Special Training
The school day started and Mr. Frank had a little something planned out. The class was already in the courtyard, preparing for battle.
"Adam, Felix. Come here." [Mr. Frank]
("Hm? Did I do something wrong?") [Adam]
Mr. Frank gave them both four bracelets each.
"Put those on. One on each limb." [Mr. Frank]
Although the way Mr. Frank was acting suspicious, the two did as they were told.
"What now?" [Adam]
Mr. Frank pulled out his usual laptop from his lab coat and tapped away on it. After a few more clicks, he gave out a command.
"Set total weight to 80 pounds." [Mr. Frank]
"Urk!" [Adam] [Felix]
The bracelets suddenly felt heavier and the two had to put some effort in standing up straight.
"I've just set each of your bracelets to 20 pounds. In total, the four you two are wearing is equivalent to 80 pounds. You will be fighting like this now." [Mr. Frank]
("That doesn't seem like much of a problem.") [Adam]
"Also, your performance was outstanding. It was so good that I don't think you should be training with the rest of the class." [Mr. Frank]
"Where are you going with this?" [Felix]
"You two will fight a wave on your own. The class will fight their own group of robots, while you two fight one as well." [Mr. Frank]
("I stand corrected. This will be a bit difficult.") [Adam]
The class, Adam, and Felix were sectioned off. A group of Robots waiting for them. Since the class had lost its leader, Alex took command.
"Are you guys ready?" [Mr. Frank]
He pulled out the microphone once more and gave out commands.
"Unit one, target: Class. Unit two, target: Adam. Unit three, target: Felix. Code: Rampage." [Mr. Frank]
The Robots whirred to life and began their assault.
("No back up, and I'm handicapped. How should I deal with this?") [Adam]
"How about using me?" [Krino]
("That's not allowed.") [Adam]
"Hmph. Then I'll just enjoy the show." [Krino]
For the class, Alex copied what Felix did for his command, everything seemed to go smoothly. Although they were taking quite a beating, Tiffany was using Invigorate numerous times to empower the vanguard. As for Felix, he used his ability right off the bat.
"Spatial Slash!" [Felix]
Most of the robots were felled in a single move. Swinging in a wide arc was very effective.
("Now to finish the rest!") [Felix]
He tried to run forward and meet the robots in close combat, but having 20 pounds on each ankle was making it difficult to move. As for Adam, he was still thinking about his approach.
("Should I fight them upfront? Or should I use version two.") [Adam]
An idea popped up in his head.
("This might work.") [Adam]
"Zero Point!" [Adam]
Expending an incredible amount of mana, he was able to gather all the robots in a single point.
"Pressure Cannon Version Two!" [Adam]
While holding the robots mid air, he expended even more mana to wipe them out all at once. With a loud bang and a large amount of creaking sounds, they were crushed into piles of scraps.
"That wasn't so hard." [Adam]
Although his attitude showed no signs of weakness, he had actually spent a bit over half of his mana.
"How're you holding up?" [Krino]
("A bit tired... especially with these weights on. Since I'm done here, I think I'm going to take a seat and watch Felix or something.") [Adam]
Felix was combating the robots from close range. His movements were sluggish and some of his movements were off timing, but he was getting the job done. On the class' side, they were almost finished with their wave. They seemed very energetic, but Tiffany was sweating quite a bit.
("Almost there…") [Felix]
It seemed that he was trying to achieve something by using hand to hand combat. After a few minutes had passed, both sides defeated their wave of robots.
"Congratulations, you all have exceeded my expectations once again!" [Mr. Frank]
"That's because they have the same attack pattern. It's simple once you figure it out."
