Spirit Taming

Chapter 348: Up To The Top

There seemed to be a heaviness to the air when Clark made it outside. One that would not normally be found in a cold place like Nebula. It was pushing down on Clark's shoulder while he looked around at the many people walking here and there with their eyes glancing from side to side.

The actions of Ethereal academy had clearly made a lasting impression on many. There were large families that had just brought people in to watch the tournament or large merchant groups that had just moved in large amounts of goods to sell.

That alone was enough for them to be prepared, but seeing that a wild card with destructive goals joined the tournament, they felt the need to be on tight security.

Normally this would not be the case. There might be some hotheads that fought in the streets over losses or victories, however, that was to be expected. Everyone was passionate when it came to their academy and their bets. This was different, this was the fear that something bad would happen and they would all be caught up in it.

"Devi, make sure we are covered." The silent order was what Clark wanted to do least. He wanted Devi to rest up and absorb the energy he had taken away from his last opponent. It was a spiritual beast that was well ahead of other beasts in terms of energy. It was a sure thing that the energy would nourish even a beast without a single bit of spiritual affinity.

That was just how great the purple spirit parasite was a purely spiritual beast that attaches to the soul of a tamer.

Clark could feel Devi moving around him invisibly as he walked through the streets. His goal was the Nebula academy. It was a small walk from where he was but it would be heavily guarded. Not that he thought that he wouldn't be able to get in. there was a sure fire way to get through any security without having to go through any hoops at all.

"Please stop there. Just because you are going to the finals does not mean you have free reign to wander about the academy nor the city." The guards that stopped Clark at the first ice wall were sure to stand tall and state the obvious.

"If you find any first year student or other students from your academy, I assure you that they will want to speak with me. And I can guarantee that you have orders to bring me in if I come knocking as a guest." Clark could tell that the higher ups would still be tied by their rules and regulations. However, the participating students would not be.

"This kid is smart."

"It took less time than we were betting. Thanks for losing me five silver. My wife's going to kill me." The guards broke their serious act and smirked at one another. Clark was actually very surprised to see this since they had held such a serious expression until then.

"We'll take you in. The four student captains were expecting to have four meet them. Unfortunately, it looks like you are it." The guard took back their serious expressions and one took Clark in to the inner wall finally showing off the massive main academy building.

Nebula Academy had been built just like the rest of the city. Ice, stone, and some wood here and there. However, there were detailed ice bricks carved with incredible imagination. Some were beasts and others were tamers commanding their beasts. It was clearly the figures that had chapped Nebula, yet there were also younger looking figures carved from ice that were the top students from previous years.

"Your academy cannot be like ours. Every year we challenge the students to create a new scene. It is a requirement. This year our students are performing exceptionally. Normally the end of tournament banquet would be held here. You are the first outsider to see it." The guard spoke with great pride before they entered a door.

The room that Clark was brought was simple stone with a large table and many chairs. Four students of each year sat waiting while some were snacking or resting with their beast. One girl that caught Clark's attention had a smaller white lizard wrapped around her shoulders. That was until he used the analysis on it that he realized he was wrong about it being a lizard.

'Ice wyrm- ultra rare

The ice wyrm is a recently hatched ice dragon. In the course of its life it can grow in to the adult form, true ice wyrm. It may lack wings but it is a dragon nonetheless. It is considered one of the top beasts in these icy lands.

It is perfect at blending in with the ice and snow while also dropping the temperature in the area around it. It can grow in to the skill, ice dragon's domain which allows it to greatly lower the temperature around it and increase its fighting abilities. There is also the blizzard breath which can completely freeze a large area in one direction.

The current growth state of this beast keeps it in a weak form while it slowly absorbs the ice energies from the habitat that it lives in. Its scales are too soft to be able to resist much and it will have to rely on the camouflage that it naturally has.

The best way for this beast to make a substantial growth would be to absorb a dragon type material with dragon energy within. It will stimulate its bloodline and allow it to begin to absorb ice energies at a faster rate than it currently can.'

Clark read through the information quickly before looking at the others who were also sizing him up. "That's all who came? Are you representing all four years of your academy?" The older looking boy was the one that spoke.

"Unfortunately, no. I am the first year team leader of sorts. My academy is proud, but I have attachments to each year and am currently working on them. If you all send invitations to Cooperate against Ethereal Academy they should agree by tomorrow morning. But I came personally, and I'm glad I did.

I get to meet a fellow tamer with a dragon." Clark looked right at the girl with the ice wyrm on her shoulders.

"Arrogant? I see." One of the younger boys that seemed to be the thyroid year student agreed with this. He was sure that they were the same since they had just waited here for someone to come.

"But as you see, arrogance is what will kill us. We all know that we will be suffering in this tournament. Especially if we fight one another while also fighting Ethereal academy. They want lives and are definitely not real students from Ethereal academy. Criminals have no place here." Clark was steadfast on this and saw every single Nebula academy student nod with him in approval.

"Then it's settled. We will work together. Since you are the first year student, please speak to Illia. She is the first year captain." The other three moved out of the room to write their letters. They knew that it was tough to swallow their own pride. However, they refused to see their fellow students perish in their homeland.

It would be an insult to them and this entire tournament if they let that happen.

"She's growing slowly, right? Your ice wyrm." Clark saw Illia's eyes widen but she still didn't speak a word. "Take this, I used it to help open my taming space. They are called dragon lilies and they now grow in my taming space. Crimson loves them and they help make dragon type energy. It's not very dense but it should be enough to help."

Knowing that the ice wyrm was too young to fight, Calkr didn't hesitate to build this relationship. Illia seemed calm and had been watching him carefully. She was a team leader for a reason. She was able to analyze her opponents in her own way.

"We will cooperate as much as we can. Ethereal academy may cause trouble. We have also called in more guards along with requested aids from other academies. My mother has been working hard to make sure that our city will be safe. She just took it back. These flowers will help greatly.

Thank you."

Clark was stunned in to silence. Apparently Illia was the daughter of the leader of Nebula. Her name was Illia Nebula. She was not just some small time genius but a future leader.

"I see. It's nice to meet you then. I wouldn't mind hearing your story later. For now, It's more important for you to know who I will send against Ethereal academy first. They only have six members left but all of them will be trying to kill us and we will have to kill them." Clark became serious as he told Ilia a little about Jerold's time outside of the city.

This little information would definitely be shared up to the top of the top which was exactly what Clark wanted.