The next morning Solomon woke Elijah up to do Elijah physical conditioning.
"Let's hurry up,you gotta finish before your class starts,'' said Solomon. Elijah hated to wake up early in the morning but it had to get done.
"Alight listen kid you're going to do 300 push-ups and run 5 miles every day leading up to this Tomb raid.
( Writers Notes: It doesn't sound like a lot but lets just say it is I'm not trying to do math.)
"Wait this isn't for the upcoming tournament?" Asked Elijah?.
"No it's not,'' Solomon replied.
" I'm thinking long term here. I don't want you to die going into this and if this helps you with this ranking tournament then so be it."
After finishing the workout Elijah was way more tired than he thought he would be, he manages to make it to class and sleep a little without Mr. Lexington noticing. Arthur nudged to get Elijah's attention and whispers.
" I've been using my Illusion abilities to cover for you but now he's starting to talk about information about the ranking tournament so you should listen up."
"Oh right right" Said Elijah.
"Two man teams is how this ranking tournament is going to happen,'' said Mr.lexington.
Everyone seemed excited and had already had a partner in mind.
"But they will all be chosen at random." Everyone quickly syied, Mr. Lexington continued.
"Since there are 12 noble families there will be a total of 6 teams. You'll learn who your teammate is two months from the Ranking Tournament stay sharp."
"How do you think its going to get to determine who is with who?" Elijah asked Arthur.
"Well if it's Mr.Lexington you me and Jason definitely won't be placed together they know we all have the same classmaster."
"I would just be caring you the whole time anyways,'' Jason said.
Arthur turned to his other side and said "Shut-up no you wouldn't."
"Lately Jason has been hanging out with us, it makes sense that he does. We are all a part of the 3 lowest noble families." Elijah thought.
"What are you guys trying to eat today?'' said Jason.
"I kinda wanted to try some Hyena Beastmen food." Elijah replied. "Yea that does sound good" Jason said.
Arthur made a face.
"I eat that all the time though. I guess it's cool though my uncle has a restaurant in town we can go to."
"Really !" Elijah said.
"How come we haven't gone before?
"Because I have it all the time,'' Said Arthur. And Uncle doesn't particularly like Lion Beastmen.
Before Elijah could say it.
Jason said "but why ?"
"Some local punks robbed his store so now he believes all of them are thugs and criminals, I think he's just putting on a front like everyone else though". Arthur Said.
"So basically he bought into the propaganda because of a few experiences he had" said Solomon in the mindscape.
"What's Propaganda?"Elijah asked.
"Its kinda hard to explain so I'll give you an example. If you ever go by the newspaper stand you'll see wanted posters for beastmen with bounties on their head. There are usually a total of 10+ bounties that are released to the public. Of those 10 at least 5 of them will be lion beastmen." Solomon explained.
"But I don't understand how that's a problem?" Elijah asked.
"It creates a notion that all Lion beastmen are criminals. That makes it a lot harder for people to trust them or want to do business with them."
"I think I understand now,'' said Elijah replied in the mindscape .
"I'm your friend Elijah and I can reassure you that I don't think that at all." Said Arthur.
"Me too" Jason said.
"From what I can tell you're a pretty stand-up guy."
"Thanks guys, means a lot,'' Said Elijah.
They make their way to the market area of the capital and Solomon decides to leave Elijah and says he's going to go check out the hot spring.
"Pervert" Elijah says to himself.
"This is it." Arthur Said. They stopped in front of a Sign that read:
[Savages Laughs]
Both Jason and Elijah looked at eachother.
"Yea the name is kinda weird but the food is great" Said Arthur. As soon as they walked in Elijah smelled Spicy food which he liked. Pretty much all of the Customers there were Hyena beastmen which made sense because Low noble families mostly get their income through commoners of the same beastmen blood.
"Hello nephew how is school going for you?'' said a voice coming from the kitchen.
"Uncle I was here like 3 days ago and you asked me that same thing" Said Arthur.
"I know I did but your under My care while in the capital so I'll Always be asking you, who are your friends?'' he asked. Specifically looking at Elijah. Arthur's Uncle was a deep tan looking guy with short dark hair and a sharp nose with a five o'clock shadow. He looked to be in his mid 30s.
