Chapter One – School

A green flash erupted from the ground. Ikx managed to groan in dismay before being sent flying up into the air, somersaulting slowly before beginning to arc back to the ground and landing hard on his backside, 5 metres from where he had been standing seconds ago.

'Excellent Force Burst, Icarus, truly marvellous!' Professor Ergi commented, stepping onto the stage. Embarrassed, Ikx got up and brushed himself off, acting as if it was nothing.

'Oh well, Ikx, better luck next time' he said to Ikx, clearly disappointed. 'Now get ready for round 2'

'3' Ikx brought up both his hands

'2' Icarus laughed and began powering up a mana blast

'1' the professor glanced in both directions, before casting a Spark enchantment into the middle of the stage, which erupted into the word 'Go'.

Ikx was determined not to lose this time. He fired up an Upthorn Cloud, and before Icarus could cast his spell, vines began creeping from the air above his head, and coiled themselves round his wrists, binding them together quickly an powerfully. They slid down his shirt and tied up his legs, causing him to trip and land on his nose, some blood dripping out, but not much. Ikx laughed and conjured an immolation halo, flames leaping in a ring around Icarus, so he couldn't get back up without burning himself.

'Submit, Johnson?' he asked sweetly, while tightening the vines around the crotch area.

'You wish' He wheezed, as though finding it hard to breathe, as Ikx realized he had been choking him. He loosened the vines around the chest but made up for it by making it extremely painful for Icarus to move his legs. Bliss.

'Round Two goes to Ikx' Stated Professor, seeing how much pain Icarus was in. 'Well done' He said as Icarus' mana blast splintered the wood of the stage as he let it go in anger.

'Now, don't be a bad sport, Icarus, he won fair and square'

Icarus spat sourly and lined up for round 3. Ikx grinned and strained his brain to think of an original spell to use. There were none he could think of.

'3' Except…

'2' should he use it?

'1' it might work, but…

The sparks flew once more and thousands of ball shaped flecks of light whizzed down at Ikx, bouncing off the floor and hitting him, with pain like a bee sting every time one hit. Icarus had used a light storm. By the end of the storm, Ikx was on the floor, stunned. As Icarus began another incantation, Ikx jumped up, and sent a powerful spell straight at Icarus, who screamed as the purple blast hit him square in the chest. The Nightmare Twist worked well, reducing Icarus to a squealing mess on the floor, crying his eyes out and scratching his face. Professor Ergi got up and rushed over to Icarus who was now panting like a dog, his eyes darting around as if seeing something they couldn't.

'Go and see Miss Rendergade at once, young man!' He shouted, opening to door with a flick of his finger and quickly writing out a note, and attaching it to the flesh of Ikx's arm with A Charm of Neverending Fixation. 'AT ONCE!'

Chapter 2 - Trouble