Kline stood next to Alex just outside the ruined arena, watching as the rest of his classmates headed off for their training. He himself was beyond terrified as he was going to be personally taught by Alex. Which meant pure madness was ahead of him.
“Get a good look Kline; those kids are going to have an easy time compared to you,” Alex muttered as the last of the crowd moved out of sight.
“Easy time?” Kline parroted, going increasingly pale.
“Indeed, your training is going to be so hellish many grandmaster mages have failed to last in the face of it,” Alex had a truly mad and unhinged grin that only made the knot in Kline’s stomach take up origami.
“Will I be able to survive?” Kline asked, shaking even more now Alex had hinted to the hell he was in for.
“I can say with a high level of certainty you will survive the week.” Kline let out a relieved exhale at this news.
“How much of you will survive is a whole other story, though,” Alex added as he began leading away from the arena.
“So where are we heading, sir?”
“We? Oh, no, your training starts bright and early tomorrow morning. I still have a council meeting which, due to a few absences, means I’m pulling triple time.”
“So it starts tomorrow?!”
“Yes, it does; around the first bell, head to our usual classroom, and we will start your lesson in earnest.”
Alex gave a backhand wave as he walked off in the direction of the local council building, no doubt set to fulfil his role as co-regent. As he walked back to the dorm, Kline was left with his thoughts and worries.
What kind of training did Alex have in store for him? Especially as many master mages had failed to survive it. Kline couldn’t help but ponder and let his imagination run wild. The stories he read as a boy were a particular focus.
Alex had imperial seals on him, so he could gain access to another. If that happened, the rest of the class would be beyond jealous. Or maybe he would learn an ancient technique passed down between master and apprentice. Something Sloth taught him that he would then pass on.
Arriving at his dorm room, he gave three short wraps against the wood before entering. The moment he stepped in, he saw a familiar form waiting to greet him.
“MY MASTER HATH COMETH HOME!!!!” Manny greeted.
“Hey, Manny… anything happen while I was out?”
“MY MASTER NEED NOT WORRY; THERE WERE NO INTRUDERS WHILST HE WAS AWAY!!!”
Kline had to contain an exhale, he had tried many times to get Manny to quieten down, but it would only ever last a short while before he reverted back to his booming voice. In the end, Kline found it easier to put in place a silence array for his room rather than train his familiar.
“MINE MASTER, WHY DOTH THOU LOOK WORRIED… MORE WORRIED, I MEAN…”
“I am set to receive personal training from Professor Alex-”
“THE STRANGE, DANGEROUS ONE?!!!! GIVE THY WORD, AND THIS ONE SHALL BRING ITS WRATH UPON HIM!!!”
“No, don’t!!!” Kline shouted, holding up his hands to stop the already moving manticore. “He would destroy you with ease. This training is at my request, and it will grant me greater strength.”
“VERY WELL, MASTER, I SHALL OBEY… BUT IF YOUR LIFE EVER BE IN DANGER, YOU NEED ONLY CALL UPON ME!!” Manny said, trying to reassure his master.
Kline once again repressed a deep sigh. No one had noticed he never had unsummoned Manny since the last time he had summoned him when they fought Gorm. Something about having a powerful magical beast to defend him gave him a deep sense of comfort and safety.
“I am going to rest now, Manny… I have an early start at first bell tomorrow.”
“THIS ONE WISHES MASTER A DEEP AND RESTFUL SLUMBER!!!!!” Manny roared so loud Kline knew the whole dorm building would’ve heard had he not put in the silence array.
With his final well wishes, he curled up in his bed and slowly drifted off to sleep, only stirring once when he felt Manny curl up next to him. Despite this, he experienced a calm and restful sleep which ended when Manny gently pawed his face to wake him.
“Mine master, it be’eth the morning time for thou to go to your training.”
“D-nghh-did you just speak quietly?”
“INDEED, MINE MASTER, FOR IT IS EARLY, AND THIS ONE DOES NOT WISH TO STARTLE YOU!!!”
“Aghhh!!” Kline recoiled and fell out of his bed as he clutched his ears that were ringing from the loud noise they had just suffered.
Kline wearily picked himself off the floor and shot a baleful glare at Manny, who had taken up sole residence on his bed and had drifted back to sleep. Exhaling a deep sigh of exhaustion as it was hours too early for this, Kline went about putting on his gear.
It was just simple light armour that allowed him the freedom to move—reinforced leather armour with steel gauntlets and greeves. Heading for the door, he grabbed his spear, which he always kept in the stand usually used for umbrellas. With one last longing look back to his warm bed, Kline stepped out and closed the door.
Making his way across the campus, he found it as it had been when they had returned to try and free Cyano. It was eerily empty, with nary a soul around. Had this been his first time experiencing it, he may have taken his time. But it wasn’t, so he took his time more due to the anxiety of the lessons ahead. Arriving at the usual classroom, he knocked to announce his arrival, only not to hear any reply.
