Zed along with the rest of the students had arrived within the training arena, closely following Head Professor Ingrid. Once inside, she walked towards a weapon rack in the hall leading out into the large compact dirt field.
There was a large variety of blunted weapons ranging from polearms to swords organized from long range to short. She reached out and withdrew a long wooden rod resting near the end.
“We will now begin the preliminary combat exam. I will be limiting myself to the use of a single insignia along with this training rod. You may choose whatever weapon from the rack you find most fitting for your fighting style.” She said lazily before walking out into the field.
“I’m picking the short sword cousin. What do you have in mind?” Talas left the large group of students staring indecisively towards the weapons racks and walked towards Zed.
‘She chose a pole arm, extended reach along with her use of an insignia will make getting close to her a nightmare. However, if I can get into a close range fight her advantage will quickly become a hindrance.’ Zed pondered for a moment before walking towards a nearby rack. He perused the weapon before responding to Talas.
“I will fight unarmed.” He said decisively. Zed had been trained in combat arts since childhood. Due to his large frame and inherent strength, he had always found hand to hand combat a much more efficient, yet brutish style. Zed had a feeling he would have to play to his strengths if he had any hope of getting a passing mark.
Talas’s eyes widened in surprise. “Very interesting cousin!” He observed Zed’s well built and towering figure. “In some way it suits you. However, I doubt you will be able to get close enough if she is using her insignia. I hope you can take a beating well.” Talas walked towards the rack and removed a blunted steel shortsword.
“Well cousin, the Grand College is already living up to the rumors. It’s far more interesting than my father made it out to be.” Talas said with a grin.
Zed nodded in response and thought back to when he had asked his parents about the Grand College. They had remained annoyingly vague about the specifics of the curriculum and the inner workings of the institution.
“Let’s head inside. I can’t wait to see a good thrashing.” Talas smiled and Zed followed as the two entered the arena.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sky was a clear and bright blue as the students finished gathering around Professor Ingrid with their chosen weapons in hand. Zed received a few curious glances since he was the only one to have not chosen a weapon.
“The history of insignia is closely tied with the survival of the human race.” Professor Ingrid started and threw off her white and gold robe. The students took a heavy breath, not at the rather beautiful and voluptuous professor's body but at the large amount of black runic symbols that adorned her bare arms and upper torso. She wore a tight fitting black tunic along with matching shorts. Her golden eyes shone mysteriously.
“Insignia are written in the language of the gods. They enhance our weak mortal bodys multiplicatively and give us a fighting chance against abyssal creatures. Your base constitution is your foundation and the basis for these enhancements.” She glanced slightly towards Zed’s towering figure.
“Insignia are not all powerful and cannot be used indefinitely. They pull upon your life essence and emotions and in turn grant you superhuman abilities, however, if they are overused you will suffer from fading. You will be very weak for a period of time and in the worst cases… you will die.” She added solemnly.
“Now, does anyone here know why we do not allow branding on individuals younger than 17?” She took an inquisitive sweeping look towards the students.
Talas who was standing beside Zed raised his hand.
“Yes, young Gretchen?” Professor Ingrid prompted.
“It’s because younger individuals do not have enough life essence to withstand the branding.” Talas responded with confidence.
“Very good, yes the process of branding requires a certain amount of life essence to be infused within the insignia that can have very severe consequences if used on an underage individual.” She wore a pleased expression.
“Now, for today's exam I will be demonstrating the use of the insignia representing speed Agilita.” Three sweeping black lines upon her left shoulder became much darker as if they were chasms upon her skin.
She raised her wooden staff which blurred as she twirled it in a circular manner before disappearing and reappearing in front of Zed. She gave him a quick wink as the students looked wide eyed, before reappearing in her original position.
‘She taunts us!’ Zed could almost feel Evil Z’s anger as the dark whisper turned into a malicious hiss. Zed looked on calmly despite the outburst. His father was one of the most powerful insignia masters within the kingdom. Although her abilities were impressive, they couldn’t compare to the monster that was Zander Zalvador.
