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Tales of Swords
Chapter 3 - Inner Disciple

Chapter 3 - Inner Disciple

One of the most important competences of the Inner Disciple training was to master group battle formations. The students needed to learn the two basic group formations of the Velor Clan's military arts; the Velor Charge and the Cage Formation. The Velor Charge consisted of a formation made to face multiple enemies, and the Cage Formation which was a tactic for a group to combat a single stronger enemy. The formations would be put into action by the commanders whenever there was a real fight.

The instructor responsible for teaching the group formations was Alec the Flawless Shield of the Velor Clan, Kirilia's father. Alec had a very loud voice which made his orders sound like thunderous claps from above. He was tall and lean and had only one eye. Whenever someone did something wrong he would scold the person until their ears turned red. He taught the recruits the basics of the clan formations, which were crucial for the disciples' survival in battle and the clan's long term prosperity. But even if he was rigid, Alec was liked by all the students and was seen as a true hero of the Velor Clan.

“Attention!” Alec shouted when arriving at the training grounds, making all the disciples immediately get in position. “Today we are beginning the group practice with the formation of squadrons. Each squadron is to consist of ten members. So this means you all will be divided into two squads, your squad will become your new family" Alec announced as the students looked at each other with anticipation. "The members of each squad were selected by compatibility."

Alec proceeded to divide the new Inner disciples into two groups of ten members. The squads in the Velor Clan consisted most of the time of ten members, as ten members was the optimal size for the formations to be executed with full strength. Each squad was tasked to select one member to be the squad leader.

“I’m glad to be in the same group as you all!” A boy with ginger, curly hair, said with a smile. Zakuro was one of the most talented members in the group, only second to Jin. And he was still one year younger than Jin. “We are now all together for life.” He finished with an even bigger smile while looking at the blonde girl in the group, Freesia.

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All of the group agreed, and were also cheerful on the occasion.

“We should select our squad leader.” One of the older guys in the group said while taking the initiative.

“Yes we should! And it should be no other than our stronger member.” The smaller in the group said, his name was Nong.

“I agree with Nong, but how will we know who is the strongest?” Freesia asked.

“It is clear that the strongest in our group is Jin! There isn’t even a need to talk about this.” Nong quickly replied “Hey boss, do you agree to be our leader?” He asked looking at Jin.

“Nong is right, Jin should be our leader.” Zakuro agreed with Nong.

As Zakuro was the only one who stood a chance against Jin, all the other member also began to nod their heads in acknowledgement to Nong suggestion. Jin was was good friends with many of them and his martial arts skills were considered one of the best in the group, this decision made sense to all of them.

“If everyone agree, I will be happy to take position as the squad leader.” Jin responded, this made him happy, perhaps one day he could become a great leader like many of his mentors.

The formation training was made to develop a bond between the squad members. Were the squad learned to work together, trust each other, and make decisions when necessary. At the end of the training sessions, they would gather together at the center courtyard and discuss what happened during the day.

The creation of groups was essential at this time in the Velor Clan. The Velor Clan had faced huge losses in the last war, even if in the end they emerged victorious. The clan was currently rebuilding its strength, and new factions emerged to gain power and influence.

Jin's grandmother Elder Alda was one of the oldest and most respected forces in the clan. As a member of the clan council's upper table, she helped shape the clan's structure. Jin, as her grandson, was part of her faction, even if Elder Alda avoided internal power struggles. He needed to assemble his own faction if he wanted to ascend.