"Uncle these are my classmates Jason Shortfang and Elijah Pride. Elijah said he wanted Hyena Beastmen food so I brought him to the best place in town."said Arthur.
"Pride?" Said Arthur's Uncle while looking at Elijah more intently.
"Do you know Samson?" He asked.
"Yea he's my dad" Elijah replied.
"Samson is your Daddy?'' He said while starting to laugh.
"I don't believe it Samson is a massive dude. I didn't think he could produce a kid that was as slim as you." Arthur's uncle said.
"How do you know my dad?" asked Elijah.
"Before he Joined the King's Army you could say he and I did business together. Next time you see him ask about Hassan." Hassan said
"Do you know any of my people?" Mr.Savage asked Jason. Hassan rolled eyes.
"Kid your clan is literally the territory right next to ours you know I do."
"You're right." said Jason smiling. After they ordered food they went to find a table to sit at.
"See, that wasn't so bad ." said Arthur while sitting down.
"Did you know that my dad use to do business with your uncle before we came here?" Elijah asked.
"No I actually didn't". Arthur said. That was the first lie Arthur told to Elijah and Elijah knew it.
"I knew your family had already had a reputation before they gained nobility though."
"Yea me to" said Jason.
"Really? What kind of reputation?" Elijah asked. Both of them fell Silent.
"That's honestly not for us to say" Jason said.
"I understand,'' said Elijah making a thinking face.
"On a lighter note" said Arthur "your sword came in."
"That sounds great,'' said Elijah.
"It's not a traditional Weapon that Lion beastmen use; the blade style is that of the Fox beastmen."
"It is?" Jason questioned?" Ninja and Samurai use that kind of blade.
"What made you decide to use a weapon like that?" asked Arthur.
"I always thought the ninja fighting style was cool when I was younger. I thought they could cut through anything with those swords. Then I thought what if they had the power of a lion behind that blade."
Arthur Smirked.
"You're definitely not the traditional kind of thinker. I'll tell you that much," Said Aruthr. They ate and headed back to class for lectures on Spirit-power and how to increase it.
"Having Spiritual Awareness and continuously increasing it grows your spirit pool and you're able to use more of your powers out put." Said Mr.Lexington. "This comes a lot easier for people who are Casters. Although Warriors don't use Elemental powers, they do use enchantments which require Spirit power to use, so that doesn't mean they can slack in that department."
"Wow, actually useful information" Elijah thought to himself. Elijah started to think about how he can apply his shadow power. "It's/hard wanting to use non-traditional techniques, this is actually getting exciting". Elijah thought.
After that lesson Elijah toned out the rest till it was time to go to see the Class system masters. Class finally Ended as soon as Elijah was getting ready to leave Sarai to Elijah surprise stopped him.
"Hey Elijah do you gotta second."
Elijah turned around to see both Arthur and Jason making a face.
"Yea, we'll go on ahead and let the class master know you'll be a little late" Arthur said giving him a "you got this bro look".
"Thanks," said Elijah, giving a look.
"How can I help you Ms.Saber?'' said Elijah.
"No need to be formal,'' Sarai replied quickly. "I wanted to talk to you about the other day when Klaus said those rascal slurs. "I don't know if anyone has said this to you but I'm sorry that you went through that."
"Were you laughing?" Elijah said, clenching his jaw.
"No not at all" Sarai replied concerningly.
"I knew what he said really hurt you."
"Could she have noticed me crying" Elijah thought.
"Then there is no reason for you to apologize,'' Elijah said.
"Yes there is someone should have stood up for you and I'm sorry I didn't have the courage to do it." She said.
"I know the power that you let out was out of pain. "I saw those burning tears".
"Damn she did noticed that's really embarrassing" Elijah thought.
"Yea well it's.."
"No it's not,'' Sarai said, cutting him off.
"He disrespected your whole clan, race and culture. And you can't even pay him back for it." she said.
Elijah could tell that she was really worked up about it but didn't know why.
"Thank you for your sentiment Sarai. It really means a lot to me but why do you care so much about how they treat me?"
With water in her eyes she ran off but right before she did she said "Because I know the truth."
Elijah was left with mixed emotions and a lot of questions. . .