Chapter 18: Ace in the Hole

  Much like his own loss two days before, Jessica disappeared rather than face her peers. This presented Ambrose with something of a dilemma. He knew that he would rather be alone and deal with his problems without anyone seeing him weak or vulnerable. It just made sense. Jessica and the rest of them were weird, and he could never quite tell what they needed. Aiming for his own sensibilities never seemed to work out.

  What could he even say to her? It had been a short, ugly, brutal fight, and would’ve demoralized anyone. More than anything, it made him realize something. His [Hateful Imp] was stronger, faster, and meaner than he’d expected or given it credit for. Even in his duel against Raeva, it had taken out her [Fiery Hatchling] in the end, and even saved his ass from frying.

  Jessica didn’t have that. She had an [Illusory Double] that, so far, wasn’t capable of putting out much hurt. It had been her best option out of the choices presented, weird to bind, and it would grow into something better eventually. But that didn’t help her now.

  When the final match ended, Ambrose broke apart from his classmates to go looking for her, awkwardness be damned. The problem was, he wasn’t sure where she’d be. If Jessica wanted solitude, she wouldn’t pick her quarters. It was too obvious, and the first place he wanted to check. The library wasn’t it, not at a time like this. There was no way in the void she’d seek out her grandfather for comfort. What did that leave?

  Meli’s Place seemed like a longshot, but Ambrose tried there first, operating under the assumption that it was a hot day and she might’ve gone for a cold drink to drown her sorrows. It’s what he would do, and as much of a perfectionist as she was, Jessica wasn’t averse to alcohol either.

  She wasn’t there, but he ran into Luthor at the bar. “Have you seen Jessica?” he asked.

  Luthor considered him. “No. I don’t think any of us have. Are you sure you really want to be the one to talk to her after that?”

  Ambrose scowled and gestured wildly. “Not really, but what else can I do? She’s the only one out of you I like.”

  The light wizard shrugged, chuckling. “It’s good to see you care. I may not be able to tell you where she is, but I can tell you this: don’t give up on the search. If you actually care, then it does matter that it’s you.”

  “How inspirational,” said Ambrose. He shook his head before leaving the tavern behind.

  Wandering around the school during the tournament was always a mixed bag. The tourists weren’t allowed into the classrooms, but they were all over the campus and loved to question the students about the fights and the school.

  Normally, it was the duty of the students to be at their best behavior and act as ambassadors for the academy. That meant putting up with a lot of rude questions and unwanted attention when they were doing well.

  “Hey Adams, you're going to get beaten by both Ransas!” one portly, middle-aged man in a gaudy floral print shirt. “I’ve got good money on it. You want in, maybe take a dive?”

  “You want to piss off, maybe go eat shit?” Ambrose said, brushing by him. The man screamed out threats and profanities, but wasn’t about to make a move on one of the more dangerous wizards of his year.

  Some of the nearby tourists laughed.

  “You feel good about beating up on girls? You’re a cruel sumbitch, aren’t you?” said a burly young man as he stepped in the way.

  Ambrose burned with irritation. All manners went out the door as he did something a little stupid and summoned his [Hateful Imp].

  For only the second time since he bound it, he brought his Signature Creature out without being in a fight. If there had been a chance of a fight, it was a risk to start combat with it out, as its death would deactivate it for a full hour. But there wouldn’t be a fight here. Just a bit of gleeful, rude fun and an attitude adjustment for a dumb spectator.

  Everyone backed away as the summoning circle appeared. When the imp formed, it screeched at them and flapped its oversized wigs until it was airborne. The little demon scanned the crowd, a rough growl in its throat, fangs bared.

  “Do not get in my way, fool,” said Ambrose. “I’m not in the mood for it. Move your ass, or see how fast my demon can make you bleed out.”

  It wasn’t going to hurt anyone. Not without Ambrose’s permission, but they didn’t need to know that. It was funny, seeing the smug, self righteous judgment on the bastard’s face turn to fear. Ambrose motioned with his hand to move, and the man obeyed. He smiled and continued on his way, at least a little mollified by shutting him up.

  Once they were away from the crowd, Ambrose instructed his imp to look for Jessica from the sky. Their bond would alert him when the imp found something. And lacking anything better to do, he headed to the stables, and Gordo’s tent just outside the school’s boundary line.

  Three other customers were in line to be helped as Gordo talked animatedly with his classmate Molly. They sat cattycorner to each other on two of the traveling merchant’s enchanted chests. Upon seeing him, Molly said, “Word says, our match is in three days, Adams. You have that long until I snuff out all your hopes and dreams. Gordo here just sold me the perfect card to humiliate you with.”

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  Ambrose raised an eyebrow. “I’d make equal threats, but nothing is as humiliating as willingly dating Girard. I know there’s no accounting for taste, but come on. You could do better. But then so could he, I suppose.”

  She stood with her fists clenched, a flush coming to her freckled face. “I’m going to cook and eat you,” she said. “I’m going for a clean sweep, undefeated.”

  He feigned a yawn. “Look, you’re good, but everyone knows Raeva’s better. Third place is nothing to be ashamed of. But I’m pretty sure your boyfriend’s not going to make the cut. Which is honestly probably a mercy.”

