"Good luck maggot."
Wayland walked into the middle of the ring as Druien stretched his arms and legs. His joint popping slightly.
"We are allowed weapons, ma'am?" Druien asked Kalim.
"As long as there is no lasting damage yes." Kalim answered.
Druien grew a large maniacal grin and lifted up a wood mallet.
"Don't worry ma'am, i'll just knock him around a lil." Druien told the Amazoness.
Druien eyed his opponent, this whelp had Ms. Kalim use
Wayland watched as Druien pulled out his wooden mallet. If this had been 10 years ago, before he died and returned to the past. Wayland would have laughed, but now with his former body. Wayland had doubts that he could win this.
Mentally preparing himself, Wayland knelt on his knees in the middle of the ring.
This confused most of the class as most people would put up a defensive front at least. Yet this boy had just sat down in the middle of the ring, like an open target.
A handful of people realized what he was doing, one of which was wondering where this boy had learned such an advanced technique. Kalim paled a little, she too knew this technique. Druien was not the fastest pupil she had, maybe this would teach him a lesson.
"Fighters ready?" Kalim asked.
Druien nodded, adjusting his grip on his mallet
Wayland nodded, still kneeling on the ground.
Pricusla nodded, just standing off to the side praying that this plan that she and wayland had hashed out at lunch would work.
"Fight." Kalim announced, with that the classes roared as Druien flashed his
*Ding*
Heightened Awareness activated. Resisting Intimidation. Intimidation Resisted. Heightened Awareness has gone up Level 1 (2/10)> Wayland sat still, knowing from his former teacher that 'those who bark loudest, have the smallest bite'. Wayland was not worried as Druien seeing that his *Whoosh* Druien smiled, knowing he had just knocked the boy out of the ring. Suddenly, the large boy was looking at the sky. Next to him, Wayland was still kneeling on the ground, breathing slowly and controlled. "What the?" Druien started, then got back up and swung again. By this time the crowd of students had become quiet. Wayland slid his upper body forward to dodge the mallet, while moving his upper body he stuck his foot out catching Druien on the ankle making him lose his balance. Then righted himself back to kneeling position when the move was finished. 'What is he doing to hurt me like that? No matter, he won't dodge this one.' Kalim just slapped her hand to her forehead and watched through her fingers as not only did Druien miss his target. He also lost his weapon to the ground. Wayland was seen squatting on one of the mallets heads. "I guess it's time to finish thus." Wayland spoke out loud. 'Gileon.' 'Master.' Gileon acknowledged shifting into a weapon. Wayland had expected a staff or a club, but the staff extended and started to curve at the top. Soon a dual headed scythe was next to Druien's throat. "Do you yield?" Wayland asked in hollow tone. Druien looked up to say something and saw that Wayland's green eyes had turned into an ice cold emeralds. Those eyes spelled that the owner had done this a thousand times to a thousand different enemies. Shivering, Druien acknowledged his defeat with a nod. The scythe disappeared as fast as it had shown up. Wayland then walked over to Pricusla. Who during this whole ordeal had just watched as Druien had been taken down peg by peg. Wayland gently put his hand on her head and tripped her lightly. "I win." Wayland stated to Kalim, who nodded. "The winner is Wayland. Round 1, Time 1 minute 27 seconds." Kalim announced, stunned that a greenie beat one of her biggesy heavy hitters. "Wayland, you are here by promoted to Squad Leader of the 1st years. You will be in charge of making sure that everyone is doing their best to push their limits. Should they fail, the responsibility of that failure will be placed on yourself. Am I understood?" " Ma'am, yes, ma'am." Wayland spoke, he knew that being promoted was the biggest insult he could have. Not only that, but it was also a hidden message that Kalim would be watching him closely. She had also just painted a target on his back, and he would have to be more careful from now on. 'Shit, just when i thought i could just walk through like last time.' Wayland thought. *Ding* Battle and win against the enemy with Forced Gravity applied. Forced Gravity Resistance removed for quest. Rewards recived: Agility +2 (6+1), Intelligence +3 (9) 20 (65/100) experience. Time Limit: 5 minutes Urgent Quest: Survive against higher level enemy. Rewards: Defense +1 (4+1), Health and Stamina +10 (Health: 30/30, Stamina 5/30) 35 (100/100)experience. Congratulations, Level 2 achieved. You now have 5 Statistic points to add. Do you wish to add them now?