The silence between the two stretched for a few minutes before Dorothy finally decided to speak up.
"Like I said earlier, I will ask you a few questions. If you can get all of them correct, you will be awarded a point." Dorothy began. "If you also decide to participate in the next stage of my test, you will be granted another point." She added.
"Sure, sure. Let's get this over with." Sol responded with a look of disinterest on his face.
His words seemed to touch a nerve in Dorothy's head, but she tried her best to remain calm.
" The first question is this…" Dorothy paused. "What race is she from?"
"Shape-shifter," Sol answered immediately.
"Wr-What?" Dorothy was disturbed.
She had believed Sol would fail the question since he had been in a coma for a while. She didn't expect him to know so much.
"When I woke up from the coma, my body was too feeble to move. I spent that time reading. I developed a habit and even till this day I read during my spare time." Sol gave an explanation to prevent Dorothy from asking him how he knew Lyra was a shape-shifter.
"I see…" Dorothy was stunned by Sol's words, unsure of how to react.
If it were any other person, she would commend the student for his dedication, but Sol was an enemy, and he had made that clear in their earlier interactions.
To get out of the award situation, she turned her attention to the students and started speaking.
"Young master Sol is right. This is Lyra, a shape-shifter." She said,
"Shape-shifters possess the ability to alter their physical form, allowing them to take on the appearance of other beings, animals, or even inanimate objects." She explained. "Shapeshifting is usually a conscious and voluntary act, requiring focus, practice, and often specific triggers or rituals."
"While many believe they are useless until they take a form, I will let you know that Shape-shifters may have unique traits associated with their true form, such as increased agility, enhanced senses, or accelerated healing," Dorothy said. "Don't underestimate anyone." She added.
While allowing the class to digest her words, Dorothy turned her attention to Sol.
"You said you have read a lot on this topic," Dorothy said in a calm tone. " Tell the class the types of Shape-shifters."
"Animorphs, these are the Shape-shifters that can shift into various animals," Sol explained. "Therianthropes can transform into hybrid forms, combining human and animal features."
"Object shifters can morph into inanimate objects or mimic the appearance of various items, while mythical shape-shifters possess the ability to transform into mythical creatures."
Ever since he acquired that extension tool, Sol's memory has been better than ever. His explanation left even Dorothy stunned.
'This kid prepared for this class,' Dorothy thought with a frown.
"So tell me what you think are the limitations of a shape-shifter?" Dorothy asked.
"Transforming into complex or detailed forms may require more concentration and skill," Sol said with confidence. "Frequent or prolonged transformations may lead to physical and mental exhaustion."
"Finally, shape-shifters might retain certain characteristics of their true form in every transformation, revealing their supernatural nature."
After speaking, Sol turned his attention to Dorothy and a smirk appeared on his face.
"Is that all?" He asked.
Dorothy was taken aback, and a brief silence filled the class as she pointed at the cage before speaking.
"This is the final question." She said, "What type of shape-shifter is she?"
"Animorph."
Buzz.
Sol's quick answer rendered the entire class confused. It made them wonder if Sol could see every answer he needed in thin air. Even the other heirs of the other alpha families are certain they cannot replicate this level of intelligence, especially since they dedicate their time to other activities for the sake of entertainment, unlike Sol who only trains and reads all day.
"How did you know?" Dorothy asked.
"You said you are a proud hunter, right? What hunter chases after objects?" Sol asked with a raised eyebrow.
Dorothy was shaken by his response. She didn't think Sol would think deeply about her words when she was introducing herself.
"That's not enough reason for you to come to such a conclusion," Dorothy said with a frown on her face. "She could also be a mythical shape-shifter…"
Dorothy wanted to say more, but Sol raised his finger over his lips, gesturing to her to keep quiet. While he was weaker than Dorothy, his confidence when performing this action made her instinctively stop talking.
"Mythical creatures are considered tier 4 beings. Even a weak tier one Shape-shifter can display a strength beyond the level of a tier two werewolf like you just by transforming." Sol said, his voice dripping with venom. "I came to that conclusion because I'm certain if you ever came across a mythical shape-shifter, you would be dead."
An odd silence spread across the class and Dorothy frowned deeply, her nails digging into her palm, but she dared not make a move on Sol.
In the end, he was of a higher bloodline than a mere beta wolf like her. Regardless of the family he came from, she was obligated to show a certain level of respect to him.
It was at that moment that sounds of giggling could be heard, but it wasn't coming from the students. Instead, it came from the cage, where Lyra remained seated while looking at Sol with a hint of interest in her eyes.
Hearing her giggle made Dorothy feel like she was getting stabbed in the chest with a knife. Her murderous gaze shifted to Lyra, and a strange aura diffused from her body.
'I'll kill this bitch!'
Hak!
Dorothy's right hand opened up as her nails grew longer until they became claws. The soft skin on her right hand seemed to harden as fur began growing on it.
Bang!
Dorothy launched herself towards the cage in the arena, but Sol had plans of his own. While her hand was still transforming, Sol's tactical prediction extension tool had already predicted the path she would take, releasing numerous images of Dorothy charging forward as if predicting the future.
By the time Dorothy launched herself forward, it felt like time had slowed down as she saw Sol walk in with a cunning, blocking her path.
Bang!
Since she didn't run but chose to leap forward, it was too late to stop midway. Her body slammed into Sol, sending him hurling down the arena like a rag doll.
The strength difference between a tier zero human like Sol and a tier two werewolf like Dorothy was massive, giving him no chance of resisting. His body tumbled a few times before stopping as soon as he hit the cage.
Dorothy could only watch blood run down Sol's head while he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
At this moment, she knew she was set up and fucked up by this weak child!