“Is he not in there?” Kline muttered to himself as he opened the door a sliver and peeked in. There lying back in his chair with his feet up his desk, was Alex, who had a trail of drool down his cheek. A loud boorish inhale told Kline all he needed to know.
Alex was fast asleep at the time he said for Kline to arrive for his training. He could already feel the anger bubbling deep within, and he decided enough was enough and to storm up to Alex and wake him in as rough a way as he could.
Taking his first step into the classroom, he felt the hair on his neck stand on end as every fibre of his being told him an attack had been launched. Diving forwards, Kline felt warmth rush over him as he spotted a Fire Lance collide with the wall right where his head had been. Kline took in a deep breath as he silently began conjuring up a defensive spell to block the next attack.
“You missed him!!!” a voice that echoed around the room hissed. Due to the acoustics, Kline was unable to work out the source of the voice. Slowly stepping around with his spear at the ready, his senses once again went full threat detection, and he stepped to the side. His movement was just in time as a blunted Ice Javalin grazed just by his chest and shattered against the wall.
Trying his best to calm himself down, he tried to assess his situation. It was clear Alex had gotten extra help for his training. He had also mentioned Kline's innate abilities to avoid attacks. So maybe he commissioned someone like Meso to test him? No, that was a fire and an Ice attack. So maybe Hadean and Cyano.
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“HAH, IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!!!” Kline shouted, hoping to the gods his loud voice would wake Alex up so he could help him.
“No, we were just herding you,” a high-pitched voice replied before a round of giggles spread across the room. It was unnerving to have numerous childish voices giggle at you when you couldn’t see the source.
“WHY DON’T YOU COME OUT AND FIGH-” Kline failed to finish his sentence as his foot was swept from under him, as he slammed against the floor. Looking at the offending appendage, he could see a white silk-like ribbon tied around his ankle.
Before he knew what was going on, Kline felt himself being hoisted up towards the rafters of the room. Now upside down and his spear out of reach, Kline could feel his heart begin to race like crazy. As the tugging pulling him up stopped, Kline, found himself face to face with three small girls.
“Heya, mister Kline,” Olivia said, giving a beaming grin as she enthusiastically waved.
“- - - - - - - - - - -” Alison added in a mumble.
“Hey, kids?” Kline said, giving a wave as reality began to dawn on him.
“Was it you who launched the attack?”
“No, that was Jake and Cass. They were on the diversion team,” Olivia replied.
“Diversion team?” Kline parroted.
“Yes, we were asked by Mr Alex that we should not let anyone wake him up from his nap. If someone does, we don’t get cookie-flavoured ice cream.”
“So you prepared attacks for anyone who came through the door?”
“That was more especially for you. Had it been someone else, we would’ve remained hidden,” Zaparis replied.
“Can you let me down now?”
“- - -’-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -,” Alison mumbled.
“I’m sorry, what was that?”
“She said we can, but you’d land on your head,” Zaparis replied, gesturing to the floor that now seemed even further away than it had when he had first looked at it. He was sure if they let him go, he would likely break his neck.
“You know if you did that, Mr Alex would be very upset and angry at you.” His warning was greeted by a fresh round of giggles.
“Mr Alex said you would help teach us this week and that we were free to misbehave as much as we wanted as long as he doesn’t see it.”
Kline’s face would’ve gone extremely pale had he not had all his blood rushing to it. Taking a deep breath, he focused on the foot that was tied up, letting its form change. It rapidly began to warp and change from a humanoid's foot to that of a rabbit.
Now small enough to free himself from the bonds, Kline twisted his body to land safely on his feet. Now closer than ever to Alex, Kline decided to rush to wake him up, only to feel a heavy strike impact his stomach.
Doubling over in pain as he struggled to breathe, he looked around, desperate to find where the boys were. Finding no success, Kline looked back up to the rafters only to not see the girls anymore either.
“Mr Alex taught us how to fight,” a voice he recognised as Lucas’
“Mr Alex taught us how to go invisible,” Olivia added. Kline’s senses were telling him the kids were moving in a circle around him.
“And we were given strict rules not to let Mr Alex wake up before midday bell,” Jacob said, appearing right in front of his eyes, startling Kline before vanishing once again.
“Made you jump!! Made you scare!!! Made you wet your underwear!!” the kids all collectively chorused teasingly.
“So this is a game of General?” Kline asked as he shuffled backwards away from Alex and the threat the children posed.
“We love that game!!” Olivia exclaimed. Many children loved the game. It was a simple schoolyard game where one group had to secure a target while the defenders blocked them. In this case, waking Alex was the target.
Recognising he was outmanned and outgunned, Kline decided it was time for a tactical retreat. Spinning on his heel, he made for the door only to find the handles bound in spider silk.
“Uh-uh-ah!” Zaparis’ voice tutted. “Mr Alex said not to let you run away.” With his options increasingly limited, Kline decided to hedge a bet.