> 'No, close screen.' Wayland thought. As the screen blinked out of existence, a lot of 1st years ran up to Wayland congratulating him on winning. "It was just a fluke. Sorry i caused so much trouble. I'll try to help you out." Wayland told the group as he tried to weedle out of the throng. Suddenly Wayland was pulled out of the mass and found himself on the other side of the area. Looking around he found that Trusga was next to him. "You looked... uncomfortable." Trusga explained without being asked why. "Thank you. It was very uncomfortable. Since you got me out of that jam, i guess i can make you my second. Hahaha." Wayland told the Lizardman. "I gladly accept, sir." Trusga acknowledged. " 1st years, ten-hut." Wayland announced, feeling every bit of his old commanding self. The 1st years all snapped to attention as Wayland looked at his group. "Trusga, i would like to know everybody's strengths and weaknesses by the time class is finished. So let's do some exercises." with that Hell Week for the 1st years started. A few hours later, Wayland stood in the shower letting the hot water run down his battered body. He pushed himself along with his classmates, who were hating his guts right now. After he had put everyone through the Gauntlet, a course that was set up on the edge of the Combat Classes' area. Trusga had a list of who needed what. Even his own physical strengths and weaknesses were listed. [Subject: Wayland Strengths: Strong upper body strength, agile foot work. Weaknesses: Stamina less than par, Dexterity normal, Defense normal. Suggestions: Continue to work on Strength and Agility. Up training on Stamina, Dexterity, and Defense.] 'I guess i know where the points need to be added.' Wayland thought as he browsed through the list after drying off. Suddenly he stopped scanning as he came across one name that stood out. Why was she here? A few days later. A lone Drow elf walked fast with her head down, with books in her arms, towards the library. It was free period and she wanted to be left alone. Her parents had forced her to come here, learn the art of Stealth like the rest of her family had. Yet she always wanted to do something different with her life, gardening or being an animal healer. No one understood that she was sick of the shadows. After years of being underground, treated like a protected treasure. Finally free, and the first thing she did was run into a place nobody would bother her. Just as the Drow elf touched the knob to the library another hand grabbed hers. Jumping back with a slight squeal, the Drow looked up to see the hand belonged to the human who had sparred with the giant 3rd year and won standing there. "Oh, i'm sorry. I didn't mean to get in your way." the Drow spoke, hiding under her silverish hair once more. "No, no. I'm the one who should apologize Ms...." the boy apologized retracting his hand from the knob. "My name is Synclade. But you can call me Syn or Clade or even 'hey you.'. The now confirmed Synclade rambled out in nervousness. This was actually the first time someone other than her parents had touched her after all. " Hello Synclade, I'm Wayland." Wayland introduced himself, smiling gently. " I know. I mean everybody knows who you are by now. After all that in Combat Class." Synclade stammered, trying to hide behind the books she was carrying. She blushed slightly. It wasn't everyday that a strong, semi-interesting human bumped into you. "Oh. I just tried my best. I was lucky that was all." Wayland explained, smiling lightly. "Hey, Wayland. Are you just gonna stand there and flirt with her or ask her to come along?" a feminine voiced asked behind Wayland. "Geez, Pricusla. Still no subtlety." Wayland whispered. Synclade tilted her head slightly, 'Still?'