Spar

Ashton nodded, a friendly fight would help him forget the terror he just witnessed.

"Lead the way Kayman."

Kayman nodded back. He then walked down the stretched out hallway back to the front entrance.

"Through here is the courtyard you probably saw on your way in. Generally it's separated into a few sections for the students at different levels from one to four. That way we can't be with our peers for learning or sparring."

Kayman led Ashton to the center of the courtyard.

"This is where the first steps gather."

Looking around Ashton could clearly see ten or twelve kids all around his age in each of the smaller sections. He noticed that the first step area was filled with younger teenagers and a couple kids. Ashton could see Isabella fighting with a boy off in the distance.

They all wore the same violet robes with the flame on the back. Ashton felt very out of place as he had forgotten to change back in his room.

The fight itself was happening too quickly for Ashton to keep pace perfectly, but he could catch most movements. Isabella was clearly upset.

Ashton could practically smell her frustration from here, well hers and a few other kids from around the expansive courtyard.

*Snap Snap*

"Hello Iclite to Ashton?"

Kayman was snapping his fingers to get Ash's attention after Ash began to zone out.

Ashton quickly shook his head and with an embarrassed expression he said. "Sorry I have a tendency to get caught up in my surroundings"

"That's a Habit you're going to need to break if you wanna last long in this world. Come with me to the ring over here so we can spar." Kaymen had said all of this with a neutral expression until his voice perked up at the mention of a spar.

With Ashtons hearing he could make out a few conversations around them

"Kayman is at it again, he always picks a fight with every new kid to see if they will be a good sparring partner."

"He claims it's an initiation for new kids but I think he's just a battle maniac, and only people who haven't fought him before are willing to spar with him."

"He says a rival is the only way he will be able to move forward, and that none of us are worthy."

The last boy had a hateful expression on his face as he said that last part. The boy then kicked the dirt and walked away.

Ashton absorbed this knowledge, and his initial opinion of Kayman had changed a bit. Kayman wants a powerful adversary in his life for motivation to further his cultivation. 'Respectable' Ashton thought as he finished getting positioned in the dirt ring.

"Alright the rules are simple. If you tap out it's my point, the opposite is true as well. If I force you out of the ring, or you force me, then it's a point. If one of us ends up knocked out then that's an automatic win. Any questions?"

Ashton nodded "What does it mean to tap out?"

"If you put me in a position where I can no longer move, or breathe, or disabled and unable to fight back. I will tap you wherever I can, or the floor so you know to stop then you get a point. If I cannot move my hands I'll state that I tap or I give up. Obviously you will do the same.

"Ah okay sounds good when do we start?"

Kayman smirked while yelling, "NOW"

Kayman ran forward, jumped up into the air, and brought his heel directly down on Ashtons head. However Kayman wasn't anywhere near as fast as Grant, or Isabella. Ashton was able to quickly move his arms crossed above his head.

The axe kick landed hard on Ashtons arms and his guard was broken. Keeping the momentum Kayman sent another kick at Ashtons stomach.

Learning from his mistake Ashton tried to move to the side, and even though he could clearly see the kick coming his body didn't respond quickly enough.

Ashton was hit in his side, and he quickly moved further back to stay out of Kayman's reach.

"You really aint gonna go easy on me huh?" Ashton said while gasping slightly.

"If I go easy on you, how will either of us get better?" Kayman said as he prepared for another charge. Ashton quickly decided defense was going to get him nowhere. 'Bone Claws' He thought and charged to meet Kayman.

Foot met an armored fist as Kayman was repulsed back by Ashtons fist. Kayman's eyes widened realizing he could be in trouble. Ashton, not wanting to lose his opportunity to get a good hit in, reached out for Kayman's head after clasping his fingers, and the bone claws intermingled.

With his steady grip Ashton then pushed off his right foot with all his might while bringing his left knee soaring towards Kayman's face. Realizing the danger, Kayman swung both his palms downward to prevent Ashton's blow from landing.

