THE PRICE OF POWER
CHAPTER 34 : THE PRICE OF POWER
With my two new heads now in place for my potions business and farms, I finally shifted my attention back to Mr. Oliver Gunn, who had been quietly observing the room.
"Mr. Gunn," I began, my tone sharp and measured, "I will need to meet with you later to discuss a rather... sensitive matter regarding the proposition I’ve put forward."
He gave a simple nod in acknowledgment, his expression unreadable.
Turning away from Mr. Gunn, I then focused on Elaine Summers. She stood across the room, her graceful yet powerful presence impossible to ignore. At 27, she was a striking figure: long blonde hair, slightly wavy, cascading down her back. Her emerald green eyes had a sharpness to them, matching the keen awareness of a predator, but also a sense of determination. Tall and toned, her posture conveyed the discipline of someone accustomed to both physical and mental rigor.
Elaine stood out among the rest. Unlike most of the others gathered here, she worked as a hit wizard for the Ministry of Magic. However, her career had been stifled by the very institution she served. Constantly buried under desk work, her accomplishments overshadowed by others, and perpetually saddled with menial tasks, it was clear that she had been forced into a corner. The source of her frustration? A wealthy nobleman had set his sights on her, but when she flatly rejected him, he believed her job was the reason. In retaliation, he used his influence to bribe her superiors, creating a toxic work environment that had driven her to the brink. Now, Elaine harbored a burning desire to succeed—not for herself, but to spite the man who had tried to ruin her career.
"I’m going to treat you a little differently, Miss Summers," I said, my voice tinged with amusement as I allowed a smile to spread across my face. "In fact, I’d love to see you get a promotion, far beyond the confines of this department."
Her reaction was instant, and the surprise was evident in her eyes. She blinked, clearly caught off guard.
"Huh?" she muttered, the confusion in her voice a mixture of disbelief and curiosity.
I leaned forward slightly, noticing how she was still processing my words. It was clear that no one had offered her such an opportunity before, not like this.
"You’ve been underutilized," I continued, my tone turning more sincere, "stuck in a position that doesn’t reflect your true potential. I’ve seen your record. You’re far better than most of your peers, and your skills—well, they’re wasted where you are now. I don’t like seeing talent being suppressed, especially when it’s someone as driven as you."
Elaine shifted her weight slightly, her gaze narrowing as she considered my words. "And why would you want to help me?" she asked, still unsure if she could trust my intentions.
I smiled again, my confidence unwavering. "Because, Miss Summers, I don’t believe in letting talent go to waste. You’re exactly the type of person I want on my side. You have the skills, the mindset, and the will to rise above. But you need the right platform. That’s where I come in."
There was a brief silence as she processed my offer. I could almost see the gears turning in her mind, her skepticism battling with a flicker of hope. She had spent so long fighting against a system that had sought to crush her spirit, that the idea of someone offering her a chance to break free must have seemed almost too good to be true.
"Are you saying... you could get me out of that place?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of disbelief, yet hope flickering in her eyes.
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms with a deliberate calmness. "I can get you anything you want, Elaine. Power, influence, the recognition you deserve. All you have to do is take that first step and trust me."
Her eyes searched mine, as if trying to gauge whether my words were empty promises or something more substantial. After a moment, she gave a short nod, though I could tell the decision was far from final.
"I don’t trust people easily," she said, her voice quieter now. "Especially not when they’ve got their own agendas."
"I understand," I replied evenly, "but I’m not asking for blind trust. I’m asking for a chance to prove that I’m not like the others."
The room fell into a brief lull as Elaine mulled over the offer. The weight of her past experiences, the years of frustration and betrayal, hung heavy on her shoulders. But I could see something else in her eyes now—possibility. The same spark of ambition that had driven her to reject that nobleman, to fight through the unfairness, was now focused on something greater.
"Alright," she finally said, her voice steady but with a hint of uncertainty, "but don’t make me regret this."
