Chapter 13: Discussing Rumors and The Training Grounds

The four people in the coincidently named Squad 1 were aware of how peculiar the situation of their grouping was.

"Huh, I'm really lucky to be with all three of you." Calid says jokingly with a chuckle, referencing their situation.

It would have been assumed that there would have been a chance for the three of them to be separated and form their own factions on their own. However, since this was not the case, it was very likely that they would have to follow the lead of the highest-ranking person present, the princess.

"As am I. From what I've heard, our activity in a few minutes will likely involve combat. Venia, has Ser Rheya mentioned anything to you?". Belle, smiles in response to Calid. She goes ahead and talks about the rumors she heard.

"Hmm, not really. Though, it will make sense if our activity involves fighting since she did tell me to rest well and be prepared to get tired." Venia, thinks and mentions any information she thinks might be important.

"If that's the case, we should talk about our fighting styles and training." Levik offers his suggestion after hearing Venia's supposition.

"That sounds like a good idea. I'll begin if that's alright, I'm a backline magic user. I focus mainly in using water magic and I'm trained in first aid." Belle agrees with Levik's idea and talks about her magic.

It was said that the goddess of battle blessed men with stronger bodies, while the god of magic blessed women with better mana stores and control. This was the general pattern that varied from individual to individual. In the princess's case, it was obvious where she fell as she preferred to stay back and cast versatile magic.

"I see, I possess no awakened bloodline. I use wind magic alongside my swordsmanship to make fast and decisive attacks. Using my wind magic, I'm able to attack at range a bit. " Levik goes next, and surprisingly states that he possesses no awakened bloodline ability. Most people would usually not be so forthcoming, the princess did not even mention anything about a bloodline ability.

"Well, mine is pretty obvious." Calid adds as his skin suddenly turns into a rough scaly texture. Interestingly, his bark-like skin had a reddish orange tinge and it also emanated heat, though it was still at a comfortable temperature.

"I mainly fight close in melee; I use a war hammer and fire magic." He adds after activating and deactivating his bloodline.

"Ah that's an interesting variant of the Robur bloodline. Since everyone offered on their own, I also possess an awakened bloodline. However, I am still unable to control it and it has no combat applications at this time. " The princess comments on Calid's unique version of the Robur bloodline, while offering information of her own, albeit vaguely and with some obvious embarrassment in her voice.

"Oh, it seems that her power is a complex for her." Venia concludes in her thoughts; she was able to relate to the princess as she had a similar issue.

"I have a bloodline ability too, but I can't use it well now. It uses too much mana at this point, but it's mainly used to weaken other people’s bloodlines. That's why I focus mainly on archery and moving around. I also know first-aid magic." Venia talks about her bloodline ability and combat abilities.

The princess nods when hearing this, she had heard of Venia's father's bloodline which could make bloodline abilities useless under certain conditions. Thus, she was not surprised when she heard that Venia seemed to have a similar ability.

"Alright, from what I heard so far. It seems like it’s a good idea for the boys to stay in front while Venia roams and I stay in the backline."

Everyone nodded at this, though this would leave the princess without any protection they assumed this was still the best formation while they were still starting out and figuring each other's tendencies. They continue their discussion on in-depth tactics until Levik brings up a topic for discussion that was lost among the buzz of the first day of class.

"By the way, have any of you heard about what's happening at the gate today?" Levik asks as if remembering something that was hiding in the back of his mind.

The three other members of his group pause, Venia and Calid try their best not to look at Belle.

"Yeah, pretty surprising to be honest. My dad told me to stay away from it for now... since it might distract me from school after all." Calid answers but then hastily adds a caveat due to fear of offending the royal family's controversial decision in front of the princess.

"I don't know what to think about it. Papa just told me to not be bothered about it and focus on school." Venia said her honest thoughts which seemed to hint about the knight-captain's stance on the matter.

"Hmm, I'm not sure what to make of it either honestly. However, I believe we should wait and see what the delegation results in before we talk about it more." The princess answers while surprisingly showing her unsure opinion on the topic. It would have been expected for her to fully support the kingdom's stance.

"Mhm, that makes sense. I honestly haven't been outside the noble district, so I wonder how life is like outside the district walls." Levik adds to the conversation with a sense of longing. He had long wished to see the lush greenery and land of his father's distant homeland.

Venia, who unlike Belle and Calid, was not aware of this fact looked surprised and was about to follow-up on this statement however Calid spoke first.

"Speaking of news outside the noble district walls. Venia, I wanted to ask if you heard anything new about the cases involving the barons and baronets that passed away recently." Calid, suddenly changes the topic impulsively. Since he had come from the north, he was sincerely curios about the previous hot story about the serial killer who stalked the capital. He asked Venia specifically because he remembered that the Magic Knight Order was one of the royal knight orders tasked with aiding in the investigation.

Venia for her part knew little of the topic, however she had heard some scraps of information from overhearing conversations. Though she did not want to mention confidential information here.

"I..." Venia begins her reply.

CLAP

As Venia was about to answer, Ser Rheya clapped her hands and called everyone's attention.

"Alright everyone, I hope you have no issues with your squad mates. For our next activity, we will be moving onto the training grounds. However, before we do, we will need to assign a class representative who will be the official point person for the professors and instructors of classes. This person will have the responsibility to coordinate most of the activities, in return they will be given the authority to represent the class in an official capacity as well as bonus privileges. I would like to ask if there are any willing volunteers for this position."

"..." The class is silent however all eyes turn to the princess. No matter how ambitious, everyone felt it would be awkward for the princess not to be the lead for the class.

The princess, noticing the stares, nods and raises her hand with an embarrassed smile. Though she had a feeling this would be the case, she didn't realize how unanimous the class would be of giving the position to her. Perhaps if Calid and Levik had not been her groupmates and interacted with her, this would not have been the case. Currently however, they seemed to be unbothered by the prospect of being led by the princess.

After a short time, Ser Rheya finally nods.

"Alright, if there are no other volunteers. Belle will be your class representative, when it comes to coordinating activities or schedules, treat her authority as you would me." Ser Rheya expounds.

There was an almost comedic silence. The class did not need a reminder to treat the princess with respect.

"Okay now that that is over, let us move to the training grounds. Everyone where clothing and/or armor for combat. If anyone is injured or feeling ill, please say so." Ser Rheya states.

A few minutes later, the class has arrived at the training grounds. The sky was clear, and the sun beat down heavily on everyone.

The grounds themself was a clear and well-maintained grassy area. The soil was soft and there was burn resistant grass planted to lessen the impact of soils. To the sides of the main sparring area were different training dummies, weapon racks, archery ranges, and various different facilities for combat training.

There was even a specialized fully grown mana tree planted in the center of the field that exuded an aura which helped those nearby regenerate their mana somewhat faster. These kinds of trees required decades of careful care and knowledge in botany to cultivate, it was too the point where it was almost seen as an unneeded luxury for decoration rather than function. It said a lot about the academy's resources that it had an expensive plant like this here.

"Alright, for today's activity, we shall begin with some sparring. Each squad will face a different squad I shall assign in a moment so you can practice and gain experience with your teammates. Follow basic rules of sparring, no attacks with intent to seriously harm. You are all classmates not enemies, this is not a competition but rather meant to make everyone stronger." Ser Rheya explained.

Ser Rheya then turned to Venia and her squad with a serious face that made the four students’ shiver.

"Since we have an odd numbered about of squads, your group shall be facing me. You all have 15 minutes to strategize then we begin."