“Alright children have you learnt a formation yet?” A bleak looking man who when by head instructor asked the eight kids in front of him.
“We have one yes, in formation!” I gave a shout, and everyone fell in. Jensen and I were at the front. He had a huge shield and a thin rapier for thrusting. I had an ordinary looking sword, though it didn’t suite my style. A double edged one would better fit my style, but they were expensive.
The triplets spread out covering the sides and back, they were obviously switches. They would help the front, middle, or back as needed. Each had a sturdy sword, spear on their backs, and small arm shield. Meredith and Ciela were the ranged attackers and support casters. Ciela had her bow that was comically too big for her. She was a farmer, so her strength was more than enough to pull the string. She often coupled the arrows with magic as well making her attacks more devastating. Meredith was great at casting buffing spells, and ranged attacks. She had a staff that was sturdy enough to use as a club if needed.
Finally, our true middle was Chloe. She was a tall sturdy farmers daughter. She held a mace that she had sharpened the points on. She was violent and seemed to enjoy watching the blood spill from monsters. She was placed in the middle partly due to her inability to notice her surroundings. She often focused so much on killing the thing in front of her, she would get hurt from the side. She also provided a layer of protection for the back line. Auna always thought that if she was on the front line, she would go full kamikaze. When they break into smaller groups, she was the back line for the main striking force.
“She carries a mace; she should be on the front line.” The head instructor sighed.
“No sir, she has tunnel vision.” Auna shock her head giving a look at Chloe who had not moved. Chloe and Auna had argued enough about this issue that Chloe had eventually given in.
“I see. Then we will leave your formation as is. How on earth did you get approval for an eight-year-old?” Shaking his head, he walked towards the relatively safe dungeon while a few other instructors pushed their group to follow.
Auna and Jensen had worked very hard to explain that all the girls in the room would need combat practice. The king relented and gave Ciela his permission as well. The killers were coming into their room after all. The boys got approval easily as Duke Pearl didn’t even try to fight his sons’ request. Chloe was given permission after her parents got a visit from both the Pearl and Bloodwave heads.
They spent the next three hours crawling through the first few floors of the training dungeon. The instructors rarely said anything, content to let the children continue in their clearing without correction. Every once in a while, tips like “A triplet should have gotten that one” or “Miss Jade let Mr Pearl use his shield for you, jump back behind it when needed” where given.
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“Alright, I think that is enough. We might have picked too weak of a starting point.” The head instructor led them back outside.
“I don’t think there is anything we actually need to teach you. You are at the level most twelve-year-olds are when they come to us for their first experience in the dungeon. I am confident you can go into one yourselves. Not one rated for high-level adventurers but beginner ones easily enough.” The instructors then stepped aside to have a private conversation.
“Do you think they will just issue our pass?” Jensen asked as the children waited calmly.
“I can’t see them doing that. It would look bad. Most teams from our school take at least three babysat dungeon crawls before getting the green light to solo.” I say shaking my head. It was unheard of to be given the pass to enter a dungeon before three sessions with an experienced member.
“Aright children, we will update your guild cards. You don’t need to come back tomorrow.” The head instructor gave a bleak smile. “What is this world coming to when youngsters no longer need us for guidance?” He walked away as a different man shook his head laughing.
“Don’t mind him. Your kiddos did great, you are all well-coordinated. You are all strong as well, can use your skills effectively and no one threw up at monster blood! Though Chloe, right?” Chloe gave a quick nod as he pointed at her. “You should try to tone it down with the crazy laughing and smiling when you kill. It was a bit creepy.” We all nodded at that.
“Yes sir.” Chloe sheepishly looked away.
“Anyway. Your guild cards should be updated soon. It is easier because you all already are guild members. We usually guide people until we are sure they won’t cry, throw up, or pee themselves in a dungeon alone. You are all already beyond that. So truly good job!” He gave a final wave as our teacher Mr. Merlin came to gather us.
“How did your first session go?” Mr Merlin asked as we walked back to the school. The training site was not too far from the school. The school having been built purposely close to the weaker dungeon.
“They said we don’t need anymore and that our cards will be updated today.” Jensen beamed as Mr. Merlin stumbled a bit looking at us trying to see if we were lying.
“He isn’t lying” I say.
Mr. Merlin just shook his head staying quiet for a while finally he spoke when we reached the school gates. “You children are all weird, aren’t you?” He gazed at each of us for a few seconds before bidding us farewell. It was nearly lights out. Tomorrow would be the start of the week, which meant classes.
Auna didn’t gain a single level from the exercise. She was not pleased having wasted her time. The weak monsters having been too small to gain exp from for them. Once someone was a certain level higher than the monster, they would no longer gain exp from the kill. It was different for each monster type, and not well documented. Instead, a person would instinctively know the monster wouldn’t give them exp. Some people though didn’t have that instinct. Instead rule of thumb dictated to fight within 10 levels of your level.