"Thanks for this, Erik," Mathias said, motioning to his uniform.

"Hmm? No problem. We organized it so we're going to even out the line-up more. It was my fault that things happened that way, anyhow. But... man, more importantly," Erik said, whispering as he drew close to Mathias' ear. "What happened between you two?"

"... She woke me up early? Again."

"I'm guessing you'd sleep in if it wasn't for her, man." Erik shook his head. "Either way, she was taking care of you last night, wasn't she?"

"... I don't know about that. I just woke up, was dragged to a place I didn't care to go to and had to help her train Jennifer. It was her job, wasn't it?"

"That might be, but I would've dragged you there myself. It's important for the class, you know? But she took that role."

"... It's not like I needed to go, right? I was fine in class and I couldn't really help in that condition."

"But you did. Jen - err, Jennifer, not that one - was really happy about the help, right? Is that why Lisanna is a little... much?"

"Hell if I know. And hell if I care. It's not like I'm seeing her, right?"

"But you're living with her. And she's that Lisanna O'Clair, right? If nothing else, the rumours probably have some merit, if only to the extent she's a little prone to yelling at you because she's jealous or some such reason."

"... Why would she be jealous?"

Erik rubbed his temples dramatically. "Of the class, there are two that excel - at everything. You and Fara. She was beaten by Fara yesterday. And she lives with you. Beyond that, she is actually said to have some of the best grades and is clearly one of the best in training too, right?"

"... Point being?"

"That there is a reason to try to at least be interested in what you're doing. Working with Jennifer, Fara, and the rumours circling around about you working with beautiful women all through-out your days in the parlour will at least make her feel self-conscious, right?"

"... There were some, but most came to be made beautiful. There is a difference. My mom is very good at her job."

"I know! And I'm jealous that you grew up in that place!"

Mathias quirked his head. It did not seem like a big deal. And there were other places he lived, too, that weren't exactly desirable.

"Hah, really? Okay. I'm just telling you this as a friend: just let it go. It isn't worth making things hostile when you get back, right?"

"... I guess not..." Mathias looked away, unconvinced.

"Just do it for me!"

Mathias grumbled and half-heartedly accepted the proposal. He did not think he had done anything wrong, nor where his actions anything he was ashamed of. It seemed justified, but since Lisanna was clearly walking far in front of them with tense, agitated steps, it was a sacrifice he opted to make the safety of his fur.

Meanwhile,

"Hey! What was that all about? Tell me! Tell me!" Ayla pestered, hovering in front, to the side, and then circling back around. "I want to know!"

"It's fine. Nothing happened."

Lisanna's expression twitched when Ayla drew a little too close.

Ayla reeled back and snickered. "You were totally about to snap at me, weren't you? Well, it's fine if it helps you vent. I do it all the time! I think you should start relying on me more often!"

"... Huh? Why?"

"Because when you're around him, you're around him? Like... always. It's not bad and I like him too! But maybe you should hang out with us girls a little more? Jen and Wendi really like you too!"

"Th-they do..?"

Lisanna was unconvinced. Jennifer was something of a strange circumstance, so their talks were only superficial. While she invited her out to go shopping the day before, it still seemed a bit much to relax around her. Wendi was fine but beyond that? She did not know. Memories of people coming to talk to her to only extract money and information - which was later employed against her - resurfaced as she saw Jasmine walking at the side.

It might have been her imagination, but the girl who turned over had a sweet smile - yet her eyes seemed to be laughing. She was with Kira who looked between the two girls curiously, then back to Hana, Mina, and Lina.

"..."

"Awe! Come on. It'll be fine, I swear. Let's go out tonight, just the four of us! We can go back to the cafe - it'll be my treat!"

"... R-really?"

She was tempted because of the cake.

"Yep! And I'll make sure they make us one of their special ones. The one that was super sweet and rich!"

"Hmm... that... I-I don't know..."

"Nope! You know! And you know it's a yes! We might have to run an errand to grab the stasis stones since we'll be bringing Wendi, but I know she'll say yes!"

"That, well, isn't wrong, but..."

"Nope. No 'but's. If you wanna talk boy-trouble, we can talk there. Until then... let's focus!"

