Tales of The Mighty Dragonair

He then shifted his gaze to the four standing in front of Arthur as he continued:

"Five competed on him, and many more asked also to sponsor the kid. Yet we settled on these four. So, you can now speak your thoughts and show your pros so he would choose wisely."

"Tsk, if not you aren't a swordsman, tsk," the moment Mr. E finished his words, the swordsman that wasn't selected complained in a loud tone.

"Who said I'm not?" and Arthur suddenly replied, making those who were about to reprimand Armond stop.

"You are?" and Armond eagerly asked, "but the crystal didn't show any sword with you," he added, in a doubtful tone.

Yet he hoped the words Arthur claimed to be true.

"I have this little one here," Arthur summoned in the next moment his bloody sword. The sword was still in phase of evolution, yet the moment it appeared it caused stir that startled Arthur, startled everyone.

The sword had a fog of blood emanated from it, red and green in color. The moment it went out, everyone sensed the oppression coming from it. "What a fine sword you have," and even Armond had his eyes fixed over this sword, wishing he could lay his hands over it to examine.

"Thanks, master," and Arthur sent the troubling sword back, wondering why it acted in such a way!

"You are sure full of surprises," Mr. E laughed, "alright, let Armond join the fun then."

Armond didn't hesitate as he used his sword and jumped off his balcony heading to the platform. He stood erect with his flying sword on his side, while Arthur marveled this technique and ability.

As for others, it wasn't the best news ever. One more rival was added to the mix, and it seemed Arthur was interested in him.

"I will start," Slone was the first to speak, with his giant body quivering from his excitement. "I'm the greatest master in the academy when it comes to forging. Name it and anything you can think of I can make for you. Selecting me as a master will boost your forging skills, and if you aren't fond of forging then I can promise to train some of your followers to be excellents blacksmiths."

His words were said before he took a step back, leaving the stage for others.

And Otman was the next eager one to step forward.

"As you saw, any formation in the academy I was the master behind it. I won't brag much, but no formation master born in these walls didn't learn from me. I promise to turn you into a mighty formation master, someone excelled at defending yourself, your group, and any place you want."

He paused as he recalled the offer that Slone made just now. "And if you aren't that interested in formations, I can support your group, turning whoever wishes to become a mighty formation master."

He then went back, stood proud with his head high. He gave a mocking glance over Slone, as if he was sure he would be a better option for Arthur.

"It's my turn now," and Cesile laughed as she stepped forward. "One word, I'm the one who saw your talent first and supported it. You have seen how much I defended you at the Nystic clan, and I will always defend you anytime.

I'm considered the top master in offense; no one here can stand a single attack of me. Even the king of defense, Otman, can't do it. Even the ace blacksmith, Slone, can't have any gear to defend against my attacks. Rest assured that I will train you and your entire group to be the strongest group ever in the academy."

She then laughed, feeling happy about her presentation, more confident than the other two about her chances in gaining Arthur's choice.

For her, she was certain Arthur would choose her beside Amanda. Only Armond had a chance against her, slim chance in her opinion.

"Tsk, you three are going all out leaving me slim chance to shine," Armond complained before standing in front of Arthur, "I promise you to train you best in swords. You will be the most ferocious one over there. Defense? Huh, what does a swordsman need a defense for? Gears? That's lame, only a single sword and a single swordsman are needed, nothing else!

Offense? There is no comparison with a true swordsman, with due respect to my fellows here.

A swordsman life is sharp like the edge of his sword; attack to kill, and kill with single attack only. That's my motto."

He then added while taking a step back, "and I will train all of your group and anyone you recommend if they show interest in swords as well. That's my promise to you."

"Finally you finished your pathetic attempts," Amanda said before moving forward. "I will wait for you at my private courtyard," she only said this before retreating; from the entire hall!

"Are you this confident?" Mr. E laughed while watching her reach the door fast in calm steps and such a domineering attitude.

"He is mine, and other masters are the ones who should aim to gain his interest," she simply replied before vanishing behind the door of the hall.

"Such arrogance," Slone shook his head, "I wish I have some of this as well!"

"She is pretty sure of her win, after all… she is Amanda," Cesile sighed, before looking at Arthur, "what's your call then? Whom will you choose among us?"

Arthur was on his own world, thinking deeply about their offers and how he could use these well. He needed all of these services, if not for him then for all of his large followers.

For instance, he would send Agnus and Madly to train under Slone's guidance. He also would recommend Gor and Deem to learn from Otman. As for Armond, he would send Amelia, Randy, and Omar to learn from him.

Cesile would best to train his big warriors, especially Sara, Tina, and the scorpion he had. They were very offensive and played a great role in all his attacks.

As for himself, he would train under all, keeping Amanda exclusively for him.

"What's your decision, kid? We don't have the entire time to waste here," one of the elders said in a rude way, expressing his uninterest in attending here.

"Give him some time," yet Mr. E stood on his side, "this isn't a simple decision to make."

"Humph, hopefully he wouldn't wait for my funeral to decide."

Arthur felt the enmity clear in the tone of that man, yet he didn't bother much about it. He knew the great clans and guilds had their own pawns inside the academy.

What he did, either inside the test or in the academy after his return, would stir up trouble no doubt. Plus, he didn't remove the possibility of many of them already collaborating with dark clans.

"I have decided," he then said loudly, attracting everyone's attention.

"Finally," and that man said, trying to demote the high attention Arthur had. "Tell us kid, which one you chose with your brilliant sense and extraordinary mind?" he added, in a way that showed mocking rather than appreciation.

"I will choose them all," and Arthur just smiled, as his answer descended upon all like thunder.

"What have you just said? All of them? What do you think you are?!!!" and the aggressive elder said first, trying to gain support for his claims.

"It's…" and Mr. E paused, not knowing what to say, "really a first incident in the academy to have more than two masters for one disciple."

He paused for long moments, while everyone was eyeing him. He was the head of the elders' council, a presence that had much influence upon most of the other elders here.

His word would be heard and many would follow.

"Do you know that each master has certain tasks to be fulfilled? Failing some for some time will make others claim to deprive you from this master?" and he didn't rush to say his decision, instead he expressed his thoughts.

"Tasks like what?" Arthur asked, trying to know better about his next life in the academy.

"Take Slone for instance, he will give you the task of making a certain number of gears each week. If you fail to comply with the numbers, or satisfy the quality, you will have a bad report from him."

Mr. E then turned to glance over the four masters here, "any master can't cover up the slaking of his disciples; these are the rules that all follow to the letter. Plus that," he then turned again to Arthur, "you need to attend their lessons, study them and try to apply these to you."

"Can't I have some followers help me in these tasks?" Arthur asked, trying to see any loophole here to exploit. If it was only up to him to do these tasks, then this choice of his would exhaust him to death!

He also had to think about his city and imperial project he had there! He needed time to go and come without being pressured.

"Sure, but you need to make a certain percentage of your duties yourself. Plus don't trust your group so much, not everyone is a genius like yourself."

"Then I choose to stick to my decision," Arthur didn't doubt the ability of the ones he would choose. After all he had a large number of followers, not a mere hundred.

He already had some in his mind!

"This can't be! No disciple should be allowed to mock out the teaching system like this!" and yet another elder spoke up, trying to stir others to support him and his ally's stand against Arthur.