I smiled, the deal made in that unspoken exchange. "You won’t. I promise."
The air between us shifted, a new understanding forged in that moment. I could feel the subtle tension between us, Elaine still unsure but undeniably intrigued. I knew she wasn’t one to trust easily, especially with her past experiences, but I saw that spark in her—the same one that had kept her going despite everything—and it was enough for now.
"You see," I began, my voice steady but carrying an edge of determination, "I want muggle-borns to be involved in the Ministry. It won’t do us any good to just push from the outside in hopes of reform. We need someone on the inside, someone who can make real change. And that’s where you come in. I will help you achieve results so undeniable, so powerful, that they will have no choice but to fight for your promotion." My smile was calculated, not offering empty promises, but the genuine conviction of someone who had walked this path before.
Elaine studied me closely, her expression still skeptical, but her curiosity evident. I continued, knowing that my words were only the beginning.
"It might take some time, but I’ll help you push your magical power to the next level," I said, my tone firm yet reassuring. "You’ll receive training tools to improve, ones that are tailored to your strengths and weaknesses. And once all the preparations are done, opportunities will open up to you that you hadn’t even considered."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, the challenge in her gaze now more pronounced. "And you think you can teach me?" she asked, her voice filled with both doubt and an undercurrent of curiosity.
I could see the challenge in her expression and, for a moment, I hesitated. She wasn’t just questioning me; she was testing my resolve, and that was something I understood all too well.
"Hmmm," I said, leaning back slightly, "alright, looks like you don’t believe me. How about we settle this with a small duel?" I raised an eyebrow, a hint of mischief in my voice. "We’ll see if I’m all talk or if I can really back it up."
Her lips quirked into a half-smile, and I could see the glint of competitive fire in her eyes. "Oh? That confident, are you?" she said, clearly testing my resolve now. She wasn’t one to back down from a challenge, and I appreciated that.
"Honestly," I responded, my voice calm and direct, "I believe I’m still a bit green. But my knowledge and magical strength help me compensate for it. I know my strengths, and I’m fully aware of my weaknesses. The only thing left is to improve upon them, and I’m always working on that."
The challenge in her eyes seemed to flicker for a moment, and I could tell she was weighing her options. But I wasn’t done yet. I wanted to show her exactly what I could do, to prove that I wasn’t just speaking in platitudes.
With a swift flick of my wand, I conjured a piece of chalk from thin air. It hovered in front of me, suspended by my magical focus. I moved it in sweeping motions, the chalk drawing a perfect dueling ring in the center of the room. The lines were precise, the edges sharp.
Then, with another flick of my wand, I cast multiple protective barriers around the ring. Each one shimmered into existence, a faint magical hum filling the air as the barriers formed. They were designed to protect us both—while ensuring that the duel wouldn’t get out of hand.
Finally, I used the chalk to inscribe wards along the perimeter of the dueling ring. The wards were designed to stabilize the magical protections, ensuring that no unintended effects would disrupt the duel. The runes glowed softly as they settled into place, their power subtle but undeniable.
Elaine watched the process closely, her arms crossed as she took in the preparation. She seemed impressed, but her expression remained unreadable.
"Impressive," she said after a beat, her voice tinged with a mix of respect and curiosity. "But we’ll see if your magic lives up to the hype."
I nodded, offering her a wry smile. "You’ll find that I don’t just talk the talk."
Stepping back, I gave her space to prepare, waiting for her to make the first move. This was more than just a demonstration; it was my opportunity to show Elaine the depth of my magical abilities and the seriousness of my intentions. If she wanted to see my abilities firsthand, this duel would give her the perfect chance.
Elaine didn’t hesitate. With a swift, practiced flick of her wrist, her wand was drawn, and I could feel the power she channeled through the tip. She was fast—her reflexes sharp and instinctive. Her stance was poised, ready to strike, and I could see the years of training behind her actions. But I had anticipated this; I was prepared. This wasn’t just a duel for the sake of competition—it was a chance to show her what I could do, and how much potential I saw in her.
