The days passed as at the slowest possible pace. The more the conscripts suffered with brutal combat exercises and physical training the slower time would go. The soldiers pushed them even harder with continuous spars where the losers would be brutally punished for the loss with physical training and the winners would remain to fight the next in line while the rest not fighting would be maintaining a plank or doing some other exercise while they waited to fight.
During this period of time mishaps did happen due to the exhaustion which left two dead, three crippled beyond the skills of the healers on hand, and two that just quit and condemned themselves to the mines.
Finally, Saturday afternoon arrived and as Sorin exhausted had his swords slammed back into him and he rolled to the side throwing his barrier up against the follow-on attack by Hagrasha when the command came from Sergeant Agron to halt as training is done.
"Fall to formation!"
Once the conscripts were formed up in spite of their staggering and heaving for breath Agron began speaking.
"Your training is about to take on a very large change fundamentally. So far you have been learning martial combat with melee weapons in order to survive in a standard battle as well as basic aether attacks and defenses. I am pleased with the progress so far."
Agron went quiet for a moment as he swiped on a tablet until he got to the screen we wanted.
"Beginning directly after this formation you will be moving to individual assigned groups with a specific instructor chosen to train your team to suit your assignee." As he said this, soldiers began lining up until the line reached 14.
"I will begin calling out different teams at the assignee you will be matched with. As I call out your team number you will go to the corresponding soldier in line. Each of you have been assessed since day one here to be able to put you in a team for a cadet in the academy that is far above us for our soldiers and officers to receive their mandatory training and begin their service to the empire. Now, let us begin."
Agron began calling off the teams and the names as well as who they were assigned to there were three conscripts per team so far and Sorin began looking in the corner of his eye for who he might be teamed up with. He didn't have to wait long however.
"Fifth team! Linx, Sorin, and Cain! You will be assigned to Euryale Aegis. She is the daughter of Duke Phorcys the 23rd of his name. She is a khopesh user and has a fire path. You all use a complimentary set of weapons and offer complimentary paths to her."
Agron said continuing to move down the line assigning the teams
"Ninth team! Ardwyn, Serene, and Glernog you will be assigned to Aello stormwind, the daughter of Baron Thaumas the 34th of his name. She is a dagger user with an undisclosed path. You were chosen to give her variety on the battlefield per her request." Agron said as he moved to the last group.
"Last team is Chorus, Ambriel, and Sheth. Pay attention! you will be assigned to Prince Amaru 73rd son of immortal Emperor Ouroboros. He is wielding a twisted triangular rapier and like his father before him, he has a time path I saved you for last because you are to do whatever you are told, when you are told even if it is to fall upon your own blade. The orders of the royal family are absolute. Do not displease the prince. You were chosen for your variety, paths, and you wolf, were hand-picked by the prince for your ruthlessness."
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There was a controlled chaos as the conscripts began moving toward the soldier they were instructed to line up on. Sorin moved to the fifth in line as two other members followed suit. At a glance it looked like a less pale vampire who didn't have his nose as high as the others and a beast man with orange and black fur.
"Good! Follow me!" They were led to an open part of the arena and told to sit which they all halfway collapsed to the sand.
"My name is Corporal Varris and will be training you as a team until you are complete with your training." She said.
Sorin looked at her a little closer careful not to look directly at her breaking protocol. She was an elf with darker sin and reddish eyes he was assuming was a dark elf, but like with every elf he had seen, perfectly proportioned and gifted in looks.
Varris handed them each a folder and began.
"Inside these folders is information I expect to become a permanent part of your memory. This is a basic description of your assignee and one day commander of your team. Knowing the information within will not only help you recognize them on sight which is good for them not just killing you and requesting a replacement, but gives you clues to anticipate commands and take the initiative to keep them safe or wining the day."
Sorin Opened his folder and began to read.
"Name: Euryale Aegis
Age: 22
Height: 5'8
Weight: 140lbs
Path: Sixth Ring Warden (Fire)
Weapon: Khopesh
Reach unarmed: 6'0
Bio: Lady Euryale Aegis is the 19th Daughter of Duke Phorcys of the 3rd Region of the Serpent Empire. She has been thoroughly trained in tactics, politics, torture, and many other topics unrelated to warfare. She possesses a sharp personality and a no-nonsense approach to mission accomplishment. She tolerates those lower than her status, but expects orders to be carried out quickly, efficiently, and without hesitation. She has no patience for dull subordinates and care should be taken when selecting conscripts for final examination. They should be able to think strategically and offer humble recommendations based on information received to be actioned. She does not use the gorgon signature ability often as she claims in drains a lot of her aether, but she will not shy away to make an example of someone should it be required.
She utilizes twin khopesh and requires soldiers who understand the movements of duel wielding to be able to supplement her strikes and cover her flanks when required.
Her path gains strength when exposed to flames of others. Conscripts should be selected that are of a fire type aether to supplements her offense and superior regeneration abilities with at least one conscript of a decent to outstand defensive ability.
As a bonus, should she be the victor of the exam and not just achieve a passing grade she has vowed to take the assigned conscripts into her service under the same contract for the remainder of it as personal guards. Should she fail due to them on the inverse, they will be executed for incompetence."
Sorin and his teammates were left along for a few minutes to read the dossier. Once it was clear to Varris that they were complete she spoke.
"Come Monday, we will begin pushing each of you to tier 2. You should be nearing the threshold now in all three ratings. By the time you are done with training you should be halfway to tier 3. At this time, you are dismissed for the day and recovery day. Be prepared for an increase in your training regimen as you will face me all day Monday and I do not coddle."