The gauntlet flared to life as Jenna welcomed them with her signature smile. It appeared more sadistic as she grandly motioned to the four beasts who stood proudly at their respective peaks.

"You know what to do."

-------

"Okay! Tanner! Stacy! You're up!" Ayla shouted.

The two wind mages accepted their roles. Since evasion was prioritized after seeing the damage that could be received from head-on collisions, the two wind mages were called to the stage.

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However, unlike before, the rest just rapidly climbed the twenty-meter tall formation. With both in the sky for the most part, the gorilla's ranged attacks were able to be dodged after getting used to seeing its attack pattern.

They both progressed far enough to actually use the spell gust as an shield. It would be solidified just enough to divert the thrown spikes, but ultimately it broke under the unreasonable force.

Tanner and Stacy both received several lacerations that required the healers' treatment, however.

"You guys ready?" Erik called out. "Jack, Jill, we'll be relying on you!"

While it was also possible to call on Eldrich, he was held in reserve since the two already had experience working together.

Jack's partial red clay wall and Jill semi-stone white lances managed to keep them fighting as the bridge was formed by Eldrich who was on stand-by at the peak.

After a thorough washing by the water mages, the two were recognizable again. It seemed that walls were not effective against something that could burrow in the ground and lances only made it thrash - arguably endangering them more. Of course, no one had a better solution.

Mina and Lina tackled the phoenix. Perhaps due to their small stature and quick reflexes, they were able to escape with just three talon marks apiece. As if by coincidence or design, the flurried attacks were actually mirrored images of the other, with a nearly eviscerated left arm for Mina and right arm for Lina.

It the non-dominate arm for both anyways.

As for the water formation, they made quick work of it. Seeing as the male water mages blatantly refused to go - the task fell onto Hana to pick who she would be going with.

She picked Alfred. As if to spite him for the day before.

He was dragged up the top of the hill with the rest - whom the undine ignored - by a deceptively strong Hana. She even managed to climb the ledges with a mass of water gnawing on Alfred's unconscious body that was strapped to her back. She descended gracefully too.

Unfortunately, his inability to resist meant that he was a casualty of the course.

While Mathias and the others said their condolences, the boy was given to the healers who said "he's actually fine. Just looks worse than it is."

Considering their was more spots on his body with blood than without, it was a doubtful diagnosis. Especially when the Undine's modus operandi involved siphoning blood out into her own body. Which implied more was taken out than on him. It explained the pallid continuance. However, Jenna told them to go on. Another boy carried Alfred.

Jenna grinned broadly as the students waited to see what would appear. She just stayed silent until a student asked, "wh-what's next...?"

"I'm glad you asked. You will have three choices about how to progress from here. Remember, you'll have to fulfill all the conditions before we advance to a new formation. I'm quite curious as to which you'll pick of the three:

"The first is something you've already done. The atmospheric effects. The second will include a slight variation to the monsters; they'll attack everyone. Anyone, anywhere within the formation. Even if you're confident in your ability to solo it, I suggest you think carefully. They prioritize the one's they deem best suited for rapid completion. The third will be another monster. Twice the trouble.

"And, of course, there is always a back-up option. We can, of course, keep it the same. Of course, it won't be that easy. I'll, of course, be there to ensure you're all reasonably safe. Of course, you can guess the number of times one must repeat it in this case. Think carefully."

"..."

There was no going back. Considering they had a class of twenty-five - and eight were nearly done themselves - it was impossible to do it another five times - if the 'of course' was, of course, the counter. Even if half repeated it twice, to end up with the same injuries Mathias received was not high on their priorities.

"... Okay," Erik said, breaking the long silence. "There is a lot to think about it. I think we can all agree the last one isn't going to happen. But... given the choices, the second and third will do too much trouble. I think... I think the first one is our only chance, honestly."

"... B-but... but the sand!" Ayla shouted.

The others nodded. There was a collective stare towards the rock formation with the prowling sand snake.

"... I know. I'm not excited about that - or the ice - either. As for the flying rocks and fire, we can at least do something about it. But... it means we're going to have to hang on for a long ti-"

"I'm not doing the water one!"

"I'm not doing the sand one!"

Mathias shouted and Ayla quickly added.

"Th-... I mean what other options are there?"

