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The barrier spreads around me, just as the golem swings for me again. I am within its reach, but far enough away that the blow glances across my shield. It still tears through my barrier as if it’s made from paper, but at least the impact is not fatal. The aether shield fizzles out, and I’m thrown back onto the ground. The collision leaves me winded and momentarily dazed.
The golem shambles forth. I don’t even have the chance to scramble upright. Its immense foot comes crashing down, blanketing me with a vast shadow. I roll and barely avoid its thunderous stomp. The ground quakes and reverberates through me.
If I don’t return to my feet, I will be crushed.
When I next roll away from its attack, I do so with enough momentum to fling myself upright. The construct’s fist swerves toward me.
I duck, diving between its behemoth legs. I fear they will snap together and squish me between them, but this is my only chance of escape.
I emerge unscathed. With all my strength, I sprint as hard and fast as I can, desperate to put enough distance between me and the golem. To gain enough time to conjure an attack. The construct’s weighty strides thump behind.
I draw upon aether as I run. When I’m certain there’s enough distance, I spin and hurl my magic at the construct. “Telum!”
The aether blast isn’t as precise as my previous, but I don’t have the luxury of time. It will have to be enough.
The spell catches the golem by surprise. It raises its arms to defend itself, but it does so a moment too late.
My magic slams into its chest, meeting the pulsating crystal.
The golem falters. I hold my breath. But the stone construct doesn’t come crashing to the ground.
Disoriented, it stumbles back. As the light fades, I see that the core isn’t shattered. Only a slight crack pierces its surface.
I clench my fists. But there’s no time to bemoan the lost victory. I can only press on, conjuring my next spell before the golem can recover.
“Laxus!”
I teleport to the far end of the arena. The stone construct hurtles toward me. This time there’s enough distance for me to thoroughly prepare my spell.
Blood drums in my ears. I do my best to clear my mind and focus on the magic I’m weaving together between my fingers.
The golem is mere heartbeats from me now. The air shudders from its powerful momentum. But I hold my ground, knowing it’s my only hope of defeating my opponent.
Its fists come crashing down. At that same instant, I seize the opening. Too busy attacking, the construct is unable to defend itself. And with the close distance, there’s no risk of my magic missing.
“Telum!”I yell.
Aether bursts from my fingers, crackling with the intensity. My blast slams into the golem’s heart.
Beneath the fizzle of my magic, I hear the core cracking. Fragments of crystallized aether rain on my face, and I shield my eyes. The glow fades from the golem’s joints. It falls still, frozen mid-swing. Its enormous fists are a hair’s breadth from me. I flinch at the nearness.
Before I can consider how lucky I was not to be smashed apart, the construct explodes.
I dive away. Rock hurls at me. I duck and cover my head with my arms. They bruise from some of the larger chunks.
When the barrage ceases, I straighten and stand there, gasping.
The arena erupts with applause. The rush of battle still courses through me, and I take a few seconds to realize they are cheering for me.
I succeeded.
“Congratulations, Reyna Ashbourne!” Archmage Gidston’s voice rings out. The audience quietens as she speaks, hanging onto her every word. “You have successfully completed the first round of the Trial of Magic. Please now return to your seat. Lorea Bayford, if you will take your place inside the arena.”
Before teleporting back to my seat beside Eliya, I stare up at the crowd towering all around me, briefly losing myself to the dizzying height and the sea of faces.
Though I have passed this first round, I must face two more before I can earn my title as a Mage of Nolderan.
Thirty-Four
