Chapter 11: Calm down, getting ready!

“Stab me.” Those were my first impressions to that.

Did I hear him right? That Claude has allowed me to join The Magician Games? Okay, I knew that I had improved in the past three years, but I don’t think I’m that good…

“No, this is not a dream.” Claude answered. “I’m really impressed by your performance back then. How did you do that?” Oh that, I thought. I explained that Chris showed me a strategy, I told the dragon that I need a strategy against Claude, he doesn’t know what a strategy is. I told him it’s like a plan before doing something, and I ‘showed’ Chris the tactics that Claude uses. I remember the dragon doing something, like he’s trying to dodge something…

And then, I realised that it’s hilarious about the dragon doing that, but that’s not the neat part. I told Claude that the dragon is probably showing me what should I do against him, and my brother replied. “They’re really intelligent, I can see that.” “But dude, are you serious about me joining?” I asked. Claude nodded, “You had changed a lot in these past few years. Do you remember the first time you started? You were so horrible at almost everything, but now… You climbed the ladder man.” He pated my shoulder, “That’s a great sign that you’re prepared.”

I’ve been screaming at the top of my lungs, not really, my thoughts were screaming. “Seriously!?” I yelled, “Oh my GOD! This was the best conversation we had at dinner! I can finally, in my whole life, I get to participate in a tournament!” I’m on the verge of shedding happy tears, all those intense trainings, had paid off! Wait…

“What’s in The Magician Games?” I asked, “I’m sorry, but the events change every year and every time.” Claude replied. “But, are they dangerous?” “Um… I won’t answer that to make you even nervous…” Oh joy, I thought. “So, in conclusion, I’m just participating in a tournament, which I don’t even know what it’s about?” “It’s the rules, sorry man.”

I don’t know am I excited or nervous for it to happen…

“But, don’t worry.” Claude said, “It’s going to be alright.” “I looked at him, “Is only knowing three positions enough?” I asked again. “It depends on the situation.” Claude replied. So okay, maybe it won’t be that bad. “And it’s going to start in about a week.” He added, “Don’t get nervous, you’ll pass.” Well, that’s comforting. On the bright side, maybe I can pass… But, what if I don’t? All of the hard work, all the blood, sweat, tears and other body fluids, would be for nothing…

 But Claude’s right, don’t overthink it.

I asked Claude do I still need to train to prepare, and he answered that of course I need to as it would be a challenge. In the next few days, I had repeated the same things over and over again; running through the trap-filled track, practising my three Ice positions, teaching Chris new vocabulary (full sentences, my favourite!).

The newspapers have some really chilling news these days, there’s one incident that all the people in a really nice Chinese restaurant were missing, and there were ashes all over the floor, and the police department confirmed that those ashes were human… “What could have done this?” I whispered to Claude as we were reading the paper. “It’s probably some dark magicians, or an aggressive creature.” Claude replied, “Why didn’t the other Protectors found out?” He mumbled, I was confused about what he said, what ‘Protectors’?

And those days were really wild and weird, as if the Gods were toying with this week as my time to enter The Magician Games is getting closer. And time passed so quickly, I lost track on what day it is. And eventually, it is time.

I should dress up for it, I got my trusty top hat, wore my white jacket (but bigger), light blue jeans (but bigger) and a green T-shirt (but bigger). I took my staff, and I had trained for this, I spun it, and I had done it miserably, I got an injured leg from that.

I took a deep breath, and stepped out from my palace. Claude agreed to follow me on my way there. He too, wears a top hat, and I can’t see his clothes because he was wearing a clear white cape. “Nice cape.” I told him, “That’s a cool jacket.” Claude replied, “Trying to impress someone?” Impress someone? Like who? I made an eyeroll, “Besides my friends, then no one else.” I replied, does my brother seriously thinks I have someone else to impress? “Okay then.” Claude said.

This must be the longest journey in my life as well.

Not lonely we have to take a subway, we have to take more than one subways! We would have to stop at another station, and get onto another train. But not only that, we would have head to the surface, and stop at a bus station to board a bus. I’m still not used to be cramped up with lots of people, so Claude decided that we sit at the front seat, a.k.a. the empty seats.

“Don’t worry, we’re almost there.” Claude said. “Alright.” I replied. I had lost time about this journey, I remembered we went out at least seven in the morning, now it looks like it’s nine something… And I had also forgotten about how many subway stations do we have to board for this.

And finally, this hell is over when we had arrived.

There’s something worse, there’s even more people here, and I bet most of them are the participants. Oh boy, I’m starting to feel nauseous about this… “It’s okay.” Claude said, and he pated my shoulder. “It’s totally normal to feel nervous here.” After he said that, it made me clam down a bit. “Thanks man.” Yeah, I do feel a but better after that. But still, I could barely move my legs towards this colossally huge crowd, and Claude will have to assist me to walk like a normal person.

It seems that barely anyone is paying any attention to us, which was a relief to me since I don’t want anyone to wonder what’s wrong with me. And I don’t want anyone I know to see me like this.

There’s a huge flight of stairs that goes straight up… Oh, crap. Stairs… The bad memories! NO! Everyone just kept on walking, do they even feel exhausted from that? Claude doesn’t seem to break a sweat from walking like that, and plus, he has to assist me up due to me not being comfortable around huge crowds, that fear will soon vanish, I promise.

 But still, are these guys that athletic? They aren’t even complaining about how many flights are there… are they fine with this? Do they have lots of stairs in their homes as well? How high is the elevation of this place anyway?

“Oh my god! Edward! You alright?” Oh, that voice…

I dropped myself to the ground, I turned back, and saw two familiar faces. “Are you injured?” Felix asked, he seemed to be very worried about me. “Oh! Um, yeah!” I got up to my feet right away. “I’m good! I’m just, not used to huge crowds like this…” “It does suck to be stuck in your awesome palace huh?” Aisha asked, I nodded.

Felix wore the identical clothes to the ones that when I had last saw him, except that he doesn’t wear that orange scarf. Aisha too looks almost similar as well, but her green shirt is now a buttoned-type. “You guys are here to participate too?” I asked, “Damn right dude.” Felix replied, “Our master was impressed by our skills in the past three years.” Aisha added. “So… Is this the ‘Felix’ and ‘Aisha’ that you told me about?” I was so focused on my pals I had almost forgotten that Claude had existed.

“Yeah! Hey guys, this is my older brother, Claude.” “Wow,” Felix squeaked, “So, you really rule this kingdom Paxsalam?” Claude nodded as an answer. Both of them gasped, I would too when I realised that my friends’ parents were billionaires. I cleared my throat to get their attention, “You guys ready for The Magician Games?” Aisha snorted, “We were born for this dude.” “All three of us are going to nail this tournament.” Felix said, “I hope they have some battle-related events there!” “Wait, we’re have to fight each other?”

All three of us stood there in a moment of silence, ignoring the people around us. “Well, possibly?” “Wait! Wait! Wait! I don’t want to hurt you guys! I only know three positions for now!” I exclaimed, “Oh that’s fine.” Felix replied, “I only know two, and Aisha knows the first one only!” “Stop.” Aisha hissed. The two of us giggled like a five-year-old kid, it actually feels good to laugh like this with friends.