[Alex]
"Then it's time to up the level again." [Mr. Frank]
"Another level?! They're really strong as is though!" [Brandon]
"Don't worry, I didn't mean by physical attributes." [Mr. Frank]
"What do you mean?" [Felix]
"You'll see. Let's take a break before continuing." [Mr. Frank]
The class was given a fifteen minute break to do what they wanted. Some students had their lunches, some went to the bathroom, and the others just focused on relaxing. After the fifteen minutes had passed, Adam recovered barely enough mana to do the same trick once more.
"Unit 1, target: Class. Unit 2, target: Adam. Unit 3, target: Felix. Code: Variant." [Mr. Frank]
("Variant?!") [Adam]
"So they're going to be smarter now." [Krino]
("Now I can see a little bit of what Felix experienced when that void appeared.") [Adam]
The robots moved in a more organized formation now. They were able to dodge most of the first volley fired from the class. Felix tried using his Spatial Slash again, but only a small amount was destroyed. The rest either jumped over it or stayed low to avoid it.
("They're so much smarter now! I don't think my last strategy is going to work.") [Adam]
Seeing that Felix decided to charge into the group, Adam decided to do the same.
("Close combat it is.") [Adam]
He slammed into the first AVS that arrived and pelted any robots that got close to him with Pressure Cannons. It was working at first, but the amount was starting to overwhelm him.
("I need a plan!") [Adam]
"Try using a weapon." [Krino]
("I can't use you right now!") [Adam]
Another idea popped up in his head.
("If I can't use Krino… then I just have to make another sword!") [Adam]
Adam blasted the ground sending all the AVS around him away for a while. He quickly put his hands together and began to compress the air in between them. Moments later, the air was starting to take form.
"I did it!" [Adam]
He had successfully created a weapon out of compressed air. Unfortunately, he had to constantly apply mana to keep its form.
("With this, I can win!") [Adam]
In the midst of battle, the robots did not dodge his slashes as they could not detect the weapon. It was practically invisible. Although it did quite a bit of damage, it still could not hold a candle to Krino. It was the same as hitting the robots with an iron pipe.
("Even though it isn't that strong, it still gets the job done!") [Adam]
After a while, he had destroyed the wave in a brutal fashion. As for Felix, his knuckles were bloody from punching metal and was barely standing. He was atop a pile of AVS with a face that looked relieved and proud at the same time. He murmured the words:
"I finally got it…" [Felix]
("He did that without a weapon?!") [Adam]
"He's pretty stubborn to be able to pull that off." [Krino]
("How about the class?") [Adam]
Checking the class out, they had already given up. Many AVS were standing, but were turned off. The students were on the ground with a look of defeat.
"That's a wrap!" [Mr. Frank]
He had called all the students together and let them rest.
"It seems like this is your limit. From now on, you all will be fighting AVS level 2 variants." [Mr. Frank]
"Can we take off these bracelets now?" [Felix]
"No, you will have them on at all times. That is, until the tournament." [Mr. Frank]
"Not even in the shower?" [Felix]
"Don't worry, it's waterproof." [Mr. Frank]
"That's not what I meant- You know what, nevermind…" [Felix]
The bell rang and the class was dismissed. Most of the students just limped home. Unlike the rest of the class, Adam and Felix dragged their feet home. The weights felt unbearable to them. At first, Vivian was surprised to see them both wearing those bracelets, but got used to seeing them after a while. They had practiced everyday while Mr. Frank increased the weights and levels over the week. Finally, it was Friday right after practice.
"You all must be excited for the tournament next week." [Mr. Frank]
The class was a mix of excitement and listlessness. They clearly didn't have enough energy to express themselves any more than they just did.
"All right I get it. You all must be tired after that training. Then enjoy your weekend and have fun. Remember, be here on time for the bus. If not, get to the stadium on your own." [Mr. Frank]
After that, the class was dismissed. Adam and Felix still had the weights on and they were 30 pounds each. Their day went on as usual until morning came on Saturday.
"Hey Adam, wanna go out somewhere today?" [Felix]
"Sure, know any places?" [Adam]
"Yeah, I know a good one alright." [Felix]