“I will not be using the full potential of this insignia against you for the simple reason that it would be quite unfair. Seeing as I have surpassed 30 brandings after all.” The students took a cold breath. Insignia were multiplicative, 30 brandings was the equivalent of multiplying your base abilities 30 times. Placing Professor Ingrid firmly within the ranks of insignia masters also known as the main fighting force of humanity against the abyss. They were essentially fighting an abyssal creature.
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She pointed towards a nervous young man at the farthest side of the circle of students who had light blonde hair and blue eyes and tanned skin, his weapon of choice was a spear.
“You will be first and we will go clockwise around the circle until there is none left. You may withdraw if you deem your abilities lacking, but that will result in a score of zero.” She smiled softly as the trembling student slowly walked forward.
The young man took a deep breath and entered a fighting stance with the spear facing pointedly towards the professor.
“Begin.” She nodded.
The young student rushed towards the unmoving professor and quickly released a series of frantic jabs with his spear. The professor's form blurred slightly as she dodged the student’s onslaught. “Your focus needs work and your center of balance is off. You also have a tendency to let your foot hang in the air too long when you jab.” The wooden staff moved and bent with the force of her swing.
Crack!
The staff caught the young man on his left ankle and flipped the poor youth like a ragdoll onto his back. The young man cried out in anguish as he grabbed above his newly broken ankle that was bent at an unnatural 90 degree angle. Some students winced and others trembled.
‘And these poor insects call themselves nobels. Disgraceful.’ Zed ignored Evil Z who was laughing at the young man’s pain.
A figure dressed in all black with a dark hood appeared and grabbed the young man before disappearing again.
“Don’t worry there is an insignia called Restora for minor injuries like that. He will be walking again in time for classes to begin.” The predatory grin appeared on the Professor's face again.
At this moment, a large majority of the students took a step back signifying their willingness to give up. Leaving a small minority of 3 individuals, Talas and Zed included, still willing to partake in the exam. The only other student remaining was a pretty girl with bleach white hair and red eyes who wielded a pair of twin daggers and wore an excited grin.
A look of disapproval appeared briefly upon the professor's face as the majority of students gave up before returning to a grin as she stared towards the three ‘initiates’ left.
‘It looks like I will have to take a hit if I want to get close enough.’ Zed mused absentmindedly, his lips threatening to form a matching grin before subconsciously passifying his emotions.
“Your name?” Professor Ingrid gestured towards the young woman.
“My name is Melody Calcutta, professor.” The young girl's expression became neutral before she tilted her head and responded demurely. Professor Ingrid’s eyes observed the girl contemplatively with interest.
Zed felt a hint of curiosity rise as well, considering he’d met the majority of the Calcutta family at this point and the girl had not been one of them.
“I wonder why you chose this faction given your family background, but no matter. Begin.” The professor pondered aloud before shrugging.
Melody rushed forward, her daggers held parallel with her body and an excited smile made her appear charming and bloodthirsty. Before she reached where the professor stood she suddenly jumped and spun with her arms extended, turning her into a pretty tornado of death. For the first time, Professor Ingrid actually looked impressed.
Dagger and staff collided and Melody’s body paused within the air before she kicked off the staff and flipped into a low stance just outside the professor's range breathing heavily and still smiling.
“Impressive. I can tell you’ve trained extensively and your duel wielding abilities are refined. Your stamina could use some work, however… You pass.” Professor Ingrid had a content smile. The students who had given up exclaimed at the young girl's ability and whisperings about the martial prowess of the Calcutta family began its rounds.
Suddenly, Talas strode forward. “It’s my turn I believe, professor?” He questioned and the whispers about the Calcutta family sputtered out like a fire drenched in the rain.
“Hmm, of course. Would I be correct to assume you’re Duke Gretchen’s son Talas?” Professor Ingrid looked towards the proud boy and mused.
Talas stood in a relaxed stance before bowing gracefully, his arm crossing his chest. “Yes, I am the successor to the Duke, Talas Gretchen. It is my honor to be tested by an insignia master.”
