, monsters and would-be conquerors.

As a young man, an invading army had decimated everything his people had built through force, leaving countless dead in their wake. As an older man, hed used force in the form of his own body to exact terrible retribution for his dead people.

That act had cost him an arm.

As time passed, the man matured in strength and wisdom, but above all else, in mana, awakening him to an inescapable truth; that a bounty of mana raged within him, that it called him to the world he seemed to be born for: wizardry, and the only discipline of spellcraft that would suit a man like him.

Force.

To master force was to master the very governing law that decided the tides of the world, fate, and destiny. Self-studying as many force spells as he could, hed surrendered to force magic, breathing it, loving it, embodying it. After years of travelling through the world, using force spells to set wrongs right, he had come to Generasi to study wizardry in the formal setting of the university.

In time, hed graduated as the most proficient user of force magic the university had seen in a decade, and eventually, Harsha Ram had joined the schools faculty as one of its powerful, dedicated, and well experienced professors.

It had been a fine retirement for a warrior: researching the mysteries of force magic while introducing young minds to the established properties of force and wizardry.

Then, years into a comfortable career, Alex Roth had come along.

In his first year of force magic, the young man had been a puzzle: one whod completely mystified his teacher. At first, hed thought that the aspiring wizard had the makings of an excellent force mage. Though his spellcasting was surprisingly slowit was like his mind would lapse when he tried to cast the most basic force spellhe had shown an extraordinary proficiency with forceball.

The young mans grasp on the theory of force magic overwhelmingly outstripped that of his classmates, making him a regular topic of conversation among them. Ram would often hear about the prodigious abilities of the first year student named Alex Roth from his other professors.

And thenone daythe young man had just reached a standstill.

It wasnt the first time Professor Harsha Ram had seen a student come up against a wall in their studies, but each time, he had helped them break through that wall by force of will and concerted effort, or by directing their attention elsewhere.

Yet, no matter what hed tried, Alex Roth had remained stuck, growing to be a more perplexing puzzle.

The young man knew how force worked and how spellcraft worked; he well understood the theory. Yet for some reason, he was far too slow in spellcasting and couldnt cast even the simplest force missile spells to a satisfactory degree.

Usually, such a situation unfoldedin theopposite manner; a student could fire force missiles well enough, but usually fell down when it came to the theory behind advanced aspects of force magic.

A problem like that would normally be solved through extra study time, tutoring, remedial writing assignments and research. Either the student would apply themselves properly and bring out their latent ability, or they would not.

Or perhaps could not.

In the end, students in that situation would wash out from his class, and that would be the end of that.

But, the more Ram had tried to get to the bottom of Roths issues with force magic, the more he could only conclude that the young man was simply choosing not to apply himself. In every other class that he was enrolled in, hed obviously performed exceptionally well. In alchemy, according to Vernia, hed quickly become known as a prodigy.

In the staff room, Professor ValRok never stopped talking about the young mans mastery of mana manipulation. Yet, in his force magic class, the very same student had shown a troublingly erratic effort, and his grade had always leaned toward the mediocre side.

For a time, he'd considered the possibility that his teaching ability was the reason why he couldnt reach such an obviously bright studentbut hed eventually put that thought aside.

If that boy does not think force magic worthy enough of his full attention, there is nothing to be done. One only receives what one puts in. Harsha Ram had concluded at the time.

He had honestly believed he would only cross paths with the young student on the rare occasion from then on.

At leastthat was what hed thought before hed made his own breakthrough.

Force Construct.

A seventh-tier spell that would generate a soldier of force, designed to protect powerful wizards for generations. All that was needed to confirm its value was to test it under the right conditions, both as a demonstration of its power, and to test for limits on its further development.

He couldnt think of a better opponent to test againstespecially in real timethan a state of the art construct with an unmatched level of force that had been taking the university community by storm.

Claygon.

Without doubt, it would have been embarrassingly crude for an experienced professor of the university to openly challenge a second year student, so he had assumed a pseudonym and a disguise.

Despite his effort to remain anonymous, hed been unmasked, so to speak, though his unmasking hadnt stopped the contest from thrilling everyone watching.

The first round was tense, requiring the force wizard to pour an immense amount of mana into Prime to keep his construct from rupturing under the stone golems fists.

So far, his force construct along with his experience in battle had been carrying the daybut, he was already seeing significant problems in Primes design.

The feedback mechanism hed designed as the control system made him experience every impact Prime took to its body, like phantom pains; if it wasnt for his disciplined mind, he likely would have collapsed from strain by now.

Even though he was still on his feet, the greater effort he needed to keep Prime functioning was costing him as his mana kept draining faster than he could regenerate it.

And as he noticed his spells flawshe also noticed his opponents strengths.

Prime was by far the faster construct, butin the endit was still just a mindless creature that required ongoing input from its master to direct its attacks, draining his mana, while leaving both of them vulnerable to whatever Claygon dished out. Meanwhile, the golem was sentient, a living warrior; a creature with his own mind, one that could think on his own and had obviously trained for combat.

When he swung those massive fists, even though the action might have appeared a little inelegant, it also showed his ability as a seasoned, practised warrior. The golems experience and independence freed his masterAlex Rothto act as a second pair of eyes, a second mind, and a strategist throughout the duel.

Now, it seemed that theyd figured out how he controlled Prime; twice now, Claygon had used a fire-beam to obstruct his view of the fight so he could create openings in his constructs guard.

He had to admit it, his respect for Roth was growing; his analysis was the mark of a warrior, and a scientist.

And Harsha Ram respected both.

He had gone into round two knowing that he had to act quickly, so hed opened the floodgates to his mana pool and poured as much energy as he could into Prime.

