The arena, once a stage for youthful competition, now trembled under the oppressive weight of one mythical black scales dragon. Its massive form blotted out the sun, casting long, ominous shadow that stretched across the petrified crowd.
From the head of the dragon, a middle-aged man with short brown hair and eyes that held the chill of a winter storm, descended.
"I presume you are Master Lil, head of the Lil family," the Dean began, his voice strained, "However, flying your beast into the academy grounds is a blatant violation of our rules."
"Rules?" Lincoln’s voice was a low growl, each word laced with disdain. "You dare speak of rules when my son is subjected to such blatant bullying?" His icy gaze locked onto the Dean, a silent threat hanging in the air.
"Bullying?" The Dean retorted, his own anger rising. "This is an academy, Master Lil. We adhere to established regulations. Your son violated them, just as you are doing now."
"And what will you do if I continue to violate these ’rules’ for the sake of my son?" Lincoln asked, his tone dripping with mockery.
"Master Lil! This is an academy! You must restrain yourself!" Monica’s voice cracked with a desperate edge, her usually composed demeanor shattered.
"Restrain myself?" Lincoln scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "Bring forth the one who killed my beast. Then, we can discuss restraint."
"Your son used your beast in a contest, and it was discovered. He cannot claim ignorance, as the rules are clearly communicated to all new students via their phones!" Monica explained, her teeth gritted.
"Indeed?" Lincoln tilted his head. "My son lost his phone. He received no rules. You can confirm this with him."
All eyes turned to Leon, who stood with his head bowed, his gaze fixed on the ground. He offered a slow nod.
"You!" The Dean’s face darkened with rage. He turned back to Lincoln. "Master Lil! What are your intentions?"
"As I stated, the one who killed my beast will compensate. By killing one of their beasts, of equal stage and combat level. If they lack such a beast, they will kneel before my son, kowtow a hundred times, and lick his shoes."
"You...!" The Dean sputtered, his face flushed. "If your son didn’t see the rules, why did he deny the beast belonged to you?"
Lincoln turned to his son, then back to the Dean. "I instructed him to conceal the beast’s ownership for his safety. How could he betray my word?"
"You are being utterly unreasonable!" The Dean roared, his energy flaring.
"Oh?" Lincoln smirked, a crimson aura enveloping his body. "You believe I fear you? You are merely a low-stage Master Level, while I stand at mid-stage. My beast alone could dismantle this academy."
Below, Chloe scoffed. "Piff! This man is truly delusional. I possess three mythical stage beasts. His might have a level nine combat strength, but with the academy’s collective power, we can subdue him."
"Should we intervene?" Katherine asked, her hand hovering over the bracelet that held her own summoned beasts.
"Let us observe," Chloe replied, her smile tight.
"Master Lil," the Dean continued, his energy surging, "The Vitality Academy values its students. Will you truly defy the academy and the three major families over a beast, knowing you are in the wrong?"
Monica’s hand moved towards her ring, ready to summon her own beasts. The entire academy was poised for battle, united against the threat Lincoln posed.
Lincoln surveyed the students, his gaze lingering on the Dean, Monica, Christopher, Mitchell, Advika, Mariana, and finally, his own son. "The Lil family is new to Cordelia. We lack established alliances. However, that does not equate to fear."
’This man is utterly shameless and arrogant,’ Christopher thought, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. ’Is he backed by someone of immense power?’
Lincoln raised his fingers, revealing two crimson rings. Nine beams of light erupted, and instantly, nine more black scales dragons materialized above the arena, plunging the area into deeper shadow.
"IMPOSSIBLE!" Chloe and sixty percent of the students rose in stunned disbelief.
"How... how can a single tamer possess ten mythical stage beasts? And nine of them at combat level eight? What power does the Lil family wield?" Mariana whispered, her voice trembling.
"This is beyond comprehension! He alone could conquer a city!" Mitchell stammered, taking a fearful step back. His strongest beast was injured, and deploying elite-level beasts would be suicide.
Even the Dean and Monica were struck with horror. They, at best, commanded four or five mythical stage beasts. Lincoln, however, had ten.
"Now! Who killed my beast?" Lincoln bellowed, and the ten dragons unleashed their combined pressure, a crushing wave that swept across the arena.
The weaker students, including Advika, Mariana, Katherine, Bella, Adonis, and anyone below the elite level, collapsed to their knees. Those seated were frozen, unable to move.
"Insolence!" The Dean, unable to contain his fury, lunged forward, throwing a powerful punch at Lincoln’s face.
Lincoln raised an eyebrow and returned the blow.
The two fists collided, creating a sonic boom that sent shockwaves through the arena, pushing everyone except Christopher several feet back.
The Dean stumbled backward, falling to his knees and vomiting a mouthful of blood.
"Dean!" Monica rushed to his side, helping him to his feet. "You! Are you courting death?" she screamed, her killing intent palpable.
"Courting death? I merely seek the one who killed my beast. Is that so unreasonable?" His words intensified the oppressive pressure.
Instantly, Advika, Mariana, and those below the elite level coughed up blood.
"How can someone be so powerful?" Chloe muttered, her teeth clenched.
"I can’t move!" Katherine hissed, paralyzed by the sheer force of the pressure.
’Shit! Despite all my training, I am still weak!’ Chloe thought, her fists clenched in impotent rage.
"I find such behavior rather...annoying."
The arena fell silent. Every head turned towards the source of the voice, a young man with hazel eyes, his gaze fixed on Lincoln.