Blade Over Magic

Asymmetrical Warfare II

The rest of the group hadn’t been too far when they heard Falael’s shout, and while they all managed to maintain their expressions, only looking over to express the minimum level of surprise required, the truth was that they were all barely holding it together.

’... Falael, you menace.’ Curtis said through the bond, his mental laughter loud for all to hear, which just made the situation worse.

’I swear, if I fail to keep my composure because you keep laughing, I’m gonna vaporize you.’ Xander took a few discreet breaths to keep down his laughter.

It was only when the two boys were approached by two mages from the Mage tower did they quickly shove down their amusement and become serious.

That’s because of the two mages approaching them, one of them was an older man, and on the tower emblem on his chest, the sixth level had been colored, indicating that he was a sixth floor Elder.

The ranking system of the Mage Tower went like this. Those at Floor 1-3 were disciples. Then those at floor 4-5 were instructors, those attending floor 6-8 were elders, those at floor 9 were ancestors. And naturally, at floor 10 was Bellion, the founder.

And every Elder was, at the very least, a full-fledged High Mage.

This Elder wore a black robe with a monocle over his right eye. His expression was that of unmasked derision as he regarded Xander and Curtis with a sneer.

Standing a bit behind him was a remarkably short figure. They also wore a black Mage robe, but their face was hidden behind a mask. However, when Xander saw them, his gaze sharpened, though he said nothing to them.

Rather, he looked at the Elder with a questioning gaze.

He looked around, then back at Xander, and he said in an unrestrained voice.

”To think you really would be so bold to show up in this place. Hiding behind your father. Do you seriously believe you are that significant?” His voice attracted those around them as Xander raised a brow.

”You’re just going to say it outright? No political maneuvering?” He tilted his head slightly, and the elder scoffed.

”It’s pointless. Someone who genuinely believes swordsmanship has any place in this kingdom won’t have the mental faculties to grasp subtle language. So I’m speaking in a manner your straightforward brain can understand.” A blatant insult, but Xander seemed unperturbed, and the Elder shook his head, like he could see through Xander’s attempt at composure, and he turned his gaze on Curtis.

”And to think we have stooped so low as to allow a Lycan of all things in a place such as this. I will admit, though. He is quite well behaved. How did you tame him? Perhaps beat him into submission?” The suggestion that Curtis was a beast to be ’tamed’ was certainly an infuriating one. But Xander said nothing to this, whereas Curtis hummed faintly behind his scarf.

’Xander, Curtis. Both of you should be careful. That man is Elder Zeref, he didn’t just become a sixth floor Elder by proving his magic capability. He’s extremely shrewd and cunning. This loud display is likely just an act.’ Aubrey, who seemed to be aware of her surroundings at all times, warned the two boys.

It was then that Cutis began to speak, his voice muffled by his scarf.

”Actually, sir—”

”And who gave you the audacity to address me, you wild dog?”

...!

The surroundings nobles who were pretending not to listen were taken aback by such a blatant insult.

Zeref completely ignored Xander as he stepped forward, entering Curtis’s personal space as he stopped just a few inches from him.

”Understand this, mutt. No one here actually thinks you are anything but a mindless beast, and no beast should ever speak when people are talking. Do you understand?” His words were cold and biting, and the surrounding people held their breaths.

Around the room, the knights and mages close by subtly angled their bodies, hands gripping their wands and swords. It was clear that they all believed that Curtis would snap, snarl, or do anything that proved that he was dangerous. The instant he did that, they would have every justification to remove him from the premises, or worse.

In truth, Xander wasn’t his true goal. His act of talking to him first was simply a diversion tactic. No, Curtis was the real target.

Similar to Aubrey, the Mage Tower had done extensive research on the group. Hence, they learned that Curtis had no parents and only stayed with his grandmother. No one knew that he was a Lycan until he arrived at the Ball in his current appearance.

