Chapter Text
“Defense against the dark arts” Professor Rasgar said, “is an invaluable class in this day and age.”
Barclay could have sworn a pointed look was sent towards Yasha, though his neutral expression of not giving a shit never wavered.
“Today we will be learning a few of the fundamental spells: Levioso, the levitation spell; Protego, a defense spell; and Confringo, an offensive fire spell.”
She demonstrated the wand movements then let the students practice on their own. First with feathers for Levioso, then on each other. No one wanted to go with Yasha. So Barclay, like always, ended up with him. They cast the spell on each other for a while, neither let the other down slowly or softly after levitating them in the air. By the end of their practice Barclay was sure he had bruised something during the many falls. Next they learned Protego, the shielding spell. That helped a lot, and it turned out the Barclay was pretty good at defensive spells. Yasha was good at everything.
He always was stronger, Barclay thought.
Then came Confringo. That one was hard to grasp. Barclay had to try three times before he could even get a pitiful ball of smoke.
“Think about fire. It helps.” Yasha said next to him, they were practicing on the wooden dummies
Barclay glared at him, but did as advised. He finally got fire to spew from his wand! He let out a surprised laugh, Yasha smirked beside him (that part he didn’t see). After a few more tries, the spell became a lot stronger and the power of the long-range fireball set the dummy alight even though it was enchanted to be impervious.
“Aqua Eructo.” Professor Rasgar cast and extinguished the fire
“Well done Mr. Thorne.” She said
Barclay just nodded, blushing slightly. It was really Yasha, not him, who had figured out the best way to cast the spell. Barclay supposed Yasha was just trying to sike him out, maybe make him think he couldn’t do this on his own, make him think he needed the other boy. But that wasn’t true, Barclay didn’t need him. Maybe Yasha had helped him in the Sea, but he was in control of his power now.
“You’ve gotten a lot better.” Yasha said
“Don’t sound so surprised.” Barclay grumbled
“I’m not. It seems Audrian was right, your powerful. Just like him.” Yasha said matter-of-factly
Barclay felt his doubt stirring in his stomach, mixing with disgust at being compared to the man.
“I’m nothing like Audrian.” He said fiercely
“It’s not a bad thing, you know.” Yasha replied cooly
“The whole of the Wilderlands would beg to differ.”
“And you?”
“What?”
“Would you beg to differ?”
“I-of course!” Barclay was shocked Yasha might think differently about him, as if he’d ever want to be like Keyes
Yasha seemed to consider this, leaning just closer and looking him dead in the eyes. His intense hazel gaze was locked on Barclay’s black one, then he took a step back and left the classroom without another word.
Barclay’s heart was beating erratically, his cheeks were flaming from the hard stare Yasha had given him. Almost like Yasha not only didn’t believe him, he didn’t want to. Like Yasha was looking for any miniscule doubt in Barclay’s mind that he could latch onto. He didn’t appear to find it.