Chapter 37: Combat Training Arena
Jethro stared, dumbfounded. This man couldn’t be serious. Fight? Here? Now? Against that spikehead and his Silver-Ranked Magmabear? That wasn’t a fair matchup. Not at all.
He glanced at the spiky-haired boy and saw the predatory grin stretch across his face. A face that told him that he couldn’t wait to get his hands on him. Pure, unadulterated relish. He even started cracking his knuckles theatrically, eyes locked on Jethro like a hunter sighting prey.
"Our first set is Jethro Merrick...!" Professor Xan’s voice boomed, pointing a thick finger directly at him. "...and Durn Jacob! Front and center! Let’s see what sparks fly when your hallway enthusiasm to fight finally serves a purpose." He shot both hands into the air. "Education!"
Durn Jacob practically bounced out of his seat, his Cyclops Magmabear climbing his back and resting on his shoulder, growling low. It turned its head and the baleful red eye in the center of its metallic head fixed momentarily on Scorch still perched atop Jethro’s head.
The lizard puffed out its frill defiantly, letting out a miniscule hiss that sounded like steam escaping a hot, tiny kettle. Scorch wasn’t backing down.
"You know what?" Jethro muttered to his lizard. "I’m starting to miss when you were a little more afraid. Now you’re just getting me into trouble."
Scorch whimpered with a tilt of its head, a sound absurdly small compared to the Magmabear’s growl.
"Oh well." Jethro forced himself to stand, trying to project a calm he didn’t completely feel. ’Best to think of tactics or anything that isn’t the size of that Magmabear."
Kekius looked up at him before tugging at his jacket. "Hey, are you gonna be alright?"
Jethro looked down. "As long as you promise to handle my health bill after this."
Kekius didn’t know whether to laugh.