"There may be Keepers nearby and this battle may be a simulation, but that does not mean this will be 100% safe. The simulation uses unique light magic to create an illusion of a dragon and incorporates other elements to give it life."
"The summoned dragon is nothing compared to an actual dragon, except it still has a life of its own. This means you all need to stay on your guard," our combat instructor says to us while surveying the entire class.
One section of the noble class has a combat class first thing in the morning.
We all meet outside to have a class in the South Arena.
For reference, the South Arena is on the opposite side of the North Arena where Leena and I fought. People whisper to each other, not knowing what all of this is about. Unfortunately, I knew what all of it is about.
"You are all about to fight against a copy we summoned with our magic of the A-Class dragon referred to as Frost Fang," our combat instructor tells us while watching our reactions.
Even I know about Frost Fang.
In Magic and Emotions's extra chapters, Justus mentions that to have the best chance to defeat or tame a dragon, you must link yourself with it through physical touch and the essence of the magic in your soul. It sounded easy then when I read it; I think to myself, as the copy of the dragon is being summoned by the magic of the Keeper's present.
"You are lucky we did not make you all fight against the S-Class Elemental Dragons. We do not expect you to defeat the copy of Frost Fang, either. To pass this test, you must survive and be conscious for ten minutes against the dragon by working together."
"I suggest you avoid its frozen breath," the combat instructor says as she steps away from the summoning ritual.
The Keepers pour their light magic into the center of a summoning circle, creating a massive energy ball of light. On each side of a Keeper is a fourth-year water mage student who pours their ice magic into the energy ball of light as well.
One powerful earth user student pours the essence of their magic into the energy ball. The ball of light turns yellow and green with the elemental magic growing in size as it sizzles with power. An immense wave of light blinds all of us temporarily.
Once the dust and light settle, we all hear an unsettling roar that gives each of us goosebumps. I am pretty sure the surrounding temperature just dropped by thirty degrees as well.
"Good luck," says the combat instructor, as the Keepers use their light magic to reflect light and conceal themselves from the copy of Frost Fang.
The copy of Frost Fang does not seem happy to be created.
Everything from the appearance and aura of copy Frost Fang screams cold emotions. For a few moments, copy Frost Fang does nothing to any of us. That is until one dumb jerk runs up to it with a sword, screaming like a dummy to antagonize it.
I forget to mention that in this fight; the Keepers give us swords, axes, shields, etc. to fight against the dragon as if it is an actual threat. In some ways, it is an enormous threat.
The dummy does zero damage to Frost Fang.
The damage that is caused is copy Frost Fang smothering said dummy in his breath of frozen despair. The dragon's breath can freeze over an entire village.
No wonder it is an A-class.
In five minutes, 75% of the class either gives up, gets knocked out, or is frozen by the dragon. I feel bad for them to be kicked out of the academy they worked so hard to be in; I think to myself as I dodge copy Frost Fang's tail strike.
In some ways, I think it would be good if they leave the academy because it means they can escape the Eradicators in disguise from the academy.
However, throughout the entirety of Tarondar and around Terrathis, many Eradicators are keeping track of humans in disguise as Keepers. Many people are still under their illusion.
Smack!
As I am lost in thought for a second, the dragon's tail whips back around. I raise my shield in time to prevent having my bones broken. Instead, I am pushed back a few feet from the ground as the impact dents my shield.
In just a few more minutes, I will pass this test. The surrounding people keep getting frozen or knocked out by copy Frost Fang. Any magic below the seventh affinity level has a zero impact on Frost Fang. Only powerful fire magic has any chance against it.
"Flaro! Flaro! Flaro!" Leena loudly declares as she swiftly launches huge fireballs from her wand at the dragon. The fireball's impact on the dragon makes it reel back in anger as it stings the dragon.
Leena's affinity magic might be low, but her raw power rivals at minimum seventh level affinity. The smoke clears as copy Frost Fang targets Leena by gathering a ball of blue ice energy in its mouth.
"Eighth level affinity magic, Whirlwind Fist!" A voice shouts out from the other side. A boy wind mage, enhanced by the swirling air around him, flies into the sky in an instant and punches copy Frost Fang in the neck.
SLAM!
The force of the air punch from the boy is so forceful it knocks back copy Frost Fang into the wall, causing the dragon to have momentary confusion. The delayed wind strikes from the punch blast cause the dragon to have cuts in its flesh.
"I forgot to tell you about him," Leena says as she runs up to me. "That boy wind mage is named Zephyr Uracain from the House of Uracain. He is the strongest first-year wind mage and his father is the strongest wind mage in all of Tarondar. His father currently serves as the general of Tarondar's magical air force. I am friends with him," Leena says proudly.
As if to prove a point, Zephyr proceeds to tornado kick copy Frost Fang another few feet in the opposite direction. Leena runs toward Zephyr, and I follow her. All the other students are too scared to fight the monster, so they hide around the arena.
"Hey Zephy!" Leena shouts out toward Zephyr. He looks up at the noise, and I see him grinning. "Hey Le Le!" Zephy replies to Leena.
As Leena introduces Zephyr and me to each other, in the background, the dragon picks itself back up. My eyes notice a girl with blue hair on the ground by the dragon.
Copy Frost Fang is about to stomp the student into the ground. I have to take action because I know the Eradicators do not care about human life unless it can be used as a valuable tool.
"No!" I scream out loud as Zephyr and Leena look at where I am running to.
CRUNCH!