Chapter 233

Chapter 233

Increasing amounts of pressure started to be applied to all the students of the Academy. The end of the year exams and tournament were quickly approaching and it was starting to show. The students in the first year who managed to bond had it the worst as they needed to not only focus on getting in sync with their bond but also not become too reliant on it as it was not something they could bring with them for the tournament.

Ajax was initially surprised that the bond couldn’t take part alongside its partner but the theory behind it quickly made sense as his brother would have had a decent chance at winning the third year tournament off simply letting Fluffy do all the work.

If Ajax thought the week in the class was bad with the new bonds the delve that followed it was an even bigger headache. Not so much because the students couldn’t work well in tandem with their own bonds but because the new bonds were all beasts commonly found in the forest.

Complaints of friendly fire started from the first day and by the second a few fights had almost broken out, if it wasn’t for professor Silvertogue quick intervention more than one or two people would have gotten hurt.

Much to Ajax’s surprise Annabeth had also brought her companion with her. Much to his surprise the creature was magical in nature despite its small size, not only that but it looked like a massive chipmunk with a kangaroo pouch. Gét latest novel chapters on nov(e)lbj/n(.)c/om

“What is that?” Ajax asked as he looked at the creature curiously.

“You brought Grubby?” Lexi excitedly bounced around her friend before picking up the tiny creature. “Who’s a good boy? Yes you are, yes you are.”

As she said Ajax could see her taking out a silver coin, polishing it on her tunic before offering it to the little guy. Grubby having Lexi’s undivided attention didn’t sit well with her own bonded companion who tried taking a chunk out of the furball.

“No! No!” Lexi was quick to rebuke the reptile. “Grubby is not food.”

It was at that point that Ajax felt a very strange mana come off Grubby as he put the silver coin in the pouch he had.

“What was that?” Ajax as he peered close to the little creature.

“What was what?” Lexi asked as she refocused on the furball.

“I sensed a strange mana when he placed the coin in his pouch.” Ajax said.

“That would be space mana.” Annabeth filled it as she recuperated her bond.

“But I thought the whole idea of getting a non magical first bond was to prepare the skill for bonding a stronger magical greacture later on.” Ajax said without taking his eyes off the creature.

“Hoarders are one of the few exceptions in that regard.” Annabeth said. “Despite being magical creatures their lifespan is only sixty years.”

“Oooohhh, are you looking to break His Highness's record?” Lexi asked conspirationaly.

“What record?” Ajax asked not having looked into anything like that.

“The crown prince’s older brother had joined the academy at sixteen but from the time he was twenty to the time he was twenty-six he participated in the sixth year tournament and won every time giving him the record for winning it six years in a row.” Benedict explained.

“Exactly!” Lexi said as she nodded her head. “If you win this one while still being only sixteen you have a chance to double his record.”

“Seventeen” Ajax said by instinct. “I will be turning seventeen before the tournament begins” he explained when they all turned to look at him.”

“Oh that’s right you have your birthday coming up.” Lexi said doing her best to infect everyone else with her boundless energy. “What are you planning to do for that?”

“Nothing all that special” Ajax admitted.

“What do you mean?” Lexi said sounding a little confused.

“Besides the tenth birthday, which is a pretty big one, I haven’t had all that large celebrations for my birthdays before.” Ajax explained.

Benedict looked a little awkward hearing that while Annabeth gave him a sympathetic look, having been kept isolated for most of her childhood she had at least a small point of reference to relate with. Lexi however looked downright horrified at the prospect.

“Oh no, no, no, no, no, no.” She said as she shook her head more in an attempt to deny such a reality. “You are a baron now, you can’t just not celebrate your birthday.”

“It really isn’t that big a deal.” Ajax tried to convince her.

“I know, this year I will throw you a birthday party.” she grinned victoriously at the idea. “It falls perfectly as a way to destress before the tournament.”

Ajax looked like he wanted to attempt to talk her out of it but Annabeth patted him on the shoulder with a slight shake of the head. “Don’t try to talk her out of it, it will only make it worse.” From the looks of it it seemed like she was talking from experience.

Just great, that will be two parties that he will have to attend in the near future. Ajax could only hope that one of them would actually end up being a little relaxing for him, for all her eccentricities Lexi was actually very insightful. If anyone could end up throwing a party where he might actually have fun it would be her.