AN: Get hype! Another update is upon you, my gentle perverts.

After this episode, most of the rest of this chapter is a lengthy and dynamic battle. So, get hype if you like action. :)

Chapter 2.3: Battling Beauties

Though the entire cafeteria became interested in the drama unfolding near the purchasing line, John ignored the young man and continued on. There were better things to do than acknowledge such a foolish child.

A large well-dressed lad, the challenger stood up and tossed his fork down into his mashed potatoes. It was obvious that the spiky haired brat was used to getting his way, as his eyes narrowed and his face reddened. Three beautiful Demi-Humans rose up and flanked their master as he stalked forward. "Didn't you hear me?"

"I heard you. I simply have no way of accepting your challenge at this time. Ms. Kara is my only Demi-human at present," stated John simply. His social skills were stunted due to a lack of actual concern for their development, but even he knew that his legitimate response would not end the altercation.

"Bullshit. I don't care. You know the law. You're only protected from the salvage rules if you're a tradesman or your starter is common. I want her," said the youth, a cruel light in his eyes. From the way he looked down upon John, it seemed as though he expected the man to simply hand Kara over without a fight. It was his due after all.

"You must be very sad. There are no doubt many things you desire that you may not have," replied John. He offered money to the Generica running the counter, but she shook her head. The meal counted as part of his boarding fees.

John ignored the spiky haired prat and thanked the hard working staff member. His thoughts on the Generica Illuminati resurfaced. They were even placed in charge of food distribution.

"So, you're denying a lawful challenge?" asked the youth, his face red and his nostrils flared.

Kara quirked her eyebrow artfully as John turned back to him. It was time to see how her master handled situations such as this one. John spoke calmly without a hint of emotion. "If your Demi-humans die then I won't be held responsible. Are you willing to risk that?"

"Hey man. I was just challenging for a friendly match. What's with the attitude?" asked the younger man with a hint of nervousness. The Steel Valkyrie line was known for being a strong breed.

"No. You were demanding I turn over my only harem member to some ritualized gladiatorial combat scenario. Gladiators died in combat." John gazed thoughtfully at the younger man, "I will not tell her to restrain herself if you pursue this. Since you insist on quoting the law, I must inform you that I respect her nature to the extent that I will not require her to hold back."

Kara noted the casual way her master discussed the situation and mentally upgraded his capacity slightly. He was no fighter but he did hold his ground. The fact that he'd spoken something that seemed like a slight bit of praise was also noted.

"Fine, we'll go hardcore if you want. Just don't cry when I take your girl," said the youth snidely. He'd moved beyond nervousness and back into his normal stance. He was big. He had money. He got what he wanted.

"Don't get in the way when she's firing. You might get hit," replied John just as casually as before. It was time to see if this little bastard was really interested in a fight to the death, like some sort of gladiatorial cock fight.

"You threatening me man?" The youth glared hotly at John. He did not have to take that from someone with only one Demi-Human.

"No. I'm giving you friendly advice. Bullets hurt, or so I hear," said John. "More to the point did you really need to pick a fight in the middle of a crowded cafeteria like some sort of school yard bully?"

The younger man frowned at him. Snickers wafted through the cafeteria as some of the other students laughed at his predicament. A moment later his nostrils flared. "What the fuck ever, let's get this over with."

"Before we begin, you do know that the salvage law requires equal exchange. What do you have worth challenging me over?" cited John. If he was stuck with this barbaric stupidity then at least he could play rules lawyer a bit.

"These three girls, pick the one of them ya like. If you win, she's yours," said the younger man with a shrug. What was so hard about that?

John tapped the button on the side of his scanner and quickly determined what their breeds were. He snorted not long after. "You're seriously trying to enforce a challenge law when none of your 'girls are of equal value?"

By this time the cafeteria had grown quiet as everyone listened in. There was a fight brewing and that meant entertainment. Before it was just posturing, but it seemed as though things were developing into an actual tamer duel.

"Feh. They're valuable enough!" snorted the man. Why did this fool keep trying to avoid the inevitable!

"A Mouse and two Catgirls? You seriously rate one of them as being equal to a Steel Valkyrie?" asked John incredulously and a bit loudly. The nearest individuals in the cafeteria began to laugh once more, and then transferred that information to the rest of the excitable teens. This was proving to be truly entertaining for them in a multitude of ways.

