Three years later

Lafang: A painting can mean a number of things. It could be an artist's emotions, synesthesia, or perhaps to simply catch a fleeting memory. One must also consider how it can make the viewer feel. People have been known to cry at the sight of a beautiful work of art.

Lafang thought to himself with an air of pretence, staring at the painting on the wall of his favorite cafe, Laslow. The cafe was a stone structure from the outside, but the inside was rustic with wooden tables, and chairs. Local painters liked to sell their art here.

The waitress Nora approaches Lafang's table.

Nora: Hey Lala! What can I getcha?

Nora was a beautiful cat-girl with lush brown fur. Lafang knew her well considering he came by everyday.

Lafang: Matcha tea with ringray juice.

Nora: I don't see how you drink that ick.

Ringray fruit is a spicy, sweet, pyramid shaped strawberry.

Lafang: Eh I like it.

Nora: Your graduation is a few days from now. Ya nervous?

Lafang: I don't sweat the small stuff.

Nora: You sure are laid back. You know you're the first at the academy to graduate early since kai.

Lafang: And?

Nora: I'm just sayin' , you would think, you'd be sweatin' bullets.

Lafang shrugs, as Nora walks off. After finishing his beverage, he heads toward the academy.

On the way he walks by a stable. 

Crash! 

Izumi: owweeeei why do the bull ants hate me so much.

Lafang: Izumi give it up they think you stink haha.

Lafang said, with a smile on his face, resting his arms on the stables wooden fence.

Izumi: shut up, i love them, they're cute.

Izumi exclaims, dusting himself off.

Izumi: are you heading to class?

Lafang: yeah, I have to meet kai there. You should come.

Izumi noods, as Lafang, and himself headout.

Lafang: Apparently Kai is gonna ask the director to let me have the last day at the academy off, for some one on one training.

Izumi: Good luck haha..

Izumi mumbled under his breath with a hesitant tone.

Lafang: He put me in a coma for two weeks last time he pulled me from class.

Lafang becomes anxious.

Izumi: Come on at least everyone brought flowers.

Lafang sighs

Lafang: I can't enjoy flowers when i'm unconscious.

Izumi: right…. Haha

Izumi laughs nervously.

Thump, Izumi is knocked to the ground, scuffing his knees.

Izumi: Hey watch it.

Izumi gazed upon an array of white, and blonde fathers. Their beautiful sheen glowing in morning twilight. The face of an owlet, with a dark brown beak, and eyes like caverns of azure. Although tall, an almost weightless slender body, and long toned legs. Flowtom was beautiful as always.

Flowtom: Oh my, are you okay?

Flowtom said, in a worried tone.

Izumi: I'm fine Flow.

Izumi smiled.

Lafang: Izumi I'm going ahead.

Izumi: Okay see you there.

Lafang walks off.

Izumi: So Flow, are you nervous for the pillar battle against Lafang?

Flowtom: Goodness yes he's a cloud reader after all. I can't imagine winning against him.

Izumi: You give him too much credit flow. He's a glorified gardener.

Flowtom: I only give him credit because he's so great!

Flowtom had the look of a smitten teenager.

Izumi: She has it bad.

Izumi thought while laughing nervously, as his expression turned to an irritated one.

Meanwhile, Lafang entered the warriors academy which was one small building that contained a room for students to change, and the directors office. On the outside side was a fenced in training ground that had various training equipment, and obstacles made to train the finest warriors in Fauna. Lafang changes into his battle uniform which consists of a fur tunic, a pair of slim linen pants, and fur boots. All lined with chainmail, and weights. After changing he grabbed his staff then headed outside to the training ground where kai, and the academy director Kagra were waiting.

Kai: Lafang, good to see you.

Lafang: likewise.

Lafang sees a short fat mouse-man in elegant silk garb, this is the director Kagra

Kagra: Hey there young one. Kai says he would like you to do some one-on-one training tomorrow, so here.

Kagra pulls a small paper from his pocket.

Lafang: This is?

Kagra: It's a voucher, you can exchange it at the tailor shop for your ceremonial garb.

Lafang: Thank you sir!

Lafang jogs over to where his morning drill will be starting. Lafang was early so there are only two others there as early as him. Rorik Wrath-Heart, son of Ragnar Wrath-Heart leader of the wolf tribe. Rorik had jet black fur, a fearsome face, was very laid back in personality, and he was very lean in his build. 

The other lad present at this time was Wesley Wayrock. Wesley had a tail, and lots of orange fur, he looked ape like because of his human mother's genes, but was wolf-man on his fathers side. He is what's known as a halfer, a cross between human, and beast-man. Halfers used to be looked down upon, by pure breds.

Half-breeds have only been able to attend the academy for the last hundred years which for the beast-men is a short time. Things changed for the better when Konga became chieftain. Konga sees all creatures as equals, and has made great strides as a leader.

The rest of the class arrives, along with the instructor Rahm, a veteran warrior. 

Instructor Rahm: Everyone hear me!!

Everyone in class lines up side by side, and in unison.

The class: RAAA

They yell ferociously.

The instructor with the class's full attention began.

Instructor Rahm: It's now time for your evasion exercise. I know most of you've done this hundreds of times, but we have new scum so let me explain the course. Here is an obstacles course starting here at this line.

The instructor points to a white line drawn on the ground before pointing to his left. Looking left the students see a clearing.

Instructor Rahm: This clearing looks empty, and you would be right for the most part, there are a few booby traps. This clearing continues for one mile. You will form teams of two, decide your team leader, then write your leader's name down on these pieces of paper. 

The instructor passes out paper. The students start to murmur amongst themselves. Izumi teams up with Lafang, Wesley teams with Rorik, and Flowtom teams up with Tele Veldra, a tall slender weasel-woman, She is the fastest of the class. 

After the class is done, he collects the paper. Before putting them in a box, and shaking it. The instructor reaches in, pulls out one paper.

Instructor Rahm: Team Veldra!

He pulls another.

Instructor Rahm: Team Wayrock! Wesley's team you will be the hunters, and Veldra your team.. Will be the hunted.