[Ch. 24] A "Friendly" Competition (Past)

Everyone froze as my eyes narrowed at Korph.

Raylon swiftly grabbed Korph's hand that was pointing at me and forced it down. He crushed it while giving his usual charming smile. Korph yipped in pain as he tried to struggle free. Raylon muttered through his clenched teeth, "Please stop causing trouble."

I eyed Korph as I made my way slowly down the stairs. Each step seemed to ice over after I walked on it. Everyone quickly scrambled out of my way as they were afraid they would become collateral damage. Amanda followed behind me, worried that they were right.

I walked toward the wine table disregarding Korph completely. I took a glass and Amanda immediately grabbed a bottle fully understanding that I would be drinking heavily.

Korph straightened himself up and spoke in a smug voice loud enough for everyone to hear, "I'm not causing trouble. Clearly, she's afraid of me since she won't even defend herself."

I had originally planned to stand in the corner drinking my wine and ignoring everyone around me, but after hearing that I hesitated.

Who is scared of you, you little brat?

Amanda could tell it was going to be a stressful night as I suddenly turned to walk towards Raylon and stood in front of him. I spoke in my usual indifferent tone, "Prince Raylon, you look quite handsome tonight. And Princess Mona, stunning as usual."

As I sipped my wine, Raylon and Mona both felt their faces redden. They looked away simultaneously, stunned by my sudden compliment. Korph, noticing their embarrassed looks, almost turned green from envy. His knuckles tightened, "Oi! Don't ignore me!"

I looked down at him and feigned an apologetic tone, "Terribly sorry, I didn't see you down there."

Korph gritted his teeth, "Oi! Watch your mouth! I am the dragon prince, y'know?"

I looked him up and down before turning to Amanda, "Amanda, didn't you say that Princes of the Dragon clan had wings? I don't see them on him at all."

Amanda paled after hearing me say such an insulting comment. It was well known that members of the dragon clan took their wings very seriously. Pointing out that one didn't have them was the biggest insult you could give to a dragon clan member. To them, it was like you were saying they didn't have dragon blood which is something they took pride in.

Korph felt his face boil from rage, "You-you! Shut up you peacock!"

I frowned, "Peacock?"

"You show up here in bright colors just flaunting your giant tits around in everyone's faces."

I spoke through clenched teeth, "Only male peacocks have bright colors."

He snickered, "Doesn't that just add to your shamelessness?"

My mind went blank as I stood staring at him indifferently. The temperature of the room dropped as my anger increased. The glass exploded in my hand from clutching it too hard.

Amanda shouted, "Lady Moao!"

A strange smile appeared on my face, "I'm going to beat him black and blue."

"Bring it on, bird!" Korph shouted, puffing out his chest.

The Headmaster cleared his throat, alerting us that he was paying attention. Everyone grew quiet and turned to look at the Headmaster as if waiting for him to say something. I frowned as I glanced at him from the corner of my eye.

Raylon sighed and put his hands on both of our shoulders, "Calm down you two. You can't fight here, or you'll both be kicked out."

Korph clicked his tongue and crossed his arms in anger. His face lit up as if he came up with a brilliant idea, "Then we will just have to duel a different way."

I hummed, looking away disinterested.

Korph smiled mischievously, "I brought with me gallons of Dragonshine. It's the strongest alcohol in the entire continent. I bet that I can outdrink you by several cups."

If I could laugh, I would have. Dragonshine was incredibly rare alcohol and impossible to find outside of the Dragon clan.

....Maybe I could swipe some from him when he passes out drunk.

I remained apathetic, "What terms?"

"If I win, you have to become my slave and do whatever I want forever."

Amanda noticed Moao considering it and quickly jumped in, "My lady! You mustn't! I know you drink a lot, but the dragon clan is on a whole different level! Their bodies are able to handle much more alcohol."

I ignored her, "Fine. However, if I win you won't be able to speak until you die."

"Hey, hey." Raylon cut in, "No need to make the terms for so long. Let's just say a week instead of forever."

"Deal." Korph said.

"Mmn." I gave a slight nod.

The three of us looked toward the headmaster for approval. He gave a slight nod before walking away. Korph smiled triumphantly, "Great! Then we will do it after the ceremony. Princess Mona, you can be the judge to make sure no one cheats."

"Why not me?" Raylon asked.

Korph smiled and slapped him on the back, "You'll be participating of course! We haven't drank together in a while."

Raylon gave him a disgusted face as if remembering something unpleasant, "That's because you force me to drink even though you know I'm not good at it."

Korph chuckled, "It's okay, I made sure to bring the fruit wine you like!"

