Upon hearing the announcement, the newly ordained scouts began to pair in two's.
" Will it be okay for me to pair up with you? " Jason turned as he asked Esla. Praying that she agreed, Jason's heart bubble with joy when said yes. " Now, that brown of a boy will be sorry he tried me " Jason thought. His chain of thoughts were however interrupted when Don Brown came up to him seething angry that Jason was was with his sister.
" Elsa, let's go. I've got a pair for you." Don commanded authoritatively. " No " Elsa replied him with an annoyed look on her face. " I've got someone " , " Now if you can excuse us ". She held Jason's hand and stormed off.
" Wait right there boy " Don said as he threw a punch at Jason. Jason ready for this evaded the punch by sidestepping and tried to kick him, but it was easily blocked . Don not through with his attack, lunged at Jason neck. Jason seeing this ducked and threw an upper cut at Don's belly that successfully connected with his midriff and threw him off balance.
" That's what you get for trying to attack me " Jason said proudly. Claps was heard from around and that was the moment Jason and Don realized that they were watched all this while.
" I'm in trouble " Jason muttered as the instructor and Carter can parting through the crowd along with older scouts.
" Fighting amongst yourself is a taboo according to scout roles. This is what happens when you break rules " the instructor said after which he swung his fist heavily to Jason. That singular hit flung Jason few feet away from the instructor onto the hard floor. Blood began to drop from his eyes and mouth.
" Just how much strength does he have?" Jason mind asked himself. From the corner of his eyes, he saw the instructor do the same to Don knocking him back too. The entire crowd was silent as the instructor spoke.
" Just a little punishment I gave you too. Consider yourselves lucky that you are new recruits. Now two of you, pair together and follow us ". That was the last instruction.
" No way " Jason shouted rising from the ground. " He was the one who started all of this" pointing to Don " and you expect me to follow him " . This drew the attention of the instructor who fiercely asked " You said what? "
Jason meeting the instructor's eyes saw terror and decided it best not to annoy him again. " I am sorry sir, lost my cool, but it will never happen again " Jason said dropping his head.
" Good " the instructor said, his expression relaxing a bit. " Now follow me Jaliel and Brown ". The sole reason why no one here cared about status was the fact that being a scout leaves you tierless and renders your status void. The only status acquired that gave you respect was one earned in the scouts guild.
Jason and Don exchanged furious looks before following the instructor along with everyone else.
One hour later, they arrived along by foot at the hunting grounds. Everyone watched the instructor move to the tank men standing just in front of the entrance of the hunting grounds, talk to them, show then some passes and come back.
" ALRIGHT EVERYONE, THIS IS A HUNTING GROUND, AND YOU'VE ALL BEEN GIVEN FREE PASSES COURTESY OF ME. YOU'LL ALL STEP INTO THE GROUNDS AND BRING BACK TWO BEAST CORES IN YOUR TEAM IF TWOS.......
Jason looked back and saw Elsa paired with one of the boy's he saw with Don. " She must be suffering ". Jason thought.
" ........ TOO FAR AND SOUND YOUR ALARMS IF YOU SEE ANY BEAST ABOVE TIER 1 AND WE'LL COME IN. NOW GO!! "
All scouts started to rush into the grounds. Jason looked at the horn at the side of his pocket and reasoned he may use it for Don instead. He and Don finally entered the hunting grounds.
*******************
KARDESHIN SCHOOL OF ROYAL KNIGHTS.
Twenty people were seated in a large room that looked cave live. Dimly lit, one could feel the strong aura emanating from the room The room also had statues and gargoyle.
" Status report! " a red haired man whose hair and red beards elongated past normal size. The entire place suddenly quieted down. To his order, another man stood up. Looking in his early thirties, he had a sword strapped to his back.
" Thirteen cases of expulsions, one murder case and twenty nine recognized exceptional talents " the young man said. " Fourth years will be graduating on the eve of next month and first years will proceed to second. As to fill the new first year batch, we have set up testing centers as well as given the opportunity for one hundred endorsement from certain individuals which includes Lord Prometheus of course " he concluded before taking his seat once again.
" I do think, to make Knightship the best and number one occupation one could ever school in is to incorporate other occupations into Knightship " a bald middle aged man said.
Mumurings could be heard from all sides of the table and finally the red haired man said " That is perfectly welcome, we'll have less than a month to get occupation teachers to work here".
" I also rather think that a foul play is involved as Draken house excels more than all other houses in intellect, strength and sport " a tall grey haired woman added to the discussion.
" And what about your own house? falling behind mine right? " a tall pale man spoke. He had a strong aura radiating from him.