The room fell into stunned silence. Those present couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed. Jaws hung open, eyes widened in disbelief, and the tension in the air was palpable. Even Elaine, despite her composed exterior, had a flash of shock on her face as the protective barriers flared to life around us, shimmering like a force field as I completed my preparations.
"Now that the dueling ring is set up," I said smoothly, still grinning, "I do believe we can begin. However, I'd like to request that we stick to less destructive or damaging spells, as this is a rented space, and I’m only hoping to demonstrate my competence, not cause chaos."
Elaine blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the formality, but then nodded, regaining her focus. "Huuuh, uh? Yeah, sure," she replied, though there was still a slight disorientation in her voice.
"Then shall we?" I asked, bowing slightly as a sign of respect.
"Ready when you are," she answered, finally settling into a more focused stance of her own. She bowed in return, the competitive glint in her eyes returning.
I turned to Mr. Gunn, who had been standing at the edge of the ring, watching the exchange with an unreadable expression. "Mr. Gunn, please do be the referee," I said with a smile, "I know you will be suitable for the job."
Gunn’s stern face softened slightly, though his professional demeanor remained unshaken. "Alright," he responded, stepping forward to assume his position. He raised his hand, addressing both of us and the room.
"As both parties have agreed," he announced in a firm voice, "this shall be an incapacitation duel. The loser will be determined by disarmament or submission. No lethal or damaging spells will be used—this is a clean fight meant to demonstrate skill and control. Now, both duelers, please take your stances."
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Elaine and I both moved into position. She raised her wand arm in a poised fencer’s stance, her wand pointing straight ahead, ready to strike. I, on the other hand, took a more unorthodox approach. I stood with my wand held behind my left hand, keeping my posture light and fluid. It was a defensive stance, designed to keep me mobile and ready to dodge. I’d also removed my glasses, as I often did for duels—like many advanced duelers, I incorporated Legilimency into my style, and my glasses sometimes interfered with my focus. I wasn’t overly reliant on it, but it gave me an edge in anticipating movements.
The room was completely still, the energy around us crackling as both of us prepared for the first move.
Gunn raised his hand high, signaling the start of the duel. "Then begin!" he declared, his voice ringing out with authority.
In that instant, the duel exploded into motion.
Elaine was first to strike, her wand slicing through the air with a fluid, practiced motion. A burst of red light shot toward me, a stunning spell designed to incapacitate quickly. I knew it was coming; I had anticipated her opening move. My body shifted with lightning reflexes, my feet skimming across the floor as I ducked and weaved to avoid the spell. I could feel the air rush by me, but the curse missed its mark by mere inches.
"Impressive," I muttered, straightening up and keeping my focus sharp.
Elaine wasn’t fazed. She quickly repositioned herself, her wand flicking again to cast another spell, this time a blinding flash of light meant to disorient me. It was a common tactic, one I had seen used by many duelers. But I was ready. I closed my eyes just before the light exploded outward, using a brief moment of concentration to sense the trajectory of her attack. I was able to avoid the worst of it, though the light did sting my peripheral vision.
I smirked. "Nice try," I said, now moving to take a more aggressive stance. "But you're going to have to do better than that."
Elaine’s eyes narrowed. She was beginning to catch on to my rhythm—each move calculated, every dodge and counterstrike measured. She wasn’t just reacting anymore. She was thinking.
I could see the shift in her. She was no longer relying on just her speed; she was reading me, trying to anticipate my next move.
And that was exactly what I wanted. The more she adapted, the more I could see her potential unfold.
Without warning, I advanced, my feet light on the ground as I closed the distance between us. Elaine barely had time to react as I flicked my wand toward her. A simple disarming charm, but timed perfectly to catch her off guard. Her wand flew from her hand, spinning through the air before landing a few feet away.
