Spirit Taming

Through the numerous cheers, there were a few people calling their academy’s name. Clark was able to find some of the teaching staff that were not in charge of students. There were also a few of the more powerful families that had their children with them who also attended the academy. Unfortunately, it appeared that there were none of the generals there. It was both good and bad since Clark wanted to see Clar and her father again.

The other groups of students from Nova academy were split to their respective arenas. The only person looking toward the first years was Ella. she had her gaze fixed on Clark. It was clear that she was worried about them since they would not be together for some time. There was a benefit to the fact that they could see the other arenas now though. They would get to watch Ella battle.

"Each student will battle one against one. This will go on until each student has been defeated. The last academy with the most victories is the winner of their match. This means that even the last student can win the entire tournament if they have properly strategized."

Astrid continued her rules for the tournament. The cheering died down immediately. " This could mean that each student could be sent out to weaken the strongest member of the opposing team, or, they can be used to defeat their equals. There is more potential than one large tournament. See your students work together and prove they are not selfish and greedy but wise and powerful!"

This theme seemed to be a reflection of how Astrid Nebula wanted the northern city of Nebula to grow. It definitely was directly combating issues of greed within the city. This hidden message was a threat to many of the nobles within her city. It would be easy to clean them out during this tournament. And she was telling them she would not hesitate to do so.

Furthermore, the officials seemed to be walking out to every academy and every age range. They were presenting a list of rules and restrictions as well. "You will see that borrowing beasts, using weapons that have not been checked, and many other methods of cheating will not only carry disqualification but jail time. That is the least we can give if you are to insult every single participant here." there was a threat in these words. But rightfully so.

"On top of that. I expect the best behavior while you are here. Any fighting, sabotage, or spying on opponents will be punished. You may want to hunt them down and force information about their companions. This is all against the rules, you can gather information by watching their matches here. I do not expect you to miss the other academy’s fight!" it was all for transparency and proper etiquette. Many chances to cheat were already removed.

"You may see any beasts you have tamed. If you have more or less than another, that is of no consequence. You may use any weapon types and styles. You may even kill your opponent. That is all within the rules. You have already signed documents when you agreed to participate. Your academy will hold the burden of your death if that is the case. However, you are not required to kill an opponent." This had a massive weight fall over the crowd.

"They can surrender, be knocked unconscious, or be knocked out of bounds. If any of those conditions are met or other similar factors, my personally trained referees will see over the battles!" This was even better. There were referees that met Astrid Nebula’s standards. That meant that she would be holding everyone to the rules just as strictly as she was saying them.

There seemed to be a few heads held down when Clark glanced at the Nebula academy students. It appeared that they knew they would not have much advantage other than just the home field advantage around them. However, that was even better. It meant that Astrid Nebula truly meant what she was saying. The values she was representing.

Now, you have heard me speak for long enough. Read the rest of the rules on your own time. For now, join me in the opening of the tournament. Join me in the welcoming of snow that my Nebula city calls wondrous and full of frozen beauty!" There was a sudden flush of wind before massive white clouds appeared in the sky.

The crowd watching was in awe as flurries of snow started to fall. The entire area became a puer white wonderland. Many small breezes carried the snow here and there. But what was amazing was that there was still sun causing the snowflakes to reflect a rainbow light. No one could stop themselves from dropping their jaws in awe.

No one had seen the beast that caused this sudden phenomenon but there was music that began to play celebrating the fall of the snow. Many of the Nebula students looked around in awe as well. This just went to show that the strength of a city lord was never small. They could cause magical phenomena like this with just a few words. That wasn’t even just giving credit to the platform of ice that had been made right in the air. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

This wondrous scene continues as they were all led away from the arenas. It appeared that a separate hall had been put aside for them to eat with their own academy age groups. The only issue with this was that they would be alone. Professor Wright couldn’t go with them. It meant that the group was not official on their own.

"This was made this way so we can strategize. It’s a good thing that none of us were showing off our beasts." Clark was glad about this. He knew that he had been able to hide enough to surprise everyone. Even If they used their own tricks, it was best just not to show a single thing at all when it came to their beasts and strengths.

"I had my little frost finch hiding under my clothes the entire time just like Isa said I should."

"I was not letting my partner out at all. He was hidden." Jerold was the one that followed this the closest. He had his partner hide invisibly at a completely different place in the arena. That way, even those that saw their partner would not be able to figure out who it belonged to.

"And No one should be able to tell if this is a regular boring sword or my great abyssal sword." The praise made the abyssal sword buzz in happiness but Clark just nodded along. It was all true. They had done well to keep their cards close to their chests.

"We should see the tournament order soon. They aren’t going to draw it in front of us so that we have a fresh and open start. It’s part of the dama. However, there are high odds that we will face a school that we don’t know much about." This was clear. Isa had looked in to the other schools and knew hair basic information. She could only do so much though. The other schools also held back their beasts.

"It doesn’t matter who we face. We are having Jerold fight first. If he can win a single battle it will be fine. It’s better to send someone that could literally disappear and keep their skills a secret.

"That’s fine." Jerold didn’t show a single bit of fear. It just went to show that he had definitely seen something scarier than a bunch of fellow students while in the wilds. Not that it mattered at the moment. There was a hard look in his eyes. It would mean that he was going to be able to face an opponent no matter what.

"If it’s Nebula academy...we will need to go all out. This is their home tournament. They might use their biggest trump cards to beat us if we don’t move quickly." Isa made sure to put a focus on this. She didn’t want to see anyone completely beaten without hope.

"If it’s them, I will melt them in to a puddle." Ralph seemed to have woken up more and was ready to start crushing things. He didn’t care who he faced.

"For once, I agree with Ralph. I will be defeating anyone that comes near me. And if they are nice enough I might heal them after." Maria had too kind of a heart. Not many people would even think about healing their enemies in a battle.

"That’s that then. We are all ready. Let’s just wait and see-" Clark heard a knock at the door as soon as he started to say that they would be waiting. "I guess we won’t be waiting." Clark moved and opened the door to find an officially dressed man with a single card in his hands.

"Nova academy, Your first match will be against Celestial sea academy. Your match will begin within ten minutes. Please take your positions." The man handed the card and left without another word. This was all he needed to say and all they needed to hear.