Chapter 39: Lethal Force
Gasps of shock filled the arena outside the shield. Kekius turned to the professor with a pale face. "Professor Xan!" he shouted. "You said no lethal force! Doesn’t that count as lethal force?!"
Everyone, still silent and shocked, looked at the burly professor, waiting for his response.
Professor Xan stroked his chin, looking into the battleground as he thought. "Well... you are correc—"
"Hey look!" someone shrieked. "How can it be lethal force when he’s not hurt?!"
All heads whipped back to the battleground once again, and indeed, Jethro was completely unscathed. Apart from a few burnt patches on his clothes, and dark soot on his skin, he did not seem hurt at all. Murmurs filled the arena immediately, eyes widened.
Durn, fists still raised, jerked his head back in surprise. "What?"
Jethro spat something out, and only when it hit the floor did everyone realize that it was boiling lava. Some of it had gotten into his mouth during Durn’s attack. He cleaned his mouth with the back of his hand, disgusted by the taste. "Tastes like ash," he muttered.
Durn blinked more than once. "You’re not hurt. How is that possible?!"
Jethro looked up at him then moved his shoulder, revealing Scorch right behind him. At that same moment, Eyefire— Durn’s Magmabear —leaped at the little lizard and it scurried away with speed.
"Thermal regulation," Durn muttered in realization. "That’s the only power Red Lizards share with their masters. But how the hell is yours so strong that it could regulate against lava?!"
Jethro was silent for a second, as though the question had actually taken him aback. Then he scoffed, narrowing his eyes at Durn. "You don’t expect me to let you in on all my secrets."