Sly winced.
He needed to think fast on his feet as the rampaging hippo was now charging towards him.
Aren't there instructors at this school, so why weren't they intervening,?
Sly hated that his misery was entertainment for others.
Were they really going to allow this feral spirit beast to trample him to death?
What Sly didn't know was that once the new recruits entered the arena every action was observed by the instructors.
Points were added and subtracted based on the students' performance and calculated towards their grades.
Sly's grades were terribly low unless he did something in his five versus to turn things around in his favor.
Currently Sly was at the bottom of the list of students on the verge of being kicked out of Paradise Military Academy.
The other new recruits loved that for Sly.
As long as he was around and acting so pathetic, they felt that no matter how poorly they did, their worst was still better than Sly.
"Why doesn't he defend himself?"
"He's just standing there!"
"Somebody please send this tiny kid home, he doesn't belong here!"
Sly ignored the teasing and mocking laughter that ensued.
He felt helpless all Sly had depended on in the past was the beast half of the spirit bone.
Now that part of him had been carved out and given to his half-brother he felt hollow and empty inside.
Unsure of what to do next he tried to wake Mimosa but the guardian deity continued sleeping ignoring his cries for help.
Ughhh… this useless spirit plant, Sly thought.
Just then, Sly, caught sharp movement from the corner of his eye, the hippos was still charging towards him and he was prepared as could be to face it head on with his hands raised in front as part of his defense.
Someone literally flew in to stand literally in front of Sly who was stunned by the speed of his movement.
When the hippo came charging the person blocked it with one hand, then used the other hand for an upward punch that sent the hippos flying off balance.
The crowd was silent watching in awe as the hippo a bit off kilter from the throw got up again and went after its new opponent.
Meanwhile Poko was at the edge of the stage crying, begging the person who interfered not to kill his spirit beast.
"Please spare him," wailed Poko but his cries fell on deaf ears.
The hippo's reflexes were also really fast and aggressive., his web toe stomping strikes were and head thrusts could do serious bone crushing damage to his opponents.
So far, this new challenger that stepped into the fighting ring hadn't even unleashed his spirit beast which was impressive.
That he was just using ordinary human strength to pulverize and traumatize the hippo.
Jolan's unique ability caught the audience by surprise.
Even the hippo started walking backwards in alarm when the boy started running towards him.
Then the boy did something so ridiculous he had the crowd stupefied and silent.
He moved like a tornado towards the now frightened hippo at the same time releasing a boiling hot chemical spray that only those with the ability to see spirit essence looked on in complete shock.
What kind of spirit beast was the new kid packing, no one had ever seen anything like it!
Sly could see with the naked eye what looked like from out of the boy's pores came firing a boiling hot chemical acid that melted away everything it touched.
To most it looked like his body was just letting off waves of hot steam that fogged up the fighting area making it hard for those watching in the stands to see anything in the ring.
What made it even worse, those that were in the front of the stands said they felt an uncomfortable heat that made them perspire like never before.
After having its first layer of skin peeled off by the acid the hippo was badly injured and unable to move.
The hippo looked like it weighed over 2000 kg and the student just went and picked it up like it weighed nothing and was getting ready to toss the stunned hippo.
When Poko couldn't bear it anymore he sprinted across the field and jumped onto the newcomer's back.
To the surprise of the spectators even though Poko had jumped him, trying to get him to release the hippo.
The younger boy swatted Poko like one would a mosquito that was being a nuisance.
Poko's body went flying into the stands, he landed on some students, his arms and legs flaying through the air before the fall knocked him out and rendered him unconscious.
Before those unsuspecting fans could even process what had happened to Poko they heard the surprising new recruit say out loud.
"Since you want your pet so bad," shouted Jolan. "Here… take him with you."
Then the body of the hippo was sent sailing towards his master and the crowd realized that anyhow that spirit beast landed in the stands saw death flash before their eyes.
Panic.
Poko was forgotten by those who initially rushed to his side to give him first aid in a bid to save their own skin.
Everyone making a mad dash, scrambling across seats and pushing other students to get out of the way of the incoming hippo.
No one was laughing now; those that were still brave enough lingered nearby in the vicinity to see what would happen next.
This next match was definitely going to be the highlight of the day, no one expected a new recruit to have such extraordinary powers.
No doubt he was going to be very popular and in high demand with all the instructors.
Even though Poko and his spirit beast suffered some injuries the medical treatment at the school was first rate and excellent.
As long as Poko drew breath there was a chance for recovery even though the wounds would take longer to heal because of the acid burns.
The board updated to show that the senior students won this round and the next line up showed Jolan and Sly and one other new rookie in a three versus three the last match for the day.
After this the instructors would evaluate their performance and decide which students they wanted to join their groups.