Chapter 38 Fox On Stage

"With that, let's get started." Victor announced.

"The basis for everything at this school divides us up into primarily four different categories," Elizabeth started. "Fighter, Tank, Glass, and Observer. These are the four core categories of classification all people are put into when they reach 8th grade." An image appeared behind the four students. It was a diagram of the four classes with a fifth one overlapping the four.

"We don't need to go into classes because I assume everyone's been given the same speech." Manny continued. "Your class determines the growth of your power, but it doesn't necessarily mean someone from a Fighter class can't learn how to use a gun."

"Everyone is able to use skills to help them in battle. In Manny's example, a Fighter who uses a gun, could be trying to balance his lack of range combat." Sara spoke. The image behind them fizzled out and was replaced with a diagram of a generic person with a gun and a tag underneath him, labeled "Fighter." "Yes, typically you want to stick with what you're good at, but training for unexpected events is necessary to stay ahead.

"Imagine this," the image changed and the generic fighter image was far away from another generic image of a ranged person. "If a Fighter was in a situation where they couldn't strike this ranged person, what would happen?" Sara asked.

"One of two things could typically happen. One, the Fighter tries to get into range and gets hurt. Two, he calls for backup." Victor answered. He chuckled and turned to look at his classmates before looking at the sea of examinees. "So, what's the point of this example? It's not the best example, but these situations will happen. Understanding your weaknesses and preparing for them, can allow you to stay ahead in the battle."

"So, if that wasn't the best example, what could be a better example, Victor?" Manny asked. Victor turned to look at Manny and thought.

'This looks staged.' Lee Seng smirked.

"I know this might sound a bit narcissistic but let's use me as an example." Victor answered. He looked at the crowd. He stepped up to the edge of the stage and looked around. He frowned a bit and then something in the distance caught his eye. He slightly turned his head to look at his classmates who were waiting for him to continue. Elizabeth caught his glance and sighed. She stepped up towards the edge of the stage and looked around.

"You want to put a display in front of all these people?" Elizabeth asked. She leaned into Victor and whispered in his ear. "You aren't going to cause a flood, are you?" Victor smiled and turned slightly to answer her.

"No. Didn't the teachers say the Creator's son is here?" He looked at Elizabeth and she nodded.

"Manny would know him."

Victor nodded and the two separated.

"I'm going to need a volunteer." Victor spoke into the mic. He turned to look at Manny and motioned him to come forward. Manny stepped forward and Victor leaned into whisper. "You know the Creator's son is here, right? Would you be able to point him out in the crowd?"

"Why, you wanna show your strength against him?" Manny asked.

"It's just a water show. I'm not going to hurt him. He still has to take the test."

Manny sighed and nodded. He glanced around and looked for a white tail in the crowd. The crowd was raising their hands and jumping. It made it hard to see where Lee Seng was in the crowd and Manny shook his head.

"Well, I hate to do this but... A little birdie told me someone specific is here today." Victor started. "Let's just say he's someone special. Could the Cre--"

"Lee Seng." Manny cut Victor off. The crowd became quiet and Lee Seng sighed as he pushed himself off the wall. "Is Lee Seng out there? Could you come up here?" The crowd was looking around. They were whispering amongst each other now and Lee Seng rubbed his eyes before trying to leave the gym. He managed to snake his way towards the exit when a spotlight was put onto him.

"Who's he?"

"Is that him?"

Lee Seng sighed and turned around. The four students were staring at him from the stage and Victor seemed intrigued.

"Why is he trying to leave?"

"There you are!" Victor said. "Come on up!" He motioned. Lee Seng sighed and ran his fingers through his hair before walking towards the stage. All eyes were on him and the crowd seemed to split for him. He strolled up to the stage stairs and Manny was already waiting for him. He was about to say something when he saw Sara.

She seemed to be staring at him. Her face was trying hard to hide what she was feeling and Lee Seng decided to simply ignore her and continue forward. He stepped up onto the stage and Victor was already waiting for him.

"Sorry to call you out like that but you were the only one." Victor whispered. Lee Seng stuck his hand out and Victor shook it. Victor's eyes seemed to settle on Lee Seng's white tail and Lee Seng gulped.

'So much for blending in.'

"So, what did you want?" Lee Seng asked. Victor snapped out of it and turned to look at the crowd.

"All of you must be wondering what a 4th year is capable of. Why don't I show you guys?" Victor asked. The crowd cheered and he turned to look at Lee Seng. "I heard your power is quite strong. I was wondering if you'd be able to stop a single attack from me."

Lee Seng gave Victor a weird look. He didn't know if he was actually kidding or not and wanted to walk off. Whatever option he chose, he wouldn't win.

'I either deal with it and try to stop this guy's attack and lose or I walk off and am called a chicken.' Lee Seng thought. He grunted and took a step forward.

"I guess I'll try." Lee Seng answered. Victor's eyes sparkled with excitement and he nodded.

"I should tell you one thing." Victor said. "My power allows me to create and control at will. All I'm going to do is send water at you and you just have to block it."

"Huh, you make it sound like you already did your homework on me beforehand." Lee Seng said.

"Are you sure he'll be able to stop it?" Elizabeth asked. It seemed like the rest of the students leading the event were worried. Elizabeth stepped passed Sara and looked at Victor and Lee Seng carefully. "What if he doesn't?"

"Don't worry about me." Lee Seng said. Everyone turned to look at him. For a moment, he'd forgotten about the crowd. "I'll try my best, but have low expectations." The students began to move off stage. Manny lingered near Lee Seng for awhile before stepping off stage. Victor turned to the crowd who was waiting in anticipation for the show.

"Lee Seng, here, has accepted the conditions." Victor spoke into the mic. "This is how it'll go down. We'll spar against each other. In that time, I'll be able to send one blast of water towards you. If you can block it, I'll give you more points for your exam."

"And if I lose?" Lee Seng asked.

"You won't get as much but you'll get something."

Lee Seng nodded and the crowd began to chatter amongst each other. It seemed like a fair deal but Lee Seng didn't know anything about Victor Callas. Callas seemed to be a familiar last name, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Victor walked over to the other side of the stage and handed his mic over to one of the staff members on standby.

"Change the stage." A staff member said. Another one tapped on a tablet device and the stage started glimmer. Four rods sprung out of the corners and a black film started to engulf them. Where the scoreboards were suddenly showing the stage. Lee Seng sighed and rolled his neck.

"Don't take this to heart, Creator's son, but I got a lot riding on this." Victor smiled.

"Ah, so it was because you wanted to know how strong the Creator's Son is. I guess I should be honored." Lee Seng scoffed. "But something is bugging me about you. Callas, why does that sound familiar?"

"You haven't figured it out, yet?" Victor asked. "You might understand if I tell you this. You know what the public calls me?" Victor tilted his head. He assumed everyone would know who he was, but he was surprised that the Creator's son couldn't put a finger on his last name. Victor cracked his knuckles and motioned Lee Seng to step closer to the middle of the stage. "You'll probably know who you're fighting with my nickname."

Lee Seng reached the middle of the stage. The two stood close enough to spar and Lee Seng's mind began to race about a nickname.

'Callas. Known better by a nickname... It's on the tip of my tongue.'

"Victor Callas or better known as Poseidon." Victor said. Lee Seng raised his head to look directly at Victor. Fear and shock began to envelope him and he let a force smile out to Victor.