Lucio walked slowly towards the stage, smiling broadly. Today was his day, the day he would show everyone present his battle prowess and talent after all his father was watching. As he reached the stage he gave a winning smile to the boy opposite him, his ex-roommate if he recalled correctly.

"Lets have a good fight, Gale."

"Sure" said the boy looking disinterested. "Well," thought Lucio "he won't be looking bored for long." The elder looked at the two boys and gave the call "start."

As the elder gave the signal Lucio charged at full speed towards Gale and summoned his spirit "come out, Fyre heart." A glorious crimson bird dressed in flames appeared by Lucio's side. "Let's see you top that." He thought to himself smiling as he ran towards the other boy determined to win.

......................................................................................................................................................................................

As Lucio rushed towards Lupos all Lupos could think about was how many openings the attack had. If he wanted to he could have the other boy on his back in seconds but he didn't want to appear to strong. "Fenrir, come out I need to make it look like i'm trying. After two minutes we'll throw the match, understood?"

"Yes." Growled the wolf in mindspeak as he appeared by Lupos' side.

For a few minutes the spirits clash of the birds beak and the wolf's claws could be seen. However, it was clear to all who were watching that the bird had the upper hand, the same could be said for the boys as it appeared that Lupos was on the edge of defeat. "Argh," thought Lupos "it's taking all my self control not to beat this boy into the ground, but I don't want to draw to much attention to myself. Second place is fine, first is too noticeable."

......................................................................................................................................................................................

Noticing nothing of Lupos' internal struggle Lucio continued attacking, assured of his victory. "Poor commoner" Lucio thought sympathetically "its a shame, but you could never compete with me, the genius from the Illio family. I'll end this now!"

With this thought he and fyre heart gave their all out attack. But, as he charged at gale he could have sworn the boy hesitated a moment before leaving himself wide open, almost as if he wanted to be attacked. Before Lucio had time to ponder Gale had already lost, oh well no concern to him.

After affirming Lucio's victory the elder made an announcement. "Today our top three competitors will get their choice of three weapons, the first is a fire mage staff made with the core of a fyre dragon, the second is a shield made from the shell of a world turtle and the third is dagger made from the claws of a shadow wolf, all of these items have been provided by our gracious head master."

Lucio smiled in happiness and turned to Gale only to be struck silent by the boys face. The face Gale was making was one of pure hatred and disgust, swallowing what he was about to say Lucio turned his gaze back to the elder and proclaimed "I would like the fire staff." The elder chuckled, "A wise choice, Gale it is your choice next."

......................................................................................................................................................................................

Lupos wasted no time "I'll have the dagger." The elder looked vaguely surprised as earth mages tended to specialise in defense, but said nothing it was his choice to make after all. After the ceremony ended, Lupos ran into the woods. Only once he reached a clearing many miles away from the school did he let out a scream of pure bloodlust and rage. Fenrir appeared beside him "what is wrong Lupos?" He asked in mindspeak "that bastard Mervyn Oakshield, these are my mother's claws, that means he ripped them from her dead body."

Fenrir said nothing, he understood that to a wolf disrespecting the dead was a sacrilegious thing. "I've decided," said Lupos aloud, his face a deadly calm "I will secretly summon three more spirits to match his and then I will kill Mervyn Oakshield at the inter-school competition." Fenrir nodded then the two walked back to the dorm contemplating how to steal the items needed for a summoning.