His plan was to hit Claygon fast, achieve a few knockdowns and pins, then carry the second round. From the way the golem was fighting, it was obvious that theyd realised what Primes power source was, and even Ram himself doubted his mana poolalready taxed from the duel with Vesuviuscould withstand the stone golems full power for much longer.

At first it had seemed everything would go well

right up until the moment Alex Roth raised his staff.

And Claygon suddenly disappeared.

What? Ram cried.

Planar Doorwaythe one spell Roth likely cast on Claygonrequired one to touch a subject to teleport them. So was itnoperhaps invisibility?

Concentrating, Ram flooded Prime with mana.

The ballistae on the constructs shoulders swivelledas the professor felt the movement deep in his own shouldersbolts of force fired in a wide arc.

A fire-beamstruck Prime through a blind spot.

Professor Ram felt heat wash over him, he set his jaw. His consciousness connected to Prime, spinning the construct around to attack Claygon

only to discover that, once again, the golem was gone.

A war-spear shot out from empty air, tearing into Primes flank, drawing a torrent of energy from Rams mana pool, then a stone fist hammered the force constructs back. Rather than go for the knock down, Claygon pressed his advantage, pummeling Prime with a flurry of blows and an endless stream of fiery beams from his central eye.

Ram clenched his jaw, pouring more mana into Prime, deflecting Claygons ferocious blows, then transforming the construct into a wave of force. He planned to let the racing cloud of force envelop their foe, but Alex Roth waved his staff.

The golem vanished again.

Rams eyebrows rose.

He now understoodfrom the way the mana flowedthat the young wizard was using Planar Doorway. But how?

Claygon was beside Prime, driving another terrible spear-blow into the construct. Ram grunted as the sensation drilled into his side; it wasnt quite the same sensation as pain, but it also wasnt benign. Every impact drained his mana.

This is wild, people! the announcer cried from above. Claygon is teleporting around the arena likelikesome kind of teleporter! What a development! This is indeed the peak, my friends!

The atmosphere in the stadium was nearly rabid, folks were frenzied, pointing around the arena, loudly guessing where Claygon would appear next.

Well done! Harsha called to Alex. Tell me, how are you teleporting your golem without touching him?

Youre not the only one who's been developing their spellcasting! Alex said cheerily. And Ive got to tell you, you made one hell of a spell thereseventh tier?

Good observation, Ram said, trying to concentrate on defence. Prime enveloped itself in a shell of force, guarding against Claygons attacks.

Planar Doorway was a fourth-tier spell, which would tax a second year wizard. Casting it over and over againeven through a staffwould make Alexs mana run dry long before his did.

When that happened, he would finish Claygon.

Is that why you cant cast spells on Prime? Alex asked.

Ram watched the fight closely. The golem reappeared beside Prime, laying into the construct at close range with his fire-beams, war-spear strikes, heavy punches, and even stone-breaking kicks.

Youre, without doubt, the most powerful wizard in this tournament, and the recent rules-change should super benefit you, professor! Alex called from across the arena. You could probably blast me into itty bitty giblets with a snap of your fingers; I can only imagine what your body enhancement and defensive spells must be likeno wait, I dont have to imagine them. You taught me some.

Alex waved his staff and greater force armour formed around Claygon, protecting the golem in an invisible barrier.

Thats a really useful spell, the Thameish wizard said. Even my lesser version of it is, so I know youve got deadlyenhancement spells. Come on, lets see some, how do you think Prime would perform with haste on?

Ram frowned. It wouldnt be a proper test if he had Prime simply stand around in the arena like a boulder, Claygon would eventually batter its defenses down. The force construct unfolded from its defensive ball, morphing to a mass of force magic.

It dove at its opponent, but in a blink, the golem vanished.

Claygon reappeared, using Rams blind spot for cover, but the warrior-wizard was ready. Prime swung a massive fist, striking Claygon square atop his head.

The golem hit the ground.

Knooockdoooown! the announcer roared.

Claygon disappeared, instantly reappearing, a fist throwing an uppercut, driving the blow into the bottom of Primes axe-like skull.

The construct was knocked skyward, straight into the cage dome.

Ram thought he heard his teeth rattle.

The first thing I shall do when I return to the Cells is find a better feedback system, he muttered.

His mana was draining rapidly.

You cant cast spells on Prime since its actually a spell, can you? Alex said point blank. Seems to me that would be a bit of a disadvantage, wouldnt it? Which is too bad.

Ram said nothing, trying to keep strict concentration on his defenses. Claygon was teleporting around his construct, but the professor was beginning to track his patterns. He was learning to guard his blindspots.

Youre watching your blindspots a bit better, Alex said. My compliments on your fighting prowess by the way.

Youfavour your right side Claygon called. I am fighting younot Primeand you are a true warrior

Thank you, Ram said.

He was not so prideless to deny truths spoken so plainly.

Youre powering Prime, arent you? Alex asked. Which makes sense since spells need to be powered by their wizards, and for a spell as potent as yours? Only a wizard with your level of power could energise it for this long.

Your flattery will not help you, Mr. Roth, though, I appreciate your sportsmanship. Ram grimaced as Prime took another blow from Claygon.

He looked at Alex. The young wizard seemed to be no closer to running out of mana than he had been before hed first made Claygon disappear.

But Rams energies were drainingthere was only one thing for it.

Hed joined this contest to test his new spell, not spread lies or win tournaments. While winning would be nice, it would only be a bonus.

You have done well in analysing force magic, though you always were good at that, Harsha said. He cracked his neck. However, I am a warrior. I prefer a more practical approach to magic. And as a warrior, I will reward you for how well you have done. You deserve my and Primes full power.

With that, the professor poured everything he had into the spell.

Hed either finish the match instantly.

Or he would lose with honour.

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