A group of four men approached them, "Hey, Korph! Let us join too!"

I looked at the men and noticed they were all from the Phoenix nation. Three of them were high-ranking nobles, but the fourth was here based on his magical capabilities. They all seemed close and excited to drink together, except for the fourth who smiled humbly.

Korph nodded happily, "Of course! The more the merrier."

The men cheered. As Korph began to lead them to his chambers for the duel, I turned to Amanda. "How many barrels do you think we will be able to take?"

Amanda shook her head, "Lady Moao. How can you be so confident?"

I ignored her and followed the group.

Amanda shuffled after me, upset about my one-track mind. If it had been anything else, she knows I would have ignored him. But, of course, Korph had to choose a drinking contest.

How could I turn that down?

We approached a wall that had a sign mentioning the dorms for the Dragon clan. Once we walked in through the gate, I was surprised to see how much it resembled nature. In the middle, there were small tables with chairs that were made from natural materials. Along the high wall were several trees with canopies on them.

I remember reading that the Dragon clan lived amongst nature, making sure to pay it respect. I can't help but admire the harmony they have with nature.

Korph cleared his throat, noticing my gaze, "Stop gawking, bird! Now come sit down and let's start our duel!"

I ignored his insult and sat across from him.

He shouted and raised his arms, "Bring the jugs!"

Three heads popped out of the trees and gave wide smiles. They jumped down, ran over, and picked up one jug each. They placed each one of the large jugs next to each table. I recalled that of all the clans, the dragon clan had much less people who attended the Academy. Other than Korph, there were only four; three men and one girl. They either kept to themselves or only spoke to those in the Phoenix clan.

I recognized the girl from the dragon clan as she had growled at me prior.

The group of four men from the Phoenix nation sat at one table, and the three who had been in the trees sat down at the other table. Raylon and Mona sat next to me and Korph while Amanda stood behind me.

Korph placed small bowls in front of each of them. I watched as the other tables dunked their bowls into the jug and began to leisurely drink from it.

It must be a cultural thing.

Even though it is different from my kingdom, it is a bit relaxing. I reached out and followed the other's actions by dipping my bowl into a jug. The others, surprised that I did so, soon followed suit. Korph raised the bowl and drank from it in one gulp.

He let out a noise in satisfaction, "One bowl down. Keep up bird."

I swallowed the entire bowl with indifference.

Raylon finally took a sip from the bowl, leaving most of it in there. He knitted his brows at the burning sensation in his throat. He coughed painfully as he rubbed his throat in an attempt to soothe it. He looked at me with reddened eyes, "How is it?"

"Delicious." I replied apathetically before getting myself another bowl.

Mona and Amanda watched as Korph and I went back and forth drinking bowls of the powerful liquor. Raylon didn't even attempt to catch up and finally finished his first bowl. Intending to be done, he watched as Korph quickly took his bowl and refilled it.

Korph gave him a wink, "Try to keep up, Ray."

Raylon looked down at the bowl in disgust. He could already feel his face red from the alcohol. He scowled, "I thought you said you brought me fruit wine..."

He chuckled mischievously, "I lied."

The other two tables had already gotten drunk and were being boisterous. I sat with an indifferent expression, not at all phased by the alcohol. Korph began to sway as he had just finally started feeling the effects of alcohol. Mona and Amanda stared at us wondering just where the alcohol was going.

Amanda glanced at the drink and considered taking a sip in order to see if it really was as strong as they say.

I knew exactly what she was thinking and held out a bowl, "Would you like a sip?"

"Hey! Wait! You can't give her a ship-" Korph hiccupped, "sip! That's cheating!"

I looked at him in boredom, "Then give Mona a sip of yours."

He thought about it shortly before nodding his head, "Sounds good!"

"Oh, no thank you. I don't really drink." Mona waved her hands, eyeing the bowl suspiciously.

Amanda nodded in agreement, "Yes, I don't need a drink either. I need to serve my lady so I can't really indulge..."

"Drink." My voice echoed with a strong tone of authority.

The two girls quickly grabbed the bowls and took a sip as if their body was taken over by a strange force. Amanda began to choke and gag. Mona managed to swallow but stuck out her tongue looking for anything to put in her mouth that would taste better. Korph laughed and pulled out something from his pocket before giving it to her. She took the small piece of jerky and quickly shoved it into her mouth chewing on it greedily.

Amanda caught her breath between coughs, "What is that? Fire?!"

Korph snickered before drinking his bowl and refilling it, "No, but that's what makes it taste so good!" He looked over to Mona who was still making a face, "W-what one are we on now?"

"18." Mona mumbled, surprised that neither one of us had collapsed from alcohol poisoning yet.