CHAPTER 45: CLAWREAPER

Like usual the day always began with combat class, but the sun was extra hot today.

Jayden and his other three roommates got to the combat hall five minutes before lectures were scheduled to kick off.

They confidently went to Troy’s group and offered they exchange badges just as Mr Tony had demanded.

Troy looked at Jayden with an irritated expression. "I thought you finally grew brains and dropped out of school. There’s no use in your being here without a beast"

Jayden scoffed, "What? You’re tired of having a beastless student take your top badge every day? I’m glad you enjoyed the two-week break while it lasted, but now, I’m back, so, hand over."

Troy stood up angrily and bumped his chest into Jayden. "Don’t get croaky because of luck you idiot.

Jayden looked both sides then back at Troy with his palm open, "You’re gonna pass the badge or get in trouble with Mr Tony."

Troy’s teeth were clenched, chest rising and falling. He snatched the team 24 badges from Jayden and replaced them with his team’s badge, and before stumbling away with his team, he almost pushed his finger into Jayden’s eyes, "Watch your back."

Tyler bumped his shoulder into Jayden. "You’re purposely pulling his leg right?"

Jayden turned around and led his team to the front seats, "I just need something to practice my new techniques on."

Murmurs filled the hall while Jayden’s team made their way past.

"Are you gossiping about me? Stop, don’t look at me!" Baby Draco panicked, threatening everyone who looked at him.

His uniform sleeves had to be folded up twice to fit his length, and the same for the trousers.

It was fucken hard to see him looking like a bone in a sack and not laugh or imagine what might have happened to him.

Soon enough, the classes began with their warm-up exercises: squats, jogging, push-ups. And finally engaged in a fun game of Tug Of War, boys on one side and girls on the other.

And yeah, the boys did win, while the girls kept on screaming for reasons I’m yet to figure out.

And despite the fun, neither Jayden nor Zoe approached each other. Maybe he was still waiting for the perfect timing.

Well, guess today’s classes were all about bodybuilding.

Classes were dismissed and just as Jayden was about to leave...

"May I have a word with you, Mr Jayden?" Professor Troy called out.

Jayden hung his backpack and headed for the professor and of course, baby Draco tagged along.

"Anything the matter sir?"

The professor waited until the class was empty, then asked, "Where did you both run to for two weeks and what happened to Sir Draco?"

"Hmph" Jayden folded his arms, "none of your business, anything more important? I’m starving."

"Oh sorry," the professor said politely, "how about the deal with the Managing Director? What do you say?"

Jayden thought for a second, "We’ll help, under the condition that my beast stays a secret."

The professor waved them as they left, "You have my word, Sir,"

Jayden nodded his head, ’He’s being all respectful, all because I’m a third-generation tamer.’

Baby Draco romanced the single string of beard that was left for him, "It’s an honour for us to be fighting in a tournament, don’t you think?"

"No, I think it’s too much of an exposure."

☆☆☆

At Beast Ecology classes, Mr Williams was introducing one of the level two farm threats.

"The Clawreaper is one of the most physiologically altered beasts which scientists have yet to discover what it was before mana transformed it into the eight-legged, segmented-bodied, and scissor-like mandible beast it is now", the professor pointed to the drawing on the projector.

"Eww! It looks like an ant" one of the students said, shielding his gaze from the projector.

"Yes" the professor nodded at the boy, "but scientists would have believed that if this beast wasn’t the size of a thirteen-year-old kid."

"Huu?" Almost the full class rasped.

"Is that thing supposed to be in a level two dungeon?"

Jayden looked at baby Draco and measured his size. He nodded, "For a beast, it sure is large."

"The Clawreaper," Mr Williams continued, "has tens of special abilities, capable of shooting toxic folic acid from its maw, it beats Jurraic Moles when it comes to digging the ground, also capable of moulting an adult human skin in thirty seconds"

Students swallowed their breaths in their throats.

"There are more of its dangerous aspects, but I’d believe experiencing the beast first-hand would be the best way to keep its many aspects at the back of your mind forever.

Like always, the beast flaws are yours to find out if you don’t wanna get skinned alive.

The beast is named Clawreaper, ranked no. 175 on the United States beast rankings, so do your research. The deeper you go, the safer your life, because the level two dungeon is gonna be your examination venue.

Class dismissed.

"Hmph." Jayden scoffed, "What a man, only tells us the scary path so we learn on our own.

Jayden packed up and left for the cafeteria. They went to their usual seat, but baby Draco didn’t find where to sit since all the tables had only three chairs each.

"Come sit on my leg" Tyler proposed.

Baby Draco frowned, what an embarrassment, but what choices did he have?

He sat on Ryan’s thighs.

They ordered Jellof spaghetti and like always, the bills were on Jayden.

Jayden looked around the hall but couldn’t find Zoe or any of her roommates.

He ate quickly and excused himself, then went and bought food in three takeaway containers, also stopping outside to get some popcorn.

Now, he stood outside room 3, Zoe’s room. Before knocking, he thought, ’I still don’t know what to tell her about that drawing having her dad’s name, but well, lemme just hope things work out for the better.’

He took a deep breath and then knocked politely on the door.

He heard Natasha and Ella asking each other if they planned to have any visitors but couldn’t pick up Zoe’s voice.

"Who the hell is there?" Natasha said as she twitched open the handle.