Seeing the furred ears, tail, and sharp fingernails, they came to the assumption that he was walking on the edge of a precipice where his control could snap at any given moment. They just needed to give him the additional push needed to send him over the edge. Once that happened, everything would fall into place.

As for whether Curtis could actually harm him, well, while that large scale spell he used in Landor was terrifying, it’s obvious he couldn’t use it consistently. Against a true High Mage like him, Curtis would be lucky to even survive a confrontation, let alone harm him.

Behind his irritated expression, Zeref was actually quite cold and calculated. He had to be for him to reach his current position. But even then, he couldn’t have anticipated what happened next.

”Where is this stated?” Curtis’s calm voice rang out from behind his scarf, stopping everyone in their tracks.

It wasn’t angry or strained, neither was there any trace of a snarl or growl behind it. His voice was perfectly coherent and devoid of any volatility. Instead, it was a simple question.

”... What?” Zeref narrowed his eyes, and Curtis asked again.

”What you said about how a beast should never speak when a person is speaking. Where is it stated that this is the case. Is there anywhere in the laws of the Kingdom where this is enacted? With a corresponding punishment?” The measured response caused all of those who were expecting an explosion to go blank.

Huh?

Meanwhile, Xander just sighed.

’Even if Curtus was still unable to speak properly... riling him up is close to impossible. I’m honestly surprised he didn’t just walk away.’ He thought as he once more glanced at the short robed figure behind Zeref, standing there calmly.

”... Heh, so you know a few things about laws. Fine, I’ll humor you.” Zeref harrumped, but in reality, he was making several calculations in his mind as he spoke.

”It’s stated that no beast or non-sentient creature has more value than that of a sentient being, such as humans. This also means they do not have the corresponding rights. Among which is the right to be heard, and Lycans are semi-sentient, so they do not possess these rights, either. Heh, even the fact that I’m talking to you about this is pointless, I’ve said what I wanted.” He shook his head and turned to leave, as though he had lost interest in the conversation and couldn’t bear to speak with Curtis anymore.

But in truth, it was a tactical retreat!

As soon as he realized his initial goal of riling up the boy failed, he made the prudent decision to extricate himself from the situation to avoid the situation from becoming unfavorable.

After all, he had already brought attention to Curtis’s nature as a Lycan. Even if he didn’t get him to lash out, the suspicion would remain. That was a victory in his book.

Yet before he could complete his retreat, Curtis spoke.

”I recall that in the Mage Tower, if two people are having a debate or exchange of ideas, the one to leave first automatically declares defeat. And I believe that we were discussing about the intricacies of sentience and rights.” Curtis folded his arms.

”Should I take your retreat as a declaration of defeat, Sir Zeref?”

Silence.

Slowly, Zeref turned around, his expression stormy as he regarded Curtis with a fierceness that hadn’t been there before.

”What are you implying mutt?” He growled, and Curtis just made a ’Case in Point’ gesture towards him.

”I’m simply relaying my observation. If you leave, you would have provided no basis for my seeming lack of sentience. Which means you have no argument to back up your claims of me being a ’mindless mutt’. You were the one to cite that sentience is what determines rights, yet rather than letting me argue my own case, you immediately move to leave once the situation does not favor you. Why is that? Or will you claim that arguing with something ’mindless’ is foolish?” Curtis smiled behind his scarf when he say a vein throb on the man’s neck.

”But you were the one that approached me first. Does that mean you are an even bigger fool for taking the initiative to insult a mindless dog? Why would a dog understand insults? It is just a dog, after all.” An extremely bold and daring set of words were uttered.

’... This bastard.’ Zeref gritted his teeth as he was keenly aware of the surrounding stares. If he backed down now, it would mean that he truly had no basis to his argument, and as an intellectual, that was no different from suicide.

In an instant, Curtis had put him on the backfoot.

”... Heh, alright. Fine, I’ll humor you.” Zeref straightened and gestured to Curtis.

”Present your argument.” Curtis’s smile widened.

”With pleasure.”