The Beasts of Men

Chapter 22

After Digging at least 10 feet underground Elijah stopped. "Is this good" he Shouted to Solomon above ground. "Right next to him Solomons head appeared yea this is good" he said. "Now start digging this way for a good 3 feet". "So what i'm making? A tunnel?" Elijah asked. "Somewhat" Solomon said. After finally completing everything. "Alright so we should probably start heading back about now." "What?!" Said Elijah. So "I learned how to swirl my energy around and dig a hole." Solomon started laughing. "I didnt even think about it like that, it's fun being the master, but aye i said what i said so let's get out of here I'll explain later." After cleaning himself up Elijah headed to class. The sun was rising and Elijah knew because his tattoo started it ache like normal before he got to the classroom he noticed Sarai. "Sarai !" Elijah shouted as she turned around confused. "Why are you yelling name?" Sarai said. "I wanted to get your attention before you got to the classroom." Elijah continued. "You said you knew the truth? What were you talking about?" Sarai then stepped forward, looked up at Elijah looking him straight in the eyes and said "About your people." "Well yea doesn't everyone" Elijah said getting a little embarrassed for how close she was. "No they actually don't". Said Solomon from the mindscape. "Since the  present royal family got into power they have been trying to completely erase the history of the previous one." "You wouldn't know that though because you're from the previous royal bloodline which is mine, of course." Said Solomon. Sarai made a confusing  face. "I mean how did you come to learn the truth?'' said Elijah. "It's a long story but I'm willing to tell you at lunch." Sarai  said. "So we're going on a lunch date" said Elijah jokingly. "You can call it that if you want" she said smiling and walking away. "Nice Bravo little king, you  almost dropped the ball for a second but then you came back." Said Solomon. "I'm just going to ignore what you said because I just  got a date with a pretty girl." Elijah said, smiling. "Be careful  with talking to her out in public like Elijah she may be 7th In the nobility latter but her family is in the top 5 strongest clans. People will start to wonder what business the two of you have together and not to bust your balls but she is probably already promised to another noble heir." Hearing this made Elijah laugh. "Why does this even make me want her even more?'' Elijah said. Solomon knew him saying that would get him like that that's exactly why he told him.Elijah couldn't help but stare at Sarai  for most of the time in class but then he remembered that he could organize his spirit-pool right now. Elijah focused and started swirling the energy around his body. "WHAT THE H***  Are you doing kid" Solomon shouted, "Not here, we just talked about this; you should be paying attention anyways." Once Elijah did Mr.Lexington said "That's why we decided to go ahead and just tell you who your ranking partner will be for the tournament". This list was picked at random so you'll have to work with your partners even if you don't get along. The list is as follows:
  XanderMoonlight and Misty Moonlight
Klaus Ninetails and Naomi Vixen
Makayla Croc and Ishmael Scales
Simon Mammoth and Jason Shortfang
Sarai  Saber and Elijah Pride
  Arthur Savage and Bernard Grizzle."
As soon as Elijah saw the list he definitely saw bias. The top 6  Noble families were paired with their most compatible classmates. "Don't be too pissed you got paired the same way." Elijah saw who he was with and started to get excited.   Arthur turned over and looked at him. "How did you end up with an amazing partner and I ended up with a husky priest ugh" he complained. "Hey I did too" Jason said, tuning in. The Grizzle and Mammoth are both ancient tribes whose history goes back further than the lions and wolf beastmen. They are advisors and priests in every nation on the motherland. "How did  the Mammoth tribe even get so high in nobility, aren't they just immigrants?'' Elijah asked Solomon. Solomon starts to laugh, "they would just argue that there isn't a place on this green earth that the Mammoth Beastmen haven't been to." "To them You're the immigrant. Which I believe isn't a lie, they live a lot longer than we do, so does the bear tribe." "Mammoth beastmen though, are on another level  even more so than those bears; they still outlive even them. I never did have one of them as an advisor, just a member from the bear tribe. It's kind of hard to build a relationship with them. It's pretty impressive how the moonlight family got to befriend them." "What do you mean? Elijah asked . "You make it sound like there is only one Mammoth tribe". Solomon paused . "There is only one tribe, one clan." "How is that possible?" Elijah said, confused. "They just don't reproduce as fast as other  beastmen do". "That sucks".said Elijah "At least they have long lives." "That's not always a good thing, kid" Solomon said in a low voice. "At least you got paired with that saber clan girl." "Speaking of that,  what did you mean she might already be promised to someone else they don't have arranged marriages here anymore?" said Elijah. "So you caught that huh kinda slow but you did" replied Solomon. "I'll tell you later". "Use this last couple of months to work out a strategy with your partner. There will be very high officers at this tournament more than usual to the generation you are all in please keep that in mind" said Mr.Lexington. "Class will only be in the morning from now on to take attendance for the rest of the time you are free to work with your partners." "Which we will start today you are free to collaborate. If you need me I'll still be in class for any questions you might have." Said Mr.Lexington . "I'll see you guys later," said Elijah. "Yeah see ya" Arthur and Jason both replied looking miserable. Elijah made his way over to Sarai 's seat smiling. "Well I guess our date just got moved up" said Elijah. A couple of heads turn which made Elijah nervous for a second. "This doesn't count, now you'll have to take me somewhere else". Elijah was almost speechless with the response she gave. "Anyways let's get out of here, we have a lot to discuss." She takes Elijah's hand and heads to the library.