Chapter 21: Short And Sweet

"There is always one. Class. You may be elites considered the top potential in the first year, but you are the same as every single class. Follow me to the arena." Professor Wright seemed to expect this. For her, it was a given that someone would be foolish enough to start a battle without any information.

"Crim, stay on my heels. We are going to be walking in a group toward the arena." Clark was sure to keep Crim near him. He was worried that someone might accidentally step on him.

The other beasts the students had were less controlled. Some with wings flitted here and there while those with four legs moved with speed. Maria slowly walked watching Crim stay close to Clark. She was amazed that such a beast had been with Clark and she didn't know about it.

"When…when did you get a dragon?" The courage Maria worked up to ask this was not small. She and Lit had been fairly intimidated by the students around. Too many beasts and too much talking.

"Crim hatched just yesterday. He is new to the world and is learning a great deal." As if to highlight this, Crim turned to look at every single beast that moved past them,

"I didn't know that a dragon hatchling was so large when it was born." Maria was starting to become more interested in Crim. Especially since Clark had spoken back to her which was unexpected.

"Yes. He is stronger than he looks as well. But it attracts too much attention." Clark didn't hate this though. He said he would be the top of the first years and this helped. But too much attention could be a thorn instead of a boon.

The student found that the entrance of the arena was fairly crowded. Many had come to scope out the first year students. It was very normal for many of the older students to want to watch the inevitable battles. It gave them a chance to decide who they would be able to recruit or partner with in the future. Many would even bet on the matches happening.

"We have the privilege to take the arena next. Not that many will be upset that they have more time to prepare. Those not fighting will be on the sidelines. If you do not follow this and show that you are deserving of the elite class…" Professor Wright looked at everyone with a harsh glare, "I will demote you to a lower class."

The students felt the words cut deeply in to them. They knew that this threat would be done with extreme prejudice. The respect that many people had for the elite class came from years and years of them showing their genius. The elite class had never had a loss in the rankings for the end of year tournaments. Almost every student was an elite class student in the top ten.

"Ralph, Clark. Take the stage and mind yourself." Professor Wright had the boy with the boar; Ralph, and Clark take the arena. Many of those watching in the seats cheered seeing the next battle about to start. Clark could only wonder if the first years were the only ones with class. But before he passed this train of thought, he saw professors quizzing people on the battles thus far. It was their class.

"You'll catch on quick that you are just some kid with a lizard." Ralph was more than fired up. His energy matched the stamping boar in front of him.

"Crim, we are going to fight together. Show me what you can do, I do not expect you to get injured at all." Crim took the look from Clark seriously. The entire demeanor of a cute curious hatchling changed.

A single roar burst from Crim's mouth causing every weak beast within the arena to tremble. The dragon's roar was small since it was from a hatchling, but powerful. The essence of a dragon demanded respect to all those that were lucky, or unlucky, enough to hear it.

The scales on Crim's body seemed to become sharper. Small scales rose along Crim's spine causing him to appear even more dangerous. The extended claws and sharpened teeth were all too clear for everyone to see. Just because Crim was a hatchling he would not be doubted.

"Battle!" Professor Wright was not going to wait long. She wanted this foolishness to be done so that she could return to the basic beginner's classes.

"Crush that lizard!" Ralph shouted and his boar charged forward with its large tusks pointed at Crim.

"Crimson. Deal with the pig. Leave it alive. I will handle the weakling behind it." The speed that Clark showed after he gave Crim an order was astounding. Every student had expected the little hatchling to be weak and afraid. It was obviously just hatched. No new monster should be able to handle such a battle.

The tusks were about to touch Crim when he jumped up and on to the back of the boar. High pitched squealing filled the arena while the students watched in silence. It was perfectly timed. The shredding dragon claws raking the back of the boar showed that it had the upper hand. Crim's claws could cut through the tough hair and skin as if it wasn't even there.

"You are too distracted. This is a battle not a show to watch!" Clark used a focused punch after getting close to Ralph with ghostly steps. The speed had been too fast for what everyone expected of a first year. The resounding crack as Clark's fist became buried in Ralphs' ribs made those watching reel back. It was too powerful. Too brutal.

"I didn't even need to try. Next time think of a battle plan so that I can grow too." Clark stepped away while Crim ran to meet him. Clark could feel that Devi was upset. Devi had not had a chance to battle and had watched Crim have all the fun. It had only been a moment but Devi had felt the energy within the arena.

Just as Clark stepped off of the arena stage, the crowd erupted in their cheers. Clark had made a splash to say the least. The students easily marked him as experienced in combat. No other first years had battled fist to fist just yet. Let alone also attacked with the beast at the same time.

"The winner is the elite class member Clark. The healers will handle Ralph and his beast. Return to the classroom unless anyone else wishes to battle on the first day?" Everything Professor Wright said made the students know that this was not actually up for debate. The students followed without a single objection.

"You are really fast… how?" Maria was equally in awe by how fast Clark had moved. His tactic was simple and had easily dealt with the opponent.

"Training. A lot of training. When you do not have a beast you must make do with increasing your body's strength." Clark felt that it was the simple but proper answer. If he had not trained before Devi hatched, he would be much weaker. He would not have been able to easily deal with a novice like Ralph.

"Crim, you did well. You held back enough not to kill the boar. One day though, you will have to kill." Crim growled in approval. He knew very well that the dragon essence within him demanded the end of his prey.