Spirit Taming

Chapter 338: Lack Of Evidence

The entire arena was full of confused and uncomfortable people. The guards had to go out of their way to make sure that some of the more radical people were kept away from the Ethereal academy students. The main reason for this was because some people had already begun to believe that they were evil.

What Clark and a few of the larger family members watching the battles noted was the movements of the Nebula city officials. Many were moving and speaking constantly. Even the leader of the entire city had shown her face for a moment, a harsh glare falling on the Ethereal academy students.

"I think we should play it safe and stay together today. I think there is more going on here than we know." Clark had his own theories. But what he was wondering was why Ethereal academy had even been allowed to participate.

Grace asked the very same question before Clark could even open his mouth to ask the others about their theories, "What are they doing here? They seem like wild animals. Not tamers." anyone would think the same. This was only acceptable since there was really no other way to see things here.

"They can't have been invited. They lack form. I believe that they might have blackmailed Nebula city." Reese had made his own theories. But that was too wild to believe. If there was a blackmail situation happening, then it wouldn't be like this. Nebula would be supporting Ethereal academy even more.

"That's wrong. They have to be possessed students. They came from a beast wave caused by a dungeon break. It might have mutated their beasts and caused them to go insane." While Brad's theory wasn't as far fetched as it seemed, it couldn't be right. Those sorts of beasts were hunted and taken down by the strongest powers between all the cities.

This had happened before when a beast with unique spiritual powers related to mind control broke out of a dungeon. It was eradicated within the day.

" what if that isn't Ethereal academy at all?" Jerold spoke up for the first time in hours. He hadn't spoken because no one even gave him a look. He knew Clark was keeping an eye on him but didn't feel he had a right to speak just yet. However, this situation was unprecedented and theories were the only way to potentially explore what was actually happening.

"If they aren't then Nebula would need real proof before they acted. If Nebula was wrong and imprisoned an entire academy during this tournament…" Isa knew that repercussions of something like that would go on for years. Not a single city would trust Nebula for generations. Let alone for the rest of the tournament.

"That sounds right through. Why would they bring in beasts that did that? Or beasts that are formed through such terrible means? No one would allow that unless they wanted to cause harm. The city lord, Miss. Nebula seemed like she would be too harsh on others to allow something like this." Maria was absolutely right.

Not a single person had believed that the city lord Astrid Nebula would risk the city she just took back for her family.

"Basically you are saying that these people are imposters that need to be beaten down? Right?" Ralph looked at everyone and just threw this out bluntly. He clenched his fists and wondered just how soon they would face them.

"It would appear so. It's too perfect. Late because of a beast outbreak from a dungeon? Then they are radical and different from what it seems Nebula officials thought. It's all too coincidental. I would say, imposters… But there's nothing we can do about that.

Just be alert and wait."

"And that is why Clark is in charge of leading all of you. As you see, he has already made the right call. But you are all going to be late for the next match. As things sit, you will be facing Terra academy today. Ethereal academy has a pass since they won the draw.

Lunar academy is fighting Nebula." Professor Wright found them as they were walking to the waiting room but had caught them as they stopped to talk more about their theories.

"That means someone gets a pass again." Isa was annoyed that there was a chance that ethereal academy could walk right to the championship. The final match that everyone wanted to be in. That was completely unfair!

"No, the last battle is different. It will be all three academies fighting at once. That was going to be a big reveal, it was just released from staff after that showing…" Professor Wright was clearly worried about this, however, she thought it a wise idea. Nebula couldn't do anything to Ethereal academy. Their vicious ways would definitely kill some geniuses.

"It's going to be a hard battle if you manage to win. But you will not be alone on the stage." Professor Wright gave them all a little encouragement as they were about to face a powerful opponent. Yet, she seemed to trust that they would win.

"What professor Wright was saying is, it will be a beetle against Ethereal academy in the finals, then we will fight the remaining academy members for first place. It's a smart move and would have thrown the audience and academies for a trip. A great test and proof of battle skills. Unfortunately, Ethereal academy ruined it." Clark was annoyed but he was also impressed.

It was a great way to keep things safer while also bringing out the best in the students.

They all thought about this while they entered the arenas. From where Clark was, they could see the fourth years preparing to fight against Lunar academy students while the other stages were occupied by nebula, Star, Lunar, and Terra academies. They were all in different stages of battles in each year. This was the tough part of keeping track of battles.

Clark could only focus on the first year battles. He knew who he was facing and who he might face in the finals.

"We made it here. Who thought we would face each other now? Things were a little messed up." Clark looked across at the first years. He was looking at the tamer with the purple spirit parasite.

"Yes, there may be trouble for us in the future. For now, we face one another dragon tamer." The boy used his unique skills from his beast to communicate, however, everyone heard it this time.

"The name is Clark. Feel free to use it however you want. I doubt you will be slinging insults." Clark could tell that terra academy was very respectable. They all believed in the calm and firmness of the earth. Their beasts and attitudes fully demonstrated this.

"Then I am called purple. That is the agreement my beast and I have. I gave up my name and it gave up its name. We are one being, odd, but accepted." Clark smiled a little. He felt this was how tamers should be anyways. They shared their souls.

Their bonds were connecting them. How could any tamer say that they were separate from their beasts?

"The battle between the first year students of Terra academy and Nova academy may begin! Send your first fighters!" Purple held back and allowed another student holding a tough pair of shields to come forward.

"I am going first this time." Ralph looked hungry. It wasn't just that. He seemed fired up after seeing the brutality of Ethereal academy's fights. This wasn't because he wanted to see blood but instead, because he wanted to prevent it. He had strength now, he just had to use it to get to the finals.

Since Clark wasn't sure about every beast that Terra academy had, he wasn't unhappy with Ralph taking the lead. However, he was going to hold him back because Maria had to make a show of things. However, when the beast of the boy with the shields appeared, Clark knew this was the right choice to make. Ralph was the perfect fighter for this.

'Serrated serpent- rare

The serrated serpent is a metal and earth type beast. It is mostly made up of metals that to consumes. This makes it very hard to attack due to the tough defenses that it creates. It will often widen naturally existing caves to look for rare ores to consume.

Many that find these beasts will avoid them because they often have accidentally scraped away caves until they collapse. Even touching their skin will cause bleeding. Even though it lacks a potential growth form, it can continuously grow larger throughout its lifecycle. This alone allows it to be more powerful the older it gets as long as it has the proper nutrition.

It is greatly hunted due to the metal in its body. They can be used to make armor, weapons, and many other things instead of mining ores the hard way. Unfortunately, not many beasts are considered its natural enemy due to the toughness of its serrated skin.'

"Ralph will win this then Maria will take over so she can win her bet. Maria, you will be taking down the next three opponents after Ralph." Clark spoke as the battle between Ralph and the serrated serpent began.