Who Provided You With The Skeleton King?

"A challenge? And to Master Christopher... what a delightful spectacle that will be," the Dean remarked, a sly smile gracing his lips as he settled back into his seat.

Monica's gaze swept across the arena, taking in the expectant audience, before she sighed. "Are you certain about this?" she asked.

"Absolutely! And when I triumph, all his points will be mine!" Leon declared arrogantly.

"How quaint... some individuals seem eager to experience defeat," Katherine commented with a knowing smile.

"Why such confidence? Do you truly believe your brother can overcome him?" Chloe inquired, turning to Katherine.

"I don't merely believe, I know. None among them can defeat my brother, not even if they combined their strength. He will emerge victorious," she stated, her smile radiating pride.

Chloe raised an eyebrow, finding Katherine's confidence almost unnerving. 'Is Christopher truly that formidable?' she wondered, her curiosity piqued.

"Hmm... Leon's challenge is unexpected, but it will serve to reveal Christopher's true capabilities," Adrian observed, a faint smile playing on his lips.

The two individuals beside him nodded in agreement.

"What say you, Master Christopher?" Monica asked, turning her attention to him.

"Is a challenge permissible within the rules of this competition?" Christopher inquired in return.

"What? Are you afraid? Too cowardly to accept my challenge?" Leon taunted, a smirk spreading across his face.

"Afraid? Of you... Why would I fear someone an ant could crush?" Christopher retorted, a grin spreading across his face.

"You!!" Leon sputtered, momentarily speechless.

"Enough!" Monica's voice rang out, silencing the exchange. "Master Christopher, what is your decision?" she asked.

"If it's a challenge he desires, then a challenge he shall receive," Christopher replied with a smile.

"You actually accepted? Do you truly believe your meticulously crafted stage beasts can rival my beast? Let me enlighten you... you prevailed in a game, but this is reality!" Leon exclaimed.

"You attribute my victory to a simulation? I perceive that many of you share this sentiment... very well, I shall endeavor to clarify my strength," Christopher stated, his smile widening.

"Very well... you may commence!" Monica announced, as the audience fixed their gazes on Christopher, anticipating the summoning of his beasts.

After a prolonged silence, Leon and the entire arena were dumbfounded.

"Are you not summoning a beast?" Leon questioned.

"It is unnecessary," Christopher replied in a composed tone, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

"You!! Very well then!! Do not kill him, merely humiliate him!" Leon commanded.

The Skeleton King lunged forward, its sword slicing through the air as it advanced towards Christopher.

'An opportune moment to test my new skills,' Christopher mused.

He extended his hand towards the charging skeleton and uttered three words: "[Life Force Manipulation]."

His hand glowed with an ethereal red light, and before the stunned eyes of everyone present, the Skeleton King lost control of its body and levitated into the air.

"....."

Leon was speechless.

"Is that...?" The Dean stammered, rising to his feet.

"Life force manipulation?" Monica whispered, her eyes wide with horror. "I thought only master-level tamers could master it?" she added.

"Much like flying, any tamer can attempt it... but those who succeed are geniuses among geniuses! One in a million!" The Dean exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.

"You know... I have rarely been challenged so openly," Christopher remarked, raising his hand, lifting the Skeleton King higher.

"You are the first," he said.

'Mitchell could have been the first, but you have taken his place,' he thought inwardly.

"Therefore, I must impart some manners," he declared.

With a casual flick of his wrist, he slammed the Skeleton King into the ground.

BAM!!!!

Leon's face drained of color.

"You?! To wield such power over a legendary stage beast with a combat strength of level eight, you are no ordinary student! What level do you possess?!" he demanded.

"Everyone knows I was a legendary level tamer," Christopher replied.

"Was? What does he mean by that?" Chloe asked, her brow furrowed in confusion, turning to Katherine.

"Uh?"

She was stunned, noticing a smirk on her friend's face.

_

"Was?" The Dean stepped forward on his platform, eager to witness the spectacle without obstruction. "Does that mean he achieved a breakthrough?" Monica asked, her voice laced with disbelief. "In a single day?!" she added.

Christopher lifted the Skeleton King once more and slammed it into the ground, shattering some of its bones.

"I stated that deploying my beasts against a weakling like you would be excessive," he reiterated, advancing towards Leon. With each step Christopher took, Leon retreated in fear.

"You should know that the Valhalla family is not one to be trifled with or humiliated!" he added coldly, continuing his approach towards the pale Leon.

"I... I would never dare to challenge the Valhalla family!" Leon stammered.

"Yet, you targeted the eldest son of the Valhalla family! Had you somehow defeated me, or, shall we say, humiliated me... you would have tarnished the name and reputation of my family, and I cannot allow that to pass," Christopher stated, and moved, appearing before Leon.

Caught off guard by his speed, Leon stumbled backward, landing on his rear.

The audience erupted in laughter, but Christopher's next words silenced every soul in the arena.

"Who provided you with the Skeleton King? You have ten seconds to reveal the truth, or this guy will perish," he threatened.

"What?!" The Dean was rendered speechless.

"Using another's tamed beast in a competition is a violation of the rules, punishable by disqualification and a year-long ban!" Monica exclaimed, her voice laced with shock.

The audience's expressions turned grim. This would bring disgrace upon them and their academy!

"What are you implying, Master Christopher?! I trust you comprehend the consequences of falsely accusing Master Leon!" The Dean finally interjected, levitating from his platform and landing calmly before the two.

"This?! He is lying!" Leon quickly rose to his feet. "I would never use another's beast!" he yelled.

"Master Leon, should Master Christopher's allegations prove true, you will face the academy's punishment, and your match against Master Mitchell will be forfeited," The Dean announced.

"What?!" Leon was stunned.