Spirit Taming

Chapter 194: Two Offers

"General Green, I understand that you wish to precede this event, however, you are rushing things a little. You have me curious." The Star city lord had picked up the feeling from General Green that she was trying to move things along faster. It was a strange occurrence because not many had the courage to push a lord.

"It isn't that I wish to be rude today. You are our guest. However, I have seen that the students here were just inspired. I wish to add a challenge. A little pressure to see if we can show off a hidden gem."

"Ah, well, the Green family is famous for their diverse genius. You alone could arrive anywhere and become a top weapon crafter without your strength in battle. I believe you have a battle genius son and now a beast analysis genius daughter. But what gem are you after?" The two shared a questioning look.

"Well color me surprised." The headmaster welcomed another unassuming man in to the meeting. He didn't stand out until one looked closer at the materials his clothing was made of. He was seemingly overweight until someone noticed that the clothing was padded to protect him.

"The only man I know that would wear armor under professional garb is the head of the Rolly family. Mr. Rolly, what might bring you here? I last heard you were heading to the northern city." The Star city lord was more than happy to see the prominent merchant whose daughter was showing off skills right here and now.

"I was contacted by my daughter. I believe that general Green and I will be making a small scene here. But I do hope that you enjoy. However, I also proposed this challenge with General Green's help. I am very pleased that you allowed it today." Many had seen the prominent merchant arrive. They did not understand why but felt the added pressure.

"I am greatly looking forward to it. I have already heard three amazing things revolving around my children's beasts. My daughter has still not budged an inch. That is an amazing feat, to say the least." The Star city lord was more than impressed already. He had found four bright geniuses and was currently on great terms with them.

He just had to wait for them to grow and he would have spectacular contacts to call in for assistance against dungeon breaks or beast growth planning. A bright future that made anyone breathe easier.

"My father has arrived." Isa mentioned to Clark and pointed her father out. "I believe he came because of what I spoke about with Maria. That could be why General Green is also looking over here. Should we let Maria show off?" Isa knew it could be more important to see what Maria was going to do here.

"Have you not seen Maria? She already has the answers and is writing up a plan. Everyone else here is too far below where she had made it. Maria doesn't realize it yet, but she is just as much a genius in learning as you or Maria is. She just needs to get in the right mindset. It took me some time to realize it.

When she gets focused she stays focused."

Clark remembered the entrance examination. Maria had stuck to him like glue after they had met each other. Yes Clark had gone a little wild and taken down some Cain family bugs. No teacher had done anything because it was hidden and well within the rules.

People could die for a position in the academy. But Maria had learned the entire time and watched Clark. She had been doing so since they set foot in the examination and ever since. She was a sponge.

"What do you think about the striations on the egg? They look like they could be scales. Sharp and hard to break. "

"No no no, look at the green here…"

"Are you kidding me? The eggs has some crumbling. It has to be an earth…"

The ramblings of students trying to work together where and there quickly became arguing and debating. The fourth years had seen three students in the first year do what they could not. They needed to catch up. As much as they wanted to put it all on Ella the genius third year student, they couldn't. They had seen the four work together flawlessly to build a plan, each doing their part.

"I would say that's done!" Maria closed a small packet of paper she had just written down. She stretched as she exclaimed this to herself before realizing that she had said it out loud surrounded by the fourth years. They all were silent staring at her as if they had just been stunned.

"Please describe what you believe this egg to be and why. We are ready to listen." General Green let her voice boom over the others. The fourth year students were suddenly scribbling notes down trying to have a similar plan ready when they saw Maria fail. They had just been pushed for time. It was enough to make anyone annoyed.

Unfortunately, Clark could pick out the few students around the edges of the arena that had been drawn to the commotion. The eyes that said they were not there to support them but there to wait for the right time to bring them down. To bring Maria down.

"Of course!" Maria snapped out of her trance and opened the papers she had just written. "I began by examining appearance. There are green vine patterns in a swirling manner around the egg. They are attached to the slight sharp protrusions that one could believe are scales but are actually thorns. From there I discovered the bottom of the eggshell has some crumbling bits.

That shows the earth affinity this egg has. Meaning you have a unique plant type beast with both earth and water type."

The fourth year students were understandably shocked by this. They hadn't expected that Maria had been so thorough so quickly. " Furthermore, this egg is close to hatching and was recently taken from the nest. I can see discoloration where it sat and it has not been cleaned or placed within a special container.

That means that it is intended to be hatched almost immediately by someone of your choosing. I assume General Green's son because it matches a beast he already has."

The moment Maria said this everyone was brought to silence again. This was a bold statement that made even the Generals wonder what she was thinking. "You are very correct. This matches my son's current beast and will supplement his battle style. But what beast is this?" General Green looked like she was holding back immense energy.

"I would say this is the recently discovered Thorny unicorn. The beast that has amazing regenerative qualities while also being able to heal. The whaling capability comes in natural remedies that it can grow from its vines. While this is also the case, it can grow thorn walls to defend itself and its nest. This will enhance any tamer's defensive and healing ability.

I expect that it can take the form of armor or even something similar to a stead in battle."

"She is correct. Maria has been watching for new documents to stay up to date. Just last week this beast was published by General Green's family. She really memorized it all." Clark whispered to Ella and Isa. he sounded like a proud parent to them.

"Exactly what I wanted to hear. Remember, there are diamonds in the rough everywhere in this academy!" General Green stood up and walked directly in front of Maria.

"Don't go getting ahead of yourself General Green. you may be a general but you are still not going to beat me." Mr. Rolly stepped up.

"You should understand that our children spoke with us regarding your lack of a last name. We find that to be a shame. You have shown the world that you are more than what you appear to be. From this point, I, the acting head of the Green family offer you our family name."

"And I, the Rolly family head offer you the same. If you so desire to be adopted in to our family, you may become sister to my daughter."

The two prominent figures offering their family names was not a small matter. The slight cracking sound of wood came from general Mourne's chair. He controlled the outpour of rage from him but could not hold back his physical strength enough not to break the chair he sat in. He had cast out this child who he deemed worthless. Yet here two families oppressed him and attempted to bring her in.

How could this be?

Maria was just left speechless. She was looking at the two who had just offered someone insane. Something that shouldn't be thought of as possible for her who had been tossed aside. She had been told that Isa and Ella had both spoken to their family but she hadn't believed this would actually happen. It was too fantastical.

"Well? Whose family would you like to join? Take in to account that you will be on good terms with both of us no matter what you desire. We can see how excited our daughters are. Ella rarely smiles like that and if I am right, Isa has already decided you are a sister." General Green saw it all and just waited patiently. Maria was faced with a very large decision.

One that she had not fully expected.