"I dislike it, but... free-for-all? We did it on the first day, but... is everyone okay with it?" James said tiredly.

No one really spoke.

"... There is likely more to it than that," Fara yawned. "I doubt it will just be so simple as it can freely attack anyone. For example, what if it has an attack they did not use against us simply because it's inefficient?"

Jenna nodded slyly at the deduction, but no one saw it. She gave them a warning, after all.

Mathias strode up to her directly. "Jenna. If the undine is set to target everyone, does that mean her previous mannerism disappear?"

"... It would conflict with the programming, so yes. Unfortunately, you are not likely to see much of a 'desirable' end in that terrain. As I said, the ones most suited are prioritized."

"... Jenna," Lisanna asked, "if the phoenix is set free, does that mean she'll still target me, too?"

"Jenna! Will I have to fight that sand thing again!?"

"Jenna!"

"Jenna!"

The students surrounded her and bombarded her with nervous questions. Fara had long since accepted this, but being given options that were all horrible was more difficult than just being forced into a situation.

Jenna tried to get away from the crowding students, who she expected to enjoy the opportunity to move beyond the other classes.

She jumped into the air, hovering out of their reach as she crossed her arms. "I thought there might be some resistance, but not this much. I'll give you another option. It's a different trial completely where you'll need to grab the orbs representing the four basic elements fighting waves of enemies. They're individually less difficult than the four you faced, but they cannot be looked down upon. They are also completely unrelated to the mons-"

"Yes! No sand! Please Jenna, I'm begging you!"

"Don't tell us anymore," Erik shouted. "Let's just do this one!"

He was worried about not being able to get the class on the same page - and he was not in a hurry to go through the gauntlet trials again.

Jenna scowled. "This is intended for people who have already mastered reinforcement magic and their chosen weapon forms. It'll be extremely difficult to use magic outside of your own arm's reach once inside. It's typically a purely physical match. However, since you have only one lesson, I'll allow you to go in pairs. Are there any more complaints?"

"None! Please! No sand!" Ayla cried out.

The others shouted their consent.

Since it was to be left at that, Jenna said, "run five laps."

"...!?"

Seeing the students pale, Jenna smiled as she clarified, "you can go around the formations. It'll take a bit of time to set up.

They let loose their bated breath.

If one said that the empty formations were a difficulty ranking of one, the atmospheric conditions, two, and the monsters with a normal formation were three; then their new task would be a four, the same as the inclusion of the weather anomalies.

No one could say if the scale was linear or exponential. God forbid it be logarithmic.

Erik and Mathias were the first to start running. It was only about a two-kilometre run, all said, so they would finish within ten minutes.

In that time, Jenna was searching through the storage room for an innocuous-looking orb. Once found, the amber orb glowed and she plugged it into an empty panel in the building.

The effect was immediate.

The old formations disappeared and a square-kilometre of tall marble walls encircled the arena they were once in. The healers, still resting in the middle, were brought up gently by an ascending stone platform, as they were settled on top of bleachers overlooking the entire scene.

Everyone stopped in their tracks.

The air hissed just behind the walls of the North-Eastern portion; below that, the howl of frigid winds pierced through the walls; to its side, a gale whipped through the marble walls, displacing hundreds of pounds of earth and stone from the training yard; and just above that, a dull thump was heard.

Mathias looked at Erik, who returned the glance. "... Let's not chance this one..."

"Yeah, partners?"

"... Yeah."

Jenna flew to the center impassively. Seeing the students partnering with one-another was fine, but it bothered her how they disregarded her options more than she expected. More accurately, she hated digging through the disorganized storage room. She did not want to give them that luxury after her previous concessions were ignored.

"It looks like you're under some misunderstanding. Now... who to pick to go first... Lisanna O'Clair! Mathias Vandiese!"

She shouted and the two of them were dragged after only finishing three of the five laps.

Both flailed at the force completely, unequivocally controlling their bodies' momentum.

And as they hovered above the walls, they paled.

"Oh, don't worry. They'll only hurt you if you mess up a little too badly. Ah! No spoiling the fun to the rest of the group! And those of you thinking of taking a peek, you'll be doing it alone. I suggest the rest of you work hard on the last few laps."