It all happened in less than thirty seconds. Within moments after Jason's death, the academy spiraled into chaos. Five seconds after his death, Mathilda sent the message. Ten seconds later, the student coucil and the disciplinary committee headed in the direction of the training room. Ten seconds later, the headmistress destroyed, repaired and disappeared from her office. Right after the thirty second mark, Jason's body ignited on fire.
Mathilda jumped back from shock as his body started to turn to ash. His body began breaking down and rebuilding itself using the ash like a coat. During the resurrection process, the headmistress arrived. The door to the training hall that was capable of defending the students from a power equivalent to a nuclear bomb was shattered into pieces without resistance. Her brown hair flowed in the wind as she walked forward into the room. Her heels clacked against the floor with an unhurried pace as if she owned the building. Her green dress reached her ankles and hung to her every curve showing off her hourglass figure. She flipped the bangs out if her eyes revealing gold reptilian slit eyes that seemed to see everything. She examined the scene before her reptilian eyes narrowed.
Seconds later members of the disciplinary committee and the president of the student council entered the training hall before freezing at the sight before them.
The two members of the disciplinary committee looked at each other before staring at the sight in front of them.
"Did someone set him on fire to erase evidence?" One of them asked.
"It doesn't make sense even if they did." The other replied. "There are too many witnesses. Even if they tried to erase the evidence, they would have to kill everyone here. Besides word already got out. So it doesn't make sense to set someone on fire at this moment in the investigation."
"So then why is he on fire?"
"I don't know."
The fire started to die down as Invidia entered the training hall. She took the longest to get here because her office was on the other side of the academy where as the others were in the main building near the center of the academy.
When she entered all eyes briefly turned in her direction before returning to look at the dying flames.
Mathilda began to question Sophie about Jason' situation.
"Sophie what is this? What did you do?"
"Instructor Mathilda," Sophie said calmly. "Just watch and observe. You shall see soon enough."
After a few moments the fire died down and all that was left was a male body laying on the ground covered in ash. Then the ash started to move. First the fingers twitched then the arms. Slowly the figure moved from laying on the ground to a kneeling position before standing. Each move caused more ash to fall from the body. When he stood up fully, all of the ash fell away revealing Jason in the tardigrade shell artifact.
Everyone except Invidia and Sophie was dumbfounded. They were shocked at the revelation they were witnessing.
"Impossible," someone said.
"How can this be?"
The headmistress narrowed her eyes. She witnessed a power similar to her own. It felt like she was standing next too her own kin but that was next to impossible. She had lived for hundreds of years and there were no records of blessed with power similar to her own. A power that can be described as a demi-god in mortal flesh. She sensed it too. He got stronger.
Jason just stood there wondering where the new faces came from. Sophie stepped forward. She grabbed his collar and pulled him to her. She told him, "You have a fight to get to. I'll take care of things here."
Jason nodded and Sophie released him. Jason started running to the door and quickly left the building. Sophie looked back at the members of the staff before giving the full explanation.
Before anyone could say anything, the headmistress looked at Sophie. "What is his contracted beast?" She asked her.
"He is contracted with the phoenix." Everyone's eyes widened in shock. He cannot die by normal means because body simply regenerates when he dies. All physical and magical attacks are simply ineffective against him. The Phoenix is a creature that is resistant to the concept of death itself. Everytime it dies through physical and magical means, it grows stronger. You can't beat it with normal tactics." Sophie said.
The head of the student council shook her head in disbelief. "That's absurd. It borders the impossible. A phoenix hasn't been seen before. A brand new type of blessed has shown itself. The student council would like to examine him further. Fortunately there is a perfect opportunity for us all to witness what this creature is capable of." Her gaze met with the headmistress.
"His power is similar to an ancient being that transcends death." The headmistress said with a finger to her chin. She looked at Sophie once more. "The boy is about to fight correct?" Sophie nodded. "Then we shall watch the fight. The knowledge gained could prove invaluable to witness a match of this magnitude. The other students should witness as well." She tapped her wrist watch. "In the meantime, you will tell us everything including how you learned of his power." She looked at the student council and the disciplinary committee. "Inform your respective branches of the situation and let them know that I am giving them some time off to observe the upcoming match. Im sure everyone could use some time off and enjoy a brief moment of respite."
"At once headmistress." They said in unison.
She then looked at Sophie. "Your lucky that he is a Phoenix but that wont dismiss your punishment. Depending on the information you tell, your punishment will be lenient or more severe, but you will be punished.
Sophie nodded her head in understanding and acceptance. "Very well but we will head to the forge first. I will explain everything along the way."
"Why do you need to go to the forge for?" The headmistress narrowed her eyes again.
"I just need to grab something." Sophie said before leaving the room. Everyone looked at one another before following her outside.