A few days after the party I was summoned to the academy training grounds, well more to the site that held the masters who gave out missions or jobs.

There both King Alton and Master Lance were waiting for me. I felt instantly nervous and surprised Dumah was not with them, there expression were quite serious.

I quickly noticed Ibiki and Kiba were there accompanied by four others, two Tigris, one male, the other female, a Pardus and Smilodon. All of them were stood at attention as if waiting for some order.

“Thank you for coming Fang,” began King Alton.

“I had nothing better to do,” I shrugged as if it was no big deal.

“Fang.” Master Lance shout out a warning.

King Alton smirked. “I would like to introduce those who will become your team. I’m sure you’ve already met some of them. Kiba gave a little wave, while Ibiki just nodded.

“Great.” I was pleased how today was turning out.

“It’s not quite as straight forward as you think,” mentioned Master Lance. “You don’t just become their leader, well Captain. You must first prove yourself to them.”

“Prove myself,” I repeated.

“Yes,” nodded King Alton. “In combat. You must make the others submit to your will.”

“Fine.” I quickly understood what was about to happen, placing my hand on Raziel to calm my excitement.

“Show them your power, that you have the right to lead them,” added Master Lance.

“Come on then.” I held out my arms, provoking them to attack me.

They all drew their weapons, jumping into action, they were disorganised, obviously they’d never worked as a team before. I smirked dodging each blade strike that bared down at me; I saw each move before they even made it.

Kiba came in quickly with a small dagger, the blade was shaped like a fang with a brown leather hilt and a golden-brown gem at the centre. It was strange the dagger had grabbed my attention almost like I held some sort of connection with it.

I could sense a dormant power within, a talisman, perhaps he’d yet to pass the spirits test or he wasn’t destined to wield its power.

“Too slow Kiba.” I pushed those thoughts back as I moved out of Kiba’s way, moving my hand round, then pushing him into the building with a gust of wind. I held him there by putting a wind seal, he wouldn’t be moving while that was on him.

Ibiki came from the left. I felt the chill of his ice as our eyes met, he smirked. I lifted my hand summoning water around him, on contact with his ice-covered blade, it froze him instantly, sealing him in ice.

I turned to the others as they hesitated. I’d taken two down in a matter of seconds.

“He’s strong,” commented the male Tigris.

I stepped back as Ibiki broke free from the ice. I wasn’t surprised considering he did control the attribute of ice.

“Why don’t you just let loose,” he grinned, he wanted a proper fight.

“You asked for it.” I reached back for Raziel’s sword, and he roared in response.

“Only one?”

“I only need one.” I pointed Raziel at him. “My fire will melt your ice.”

“We’ll see about that.” Ibiki was the first to attack, an icy chill following after every swipe he made. I dodged most, then defended against the ones I couldn’t.

I smirked as I felt the heat of Raziel burning through Ibiki’s ice, turning it into water, then into steam, circling around us as we swiped at each other, our swords clashing.

I slashed right, left. Ibiki defended, then thrusted forward, twisting his body summoning ice shards that shot at me like icicles. I help my hand out, willing Raziel as he came in front of me and breathed fire.

Ibiki jumped back, glancing back at the other three. “Come on, we can take him.” He looked back at me. “He’s a push over really, together we can take him.” Larana took insult, sparking the flames around Raziel.

“Calm down Larana, this is nothing more than a friendly match.” I watched as the other four came forward. “Oh, found some courage.”

“He doesn’t look like it,” commented the female Tigris, drawing a small dagger with a yellow gem on the hilt. A lightning talisman.

“A challenge I suppose,” said the male Tigris, drawing a sword with a long red gem down the sword. A fire talisman.

“Hmm.” I seemed to have piqued the interest of the Smilodon, swinging his polearm around his hand, it had a golden-brown gem, an earth talisman.

“I don’t know about this, but I’ll back you up,” said the Pardus, who had a short sword at his waist, but held a green gem on a choker around his neck. A nature Talisman. What an interesting combination of Animalia.

“I recommend you draw Arata too,” suggested Raziel.

“You think.” I glanced at him. “Going to make me break a sweat then?”

“Yes.”

“Alright.” I listened to Raziel, if he sensed how this might go, I wasn’t going to take any chances. I drew Arata and he appeared.

“An interesting lot,” commented Arata. “Most have powerful talismans and…” He glanced at a still pinned Kiba.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Arata snorted and looked away. What the heck was up with him?

I gazed at my opponents as they stood behind Ibiki. I could sense all their power, it wasn’t half bad, but nothing compared to my own; still I was going to enjoy this, it would be more of a challenge than Dumah’s challenge, this time I could really let loose with nothing to restrict my power.