The students started clamoring. Talas was similar to Donavan in that with his entry to the college he would be the highest ranking member of the Royalist faction currently enrolled.
“Honorable and charming, well let’s see what’s making you so confident. Come.” The professor beckoned with a flattered smile.
Talas moved closer to the professor before entering a fighting stance. His shoulders relaxed, his right leg placed a shoulder width behind his left. His sword was held in his right hand and tilted lazily forward. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before suddenly launching forward towards the professor.
A serious look crossed the professor’s face as she watched Talas approach. ‘The royal family’s sword art, how long has it been since I’ve seen it?’ She pondered before blocking a cross slash aimed at her torso.
Professor Ingrid blurred before appearing behind Talas and performing a sweeping attack towards his legs. As if by instinct, Talas jumped overing the incoming blow twisting his body slightly to perform a sweeping slash towards the professor behind.
The professor quickly blocked the slash, before pushing the sword back slightly and suddenly attacked with an overhead blow.
Talas’s sword suddenly looked as if it was hidden beneath the waves of the sea, the blunted iron sword moved fluidly side to side. Talas spun outwards, avoiding the blow while simultaneously slashing several times in quick succession. Professor Ingrid’s form blurred again before reappearing in her original position, an impressed expression on her face. There was a visible cut in the black fabric covering her torso.
“You aren’t anywhere near your father’s level but for one so young it’s impressive nonetheless. I look forward to the day you can fight with us against the abyss. You pass.” She looked appreciatively towards the young royal and bowed slightly.
“It’s my blessing to be praised on my meager skills by someone as skilled as yourself, professor.” Talas returned the slight bow and walked back to his original position next to Zed.
“Good luck cousin!” He pat Zed’s shoulder and flashed a goodwilling smile.
The surrounding students were still in shock from the battle, who knew the good mannered young royal was so skilled using a sword. Melody’s performance from earlier was quickly forgotten.
“And then there was one. Introduce yourself, though I’m sure there is only one person who could have a son as giant as yourself.” Professor Ingrid looked expectedly towards Zed.
“Is he going to fight her unarmed?! Crazy! Well with his size I’m sure he’s strong.” The students who had just recovered from their shock from the previous battle started whispering between each other.
Zed ignored them and walked forward with practiced grace and gave a half bow. “Zed Zalvador. It is my pleasure to receive your tutelage.”
‘I’m so excited! It’s been a while since we let loose.’ Evil Z’s typically malicious tone was joyous.
“So you’re the hidden son. Zander always brags about you. Let’s begin.” Professor Ingird smiled and laughed before gesturing to him to start.
Zed relaxed his body and rolled his shoulders, loud popping noises escaped the tightened joints before he dashed forward. Professor Ingrid narrowed her eyes at the incoming white haired giant before sending a hard slash with the wooden rod towards his torso.
Zed’s eyes never wavered from the professor, the moment she moved he predicted the trajectory of the incoming staff. ‘This might hurt a bit.’ He thought before raising his left forearm, bracing for the blow.
Crack!
Zed’s muscled body rippled from the hit, his veins clearly visible along the arm blocking the staff. His eyes sparkled, as a vicious grin appeared on his face as he looked at the bewildered professor. A violent urge, something Zed hadn’t felt in a long time overtook him.
‘Crush her!’ Evil Z’s voice rang out excitedly. Zed’s right arm suddenly shot out, as he pivoted, allowing the pressure from the staff to push him and used the momentum to send a lightning fast grab towards the professor.
Professor Ingrid’s eyes widened slightly at the hand approaching her face before another insignia on her shoulder instinctively darkened. Suddenly the staff pressing down on Zed’s arm felt like a mountain, the force lifting his body from the ground before he was violently projectiled like a rocket into the stone walls encompassing the arena. ‘I got carried away again.’ Zed felt his body shake in pain as he watched the panicked professor appear beside him as darkness overtook his vision.