“Kai, over here,” Andre called from the side of the assembly of students.
Joining his roommates, they formed a small group on the outside of the gathering. Nearly all of the first-year students had arrived onto the training field. Today they were to receive their instructions and group placement for their practical field excursion.
Scanning the area, he found Hector standing near a group of students that couldn’t ever be mistaken for anything else other than nobles. The clothing they wore seemed flashy and all too rich. Hector seemed to hover around the outside of the group, included in the sense that he was to hang back and wait on his master, who Kai assumed was the blonde hair and blue eyed noble. Hectors eyes hardly left the man.
Kai gave his roommate a small wave when his eyes found his. The only response was the slightest down tilt of his head before he turned his focus back to his lord.
All of a sudden, Kai felt a hard shove on his side. Turning to look at the offender, Andre had his elbow out at his side, but his attention was not on Kai, but something to their left. Turning that way, Kai found what Andre had been looking at.
Sven was here. But something was obviously wrong. His fists were curled up, causing his already muscular arms to bulge exaggeratedly. Spittle flew out of his mouth as he yelled at his companion who appeared completely nonplussed about having the livid melee training instructor yelling at her. hough he appeared to be yelling, Kai could hear nothing from the two despite them being only 50 feet away.
Kai wasn’t able to make out any details about his companion. Their figure identified them as female, but they wore a hood and had their body mostly turned away from the students.
More and more students had begun taking notice as the arguing continued for a few more minutes.
It happened quickly. One moment Sven was yelling, then next he was taking a step back, his face had changed from the flushed red of anger to fear.
She took a step forward and passed him a piece of paper. Saying something unknown, she vanished the next second before their very eyes.
Sven seemed to snap out of his haze ten seconds later. Blinking he turned to the students, only finally noticing he had an audience. Grumbling something Kai was able to make out as “fuck,” the man turned and stomped to where the rest of the instructors stood waiting.
In front of the other instructors, he turned his back on them and faced the students. “Attention students,” he said in a normal voice. Some conversations stopped, while others kept going, whispering between them.
“I said. ATTENTION!” Sven bellowed loud enough that Kai and many others had to cover their ears, despite the lack of magic used.
Every student was silent now.
“Welcome to prep for field training AKA your first expedition. For those of you who don’t know me. I am Sven, instructor of melee combat. Starting next week, we will go out once a month, on a field excursion to an undisclosed location. You will be fighting monsters, in areas scouted beforehand. This will be an opportunity to level up and train your skills and abilities in actual combat.”
He stopped and took a deep breath. His body tensed again causing his muscles and veins to swell. “Students,” he said somberly. “I was just informed by our headmistress that this year, our expedition will change compared to previous years.”
He flattened the piece of paper that had been half crushed in his fist and brought it up to read. “To challenge and assist students in growing, we will be partially removing the safety net cast on them during their field excursions. At random one group every excursion will be selected to be without their instructor’s protection. You will not know until the time when you need their help comes. It is up to your group to plan and deal with all threats.”
The piece of paper ignited in Sven’s hand where it quickly turned into ash. His downcast expression spoke volumes of what he thought of the situation.
Silence permeated the students, until someone finally called out, “can we abstain from going on these trips?”
“You can,” Sven said. Then he added, “if you don’t go however, you will be kicked out of the academy.”
Kai felt for the melee instructor. The man obviously cared for his students enough to not want to see them dead. Why would things change now of all times. Is it because of the war with the empire?
Another student of wealth from Hector’s group raised their hand. “How long will the field training expedition last each time?”
“Each excursion will last up to ten hours. One to two hours to arrive and assemble at the pre-determined location, with another six hours for exploring the area and fighting the monsters you come across. And another few hours for returning. We will take carriages to each location,” Sven spoke slowly and clearly, making sure each student understood.
“Does anyone have more questions? No?” He said without giving anyone a chance to ask another. “As per tradition, we have placed you in groups of ten, with a total of twelve groups this year.”
Kai shifted a bit. Ten people? That’s a large group. Will make for slow leveling too. They must not have that many instructors to supervise.