"I want your Steel Valkyrie!" snapped the youth.

"Well then, I would suggest that you employ a poor man's hope," said John, with a smirk. He didn't have to battle this idiot after all. It was good to know the rules, especially if it meant avoiding idiocy such as this.

"A what?" asked his would-be challenger.

"Crap in one hand and wish in the other. Place both hands together. If you're lucky that might give you the shit that you want," explained John.

"Asshole! You've been challenged, accept it!" snapped the irate younger man as the dining facility inhabitants laughed uproariously.

"Your challenge is unacceptable," replied John. "If you continue to act in this manner, I will be forced to contact the taming authority and have them review this incident."

"Fine! I'll pay equal value if you win!" exclaimed the spiky haired idiot. That should settle things nicely?

"Obviously, you would. That is not negotiable. She's under contract with multiple six month repeating terms. You can afford to offer me sixty-six thousand dollars whether she wins or loses?"

A low whistle was heard from the sidelines as they heard the stakes. Things just got serious. That was enough money to set a tamer up for months, even with a full harem.

"The fuck? I can't pay that!"

"I can," came a new voice from the sidelines. John and his young opponent turned to the voice and saw a man who appeared to be in his early forties. His graying salt and pepper hair spoke of experience. The powerful demi-humans surrounding him bespoke power.

"Dad, this is my thing..." whined the lad.

"Not anymore Tom. You bit off more than you can chew. Still, you do need a stronger Demi-human if you intend to ever move up the ranks," replied the older man to his son.

"You propose to challenge me then?" asked John. He had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. This opponent was much more capable than the foolish child who'd challenged him. That much was obvious from the company that he kept.

"I was going to stay out of it. Then I heard you say that crap about shitting and wishing. My son's a hot head, but he didn't deserve that."

"I disagree. There is a time and place for issuing challenges. The middle of a crowded cafeteria is not one of them," replied John.

The older man's eyes narrowed, but he merely said, "Do you accept the challenge or not."

John nodded. "Alright. If you're challenging me and claim you can cover it then I have no choice in the matter. What are you offering, though?"

The older man rubbed his chin thoughtfully then turned to look at his Demi-humans. "Hmm. Tera and Mindi stand up. Let him get a good look at you."

Two of the Demi-humans seated at the table stood and John scanned them. He noted that both were somewhat rare. He doubted they were of equal value but they were better offerings than what Tom had put up.

"Neither of them is worth as much as a Steel Valkyrie, especially one I just contracted with. There has to be a little more incentive than that to make this a fair challenge," said John thoughtfully. They would be useful in his plans, but risking Kara for either of them was foolish. It was not as poor of a trade as risking her for a simple unevolved Mouse, but it still left a large monetary gap.

"I meant that I was placing both of them up," replied the older veteran tamer. His words drew quite a bit of attention from the crowd. This was a serious offer. What would the other guy say?

John was stuck for it now. The obviously domestic born Kraken was fairly rare, less so than a few decades ago. The Blazine was more interesting to John, however. They were somewhat common but powerful and skillful battlers. Between the two of them they more than covered the money necessary to buy a typical Steel Valkyrie, contract not-withstanding. If the man was also willing to stake the sixty-six thousand dollars that the contract was worth, even if he won, then John would have no choice.

"You'll stake the contract fees, sixty-six thousand dollars payable immediately to me if you win? Should I lose, I expect that payment within less than thirty minutes." said John loudly, and in front of multiple witnesses. The thirty minute window measure was to allow for banking errors. Win or lose, a tamer who defaulted on immediate payment would forfeit the match.

"I've got it in cash," said the man.

John openly stared at the foolish creature. What sort of idiot carried that much hard cash on them? "I really don't have a choice in the matter now, I suppose. She is my only Demi-human, however. That means it must be a one on one battle."

"Agreed. Let's head outside then," replied the veteran tamer. John followed along after him, regret writ large on his features. Half the cafeteria depopulated to watch the spectacle at the battle area set up a tenth of a mile away from the buildings. The other half did what teenagers did when the supervising agents left. They threw a sexy party.