The next morning I woke, a bit drowsy from a night of introductions. A normal person would want to sleep for the maximum amount of time, however, a hero never rests or rather I need to practice my new skills. I had Hope wake me around two hours before everyone normally does. I estimate that I have just enough time to test my new skills; I guess combining skills will have to come later. First up is the skill I understand the least Resolve. I clearly know what the word resolve means yet, I cannot picture how to attack an enemy with determination, maybe it could intimidate them or something. I head out to the training yard and face a wooden dummy.
"Resolve"
I faint white energy wraps itself around my body until it slightly outlines the entirety of my body. I feel no warm nor resolve from the outline. Nothing! What a Rip-off! I try to calm myself, I test my current strength by bashing my sword against the dummy, it is stronger than before but, it's not thanks to Resolve, I received a decent stat boost thanks to the hero class. The outline fades away with time, accomplishing nothing. I am a bit disappointed however, I cannot afford to waste time. I move onto the next skill Lightning Blade, this one is far easier to imagine.
"Lightning Blade"
As expected my a great amount of energy is transferred to my sword and it takes the form of lightning running across my blade, the lightning seems to be bound to my blade. What's strange is I am touching a metal object cloaked in lightning yet, I suffer no damage. Perhaps, because it is a skill and the lightning was created by me. When I strike the dummy the lightning transfers to it burning it black, I deactivate the skill immediately, I cannot risk starting a fire in the training grounds. In hindsight, it was probably unsafe to strike a wooden object with an extremely hot object. After this I continue to active my skills over and over again until I get the feeling of how they work, I am now able to control the output of Resolve now. Sadly, no matter how many mana or Aspectu I channel into it all I get is a useless white outline.
"Time is up," Hopes soft voice echoes in my head.
Darn, has it already been two hours I wish I had more time. Whatever this will have to do for now. Right on time, Arata approaches me at a somewhat hurried pace.
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"Dues has called all members together it is time for an important meeting no one is permitted to be absent," Arata called out to me.
"I will be right there!"
Must be serious if everyone is required to attend after all this is the most "free" of all the squads. I head back to the base, everyone is gathered on the top floor surrounding a table with a map laid out across it. Dues stand at the front wielding a 2-foot-long pointer. He seems to just now noticed my presence in the room.
"Now that everyone is present we can begin the meeting."
Huh, his normally joking attitude in his voice is nowhere to be found. His manner is now more befitting of his position. He continues his explanation.
"Soon we will be embarking on a very important mission, Intel has reported that one of the barrier lords is leaving the capital in two weeks and heading toward the city of Luxic, the reason for his sudden departure is still unknown and he surely will have several guards. This is such a rare occurrence that the army cannot overlook this chance. The army has determined that is best to send in a small group to avoid attracting attention, of course, the most skilled small group is us of course."
"I do not mean to interject but, can you explain what I barrier lord is?" I questioned
"Oh, I forgot, that you were new to this land. You remember the barrier that hindered our movements at the capital well, that the reason we cannot launch a full-scale invasion, a normal soldier would collapse on the spot. The four who maintain the barrier is known as barrier lords: they are very skilled mages who have mastered the art of barriers. Now that everyone's up to speed I will be going over our plan of attack. We will be attacking them at an intersection they are guaranteed to cross. Our formation will be simple Hans, Quim, and Fayiz will take the front lines while being supported by Roxanne and I. In the back we will have Lynette and Emma casting magic. Arata will travel with and function as a scout, I do not intend to have him fight."
After explaining the plan of attack Dues clearly explains the other member's abilities to personally and explains some basic synergies, it might be hard to put them practice now but, I will need to if I truly want to be a member of this team.
The journey will take five days so that gives us two weeks to prepare. Dues and Arata will secure a route and supplies for the journey while the rest of us will train and practice the new formation. And thus my first major mission was assigned. Up to now, I had mostly fought solo, so I am blessed to have two weeks to grind out all the kinks in my teamwork. Even though I have my doubts these guys have been fighting for years together adding one more person into the flow cannot be that hard, right?