“Next.” I was called up next. I gulped looking around for dad, he wasn’t going to make it.

“Go on,” encouraged mum. “You can do this.”

“But…” I knew Tigra had managed to pass, but that was to do with her title. I couldn’t help but picture all those other Feles being sent home for not being good enough, what if the same happened to me; I would let dad down.

“Sorry.” Dad came running in and straight over to me panting. “I wasn’t going to miss this for the world.”

“Dad.” I lit up with confidence the moment I saw him, he’d made it.

“You can do this Alex,” he smiled.

I nodded noticing Dumah had remained on the testing area as I was called again. “Next,” said the Onca.

Dumah smirked. “I’ll test this little runt.”

Dad leaned down, putting his hands on my shoulders. “Be careful Alex.” His expression was a worried one. “Dumah is skilled and very dangerous.” He was warning me. “Please do not use Larana’s power here.”

“Why?” I questioned. He was the one who had told me Larana would give me a boost in the exam.

“It will only make this fight more difficult for you, he would use his own talisman,” replied dad, glancing at mum. “Your wind would feed his fire talisman. You are not ready for that kind of combat.”

“A fire talisman.” I thought about it. I had almost forgotten that there were just as many talismans as there were Animalia. I remembered back to dad’s lessons on fire, he was right I would only strengthen his as I had yet to master Larana’s power.

“Use your skill alone and you will join Tigra.” I slowly nodded. Dad was just trying to help me. I glanced over at Dumah, was he really that strong?

“Okay.” I trusted dad, he was an experienced warrior, he knew what he was talking about.

“Hurry up runt!” Dumah raised his voice.

“Good luck.” Mum kissed me on the forehead. I slowly headed onto the testing area. I would finally get to finish what we started when we first met. I could feel my blood boiling even more now that I was closer to him.

“Someone give him a sword,” ordered Dumah.

“I already have one.” I drew the sword dad had given me.

Dumah grinned. “Now I can really teach you a lesson for defying me.” Dumah drew his sword and swung it at me. His real sword against my practice one, was that really fair, surely his sword would shred through mine.

I ducked low and rolled to the left as he brought it down at me. I would have to stay completely focused if I were going to win my first real battle.

I could sense Dumah’s anger and feel a strange heat radiating from him, then he came at me again. I felt a shiver go down my spine as I felt that same unpleasant essence as before.

I lifted my sword to block against his. My sword held strong as his clashed with mine.

As our swords clashed, I could see a dark mist coming directly from his body. It circled around us, spreading through the room, surrounding everyone as they breathed it in.

I glanced over at mum and dad, the mist didn’t even go near them, what made them so different?

“Eyes on me boy!” Dumah snarled forcing me back. I stumbled a little, recovering just in time to avoid Dumah’s next move.

Dumah snarled as he attempted to barrage me with attacks, one after the other. I stayed focused on him, seeing each one seconds before it hit. Dodging each one. This was the true labours of my training. I now understood everything dad did for me to be this skilled.

Dumah slumped forward panting, he’d exhausted most of his stamina pretty quickly, but like most Animalia he was still very much dangerous.

I slowly backed away, feeling I would be in more danger if I attacked him, while in his exhausted state.

I waited patiently to see what would happen. Dumah got his second wind, attacking with a relentless anger. What had I done to cause such a reaction from someone?

I defended and dodged where I could, sensing Larana becoming agitated, did she feel I was in some kind of danger.

I jumped back away from Dumah. “Larana stop it.” I was worried she’d lash out without me telling her too.

“He’s dangerous master.” She responded quietly.

“I don’t care, I can do this,” I quickly replied as Dumah came running towards me. “This is only a test.”

As he came closer I jabbed forward, trying to gain some sort of upper hand, but Dumah was bigger and stronger than me, bringing his sword up reflecting my attempt at an attack, then went on his onslaught again.

I didn’t know what to do, all I could was hold out until he had nothing else to give, hoping he would just eventually wear himself out.

Dumah suddenly struck again with such speed and veracity that he caught me on my left side.

I yelped, stumbling back. I saw unyielding hatred in Dumah’s eyes. I felt his blood lust, he wanted to kill me.

“Enough!” The Uncia stood up as Dumah was posed to strike again. “This is only a test Dumah, not a fight till the death!” He came onto the testing area. “Now back down!”

Dumah snarled but sheathed his sword. “Lucky again, that’s your second life.”

“Move away from him Dumah,” snarled the Uncia. Dumah did as he was told, walking back over to the judges. “You show much potential as a warrior, what is your name?”

“Just call me Fang.” I answered. I had decided to register with just my clan name, I thought it would be cool, being called after my hero.

“Fang.” He smirked. “You may enter the academy, you’ve passed.”

“Really.” I smiled, glancing back at mum and dad, who both held a relieved expression.

“He’s to be put at the basic level,” said Dumah.

“I suggest higher,” argued the Uncia.

“We agree with Dumah,” said the Lynx. I looked at the judges to see them being consumed by the dark mist.

“I apologise, I would have put you much higher due to your skills of avoiding all of Dumah’s advances, but I have been out voted.” The Uncia apologised. I saw Dumah smirking; he was pleased with himself.

“So, I won’t be in the same class as Tigra?” I inquired.

“I’m afraid not.” He shook his head. “But I am sure you will easily grow in strength and advance quickly, much like your father once did.”

I nodded. “I’ll work hard.” I felt let down, but I wasn’t going to let this stop me from keeping my promise to Tigra.

“Now allow me to escort you to the medical centre to have your wound seen to.” I nodded again.

“Good luck on your first day.” Mum called over. Dad stayed silent with an expression which looked like he was thinking; I wondered what about.

I glanced back, smiling as I waved at them. “See you later!”

“This way young Fang.” He led the way around the corner where I knew Tigra would be waiting for me.

“Umm… What’s your name?” I asked.

“I am Master Lance,” he replied.

“Master Lance.” I repeated.

Around the corner I got to see the academy grounds for myself, sure I had passed it multiple times while running with dad, but now I was actually here. I saw the building where the knights reported for duty. It was where most Feles went when they completed the academy to receive jobs and missions.

To the right was a tallish building used for the barracks for those who travelled far to be here and there in the middle was the academy building where classes were held to teach on talisman handling, strategy planning, combat training and basic maths, crystal studies, and English skills.

I took in a deep breath. I had made it. I felt excited even though I knew I would not be in the same class as Tigra.

Tigra jumped at me, giving me a huge hug, it was nice. “You did it. I knew you would.”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “Unfortunately, I won’t be joining you, not the best score.”

“What?” Tigra was surprised.

“Young lord Dumah had an influence on the final decision,” informed Master Lance.

“I’ll talk to dad about this.” Tigra was not happy.

“No.” I shook my head. “I don’t want to seem a favourite or anything. I’ll show that Dumah and everyone that I can climb the rankings quickly.”

“Don’t worry, it just means he’ll have to work harder to get to where he wants to be,” said Master Lance.

“You better make it.” Tigra glared at me.

“I will, I promised remember.” I answered encouragingly. I had a feeling if Dumah had anything to do with it, I wouldn’t be getting anywhere. “Just be happy we made it.”

“Yeah!” cheered Tigra. “Next stop, becoming number one.” I nodded; this was going to be so much fun.