What is a Game?

Chapter 31 - End of the Year 3 - Part 2

The rest of the night - and the entirety of the next day, all went as planned. Nothing odd at all. End of term stuff, some classes (which were optional, with exams cancelled) and so forth. It was after dinner that my plans didn't go as expected.

That is to say, I thought, 51% of the time, Gaelin doesn't follow me, for whatever reason. I'm, thusly, not at all surprised to find Gaelin following me. I am, however, surprised to see Rickie with him following me. They're not hiding at all, though I'm sure they could. I take it as a show of faith, and shrug it off.

If they can follow, they're more than welcome to do so. I've long since known which room was Godric's. I knew how to access it, and I knew how to do everything. There's one reason why I'd not done it.

The Heart of Hogwarts

Level ? Recommended.

Would you like to enter and accept the Challenge of Godric?

Y/N

Internally I sigh as I accept the prompt with a swift 'yes'. The door opens, and I step inside - not really surprised to see Gaelin and Rickie following me in. Rickie seems vaguely surprised, as though she'd not known this door existed, before.

How odd. Perhaps the school was hiding things from everyone? What might it be hiding from me?

As I step inside, I feel a pulse of magic ripple through the air - almost physical with how thick it is. The door snaps shut, and a calm male voice asks. "Who is here to challenge my trial, today?"

"I am, Lord Godric." I say, taking a shot in the dark, considering the owner of the room...

"Very well, to clarify, you are ready to enter into a duel with myself - as I was at your age - until forfeit or death?" He asks. I blanch.

What a trial!

"Yes, sir." I say, nodding. I'm pretty convinced I'll do decently, at least. Worst comes to worst I can quit.

"Very well. Step forth, select your weapons, and let the duel begin." The voice echoes, and then fades. I do as suggested, and feel a ward snap up behind me, unlike anything I've felt before.

It's far more... aggressive than normal wards. Alive? I shrug it off, as I look at the table which seemingly appeared from thin air, bedecked in all manner of blade, bludgeon and block. I take a sword suited to my build and frame, and a few daggers with a harness, strapping them all as needed to my body. Then I'm ready. I start doing preparatory stretches as I walk into the platform which is slowly rising from the floor. As I hit my 'line' a boy with brown hair, seemingly shining an odd red in the light, appears opposite of me. A sword at one side - simple iron - and a wand at the other. He gives me a knightly bow, before straightening.

"'T'is good to face a lady for once. Most who come before us are male - and older, of course." He says with a grin, getting into a ready position.

"It's good to be here. I've always wondered what was in here since I found this place and was urged to come in my first year." I tell.. Them? I get a chuckle in return.

"Ah, of prodigal talent so early? This ought to be good then! When you're ready, enter the stance and the countdown will begin!" He chirps, and I quickly go to mirror his stance. A chorus of voices - from very young to very old - resound through the room, counting from ten.

At one, I smile as I finish reading the Observe. Godric is not yet the titan he will be, and so I can win, easily with a classic trick.

The Swarm.