Chris felt a spark of pain, as Gwyndel suddenly smacked him on the back in jest. “That was an amazing spar. I am entirely stunned that I had forgotten you are taking sound magic classes,” She shook her head, clicking her tongue, “But you are entirely unorthodox so it is to be expected to surprise me every now and then.”

Chris began to smile, “I apologize for hurting your ears, but I was growing a bit exhausted, and as you are an elf, a sound attack does wonders for a stun.” Headmaster glowered, but he ignored her. “It appears that if you’re testing me, then there is something you need me for.” Chris turned towards her with a childish smirk.

She sighed, and motioned for the rest of the group, including Kathlyn who was the last to approach, “I will be providing each one of you special privileges if you choose to help me, but know there will be some danger to what I will be asking,” she sighed, “I need you all to get as strong as possible before graduation. From the information I have gathered it seems as though war with Virkev is unavoidable.”

Everyone burst into panic and questions, but Headmaster Gwyndel cut them off entirely, “It will begin in around a year, and while I know at your current strength you could handle hordes of average soldiers, I do not want to put the mental strain of so many deaths on you at such a young age-” Chris interrupted her, “And?” She huffed, “And, it seems as if Virkev has been summoning many heroes to aid their invasion. These people will have abilities far beyond a normal person, wielding atmospheric magic to a degree far above even you, and Holy Relics from the Orthodox Church of Rymek.”

Chris looked at his friends, who seemed confused, “They have legendary equipment basically, stuff that exceeds every purchasable item in our entire country outside of our own Holy Relics,” Chris smirked once again, “But they might not be able to compare to some of ours,” he winked at his friends. Suddenly everyone vanished, and reappeared surrounding the Headmaster with their strongest attacks already at the ready.

Gwyndel began to chuckle, “Of course you’ve been secretly working on legendary-type relics. Does your Magical Engineering teacher know any of your developments?” Chris shook his head, “She’s so amazed by the stylization, and logical composition of the creations, that she gave me my own separate work room in return for simple help, and being her class assistant.” The headmaster laughed at that, “She’s always like that.”

The Headmaster raised her eyebrow, “Do you think you-” Chris cut her off once again, “I will not mass produce weapons of death, nor do I want to get the Holy Unity Church’s anger focused on me.” He waved his hand pushing off her question. She chuckled a little, “Fine, then I want you to gather an elite group of students, train them, and provide them with support devices similar to what you have done for your friends.” She took a bow, “Please, for the sake of our country, and for the thousands of lives on the line.”

Chris was about to accept, but Haven stepped forward, putting himself in front of Chris, “What are these special privileges that you mentioned earlier? I would like to know how much my life is worth as an “elite” student,” Haven’s eyes almost rolled out of his head.

“Y-You shouldn’t s-speak that way to our Headmaster,” Lily spluttered out. Gwyndel gave her a polite nod, “I appreciate your concern, Ms. Treas, but I understand where they are coming from. As for your privileges, I will be allowing all of you to take classes at your levels starting next semester, a private and well protected training ground so you don’t have to sneak out anymore,” she winked, “And to Chris especially, access to any materials you need to develop your support artifacts. I will also give you a badge of my house, Unvern, to handle unruly higher nobles,” she snickered a little. She looked at everyone, “Does everyone agree to those terms?”

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Kathlyn raised her hand, “W-Why am I here if I might ask? I couldn’t possibly do what you’re asking them to do.” She slumped, looking defeated. Edwin walked over to her, “You think I’m gonna leave you out of Chris’ hard training? If you’re going to be the head of the house, I can’t let you laze around,” he smiled at her, and she perked up just a little, “Thanks little bro.”

Headmaster Gwyndel stared down this girl, “As well as making sure your fellow classmates treat these people well, right?” Kathlyn raised her head, “Yes ma’am,” she awkwardly saluted to the Headmaster.

“Let’s get you guys back to school, and get you your badges, and everything else set up,” she said. And with that, they returned on the Fenix, feeling a bit motion sick this time, and were brought around directly by the headmaster herself.

After receiving their tags and meeting a few of their future teachers, they were allowed to leave. Everyone was really hungry so they decided to go eat.

They moved towards the cafeteria, and Lily looked more nervous than normal, and a bit frustrated. After they grabbed their food and sat down, Chris decided to ask her about it?

“Are you okay Lily? You don’t seem to be like your normal self,” Chris asked simply, while chewing on some grilled meat.

Lily hissed out, “Ohh, I’m sorry that I’m not taking the impending war very well.” She leaned in, “Besides, why are you all handling it so well?”

Haven shrugged his shoulders, “For starters, it hasn’t started yet, and secondly, we have another few years to train before having to join the war effort. Besides, there isn't some guarantee yet that it will happen.”

Lily retorted back, “Or is it because you don’t live near the border like I do,” she seethed in a low volume.

Jenny calmly interjected, “I get where you’re coming from, but-” she was interrupted, “No you don’t, my entire family stripped of its pride will be the first wiped out, and you all are acting like this is all normal.”

Edwin questioned, “Do you think there won’t be reinforcements or something, as a noble family you-” Lily cut him off, “Ha, noble family, I guess you wouldn’t get it. We were demoted to become fancy farmers and village chiefs basically. Our title is worthless, and the kingdom won’t care about such a group now that we’ve recuperated our farms out east,” She shot a glare at Edwin.

Edwin stumbled over his words, “T-There’s no way the kingdom would do something like that.”

Chris looked over, “Yes they would, my family is in a similar situation,” his fork twirling on his plate as he talked, “They’ll use the weakened family as an initial delay for the impending march, to come in after the enemy is exhausted to handle the forces easier.”

Jenny raised an eyebrow, “That can’t be right, seems like something I would’ve heard about.”

Chris sighed, “Do you remember the Pelvern family?” Everyone looked around at each other confused. Lily responded, “They haven’t been found since the last war, the rumor is that they fled. Don’t tell me-” she recoiled at the thought.

Chris nodded, “There are records that they didn’t flee, but instead were sacrificed in a strategic battle involving Theilvein. That just leaves my family, Elkern, and Lily’s family, Treas, as the ones who are left in our specific social situation. I wouldn’t be surprised if my family was used as a pawn in a war against Rylken in the north or the Dragonfolk territory of Vargen.”

Edwin grew irate, “That’s ridiculous, how could they just throw away those people like that. I’ll speak to my father about this, and I will-”

Chris put his hand up, “There’s nothing you can do. I’ll protect my family if something like that seems to happen, but if what Lily thinks is true, we might not have the chance to graduate if we want to prevent that for her.”

Chris sat thinking for a while, then suddenly came to a realization, “I’ll be back after a while,” he said as he shoved the rest of the food into his mouth. He got up and immediately headed for the headmaster’s office. His friends beckoned for him to explain, but he kept walking, pointing to his full mouth as an excuse.

He was stalled at the door, before flashing the badge he had just recently received. The guards backed away from the door, and Chris knocked, announced himself, and entered.