Asva was trying to convince the rest to skip class.

[Half of us are missing. We can go checkout the markets at the Wayhub, even surprise Baldy. Who's with me?]

[Sounds like a pain, walking all the way back.]

[It's the last class anyway. Where's your sense of adventure?]

[Hmm, I could go. The fried hoppers are worth it, frankly.]

[You disappoint me, Ms Dreamspire. You too, Ms Decat, although it may be my excessive expectations of you, minuscule as they are. The great Academy provides this wonderful opportunity to the dedicated leaders of the kingdom's future, a chance to be more, achieve more than possible anywhere else. People look upto you. Alas, such a shame that the two of you lack motivation. Lagging so far behind the rest can still be excused, but not even making an effort, tch... I would die of embarrasment before I walk the road to corruption. Pardon me.]

And he left.

Dalda had been so close to ready but Comm's impassioned diatribe really got to the two. As in, made them so furious that it would be impossible to enjoy their time playing hookie.

[I hate this guy. He's such an ass.]

[Yeah, but he's an ass to everyone. And he's right.]

[Arghh... ]

Asva understood pretty well. She preferred bluntness over the double standards and the hidden daggers. Better to have the knives out and bloody each other so they could move on. His words were for their own goodwill too.

[These brothers are two peas in a pod.]

[Fishballs on sticks! Arghh...]

They continued bitching as they headed to the class, making sure to stand close to Comm while they talked.

[Uncultured swine. I would die of embarrasment if I were so pedantic.] Dalda said, whispering loudly.

[Right? As if an adolescent possessed by a cloud, prepossessing but simply empty upstairs...] Asva replied, equally loud and sussurous.

Atleast the boy was flustered this time, not knowing how to interject their loud whispering. He just looked at them, angry and blushing, then walked further away. They weren't even mentioning him by name, just berating. Until they got bored and moved on. The class started soon after.

"Welcome back cadets. A few of your classmates will be away this afternoon, so I will not be doing the planned lecture. Instead, let's work on an orthogonal skillset and teambuilding. Quickly divide yourselves into groups of 3 or 4, doesn't have to be your groupmates."

A flurry of activity took over the field. Conversations got louder. Those already grouped up chatted while the others roamed around to find friends or making new acquaintances.

Asva, Dalda, and Comm naturally grouped up. No one else approached them at first, until a girl came over with brisk steps.

[Can I join, guys? I heard your talking. I want to practice.]

[Of course, you are welcome Ms Calyx.] Comm replied, much more pleasant than his usual self, with an attempt at an ingratiating smile.

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Dalda shrugged. [You speak pretty well.]

[You are the running girl?!] Asva realized.

[Ah.. umm.. my name is Helen... Helen Calyx. I'm sorry, I don't know your names... I'm new to all this, I'm sorry...] She fidgeted, her earlier confidence evaporating.

[Hi Helen, may the wind bless your soul. I am Asva.]

She extended her hand, which the girl eagerly shook.

[Dalda Dreamspire]

[Commerick von Buchanoir at your service.]

[Hello. Hello. So, can I join?]

[Only if you tell me why you keep running... ] Asva was grinning, which the girl only noticed after she looked up in surprise.

[What? oh.. Professor Morgan told me to. Yesterday... you were there, I think...]

"Yes. Good. Nice to meet you. You good running?" Asva replied, scooting over to the girl, one arm on her shoulder, like they had known each other forever

...

[I really do wonder what happened to Tommy.]

Their task was simple. Make a mana ball, throw it at the floating lantern above them, pushing them up. The bolts didn't damage the lanterns, just pushed them up until they were used up or exploded. And then the lanterns would slowly drop again.

"Cadets, the height is inconsequential if you cannot keep the lanterns airborne."

[I knew something was fishy.]

[With Tommy?]

[No, these cursed things. They keep coming down faster.]

[You are tiring, Ms Dreamspire. I told you all to not compete for height. Now our team must pay.]

[Jackass, you challenged us, and I quote - "Don't bother competing, I'll win."]

They had been playing their own game, chugging faster and bigger bolts to launch the floating platform as high as they could.

Surprisingly, it was Helen who was winning by a huge margin. The shaking girl chugged at breakneck speeds. Her piss poor accuracy was made up by the attractive force out of the platform pulling the bolts to it.

Asva managed to consistently launch her spell as well. Activating the sigil became easier as they went on, her upgraded tier certainly helped. Even Morgan praised her on the progress. In the beginning, that is. Later, the professor was shaking her head at their antiques.

Not that other groups did any better. Asva clearly heard celebrations for each exploding bolt. Someone even managed a lightning bolt, which whistled on the way up and exploded under the platform making it glow and sparkle, prompting others to try the same. It was a riot.

Comm too succeeded in adding fire to the attack, earning himself a round of cheers. And singed eyebrows. He had the habit of holding hands right in his face when he focused.

Asva cheated by calling the wind her to clear a path for the bolt. It went much faster that way. All in all, it was exhausting and relieving at the same time. And hilarious.

[Glad we didn't skip oho ho...]

She laughed as she unwound her arm and watched the bolt sail up.