Right To Challenge

[11:00 AM]

[DING!!]

Monica's voice echoed through the Vitality Academy's classrooms and hallways, causing all students to look up at the speakers.

["Students, I know some of you have already heard about the upcoming academy competition... And this year's rules state that only freshmen will participate."]

"Huh?" A wave of confusion rippled through the school.

"Why only freshmen?" someone questioned aloud.

From his seat, Adrian hissed, "Those bastards! Always looking down on us!"

"They're looking down on us because you lost last year," a voice drawled from behind him.

Adrian spun around to see Adonis smirking. "You! Who would have thought a student from the guardian academy would possess a Mystical-stage Beast?!" he retorted.

Adonis simply rolled his eyes. "Pretentions," he muttered under his breath.

In the front row, Chloe clenched her fists, her face tight with suppressed anger. Last year's loss in the competition had been a profound humiliation, especially as the Dean's apprentice and heiress to the prestigious Borodino family. She had been determined to erase that stain by winning this year with her three Mystical-stage beasts. The guardian academy's new rule felt like a deliberate slap in the face.

"Listen to the announcement!" their male teacher's sharp voice cut through the murmuring.

The class fell silent.

["We have ten brave students who volunteered to represent the academy... But as you all know, we only need four... So, we will be holding a friendly competition in about one hour. There will be no regular classes during this time, so you are all welcome to come and watch. Now, here are the names of the ten participants, and you will recognize some of them as they achieved good scores in the registration test."]

"Registration test?" Chloe was taken aback. She had been engrossed in intensive training during that period and was completely unaware of any such test or its outcomes.

"Miss Chloe, my brother took the test and won," Katherine, seated beside her, said with a bright smile.

"Brother? I thought Adonis already took the test?" Chloe asked, a hint of confusion in her voice.

"No... Not him, my elder brother."

"...."

Chloe was stunned. Before she could inquire further, Monica's voice continued through the speaker.

["First, Young Master Christopher of the Valhalla family, who effortlessly secured the first-place position in the test. I know many of you are already aware of the power of his Beasts. Second, Miss Advika Evander, who took second position. Her ruthlessness and skill proved to be an unstoppable force. Third, Young Master Mitchell of the Canine Family, who claimed third position with his impressive strength and strategic thinking. Fourth, the young miss of the Vanir family... And..."]

"Is Christopher really that powerful that he took first place even with Mitchell competing? And who is this Advika?" Chloe wondered aloud.

"Oh, she is my brother's disciple," Katherine replied casually.

"Come again?" Chloe turned to Katherine, utterly perplexed.

"Yeah... That's the truth. And her Beast is now just a step away from entering the Elite-stage, all thanks to following my brother's instructions."

'Christopher, who knows nothing about Beasts or being a tamer, is now the one giving instructions and having disciples?!' A small frown creased Chloe's brow.

"I will have to see this for myself," she muttered.

["Those are the names of the ten participants. Remember, the competition is at 12:00 PM today."]

Silence descended upon the school once more.

"Don't worry, my brother will still take first place," Adonis declared arrogantly, leaning back in his chair.

"You! My Father just got my sister two new Beasts! Do you really think Christopher can still come out on top?!" Adrian scoffed.

"Hmph!" Katherine snorted, glancing at Adrian, who sat a few feet away from her and Chloe. "Even if your sister had an entire menagerie of Beasts, my brother would still treat her like a child."

"You—!"

"Enough, you three. We will know the outcome after the competition," Chloe's sharp voice cut through the rising tension, silencing them instantly.

"Miss Chloe is right. Now everyone... Where were we?" the teacher asked, settling back into his seat.

"About Beasts' origin!" Angus quickly replied.

"Yes... Thank you," the teacher nodded and resumed the lesson.

For the remainder of the class, Chloe's mind was consumed by Christopher. How could the person she had always disliked for his personality suddenly become a Tamer, possibly even stronger than Mitchell?

__

Time flew by, and the hour for the friendly competition arrived. The Vitality Academy's beast arena was packed with tens of thousands of students, all seated and eagerly awaiting the spectacle.

"Tsk! Why are you here?" Bella spat out, noticing Adrian walking towards their section.

Katherine and Chloe turned to Adrian, who stopped in front of them.

"I'm not here for you, so shut up," Adrian retorted dismissively.

"You—!" Bella was momentarily speechless. If she hadn't been Katherine's close friend, she wouldn't have dared to speak to Adrian in such a way. She looked towards Katherine, who gave her a subtle nod and a small smile.

"Why are you here?" Katherine asked Adrian directly.

"I am here to speak to Miss Chloe, not you."

"Oh?" Chloe, who had been observing the arena, turned her attention back to him. "What is it about?" she inquired.

"Well... You know this year's competition is very important, so why don't we challenge the top four who win this friendly competition? Don't overthink it; I just want to make sure they are truly worthy."

"Worthy? You do realize that even if we defeat these four, they will still have to participate in the actual academy competition. Your challenge would be rather pointless then," Chloe replied, her gaze drifting back to the arena. "And if, by chance, they defeat us, wouldn't that be even more humiliating? I value my family's name and reputation too much for such a risk," she added pointedly.

Adrian was momentarily speechless. "But... don't you want to know Christopher's true strength?" he finally asked.

"Why not simply sit back and allow him to demonstrate his full strength during the academy competition?" She turned to him again, her expression cool and unwavering.

"You..." Adrian trailed off, at a loss for words.

"Okay then... The other two have already agreed. We don't need you to join; the three of us can challenge them," he stated before turning and walking away.

Chloe watched his retreating figure for a few moments, then sighed softly.

'He knows Christopher has been hiding his abilities, and his immature mind can't comprehend it. I understand his apprehension. How can someone who seemingly knew nothing about Beasts suddenly become more powerful than those of us who have been tamers for years?'