The Chief gestured vaguely at Scorch, whose obsidian scales retracted in fear under his gaze. "You're a fellow lizard tamer, so I feel a certain pull to take it easy on you. But I know that you're Jethro Merrick, the lowest ranked tamer in the Academy, who's bonded to a Red Lizard."
He smirked. "But Red Lizards don't look like that. You've gone outside to do something very suspicious. So, I have to either report you, and that Portal Box you must have stolen. Or… you can take your beating like a good little stress toy."
Jethro's blood ran cold. He had no choice here. None.
"Choose quickly, Jethro Merrick. Get these hands or kiss your future goodbye."
There wasn't much of a decision to be made. But a battle could tell Jethro just how much his new stats fared compared to stronger tamers like the Security Chief. Maybe this was a chance to test the skills he'd unlocked, against another opponent.