" Clearly all Drakens are just like you Drake " the grey haired woman mocked.
" Enough, the red haired man stopped the bickering before it could escalate any further. A man amongst them suddenly stood up " Where is Prometheus? " he asked.
" He is probably with his wife " a hairy dwarf answered. The entire hall broke into laughter at that. " I don't recommend you calling her his wife. If I were to be her, I would charm you into wooing me " the grey haired woman said drawing a fit of laughter again.
" I have not learnt defense against the magic to be charmed into wooing a witch Margaret " the hairy dwarf said.
" Of course you haven't " a voice sounded from the far end of the room as a man came in to the hall. Wearing a dark hood, his face couldn't be clearly seen, but his red armour stood out amongst his features.
" Prometheus, we were just talking about you " the hairy dwarf said hurriedly.
Taking his seat, Prometheus continued " I know that. Did I miss anything? "
" Nothing at all the red haired man said ." It is settled then" he turned to hall members " Draken house carries the cup for all years and till next month when the first years resume, no meetings". The hall members bowed after his last statement and walked out if the hall except Drake the pale man, the ref haired man who obviously was their commander, the grey haired woman and Prometheus.
" So what did she say? " the red haired man asked or Prometheus breaking the silence.
" She told me that they will return again. It is inevitable...." Prometheus replied.
A deafening silence ensued in their midst.
" How long do we have till they return, at least she should have known " the pale man asked worry written all over his face.
" Six years and a few months till they come in their numbers " Prometheus briefly answered the question.
" Is our victory guaranteed or not? " the red haired man asked.
" Not certain, all she saw was a boy " Prometheus replied once again.
" A boy !!!!!! " the pale man shouted. " What is the purpose of predicting the future if you aren't even sure " he punched hard on the table shaking the table, and causing cracks to appear all around the table.
The red haired man sighed heavily. " Drake, next time this happens, you'll fix it ". he stretched his hand above the table and the cracks disappeared.
" Who is the boy then?" the grey haired woman asked.
" Jaliel is his name, and I have an inkling of who of the Jaliels it is " Prometheus replied.
The pale man suddenly let out a laugh " Well, Draken house has it's new champion".
" He's not going to your house.... "
" And is it yours you think he'll be selected into? " the pale man asked the grey haired woman.
" Enough bickering " the red haired man spoke " It is decided, Prometheus, you've found who to place your endorsement on"
" Very well then " Prometheus replied.
********************
Jason and Don were awoken from their stupidity in a battle with an Hydroceron. They got into an argument and into a fight along the swamp and forgot that this was obviously where Hydrocerons resided. Fortunately for them, they were met with just one and it was a tier 2. Jason had decided to brace the odds while Don didn't. But, Jason sent ahead to taunt him forcing him to stay behind.
The reason for this was the fact that Jason decided he would not survive continuing this hunt with Don. So rather than look for two tier 1, one tier 2 will be okay.
" This is harder than I thought " Jason thought having dodged a ferocious whip from its tail. Only few of their hits actually did damage to the Hydroceron, and it retreated into the swamp when it saw that it would be badly. Jason and Don couldn't follow it into the swamp as that would be instant death.
" I'm done with this " Don shouted. " Wait..... Jason swallowed the rest of his words with the next thing he saw. Don jammed his both hands together and a bright glow emanated from his body until his entire body was covered with a red glow and heat emanated from ever pore of his body.
" Isn't he supposed to be covered in fire " . Jason thought. He had seen countless pictures if the fire ability and non of the pictures included this. " Maybe, this is the scratch level".
Don shot two fire balls from his hands into the very spot in the water where the Hydroceron had retreated to. If course, it had minimal effect on its back.
" Don, I'll make it come out, and you fire at the side if it's belly or eyes " Jason shouted.
" On that already " Don threw two more balls of fire at it, forcing it to come outside of the swamp. Jason ran with full speed and dug his dual blades into it's tail.
Scraaaah!!!!! the Hydroceron grunted in pain as two more fire balls scorched it's eyes. The Hydroceron whipped it's tail around randomly. Jason executed a flat spin to dodge the tail swung horizontally and stabbed the side of it's belly, two more fire balls touched it's eyes.
Jason careless now made to stab again but got whipped into the swamp. " Ahhhh" Jason grunted in pain. He felt that some of his bones had been broken. This was the power of a tier 2 Hydroceron's tail he never felt when he never got hit.
Don alone did not stand a chance as another whip crashed him into a tree when he tried to switch from his fire balls to his sword. " We're doomed " Don grunted in pains due to his crash into the tree and power of the tail whip.
The roar of the Hydroceron confirmed that as it rushed first to Jason who was in it's territory.......