I stood there, breathing steadily, watching her carefully. The duel wasn’t over yet, but it had shifted in my favor. Elaine’s face was flushed, her breathing a little heavier, but her eyes were filled with fire.
"Not bad," I said with a grin. "But let's see how you recover."
Elaine’s lips curled into a determined smile. "Oh, I’m just getting started," she replied, stepping forward to reclaim her wand.
The duel was far from over, and the competitive fire in Elaine’s eyes only made the situation more thrilling. I was eager to see just how far she would push herself—and just how much I could handle. She wasn’t going to give up easily, and that was exactly what I wanted.
Elaine sprang into action with a speed that was almost a blur. She began to cast a rapid combination of debilitating jinxes—each one meant to disorient me, slow me down, and cloud my vision. Her first wave of spells struck hard, but I was already anticipating her movements. With every flick of my wrist, I minimized the effort required to dodge her attacks, carefully observing her thoughts through the flicker of intent in her eyes. I could see where each spell was going before she even cast it, and that gave me the edge I needed.
She wasn’t doing anything wrong. Her technique was solid, and she had clearly mastered the art of dueling. The issue wasn’t her skill—it was that my reflexes, speed, and finely honed abilities gave me an advantage when it came to a one-on-one confrontation like this. I could feel the surge of power from her jinxes, but each one missed by mere inches. To add some dramatic flair, I casually swatted her last stunner away with my left hand, offering her a grin that was equal parts challenge and amusement.
Elaine’s jaw clenched, and she was clearly frustrated, but that just fueled her determination. I shifted my stance and, with a fluid motion, launched my own counterattack. I’d mastered the art of casting spells with minimal movements, the incantations almost unnecessary. My gestures became lightning-fast, a blur as I weaved together a deadly combination of enhanced spells, each one designed to pressure her into defense.
Her shields held strong for a moment, but there’s only so much a barrier can withstand before it cracks under the weight of constant force. She was forced to dodge, her movements sharp and calculated as she nimbly avoided my attacks. But that’s exactly what I wanted. Each dodge left her vulnerable, and I capitalized on it immediately.
I blinked away the sweat on my brow and with a quick flick of my wand, I cast a series of Leg-Locking Charms, each one aimed to bind her movements. To disorient her even more, I shot a burst of light from my wand—a quick Lumos aimed directly at her face, temporarily blinding her. The moment her eyes shielded from the light, I followed up with a final Stupefy, sending her tumbling backward, her body crashing to the ground in defeat.
With a subtle flick, I deactivated the protective wards and the runes that surrounded the ring, stepping forward to kneel beside Elaine, who was still dazed. I gently tapped her on the shoulder to rouse her from the stupor.
"Damn, that was just downright emasculating. Couldn’t even get a good shot on you before you destroyed me," she groaned, her voice laced with disbelief, mixed with a touch of admiration.
I chuckled, offering her a hand to help her up. "Don’t you need to be a man to be emasculated?" I asked, half-teasing.
Elaine’s laughter bubbled up as she stood, brushing herself off. "Ha! I’ve got more balls than most of the Ministry combined!" She shot me a grin, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of pride and amusement.
I burst into laughter at that, not being able to contain the humor in her response. "Hahahaha! That’s the best reply I’ve ever heard!" I managed between laughs.
Elaine shook her head, still grinning. "But seriously, kid, you’re good. Hit me up if you wanna get laid. You look a bit too wound up." She gave me a wink, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
I sputtered in response, choking on my own breath as I tried to form a coherent sentence. "Cough! Cough!" I managed to say, my face flushing as I struggled to suppress my laughter.
Elaine, on the other hand, threw her head back and laughed even harder. "Don’t worry, kid, it shouldn’t take too long." She winked at me again, her playful demeanor infectious as she continued to laugh, making the tension of the duel feel like it was miles away.