Jack located his car surrounded by a group of interested students; they hastily dispersed upon noticing his return. The duel had ended only moments ago, so it was unlikely that word of the outcome had spread yet. Or that he had murdered the head professor.
Entering the backseat, Melinda sleepily moved her body and sat up. "Did you win—" she asked, but Jack interrupted her.
"I never lose. I either win, or I learn. There has been a change of plans." Tapping the front seat, he commanded, "To the Mage Tower."
Walter nodded and promptly began his water jet spell. Jack leaned back and enjoyed the calm sound of rushing water.
"Hmm, much better than the hum of petrol engines, that's for sure. It has a certain melodic charm instead of the mundane of the mechanical."
Neither Melinda nor Walter understood Jack's mutterings; they sat in silence for the twenty-minute journey from the university to the Mage Tower in the distance.
