The teachers didn’t like being ignored.

Particularly Gesai Alard.

The redheaded woman stormed over to the pair. “I don’t care who your teacher is, he’s not here right now and you’re interrupting our training session.” She pointed back the way we had come from. "So you can leave until we’re finished.”

I was going to try to argue until she put her hand on her sword. "I can always make you.”

While I doubted that she’d kill us, there were worse things than death.

“Why don’t we just wait?” I pulled Fray with me as I backed up. "We’ve got plenty of time.”

“Yes, listen to your little manservant and go wait somewhere else while the real Adventurers work.” Gesai mocked me.

“Don’t talk to him like that!” Aelin fumed as she stomped forward.

I caught her arm and pulled her in. "These are graduates. They’re over level twenty. We do NOT want trouble.” I turned around and began pulling both Aelin and Fray back with me. "I’m so sorry, we’ve had a long week, she’s just tired and meant no disrespect.”

“REALLY???” Gesai started to move towards us.

Oz moved in between us. "The Tank got hit!” She pointed at the group fighting on the left of the trail. The Tank on that side had lost their shield and was being beaten on by the massive claws. The Hitters were cutting into it, but they were getting in each other’s way, which was also keeping the Casters from attacking it.

“Oh for the sake of the Gods…” The redhead zipped over and smashed the giant scorpion in the head. It vanished in a puff of smoke. While the other students were getting the end of her tongue, I pulled the rest of my team away from the other group.

“Don’t take it too personally." Oz tried to reassure us. "She’s just mad because she got pulled off of her Adventurer team to teach us. Apparently Mundus wasn’t enough.” The black-haired woman scowled. "I know my father has been bragging about how fast Trent Vowler is leveling his group. I bet she’s got pressure to do the same.” She puffed out her chest. "I hit level two an hour ago with Ren, but she won’t let me take a team into the boss room.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“I’m sorry.” Justia looked at us, then back at the other group. "I wish I wasn’t causing trouble for you.”

Oz sighed. "It’s not like I didn’t expect it. Dad was throwing it in their faces.” She turned to us. "Who’s your team?”

“That’s Atlas, Fray, Aelin, Ether, and…”

I shook my head. Rix hadn’t been discovered yet, and I’d like to keep it that way. She might find something useful while she was hidden.

“...why don’t you have a full team?” Justia finished.

“Dad described how you were leveling in smaller teams. It’s dangerous, as you just saw, but doable.” She shook her head and pointed at the other teams. "Instead of trying that, they decided to force Elites.” She shook her head. "A fourteen man team? Ha! Ren and I are taking down scorpions as fast as they spawn, while they’ve actually taken so long that a third one has spawned on top of them.”

“Ouch.” Aelin moved closer to Justia. "So the two of you are actually cousins?”

“Second cousins, but yes. We’re blood related.” Justia patted Aaelin’s hand.

“Why Justia, you really went for it! Kudos!” Oz offered a hand for a high five.

Justia flushed and left her hanging. Aelin also turned red and looked away.

“Oh, not in the open yet. Gotcha, I was wondering how Uncle Hye took it.”

“What..?” Fray began.

Ether pulled her close and whispered in the brunette’s ear. Her eyes widened.

“What do we want to do while we wait?” I tried to find something that would change the subject.

“We can cut east, then south and come around the back of the gate.” Rix whispered behind me. "But we have a problem.”

“Maybe we could prepare for whatever problems we might run into?” I tried to word my question to fit both. By the questioning looks I got from the rest of my party, it didn’t look like it worked.

“What?” Aelin eyed me.

“Four man team looks like bandits.”

“You know, in case Trent decides to give us another training exercise.” I looked around, but couldn’t see anyone else.

“Doubtful, but they could just have really good disguises.”

“Everyone, we’ve got trouble.” I pulled Fray and Ether closer to me to try to form a huddle.