[My novel has recently been contracted. If you are reading this please send some power stones and help me raise the rank of the book and increase its visibility.]
Another day passed, and the chaos that had engulfed the academy had finally begun to settle. The official announcement declared that Trux was now completely out of danger and was expected to return in a couple of weeks. Physically, his wounds would heal sooner, but it was his mind that needed time. The trauma of the attack had left a scar, one that would take longer to mend than broken bones or shattered teeth.
It was the last class before the weekend holiday, and once again, it was Angelica who had been assigned to teach.
"Good evening, everyone," she greeted, her eyes sweeping across the students spread out through the hall. "A lot has happened since our last class together."
"Normally, I would have continued with our topic- human beast synergy," she said, pausing for effect. "But today, let us try something different."
A subtle smile tugged at her lips.
"How about a little sparring session?" Her tone was light and suggestive, but there was no doubt that the decision had already been made.
"And if any of you manage to impress me," she added with a glint in her eye, "there might be a little reward waiting at the end."
"And do not be afraid," she said. "I would not be using any mana or my beast companion."
"Now," she clapped her hands, "who wants to go first?"
A flurry of hands shot up into the air.
Angelica scanned the group, her gaze lingering on each hopeful face until she finally pointed to a petite young woman near the front. The other students instinctively stepped back, giving space as Angelica and the chosen student stepped into the centre of the hall.
"Come at me with everything you have got," Angelica said casually, standing with hands behind her back.
The girl nodded, her expression hardening with determination. She clearly had her eyes set on the promised reward.
With a deep breath, she activated her bond. The air shimmered beside her, and a bird materialized with a sudden flap of wings.
It was a hawk.
Roughly three feet long, the hawk was not particularly large. Its size would increase as its rank increased.
Hawks were among the more common Bronze grade beasts, known for their swift movements and precise strikes. In fact, they were considered ideal candidates for advancement, often evolving quickly to Silver and even Gold grade, with the right nurturing and did not require massive resources like few other beasts.
Without hesitation, the girl dashed forward, her hawk gliding just behind her in perfect sync.
As the girl closed the distance, she raised her palms mid-stride—and her skill activated. Her fingers elongated and hardened, transforming into razor-sharp talons that mirrored her beast's claws.
To a casual observer, her speed might have seemed impressive. But to Angelica, she moved no faster than an ant.
The girl veered slightly to the left while her hawk curved to the right in the air, both preparing to strike simultaneously from opposite directions. It was a good strategy but against an opponent on her own level. But Angelica was far beyond anything a first year student could handle even if she was not going to use mana or her companion.
At the very last moment, when it seemed both attacks were sure to land, Angelica shifted. It was just a slight step.
The hawk missed completely, screeching in frustration as it sliced through empty air, narrowly avoiding a collision with its partner. It flapped hard, circling back around for another attempt.
Meanwhile, Angelica calmly raised her hand and intercepted the girl's strike. The student did not even register when Angelica's palm connected with her wrist, right beneath the transformed talons.
A jolt of pain shot up her arm, and before she could react, she was sent stumbling backwards, forced several steps away.
The hawk was nearly upon Angelica again, but with another effortless motion, she was gone; reappearing behind the girl, both hands now gently placed on her shoulders.
"You lose," Angelica said softly.
The girl froze. Her shoulders slumped as she sighed in defeat, frustration evident on her face. She had not even managed to exchange two blows.
"You did well. Your synergy with your companion was good but it still needs a lot of work," Angelica said, her tone encouraging. "But you did not use any battle techniques. Nor do I see any use agility enhancement your hawk would have provided."
The girl nodded, sheepish. "I am learning a technique… but I have not mastered it yet. I did not want to risk something I could not control."
Angelica nodded, understanding. "Still, sometimes you have to take that risk. Playing it safe would not win you a real fight especially when you are at complete disadvantage."
The girl bowed respectfully and returned to her place, her hawk fluttering down beside her.
Angelica turned back to the class, her gaze sweeping over the students.
"Well then," she said with a faint smile. "Who's next?"
Hands went up again in air and a new candidate was chosen. This continued for the next few minutes but no one was able to out even a decent spar against Angelica. The best one guy could do was to exchange three blows with her.
And everyone could tell that, Angelica was not even trying her best. And they clearly realised that it was almost impossible to impress their teacher.
"Who is next?" She asked and this time an additional hand went up in the air which had not went up even once till now.
And Angelica's eyes landed squarely on this hand as she pointed towards it.
A figure emerged from the behind the crowd of the students and stood directly facing Angelica.
"What is your name?" Angelica asked. "I think I remember. You had asked me the question in the first class."
"Athar… Athar VonCruz was it?" She asked.
Standing in front him, Athar gave a nod. "Yes."
"Come at me," Angelica said and she somehow expected an interesting fight to uphold.
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