9 The Beastly Dragon Part I

The rest of the day was quite uneventful after being hit by at least four more pieces of chalk. Each one hit me right in between the eyes. The only reason I was able to tell that it was Professor Mason was because he would giggle every time I would glare at him.

Aside from healing, which was this academy's specialty, and magesmithing, professors from the alchemy, crystallography, and ethology departments made presentations.

Alchemy is essentially magical chemistry. One time use weapons also fall under this category. A lot of the products under alchemy include pills, potions, and poisons. Alchemy also includes botany and herbalism.

Crystallography pertains to magic crystals. This is a very delicate profession that involves the entire process that is required to obtain a usable crystal. It covers mining, transport, and processing.

Ethology is the study of animal familiars. They can either be summons, tamed beasts, or elementals. Magical beasts have immense combat prowess and if used properly can become a deadly weapon. Summons are also very useful. They are summoned through the use of magical formations and can vary in level of power. Elementals are born from a mage and grow along with them. As long as you can provide mana to it, the elemental will never die. It only truly dies when the mage does.

After the final presentation, Yanni and I walked back to our dorm rooms together. It actually turns out that he lives right down the hall from me. This would be convenient as we are each other's only friends at the moment.

I opened my door and walked into my room. Almost immediately, my eyes were drawn to my desk. On it was a small box.

I slowly approached the desk. The box didn't look like anything to be concerned about so I picked it up. Upon further inspection, it was just a normal box. With nothing else to do, I opened it. Inside was a small note and an orb. The orb looked like glass with ornate metal designs across its surface.

Picking up the note, I read it slowly. "Channel mana into the orb at sunset. I will be waiting. -Headmaster Lichstein"

I tilted my head in confusion. "This wasn't in the handbook." Looking over to the "window" it was about sunset. I decided to go grab dinner quickly before I had to use the orb. Not wanting to waste time, I grabbed a to go meal after exchanging points for it and then rushed back to my room, eating on the way.

By the time I arrived at my room, I had finished the meal and was now sitting at the desk in front of the orb. The sun was about half way down the horizon so I thought now was about time.

I lifted the orb carefully and closed my eyes. For all I knew, this could be the last thing I ever do. I channeled mana into the orb. Suddenly, my back side hit the ground. I was startled and opened my eyes. The ground my ass hit was definitely not the rug in my room.

Before I could even take in my surroundings, something was pulled over my head and my vision went dark. I was lifted by my arms and dragged along the floor. All I could see as I was dragged through what I presumed was a hallway were the lights of lamps.

Suddenly, whoever was carrying me let go of my arms and I was now on my knees. I was scared out of my mind. However, I had one thought going through my mind. That thought was to offer no resistance. If these people had the resources to not only get into a royal academy but to also get into the highly protected rooms of the students, I stood no chance against them.

I waited in silence for several minutes. During these painfully long minutes, I heard several others being dragged next to me. They were all released in the same way and we all stayed on our knees in silence.

Suddenly, a booming voice sounded off. "Welcome, initiates. Before we get started, I must inform you of something. While you are a part of this group, you are considered property of the Dragon Kingdom. If anything happens to you, the guilty party will be pursued to no ends. All information regarding this group is highly confidential. The disclosure of any such information will result in the immediate execution of you, your associates, and all those connected with them. Any objections?"

Silence pervaded the room. If a pin were to be dropped, everyone would quite literally be able to hear it. The voice then continued. "If there are no objections, please remove your blindfolds."

I reached up and pulled the bag off of my head. What greeted my eyes was shocking. In front of me were all six headmasters, the king, the queen, the first prince, the mad man, and a few other faces I did not recognize.

King Arthur smiled. "Welcome to the Beastly Dragon. You are now a part of the most elite mages in this kingdom's history. Allow me to introduce you to some of the less familiar faces since you already know the headmasters. This is Professor Samuel Mason of the White Dragon… After this is my dear friend, Duke Dimitri Skolovsky…" He continued introducing all of the people. There were about 20 highly prominent figures standing before me.

While he was listing off names, I finally got around to looking at some of the other people that were dragged here with me. I only recognized one person out of the 10 students. It blew my mind that only 10 students from the thousands that were admitted to the academy were chosen for this.

Arthur was still talking. "Now that I have introduced everyone, let's have you all get a bit more comfortable. Follow me to the lounge please."

Everyone got up quickly and followed the king. I rushed over the Yanni and elbowed him. "Psst. What's up?"

Yanni snapped out of his shock and then smiled when he saw me. "I knew there was something unusual about you."

I shrugged. "Was I the only one that thought I was gonna die?"

Suddenly a deep voice answered from behind us. "I felt the same way when I was recruited. Now I just feel old."

Yanni and I both turned our heads quickly. Yanni's eyes lit up. "Dad!"

Dimitri smiled. "Congratulations. You are going to make a great duke one day. Would you mind introducing me to your friend?"

Yanni nodded and smiled. "Of course. Dad, this is Callum of Shellham. It's a small town in the south of the kingdom." He then turned to me. "Callum, this is my dad, Duke Skolovsky."

Dimitri raised his brow. "Callum, huh? King Arthur has told me about you. I have heard that you have been taught by Archmage Janna."

I nodded. "That is indeed true, my lord duke."

Dimitri laughed. "If you are a friend of my son's, you are a friend of mine. Please, call me Dimitri." He then leaned in and whispered to me. "It's a little known fact but I call the king by his first name behind closed doors."

I laughed nervously. "Anyways, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Dimitri nodded and smiled. "The pleasure is all mine. Take good care of my son and if you can, try and convince him to at least go on a date with the princess."

Yanni nearly choked. "Dad!"