As though history was repeating, Kaymans guard was broken as Ashton released his grip and to the best of his ability he swung his leg out to mirror Kayman's earlier kick to Ashtons stomach. The kick landed cleanly, Kayman was forced several feet backwards, his feet skidding until just the edge of the arena.

Kayman charged right back into the fray landing a hard right hook on Ashton. Ashtons head boggled to the side, but he jumped high and in another attempt to mirror Kayman, he performed an axe kick aiming for Kayman's shoulder.

The kick connected forcing Kayman to his knees. Kayman then jumped back words to create a small amount of distance between them.

"ALRIGHT! TIME TO GET SERIOUS" Kayman shouted as he moved in a low stance rushing in towards Ashton. While Kayman was charging forward Ashton noticed a blue aura spanning around Kayman.

Ashton had already seen this type of assault, so he rushed forward While paying attention to the aura.

Distracted Ashton lashed out with a heavy right hook, but Kayman moved just under it, stopping all his momentum, and he drove his fist to the heavens, hitting Ashtons jaw and sending Ashton a few feet in the air.

Ashton was caught entirely off guard. Falling with a hard thud he quickly tried to stand back up but found his balance all messed up. Kayman leaving nothing to chance dashed high in the air, flipping over and driving his heel towards Ashton once again.

"ENOUGH" Ashton shouted as his body changed instantaneously, Grabbing the outstretched heel of Kayman, slamming him down with a resounding *BOOM.* All the dirt around the area flew up.

Ashton stood at the side unsure if Kayman would be getting back up after that last hit. To be safe Ashton brought out his bone claws once again, Crouched low and prepared.

"HAhAHaHAAH" A loud laugh could be heard as the dust cleared around Kayman and his form stood tall there. "This is EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED"

Kayman drove forward once again, but dashed to Ashtons left side quickly pivoting, hoping, and using all his momentum to drive his foot backwards and into the side of Ashtons head propelling himself forward to stay out of Ashtons reach.

"ARGAHHH"

Ashton shouted and he got down on all fours and pounced on top of Kayman. He didn't have anytime to respond as was Ashton getting faster and faster as their combat went on.

In addition while in his beast form Ashton's stats increased. Not as much as other beasts but more than enough to surpass a normal cultivator of the first step.

Now on top of Kayman, Ashton yanked Kayman's wrists to his side and began to dig his knee into Kaymans much smaller frame.

"TAP OUT" Ashton growled into Kaymans face.

In response Kayman said "I give, I give no need to eat me haha."

Ashton got off of Kayman, and held his hand out for the smaller boy. Kayman took his hand, stood up taking in Ashtons immense size, he commented. "By the way just how high is your strength right now? You hit like a wild Binapsious Boar."

Ashton thought to himself 'Last i checked it was at forty but this was a wild fight'

"Let me check real quick"

{Transformed

Cursed Beast

Strength: 44

Finesse: 43

Vitality: 44

Skills:

Survivability: Advanced

Hunting: Advanced

Perception: Master

Stealth: Advanced

Hand to Hand: Novice

Abilities:

Bone Claws: Form claws of bone around your hand/claw Increases Strength

Life Steal: Restore your wounds with the blood of your enemies

Bottomless Stomach: You can eat, and eat, and eat

Blood Lust: boosts Perception to the max when hunting}

"It's at forty four right now, while human It will be lower." Ashton answered Kayman.

"Wow a werewolf in the flesh and blood, not only that You're fit to be my rival. You are the key to me climbing higher than everybody else."

"Is that so?" Ashton reverted to his usual self and said with a smirk. "from where i'm standing I'm pretty sure you are a battle crazed maniac who got his ass handed to him."

Kayman had a look of mock offence. "I'm the battle crazed maniac? You're a literal werewolf. Get into a few fights with me and we will see who's more crazy." Kayman spoke with flames burning in his eyes. "Get ready!"