“You will not be able to pick your teammates. We have already done so for you and there will be no changing our decision. Through the information given at admissions, and the observations of my fellow instructors and myself in your melee, range, and mage classes, we have tried to create well-rounded groups. The levels and classes vary in each group and do not reflect your mage, range, or melee, training class placements.
“I understand you may not want to fight with others, and I can accept that. However, this class is an opportunity for you not only to level up but learn to fight in groups. Now beginning with group one, assemble over there when I begin calling your names,” Sven’s voice commanded authority. The decision had been made and he would expect everyone’s compliance.
Everyone began being assigned to an instructor. Andre and Sean were immediately separated from Kai. As fate would have it, Kai was paired with Hector and Jason Grell in group 2. The worse part was that both of Jason’s minions were also in the group. Kai spied Jason looking unsurprised at the news, as if such news was expected.
“I will not tolerate any mishaps or fooling around. Make no mistake, despite the instructors babysitting you, assume your life will be at risk at all times. Do not do anything to harm your fellow students or I will be forced to report you to the academy headmistress,” Sven’s voice had a tone of unquestionable resolve to it. He would not tolerate any nonsense from stupid students.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
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A train of carriages rolled out of the Ashbourne Capital to a location unknown to most of the passengers. The time had finally come for the first field training expedition of the school year for the first-year students. The energy in the air could not be contained. Kai himself felt restless, despite him trying to close his eyes and meditate for the last hour. The lively conversation between his three roommates made it difficult to concentrate, however.
“This whole endeavor is foolish. Trying to make us cooperate with other students is simply asking for trouble. No one in their right mind is going to want to share their kills and experience with people they don’t know or trust,” Andre angrily said.
“It’s not only that. I don’t see how I can put my faith and trust in a stranger to watch and protect my back, if the gods forbid, we are the group chosen to be without the instructor’s protection,” Hector pointed out.
“I heard starting in our second year, we can pick our own team but will lack supervision,” Sean said unexpectedly. Sean was the quietest of the four, often only speaking when spoken to. Every time his voice remained just above a whisper as if talking louder was a burden.
“Doesn’t help us now, they all split us up except Hector and Kai,” Andre pointed out.
“How long did they say the trip would take?” Hector asked.
“About two hours. We still have an hour left to go.” Andre pointed out.
“Kai, what do you think?” Hector asked.
“Think about what?” Kai asked waking up from his mediation nap. His hair usually messy hair was flat on one side from leaning against the inside of the carriage wall.
“About being put in random teams and this whole nonsense about not being protected.”
Kai stretched his arms, yawning. “I think it’s exactly what you were saying before. Foolish and stupid. Many of these students are green. Fresh to slaying monsters. They can read or hear about it all they want, but when it comes down to the moment, most of them will shit their pants. To put them at risk at this stage before they have had time to grow, seems intentionally senseless.”
“But…” Kai paused. I also understand their side too. Without knowing if you have that safety net behind you, you’re going to fight harder, smarter even. That sense of danger, lurking behind the fight, wondering if you are going to become monster chow… It will help you grow faster, not just in levels but as a fighter. In the beginning days of the human’s ascension to the Myriad of Worlds, they had no one guarding them.”
Closing his eyes, Kai thought back to the last week. “My group already is at odds. Jason had created a rift of sorts in the group. He wants to be leader, or king, but everyone had enough sense to know he wants to hog all the monsters with his two friends. The others, want to form a unified team of ten.” Kai barked out a laugh. “Trying to create makeshift teams that will be competing for kills between members seems like a good way for someone to get hurt or worse. I have no intention of sharing anything with Jason and his goons. Besides the end-of-year tournament isn’t a team fight, it’s a single-elimination format.”
Everyone went silent at Kai’s answer. “That’s quite cynical Kai,” Andre finally said.
Shrugging, “That’s just the way it is. When it comes down to it. Every person will be out for themselves. Especially the nobility” Kai murmured.
“What do you mean?” Sean asked, leaning in.