Dimitri laughed. "Come on! Nothing would make the king and I more happy than for our children to marry." His head then popped up and he laughed nervously. "It would seem that his majesty has noticed my absence. I must be going!" He disappeared.

Yanni's expression sunk. "Sorry about him."

I laughed quietly. "Don't worry about it. Your dad seems like fun."

We finally reached the lounge and everyone took their seats. Even the king was sitting on a bench with the queen.

Arthur relaxed. This was something he would never do in the presence of his subjects but this group was different. "We will become quite familiar with each other over the years. Thus, there is no need for any further introductions. Let's get down to business. You may come out now."

There was only silence. Suddenly I felt a hot breath go down my neck. A startlingly deep and powerful voice shook the air around me. "Hmmmm. Interesting."

Arthur laughed. "Have you found a new toy, Thanatos?"

A huge beast slowly approached the king and laid down, plopping its head in his lap. He started scratching its head. "Arthur, that boy smells… interesting."

Arthur raised his brow. "Let's talk about this later." He then turned back to the group. "Let me introduce you to my old friend, Thanatos. He is a griffin." He paused for a moment to let that sink into the initiates' heads. "What sets the Beastly Dragon apart from the other academies is that we merge with a magical beast. As we grow, they grow with us and we share our powers. Think of them as a partner that will always be by your side. Thanatos will examine you and pair you with a beast that best suits you. For example, Professor Mason was paired with a sunbird. Thanatos, have you finished your examination?"

Everyone was confused, including me. Aside from smelling me, Thanatos has done nothing but lounge around next to the king. I was skeptical as to whether he actually examined anyone at all.

Thanatos nodded and got up. "I will be back." He then left the king's side and disappeared into the darkness. After a few minutes of awkward silence, the sound of a gate creaking open could be heard. The griffin then reappeared by the king's side and resumed his lounging. "It is done."

Arthur smiled. "Everyone sit tight. Your new companion will approach you shortly."

From the darkness, fifteen tiny beasts emerged. Most of the beasts were recognizable and comparable to something from Earth. There was a black snake, two large cats, a white wolf, a few birds that glowed with the powers of the elements, a spider, a few insects that emanated a gentle light, a crimson red bull, an orange nine tailed fox, a fish that floated in an orb of water, and a baby dragon.

Everyone's eyes immediately went to the dragon. I truly hoped that it would choose me. Unfortunately, I couldn't be so lucky as it walked right up to Yanni.

Dimitri shot up from his chair. "YES! I KNEW HE WOULD GET ONE JUST LIKE ME!"

Arthur glared at him. "Sit and be quiet. You'll never change, will you?"

Dimitri shrugged as he sat back down with a smug grin on his face. This was probably the happiest moment in his entire life.

I watched as the beasts approached everyone. I patiently waited but none of them came to me.

As if reading my mind, Thanatos spoke. "Don't worry, young one. He is observing you."

I nodded and tried to remain calm. This was not easy as I thought I might have messed up already. Suddenly, two glowing blue eyes lit up in the darkness behind the griffin. They started swaying as they approached the light.

Every single adult present gasped in surprise. Arthur smirked. "Thanatos, are you sure he is the one?"

Thanatos nodded. "Arthur, have I ever been wrong?"

Arthur laughed. "Very well."

The eyes kept approaching until their body emerged into the light. It was a small black wolf with a beautiful coat of matte fur. It had a long bushy tail that slowly wagged in curiosity. On its back were two wings that resembled those of a dragon.

The wolf stretched out its wings. As it did, a gentle blue flame began to emanate off of it. The fringes of this flame tapered to a pitch black. It slowly walked towards me and then sat down, staring me in the eyes. It tilted its head in curiosity as it examined me.

Thanatos cleared his throat. "Let me tell you about your partners. I will keep it brief for now as you will learn more in the magical ethology courses. Each of them are the children of magical beasts with unimaginable power. They dominate their territories with unrivaled power. Your partnership with their children represents the bridge between the beasts and humanity. We will now begin the bonding ritual."

Arthur waved his hand and a small pouch appeared in the air in front of each of the initiates. "Inside the bag is a ring and a collar. Put the ring on your finger and gently fasten the collar onto your companion. Once that is done, we will continue."

Before even looking inside the bag, I slowly reached down and gently placed my hand on the wolf's head. I then gently scratched it and its tail wagged slowly. I smiled. Despite those demonic wings, it's kinda cute.

I opened the sack and put on the ring. I then fastened the collar around the wolf's neck, making sure it wasn't too tight. Once I was done, I looked back towards the king.

Arthur noticed everyone was done so he continued. "All that is left is to channel mana into the ring."

I hesitated for a moment. I did not know what to expect. Would this hurt? How long would it take? I decided that there was only one way to find out. Thus, I channeled mana into the ring.

For a moment I felt nothing. However, I was quickly surprised. I started to feel different. I felt the powers of the elements shaking in my body, as if they were jumping in joy. This then turned into a pulling at my navel.

Suddenly, I heard a soft but childish voice in my head. 'Greetings, human.'

I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. Am I hearing things?

The voice laughed. 'I'm right in front of you, silly human.'

I suddenly shot out of my stupor and looked down. The wolf was grinning. 'Wolves can talk?'

The voice scoffed. 'Do I look like a wolf?'

I thought for a moment. 'No, you don't.'

The wolf nodded. 'Exactly. I'm not some common wolf, I'm a Kludde. I have a name too, silly human.'

I laughed internally. 'I have never heard of such a beast and I have a name too, you know?'

The kludde jumped up onto my lap and curled into a ball. 'Let's start over then. I am Okami. What shall I call you, human?'

I smiled. 'My name is Callum. Nice to meet you.'