“Are you on the seal?”
“Seal?” a voice he thought might be Jacob asked.
“Like the Imperial Seal?”
“Oh, like a King that goes ARFF-ARFF!!!” Kline was quickly surrounded by high-pitched voices making seal noises as he realised even Alex wasn’t recklessness enough to put children on an imperial seal. Meaning using the light circle method was a no-go.
Seeing he had little choice, Kline paused his movement to truly focus his senses. The fact Alex had mentioned his avoidance skills meant this was all going to be training to hone them further. As they were kids, Kline wouldn’t be able to attack them. Not to mention how good they were at avoiding him anyways.
Rolling his shoulders and shaking his legs, Kline readied to make a run for Alex. Closing his eyes, Kline felt every nerve hone to a razor's edge as he pressed off. With his eyes closed, he could detect the most minute movements.
Ducking his head at the right moment, he felt something gently brush his scalp. Not letting his pace slow down, he kept moving forwards, only to feel a slight pressure in front of him. Spinning on his heel, he avoided whoever it was, though he assumed it was a girl as he felt longer hair when his hand brushed the spot he avoided.
Pressing on, he eventually collided with Alex’s desk feeling a jolt of pain run along his thigh. Collapsing to the ground, he felt an even worse jolt of pain as his funny bone collided with the edge of the desk on his way down.
But he didn’t care; he had made it. He had made it to Alex with his eyes closed. Dragging himself towards the feet of Alex’s chair, he opened his eyes only to see no one in the seat.
Poking his head over the desk, he caught a glimpse of Alex bundled in spider silk being flung across the room, only to stop about a foot off the ground. With a mixed expression of frustration and bemusement, he watched as Alex was gently lowered to the floor and had a blanket pulled over him by invisible hands.
“This fight isn’t over. I will wake him up, and wi-” Kline’s sentence was cut off as the window above him shattered as a hulking bestial form flew in and landed next to him.
“FORGIVE MINE, DELAY MINE, MASTER!!!”
“MANNY!!!”
“INDEED, MINE MASTER, I SENSED THE DANGER. THE STRANGE, DANGEROUS ONE HAS SHOWN HIS TRUE COLOURS!!!”
Kline was left speechless at the sudden arrival of his familiar. But it was a welcome presence; it meant he had more angles to attack from now. Turning to look at the still-sleeping Alex, he was surprised to find six pairs of eyes staring back at him. The class had dropped their invisibility to stare at Manny in unrestrained awe.
“Mr Kline, is that Manticore yours?!!” Cassius asked.
“YOUR EYES DOTH SERVE THEE WELL. I AM MY MASTER'S SERVANT!!! I AM MANNY THE MANTICORE!!!!”
“Whoah!!! I’ve never seen one except in books,” Olivia added.
“They sometimes eat misbehaving little Arachne; at least that's what my mummy says,” Zaparis added.
“It doesn’t matter, guys; we need to keep them both away,” Alison said in a voice that was actually audible, much to everyone's shock. The children all shook their heads as they once more turned invisible.
Kline and Manny desperately looked around, trying to find where they went, only for Manny to yelp in surprise as his legs were bound together and he was hoisted upside down.
Kline had to take a deep breath as he now understood Alex’s words from the day prior. Any grandmaster mage having to deal with these kids daily would obviously fail. If anything, it spoke to his teacher's skill if he could actually last teaching these kids.
“My will hath been done, and I have seen the way,” Kline shouted the chant to desummon Manny. All at once, the spider threads binding him went slack.
“Come forth, for I seek the greater beyond!” Resummoning Manny closer to Alex this time, Kline had set a plan into works to wake Alex and win this trial.
----------------------------------------
Alex stirred awake and opened his eyes to find he had been moved from his desk to a spot near the doorway to the classroom. This alone wasn’t surprising; he knew the kids might try to play keep-away with Kline.
Looking around the room, he found Kline tightly bound to his chair, and in front of the chalkboard, he saw Kline’s Manticore with numerous ribbons and bows tied into his mane. He very much looking like a defeated kitty.
The kids themselves seemed to be having fun; he was now more glad than ever to have thought up this option. Stretching his arms and legs, causing popping noises, Alex rose and walked over to his youngest students.
“How’d it go, guys?”
“Hmmhmmhmh,” Kline desperately called out from behind a gag.
“I’m asking them. I don’t care if they tickled your toes with feathers; Kline, you shouldn’t have gotten caught in the first place.”
“Hmhmhmh?”
“I learnt lots of languages, Kline. Mumble talk is one of them,” Alex replied to the surprised-looking Kline.
“Well done, kids; we get ice cream tonight. Now Zappy, can you free Mr Kline? I got some personal lessons for him to learn,” Alex said as he rolled up his sleeves. “Kline, my boy… this is going to be a long week for you.”