Finally, it was Ivy's team's turn to fight.
"Scavenger or prey?" Mr Ackerman asked.
"Predator," replied Ivy. Everyone stared at her.
"We do not usually allow anyone to fight a predator tier on their first session."
"We're confident we can beat them," said Ivy.
"It's because there's so many of them," said Roman. "It should be quality, not quantity. You won't always have so many people to back you up." The attack was especially barbed as only two of the three members of their group had got involved in their fight. Also, it had the vaguest suggestion of a threat.
"Fine, the new boy stays out of it," said Ivy.
Rose looked at her in protest, but she didn't look back. She turned to face Lenny.
"It's okay," he said. "I'll step in if you're in danger."
Some of the others laughed at that. What would an orange sash be able to do? In fact, Lenny realised in that moment that, without a weapon to use, he didn't know what he could add to this group. Even then, he wouldn't match up.
Still, Rose simply smiled back at him. He was sincere. Lenny stepped back off to the edge with the rest of the group.
Master Ackerman turned to Headmaster Collins, observing from one of the cells above. He gave him a nod. "Are you sure?" said Master Ackerman. "There is no rush. Ivy, we all know that one day you will become a national hunter."
"We want a bit of a workout," she replied.
Roman scowled. Had they known the Drowned would do something like this, they would have done the same. Why had they gone first? Oh yes, Charlotte had a chip on her shoulder about something that had happened earlier that day.
"Oh well," thought Roman. "This should be entertaining at least."
With that, Mr Ackerman pointed his remote at the ground and this time, pressed several buttons. The earth began to lift. Buried beneath them, were metal cells, which could be moved along on a kind of conveyor, bringing the most powerful beasts they kept on site into the Jade Garden's jungle arena. Master Ackerman pressed another button and the beast inside could be seen on a monitor. It did not have wings though, as had been anticipated by the group.
"Apologies," said Master Ackerman. "They must have moved them about."
The next container to lift from the ground was the correct one, however. They could all see what looked like some kind of giant bat with a wingspan the width of two PTVs. As if it could detect the people outside, it began to thrash against the wall, causing a large metallic clanging, like steel on steel. Sparks could be seen on the monitor.
"Be careful," said Master Ackerman. "This is a particularly vicious beast. Its sonic attacks will rip right through you. I cannot guarantee I will kill it in time to save you. Do you still wish to proceed?"
Ivy turned to look at Rose. "Are you okay with this?"
"I came here to get stronger," she said. "If this is the level we're to face out there, better to have had some practice first."
"Very well," said Master Ackerman. "Everyone, get back!" With that, he pressed a button and the metal door lowered, letting the shrieking beast out. It quickly grasped the lip of the container as it propelled itself forward.
*
Above, Mr Yamamoto smiled.
"So, what do you think?" asked the headmaster.
"Their abilities have been quite varied so far. I am intrigued to see what gives this group so much confidence." He looked at his daughter. "What do you think?"
"I do not know, but the violet sash is your strongest ranking, yes?"
"That's right," said Headmaster Collins. "Ivy here is from the Drowned."
"Then I think she will be fine," said Miss Yamamoto.
Her father nodded, agreeing with his daughter's sensible conclusions.
*
Wasting no time, Paige fired out her water ability and Drake transformed it into spears of ice. Although Drake could produce ice directly, this method took far less essence. Just as the Drowned were strongest when using their abilities near sources of water, the ice was better with a good supply of liquid to freeze. However, the beast was quick, and the attack had almost completely missed, just managing to pierce the creature's foot with a large spike of ice.
In return, the creature fired a sonar blast at Drake, as he was trying to adjust his ice control. Suddenly, something shot up in front of him, a sort of shell-like substance that was solid. Although it was strong, it cracked under the beast's attack, but took the strength of the blow, protecting those stood behind it. It was just about to use its attack again, but its sensitive hearing had picked up the sound of something from behind. It quickly moved, and a fast blade missed its head, digging several inches into the shoulder.
Ivy had used her shell affinity to create steps mid-air that she could run across like platforms, approaching the creature from behind. However, the sound had given her away and now her predator tier weapon with a strength affinity was stuck in the creature, reducing its ability to move, but leaving Ivy without a weapon.
As she fell towards the ground, she summoned many incredibly thin layers of shell beneath her that cracked breaking her fall. Lenny had never seen anything like it, even in the clips he had seen of the local factions. Sure, maybe there had been recordings of people more powerful than Ivy, but the skill level on display was something he simply could not imagine in someone of her age.
Following shortly afterwards, though, the bat was swooping down to strike, but many layers of shell came between her and the beast, offering a momentary barrier, till they were smashed through. However, it had given her the second or two she needed to recover and move away.
Also, the water and ice user had had time to coordinate their attacks again, this time making an attack which would have stabbed through the creature's body, if it had not used its wing to protect itself in time. The wing was now useless, and the creature was floored, but still very much alive, with another wing to use as a shield. It moved quickly to attack Ivy again. She activated the speed-enhancement of her prey tier boots, but wouldn't have moved quite quick enough to avoid a slash to her stomach.
However, at that moment, everyone suddenly covered their ears as a deafening sound was heard. Rose had smashed her scavenger tier staff into the ground, activating its core. Although it was not deafening for the group, the bat's i sensitive hearing seemed to disorientate it more than the others.
Ivy used this moment of disorientation to cast a sharp piece of shell at the creature's neck. It dug in a few inches before the creature jumped back, blood now gushing from its neck. It went to cast its sonic attack again, targeting Ivy this time, but as it opened its mouth it was impaled by several ice spikes that had pierced its chest and belly. Ivy gathered the shell-like substance like claws around her hand. It would take a few moments to perform, but the beast was now gravely injured, on the verge of death, and she was keen to give it a final push.
She stabbed the shell claws into the bat's face and it toppled over like an egg on a flat surface. The crowd were silent, for a moment, before erupting in cheers. This was an enemy only elites could take on. And someone their age had just done it. Well, it was a team effort really, but Ivy was their leader, and so at that moment, the glory was hers.
Roman clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. Their teams lack of celebration was evident. Even those from Les Chevaliers and the Salamanders had been impressed, although more muted. But the three who stood there from Legion were quietly bubbling with resentment.
*
Mr Yamamoto above made a small clap. "Very good."
"Will you be accepting the transfer, then?" asked Headmaster Collins, eager to use this moment to his advantage.
"We had every intention of accepting your offer. We need more elemental ability masters. We just wanted to use the opportunity to assess our allies."
"Very good." Headmaster bowed to Mr Yamamoto as was considered appropriate under the circumstances. The bow was returned in a sign of mutual respect.