Chapter 87 - Rivals

Lucas Feuerlon and Orwell Moscow, or now Orwell of Lotheringwood, were once friends and rivals back at their student-days. They both passed the entrance exams of Magierstadt with exceptional marks with the similar admittance to the highest class, Ianua I. Although both of them were smart children with bright prospects, they were each other's polar counterparts.

Lucas Feuerlon, who was relentlessly exposed to the spotlight given his social standing, was an extroverted mage. He esteemed the idea of being the best and getting all the glory—he was ambitious and goal-driven. Whereas Orwell on the other hand, was a laid-back and reserved student, who loved experimentation and reading, research and discoveries, and was introverted, having only a few friends on the academe.

But the two of them were simply children—it did not matter even if they were in the highest class; two prodigies were making their debut at the academy at that period of time. The two prodigies were Eulalia Fortunatorum and Jonathan Unsterblich—light and darkness. They were the unforeseen duo with enormous chemistry noticeable. These two students shadowed the accomplishments of both Orwell and Lucas. But this didn't stop the two rivals from doing their best, to follow the duo's footsteps and rise to the top.

It was after the tragedy that put everything to a halt. The tragedy of the royal family and the scandal to the Unsterblichs. This made Magierstadt caught between a web of events—proceedings that compelled the academe's reputation upside-down. It wasn't only repute Magierstadt lost, but also its two greatest pupils, and life—Magierstadt had casualties. The Forsaken, or Jonathan Unsterblich, went on a mass killing spree and was never found. Justice wasn't served. His mother, the former schoolmistress, became the focal point of a travesty as conspiracy theories arose from the noble's suspicious eyes and venomous tongues. Every noble had a prying ear, which made it easier to spread rumors.

Thus made Maria Unsterblich, Jonathan's mother, relinquish the title of the schoolmaster to Anna Unsterblich, her sister. This was the time Magierstadt redeem its reputation—Magierstadt started to fund researches and create formulas and magic that would lead to betterment and well-being. The country then distributed various resources to Feuersturm as a form of accolade and sold its vital discoveries to the two continents. It was accomplished for palpable whys and wherefores—the new schoolmistress, Anna Unsterblich, wanted to recuperate Magierstadt's solid and long-untarnished reputation back.

There was only one thing to do it: they had to be nicer.

And for years of funding for researches and valuing her students, Magierstadt was now no longer being suspected of an allegiance with the Forsaken, thanks to Anna's interchanges and strategic thinking. The two rivals, Orwell and Lucas, who were now on the prime of adolescence at this time, when Anna's son started homeschooling. Ezekiel Johann, the boy who was kept in a tower and spent his whole life studying advanced magic was introduced to the academe finally and was granted the position as the schoolmistress' executive assistant for such a young age. He was the next successor, after all.

Lucas Feuerlon at this time endeavored to be closer to the professors and the officials of the academy. He gained quite the reputation—the charming son of the duke, the playboy Lucas Feuerlon, the ever-friendly Luke, and the title Magierstadt's heartthrob. Lucas, who was a ravishing teen at this phase, with the social standing and talent, wasn't satisfied.

Along with his rise to fame, people came to notice Orwell Moscow, the son of the graceful Lovellia Moscow, and the smartest and handsome(st) student council president with the lithe locks and cute glasses. Orwell was also part of the professor's teams which were tasked to create formulas of innovation. He was equally admired by the students and professors alike.

It was clear as day: they were polar opposites—rivals. Nothing has changed, they were equal still.

But the conclusion of their long enmity seemed to materialize the moment graduation came nearer. This was the time they were taking quests as a prerequisite. Lucas took on big expeditions which meant battling monsters on various domains, whilst Orwell took on serene and taciturn pursuits like cracking a code, decrypting a puzzling incantation and breaking complicated spells.

But one thing led to another, and the conclusion to the battle seemed to be coming closer. It was when Orwell took on the barren land Lothlorien, which grew confusion to the majority since the land was a hopeless case, and was considered not at all valuable. Lucas, who was expecting Orwell to be taking on much more befitting expeditions, had expected his rival to be engaging on monstrosities with novel magical spells and complicated incantations, was perplexed, but considered Orwell to be confusing his priorities and used it to his 'advantage'…

Until Orwell claimed Lothlorien.

Until Orwell Moscow became Orwell of Lotheringwood.

Until Orwell's formula was added to The Book itself…

Until Lucas lost the rivalry game.

It appeared that Lucas Feuerlon underestimated the 'barren land' just like everybody else. It occurred to him that he was just like the masses—they all thought what Orwell was doing was futile. Unbeknownst to Lucas and everybody else, Orwell was getting encouragement from the professors, because they knew the clever and adroitly intelligent Orwell.

They entrusted the secrets and the task to him—the thing they did not do for the charming Lucas. This was the time Lucas knew that he was a star, people admired him because of his status, aptitude, and charms. His appeal and the magical potential he harnessed indeed had both students and professors alike brooding all over him; they admired his looks and the abilities he displayed, yet he was just a star—a star shining beside a brighter one: Orwell.

The professors admired Orwell because of WHO he is, not his social status nor his magical potential earned their favor. They respected Orwell's fortitude and eagerness to learn and create; in him, they saw a man yearning for innovation. This is why the professors told him the true value of Lothlorien.

Lucas knew he was, at this time, very much defeated.

But this man, who effortlessly triumphed and earned his deserving victory, just made Lucas Feuerlon reawakened with a scorching spur and newfound purpose. Lucas wanted to achieve something EVEN better—something that wasn't done ever before.

He wanted to acquire the truth and wanted the cure for the royal disease Nightmare. Lucas Feuerlon was driven with that goal in mind the moment Orwell moved to Lothlorien. He wanted to achieve what even Julian Ortfalcon failed to do—travel to the continental cliff, down to the endless forest, and acquire the cure. However, when he sought counsel, to the person who probably knew what to search for beyond the cliff, he was rejected. Anna Unsterblich did not want him to engage with a 'suicide mission.'

And now he found himself searching for Anna's son and his own sister, and Orwell, of all people! Lucas ambled through the possible whereabouts Orwell could be in. Orwell was Faustina's teacher and Lucas needed to inform him that Faustina was missing—after all, two heads are better than one in searching for a brat on the loose and a missing sister.

Lucas searched for at least several minutes before he started to gain suspicion. There is no way Orwell could get any further from the Farthings. Lucas went to the alleyways, in wonder and because it felt right for him. His gut told him so.

He paused as he felt to some degree a hint of magical prowess. It took him years to practice, and he wasn't placed in the highest class for nothing. He could sense even the slightest infernal magic. He stopped in front of an abandoned alley, staring vacantly at the untenanted premises.

"Barrier." Lucas chanted as he thuds his staff to the ground.

Zilch.

"Barrier," he repeated once more, with three thuds on the hilt of the staff.

Lucas knew something was wrong. He propelled his staff forward, and then, he saw what was going on. The gem on the peak of his staff glowed, and then it was soaked with a tinge of a sinister red color.

The alleyway was leading to a fragmented dimension, a malevolent force enclosing the whole premises—

And it seemed his rival needed some rescuing.