“I think he means that the nobility desire to stay in power, and the idea that a commoner or someone from a lowly birth can rise in power and threaten them is what he is referring to. It’s been this way since the beginning of this kingdom because they have resources, training, and information. All things making it easier for them to ascend. However, the nobles have expectations to protect this kingdom, so they are expected and required to train and grow in strength in order to do so,” Hector supplied.
Kai reached his hand out and tried to pet his Akane, only for his hand to pass through the air. Crap, I forgot. Akane wasn’t allowed to come. Akane’s illustrious fur had become a calming technique for Kai in the past month. Today had been extra stressful with the anticipation of the coming battles. Although Kai was used to fighting for his life, it had been so long since he had done so in the wilds without supervision he trusted. Not since that battle with the first boar he slain. His nerves and anticipation were getting to him. Only the crazy ones don’t get nervous in combat, he reminded himself.
Everyone was dressed in their battle equipment. They had the option of bringing their armor to the staging area and equipping it there, but most of the students decided to wear their armor before they left the academy. Kai imagined everyone else was also nervous.
Hector sat dressed in a dark grey and red robe with a crest of a cross sat center on his chest of the noble family he served. The robe didn’t look like it would be able to do much in the way of defense, but it was probably better than Kai’s own armor. He only had a cheap hard leather chest piece and the pair of white Aerowolf boots he received from Ashley.
Andre was sitting in scale mail that he was obviously uncomfortable in. His helmet bounced up and down on his lap as his leg shook lightly. Sean was like Kai. He wore simple hard leather armor on his chest but that was where the differences stopped. He actually had a complete set of leather armor, unlike Kai.
I need to go shopping before the next field trip and buy some additional armor. He had asked Andre to help him find some good armor for a decent price, but his roommate only had time after their first expedition. Thus, Kai acknowledged he would have to be careful during this trip, as his leather armor was probably closer to unenchanted cloth than actual protection.
Kai watched the scenery pass for the next hour after giving up on meditating.
“Everyone out, we have arrived.”
Kai and the group shuffled out of the carriage. All the students were standing by their own carriages, waiting for instructions. Gone were the paved roads. Nothing but a worn dirt path remained. Massive thick trees lay ahead, numerous and thick enough to block vision deeper into the woods after a little distance.
“Welcome students to the Delmash Forest.” A female instructor Kai hadn’t met called out with a squeaky voice. Figuring she must be from one of the mage classes instructors because of her distinct wizard-like robes. “In a moment we will ask you to separate into your pre-assigned groups. Together with your instructor, you all will spend the next six hours in the Delmash Forest, hunting monsters.”
“Group 2, this way please,” a beefy instructor from the melee combat class called out followed by more instructors calling for their group members.
Hector and Kai walked over, joining the glaring, Jason. The glare quickly turned into a self-satisfied smirk, no doubt at Kai’s obvious poverty.
Responding in kind, Kai gave Jason a one over as well. His armor looked pristine, unused even. He wore steel plate armor contoured to his body. It looked light enough to allow for mobility and speed, yet sturdy enough to hold up to attacks. Kai was sure it was enchanted with at least the basics of durability that most enchanted armors possessed, except his now that he thought about it. He guessed such enchantments probably cost more than the leather he wore.
A white cloak flowed behind Jason.
Wow... that dud is even wearing a cloak.
“Now that we are all here, let’s set out.” Without any further words or introductions, the beefy man turned and began walking away and into the forest. Jason gave Kai one last look before turning away and following.
Kai checked his belt and made sure his basic health potions were firmly attached. After confirming, he took a breath and walked into the forest.
Name: Kaismo Cineris
Realm/Level: Foundation 28
Aspect: Gravity
Class: Vanguard
Race: Human
Health: 520/520
Stamina: 250/250
Mana: 250/250
Vitality: 50 (52)
Strength: 50
Dexterity: 20
Endurance: 25
Intelligence: 30
Wisdom: 25
Unspent Attributes Available: 0
Active Skills:
- Heavy Blow [1/10]
- Gravity Crush [1/10]
- Domain [1/10]
Passive Skills:
- Burden [1/10]
General Skills:
- Identify
- Pain Tolerance 1
- Sense Improvement 1
- Soul Presence 4
- Elemental Magic Resistance 4
- Physical Resistance 4