  The others, two students and one elderly visitor, shuffled to the other side of the tent. Gordo stood up, getting between the two of them before Molly could initiate combat in his business.

  “Hey, hey, none of that. Come on, Molly, you know he’s just talking shit. You’re going to win, and we all know it.” As awkward as Gordo often was, he could kiss ass with the best of them. It didn’t hurt that he had a thing for the female students. To Ambrose, he said, “Don’t start things in my tent please.”

  Ambrose just shrugged. “She insulted me first. Not my fault she picked a fight and lost. I’m just here for the card, if you have it.”

  Gordo shook his head. “Sorry. There was another card you would’ve possibly liked, but it was purchased just a few minutes ago, by that friend of yours.”

  His annoyance and hostility dried up instantly. Ambrose felt a bubbling of hope in his chest. “You saw Jessica? Do you know where she went?”

  “What do you care?” Molly scoffed.

  “Not your business,” Ambrose said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Where, Gordo?”

  Just as the merchant shrugged, his link with the [Hateful Imp] sent a jolt into the back of his brain. “Nevermind, I’ve got it. See you in three days, Molly.”

  Ambrose jogged to the lake, where he found Jessica sitting in the shade of a big oak tree. Its roots were huge and came bursting out of the ground, then magically shaped into seats for the students. His friend studied a card in her hand intently, then looked up with widening eyes.

  “Hi,” he said.

  “Hi,” she returned, tucking the card away.

  The air grew heavy, and the awkward silence stretched on until the imp landed on the ground behind him. Jessica jumped and a hand went up to her neck. The [Hateful Imp] saw this and laughed, pointing a claw at her.

  “Alright, you can piss off now,” said Ambrose, dismissing the creature back to the void. He faced Jessica and bowed his head. “I want to congratulate you.”

  “...Is this bait? This feels like bait.” Jessica wasn’t amused.

  He motioned to the root seat next to hers. She shrugged, so he sat down next to her. “Not at all. That kick…really fucking hurt. It caught me off guard and if I didn’t have the stupid imp on my side, you would’ve had me. You got unlucky. Like I did against Raeva. What could’ve been a great, fair fight got cut too short. It’s bullshit.”

  She looked at him like he’d grown a second head. “Since when do you care about a fair fight? You used to tell me there was no such thing. I don’t need you to make me feel better, you know. There was no way I was going to win against you.”

  “I’m not trying to make you feel better,” he said with a frown. “I’m trying to convey genuine respect. I think you had an incredible start, and it showed me that you can do it. I think my imp is stronger than it looks. Listen, Raeva and I have a wager. I think you’re going to get at least two wins, and will pass. I’ve even got money I can’t afford riding on that.”

  Jessica laughed, fiddling with the card in her hand. “I feel pretty responsible for that. Your money situation. You really didn’t need to show me that generosity. Not for a lost cause like me. So I found something for you. Feels a little weird to give to the man who just humiliated me, but I do owe you.”

  There was a weird feeling in Ambrose’s stomach, a tightness and twisting sensation he didn’t like. Of course he wanted a card. Who wouldn’t? But hadn’t she already paid him off by showing him the floating garden and a way up? No, he told himself, that only mattered if he could get the last card needed for the attempt.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  She handed it over. A second later, he understood why.

  “Oh,” he said.

  [Mark of Service: Rare. Enchantment. Turn an enemy’s doomed creature against them.

  Spell Effect: Curse an enemy summon. When the cursed creature dies, it resurrects under your control. 3 mana, 2 ongoing]

  “I thought it would be perfect for tomorrow’s match,” she said, regaining some of her usual energy. “Raeleq’s strong, and so are his creatures. You’re better at killing creatures than half the class, so I thought…”

  The card disappeared as Ambrose added it to his deck. “It’s perfect. And honestly, probably more than I deserve. This will win it for me. I know it. If I can make it to the top, I can stay in school, and everything will be fine.”

  “About that…What deal is it that you have with my grandfather?” she asked. “He usually has a rule to only make offers with promising fourth year students. You know, those who’ve proven themselves to be worth a damn.” There was no mistaking her bitterness or despair.

  Ambrose thought about it for a second, wondering how truthful to be. It didn’t take long to decide that if anyone deserved honesty and trust, it was her. “If I place first, I’m going to get a rare Wildcard, full tuition, and a weekly stipend. I’ll be…Fast-tracked, to do personal work for him.”

  “Oh,” she said, nodding in understanding. “He really does…see a lot of promise in you.”

  He shook his head emphatically. “It’s not me. He wants my entire family to owe him something, and for me to feel grateful to him specifically. The Headmaster is an opportunistic, cunning, scheming bastard. People call him a hero, but he’s mostly just effective and pragmatic. He wants my family’s connections and loyalty, in case the other big families turn against him.”

  She looked like she wanted to argue, but didn’t. “Maybe. So, what do we do now? Want to run up my family’s bill with a big dinner?”

  He laughed and stood, offering his hand. She took it, and he helped her up. “I’d love that. And you know what, Jess?”

  “What?”

  “We’re both going to make it. All the way. I’m going to make it happen. We’re going to talk about your next match and figure something out.”

  He didn’t know where it came from, but it made the twisting in his gut lessen. She smiled, and they headed towards the village, both hungry for the best they could get.