Chapter 238

At the training grounds, Ren was supervising William's workout routine. He was running laps with large bands of mithril attached to his ankles, and wrists. The enchantments used allowed someone to alter their weight and made it perfect for training.

It was a method used by the templars to increase their soldiers' endurance, but Rolen made some modifications. The artifacts were lined with silver along the inside making William rely on strength similar to humans, and keeping his regeneration from working.

"Next!" Ren shouted as William began practicing his striking stance.

Yuki was standing nearby watching a few of the children put their training to use as the others played in the fields nearby. Ashleigh was in one of the barriers with Crowley, and Tanya. The two of them were practicing to take a flag from behind Tanya, but being the top student it wasn't an easy task.

Ashleigh was already capable of activating her essence at will, but the flames were parried with a war fan conjured in Tanya's hand. The two flames were intermingled locked in a battle for supremacy. Crowley used the opportunity to fly over Tanya, and he was rapidly closing the distance to the flag.

Tanya finished chanting lifting her free hand into the air creating a cyclone that made Crowley struggle to stay in the air. With a swing of her fan, the cyclone was engulfed with flames. Being a demon the flames weren't too dangerous, but added with the harsh winds it made it difficult to fly.

With Tanya's focus split, Ashleigh broke free of their battle, She dashed forward engulfing her claws in blue flames. Ashleigh plunged them into the cyclone halting it in its tracks and prying her comrade free.

Tanya saw this as an opportunity to get them both at once and amplified the flames while fanning the storm's strength. Crowley saw Ashleigh struggling to keep the magic at bay, and began chanting while aiming his hand at the ground. The ground began to rumble as water came spurting up from the waterways extinguishing the flames.

The fire may have been dealt with, but the wind magic was still in effect. Crowley and Tanya were in a battle for control over the force that took its place. Ashleigh attempted to dash around in the confusion, but Tanya was prepared for this tactic. The fan conjured immense flames with a simple gesture. Ashleigh had traces of lightning coursing around her body as she dashed around the attacks.

"They are getting better at teamwork, and Tanya is advancing so fast," Karin stated.

"We have you, and Zack to thank for that," Yuki replied.

"We may train her, but you're her motivation. The day you protected them from the angels left a heavy impression." Karin said with a smile.

"Thank you. I hear you're joining our arrangement." Yuki said while taking a seat nearby.

"How would you feel about that?" Karin asked while watching the students train.

"I have no complaints. How was your date?" Yuki smiled.

As the two conversed about the date with Zack a nearby training field was activated. Standing inside was Amara, and across from her Zess. Zess is wielding a shield in one hand, and a longsword in the other. Amara's tails, and claws emerged as a smirk appeared on her face.

"Are you ready?" Amara asked as flames sprouted in the palm of her hand.

Zess nodded taking a stance as the blast was hurled at his chest. The shield absorbed the blast, but he slid back from the force. When the next blast was closing in he stepped forward while hitting a switch on the handle. The attack was sent back towards Amara, but she hurled another blast to meet it.

'Shit' Zess rapidly hit the second switch.

The barrier narrowly protected him from the shockwave but in the confusion, Amara sprang over the wall. When she got across she closed the distance sweeping the shield from his hand but rapidly retreated from the sword swipe as she blocked it with her claws.

"You have good reflexes, and after some fundamentals, you will be able to use that weapon properly. For now, let me help you." Amara said as she poured mana into the blade through her fingertips.

The sword rapidly went blue as Amara jumped back motioning him to come on. As Zess charged forward he snagged up his shield. Amara launched another blast, but Zess managed to swing his blade in time dissipating it. The sword went red as a sword aura was sent back in retaliation. Amara stuck both hands out halting it in place before redirecting it into the barrier. Zess noticed the blade lost a little of its glow.

"Once you can use mana maintaining that state isn't difficult. Not sure if a sword suits you, but we have a wide selection to choose from." Amara stated.

"I've had a little training in my world, but not with weapons like this," Zess replied.

"I'll be sure to train you thoroughly," Amara smirked.

"If you really wanna teach him you should let me join."

Walking up to them is two elven women. They both have blonde hair and blue eyes with a close resemblance. The woman on the left had a short ponytail with bangs and is wearing leather armor. On her hips, she was dual-wielding shortswords, and strapped around her chest are some throwing knives. Her name is Ella, and the woman next to her is Emma.

Emma is wearing a green dress and has curly wavy hair trailing to her back. Along her wrist was a trinket with intricate engravings, and a sapphire embedded into the center of it. The two are twins who moved in with the last convoy of elves. They were curious about the rumors of other worlds, and seeing one of them on their trip to the training grounds was just fate.

"I don't mind the company, but that's up to him," Amara replied.

'He's a cute human so a little teasing could be fun' Ella smirked as she locked eyes with Zess.

"I can help you with your swordplay if you share some stories in return," Ella told Zess while stroking the hilt of her blade.

"What she means is training with multiple partners will present you with different scenarios to overcome," Emma stated while drawing moisture from her surroundings with a twirl of her wrist.

"I don't mind telling stories, but I can offer more than that. Fighting with a sword may be new, but I still have a few techniques from our world I can show in return." Zess replied.

"You with me." Amara pointed towards Ella.

"Guess that makes us partners," Emma smiled at Zess.

Water was gathering around Emma's trinket since they were talking, and after smiling at Zess she started chanting. She knew Ella wasn't the type to wait for someone to say go. Glancing up Ella was charging straight towards her while drawing the two swords.

Zess pushed forward getting between the two sisters as they clashed. Ella sprang back using her sword aura, but he was getting used to the shield's functions. The barrier protected them from the blast, and Emma took to his side while chanting.

"That will only work so long!" Amara shouted as her tails came together as a large blast formed between her hands.

Looking up to see the incoming attack Ella smirked jumping back as she engulfed the blades in wind. She pointed the two blades into the air building the force dwelling within. Zess started sweating at the incoming attacks before him.

This was meant to be a simple spar to adjust to their weapons, and now he had a concern for his safety. After the talks the two had Zess was confident the connection between him, and Amara was mutual.

'She wouldn't really hurt me, right?'Zess gulped as he braced himself.

"Holding your ground while facing such a force is impressive. I have an idea, but your gonna have to trust me." Emma told Zess as her bracelet began humming.