CHPT 26: Who’s in my corner?

Claude watched as Samuel walked over to his table with the assumed upperclassmen following him like a pack of hungry hyenas.

Samuel wore a black and purple top with black jeans, seeming to fully embrace the class the system granted him. His assumed new friends wore varying shades of dark colors and they all had thick black bracelets with the familiar Phoenix insignia.

"So, I've got to say. You were ugly before, but now.....god damn your hideous." Samuel said through an evil sneer once he reached Claudes table.

The crowd of students seemed to go back to their own social circles so the only eyes on Claude were Samuels and his lapdogs.

The comment Samuel made seriously pissed off Claude since his features were becoming a bit of a sore spot for him. In fact he was so angry he forgot about his social anxiety.

Claude lifted his head and met eyes with every one of his attempted tormentors to show them he was up for a challenge. After thoroughly meeting everyone's eyes, his fell back on the sky blue orbs of pure arrogance that were Samuels eyes.

"Would you rather I be pretty?...Samuel, do you swing for THAT team?...Gasp! Is that why there's only one female in your group of smug dumbasses?" Claude asked with a sadistic smile.

Samuels nose twitched in a snarl like manner as he tried to hold in his anger, his anger soon overflowed and he shoved Claudes tray of food off the table and into the wall 20ft away. The loud noise drew the attention of all the students in the mess hall.

Claude knocked his bag over as he shot to his feet ready to send his now food covered fist into Samuels face. He could feel his immense anger making his knees weak and his breaths deepen.

"Come on then Claude, you think you can do better than the last time we fought? Do you think you can even land a hit, you ugly bastard!" Samuel said harshly as he got a rise out of some of the spectators.

"If I remember correctly, in our last fight you had to cheat after I knocked you on your privileged ass." Claude said as an oncoming adrenaline rush began to surge through him in preparation for a fight.

The students watched as a fight seemed to be on the verge of starting. The handsome knight and his followers against a rugged and enraged looking young man with nobody in his corner. One of the onlookers got up but nobody paid them any attention.

Claude and Samuel stared eachother down for what seemed like an eternity, and then randomly they both swung in what seemed to be perfect sync.

WOOSH!

WOOSH!

The students gasped as both Claude and Samuels fists were mere inches away from each others faces.

Samuels punch was stopped by the girl who first made eye contact with Claude and alerted Samuel of his position.

"As much as he deserves it, you don't want to be on the Professors shit list so soon, Samuel." She said.

Samuel kept his eyes on Claude, ignoring the fist in front of his face. "Yes your right, Alessia, I don't need to waste my time on human filth like this anyway."

Claude quickly glanced at who caught his fist before looking back at Samuel.

"The string bean is right Claude, it's not worth it." Ursula said, agreeing with Alessia as well as pointing out her tall and lanky figure.

Samuel and his followers walked off confidently as they went to go chat with other students. The crowd seemed to crown them the victors of the standoff.

After Claude relaxed he was left feeling nervous and unsure of what to do. Ursula sat across from him calmly eating.. she looked happy actually.

"Erhm...we're on good terms right?" Claude asked with an uneasy expression.

"I thought we established that we're cool, you just have to let me save you once." She said

"Right..." Claude said as he started to wipe his food covered hand off on his pants.

Ursula watched Claude for a while, just thinking about how different he was when he was angry. After watching him fiddle nervously for a while longer she couldn't help but laugh.

"Pfft. You really don't talk to people much do you?"

"Huh? No no, I talk."

"Oh yea? Who do you talk to when your not here." Ursula said as she looked around showing she meant the University.

Claude choked on his words but wouldn't back down so he spit out the first thing that came to mind. "Frosty...erm...I talk to Frosty outside of the University." After Claude said it he realized how stupid he sounded and succumbed to the overwhelming feeling of embarrassment.

"Aweee! He sounds so cute, but dogs don't count." Ursula said in a mocking tone as she scooped up the last of her food.

"Yea, well he's not a dog..and he's not cute." Claude said triumphantly.

"Hm?" She said intrigued.

"He's a Pit-Wolf."

Ursula was stunned, even mid tier level Beast Tamers had trouble taming Pit-Wolves due to their innate aggressive and almost manic anger that caused them to resist being subdued and instead fighting to death— of the Tamer or themselves.

"You really are meant to be a Beast Tamer huh?" She asked in awe.

Claude considered the question. It made him rather curious about something.

"Speaking of Classes, when the hell were you Reborn??" Claude asked

"Me?? Uhm...at the infirmary...after the battle. A bunch of guards were trying to stop me from getting to someone and I accidentally threw them into a wall and broke a door..hehe." Ursula responded almost looking bashful— which looked very odd on such a physically imposing female.

"That's impressive, what class did you receive?" He asked.

"Berserker." Ursula answered proudly as she placed her thick calloused hands on her hips.

***

Berserker: A strong melee class with tank like abilities involving damage mitigation and short durations of borderline invincibility. This class focuses the users rage and makes it their source of power in battle.

***

"Yea, that sounds about right." Claude said as he smiled slightly.

"Oh shut up." She said through a knowing smile.