The sounds of hooves and paws scraping and clomping against the hard dirt pounded like a dull thump. With each footfall, dust kicked up from the dry ground. The sound of sinister laughter, almost identical to that of a hyena, could be heard, mixed with grunts and yells. The sight of a scuffle near the small cottage at the end of the school grounds was an odd one. Three canine-like creatures were viciously attacking another creature, who was half man, half house.
The canines, nasty beasts of the forest, were crocottas. Roan, the centaur, had found them trying to beak into the sheep pen, no doubt searching for an easy kill. The teacher didn't hesitate in attacking them. Although he lacked in magic, he could make up for it in strength.
The centaur reared as one of the beasts lunged at his front leg. He brought his hoof down on top of it's head, stomping on it. The creature yelped and dashed away, bleeding, tail tucked. The remaining two snarled as they tried to approach him from either flank. Roan spun, turning his hind legs toward one and kicking his feet up, his hooves catching it under the jaw and sending it flying. The last crocotta leaped at him, teeth gazing his stomach. Roan hissed in pain, bringing his right fist down and solidly punching the creature in the head.
It fell to the ground, but got back up. The crocotta looked as though it may still try to pick a fight, until Roan charged at it, snorting and threatening to trample it. His tail lashed as the beast yelped and ran off, hopefully having learned its lesson about picking on his sheep. Roan stood there for a moment, making sure they were good and gone before relaxing his rigid form. He looked down at the cut on his stomach, slowly oozing blood.
The centaur silently turned and make his way towards his home to clean himself up. He really didn't have time for this; he had a class to get ready for today!