The Competition

"Neither Larry or Bob knew what was really going on," Phil said.

"How? They're the school champs."

"They couldn't tell, is all."

Herb, Phil's partner, wasn't convinced. The Bee had been going on for nearly a week, and it was down to three teams. Herb feared being tricked by the champs.

"I don't know, Phil."

"What's not to know? You can see them in the quad, trapped."

"Those two are the best conjurers in our class. Even if they were caught in a field like that, which seems odd, they'd know how to break it."

"They don't know they're trapped, stupid. They think they're in the dorm. It's a mirage field."

"You don't think they'd recognize a mirage field? These guys aren't freshmen."

"I don't know. Would you recognize a mirage field around you, Herb? You'd have to be looking for it specifically."

"We're in the middle of the Bee. Aren't you looking for signs of fields being cast around you? Aren't you-" Herb stopped, peering at his surrounding.

"What is it?"

"Those sneaks!" Herb was grinning.

"What?"

"You can do a strong time-stop field, can't you?"

"Sure, but they're too easy to see coming."

"Listen, we gotta do this quick. Look around you. See the threads at the edge of woods, or the lab complex?" Herb pointed.

Phil looked around intently. "A mirage field!"

"Yeah! Larry and Bob aren't trapped. We are. I'm gonna neutralize the mirage field. As soon as it breaks, you cast a time-stop field. The other teams think we're out of the Bee and won't be expecting it. We'll catch 'em by surprise!"

"You're a friggin' genius, you know that?"

"Yup. Ready?"

"Ready!"

As Herb cast a neutralizing spell, Phil cast his time-stop field. The remaining two teams were caught off guard, and caught.

"Nicely done, lads," said Professor Hutchinson, suddenly appearing before them. "The remaining teams are trapped. You are the victors." With a wave he released the others from the time spell, and informed them of the outcome.

Phil and Herb beamed. They had won! Champions of the Thaumatolgy Institute's annual Spelling Bee.