. "Pricusla, Trusga, and myself were gonna go train for a bit. Would you like to come with?" Wayland asked in a curious tone. "Train. In the library?" Synclade asked finding the situation weird. "Oh, you don't know. There is a secret in the library. Come on." Wayland motioned as he entered last. Wayland walked up to the Librarian's desk. " I would like to check out 'Frozen in Time' by Sudlen Frost." "How long would you like to check this book out for?" the Librarian asked, slowly waving her hand to start casting a spell. "About an hour should do." Wayland informed her, the Librarian nodded. " Suddenly, the group was no longer in the library. Rather in a clearing next to a large set if woods. "What, where?" Synclade asked, scared that these strangers had kidnapped her. "Fear not Drow. We are still on school property, just on a different plane of reality." Trusga explained. "Huh?" Synclade asked, confused as much as she was scared. "What this cold-blooded monster means to say is that we are in the school still. Just in a reserved training room." Wayland explained, to the confused Drow. "Ahhhh. Why didn't you say that then?" Synclade asked the Lizardman. Trusga sweatdropped a little, "I thought i did." "Any ways, guys let's get to work. Pricusla, i want you to shoot another ten meters with Water Shot today. Ninety meters was good, let's try for the full hundred. Trusga, my buddy here will help you with your 'PLAY!!!' "Yip, yip." a black puppy appeared from Wayland's shadow. Gileon had grown four times bigger than when he first entered from the Void. He started looking more vulponis every day. Gileon looked up at Wayland, then pawed his leg gently. 'Wayland play?' Gileon asked. "Not yet, i promise we'll play later. For right now your favorite rough player wants to play." Wayland told the Void Pup. 'Lizzy? I play rough with Lizzy?' Gileon asked crouched down on his front, tail wagging excitedly. "Yes. No hurting though. We play nice rough." Wayland warned him. 'Yes Wayland.' Gileon said as he turned to Trusga, who had paled slightly before running into the woods. 'YAY, LIZZY PLAY TAG!!!' Gileon called out, before running after his quarry. "Geez i know Ms. Hertdowl said Void Pups need lots of exercise. But this is almost to much." Wayland complained to the woods, suddenly a huge boom could be heard about a kilometer away. "Wait, how did you get a Void Pup?" Synclade asked. "Huh, oh. I'm sorry i forgot you were here Synclade. Can you help me with something?" Wayland asked the shy Drow elf. "Ummm, I'll try. What do you need me to do?" Synclade asked, setting the books she had been carrying on a stump. "We'll be doing a game. If i touch your shadow for 5 seconds i get to ask you a question. If i miss then you can ask me one. Deal?" Wayland asked, smiling gently. "Sure. How long does this go on?" Synclade asked, stretching her muscles out. It had been a long time since she had trained. Her parents had taught her the basics, and trained her hard. Then came the age when she need to be formal and appeasing to the males of her race. By the roots of Yggsdrasil, she wished for simpler times. "I would stop thinking less if i were you." Wayland told her, holding her shadow in his hand. Synclade stopped, or rather she couldn't move. Wayland had some how paralyzed her while she was lost in thought. "Sorry, i'll answer one question for free. It's a spell i have called "What is your first question?" Synclade asked, knowing that she had been caught. "Why are you here. I mean why are you really here?" Wayland asked, all traces of humor and silliness gone. Synclade was suprised at the swiftness of his attitude. Going from a happy go lucky teen boy to a hardened battle veteran at the drop of a hat. Synclade gulped, her face turned bright red as Wayland stared at her. "I want to see if i can keep the art of hidden shadows alive in my family." Synclade answered, avoiding the boy's face. "Lie. Now, let's start. One, two, thr..." Wayland started a countdown, suddenly he sprung forward reaching for Synclade's shadow. Synclade suddenly disappeared. Reappearing on the other side of the clearing. Although she didn't stop for long. As Wayland appeared behind her, grasping at her shadow. 'Geez, just how quick is this guy. I just used half speed cuz i thought he lucked out with the third year.' Synclade thought as she added some speed. 'Good, she's starting to take me seriously.' Wayland thought, smirking inwards. 'Time for me to take it up a notch.' Wayland had poured all of his stat points into agility and was rewarded for it. *A few days ago* *Ding* < You have accessed a new skill. Shadow Step is now available. Shadow Step: You are able to stay pace with an enemies' shadow if you touch it with Shadow Grab for at least five seconds.> "That will be very helpful in the future." Wayland said out loud looking at the Skill. He then picked up the ball that Gileon had retrieved and threw it again. This time a little bit farther so that his Void Pup could get some exercise. 'How is he keeping pace with me when i'm going full speed?' Synclade thought as she had reached her maximum potential. ' Don't give up. You can go faster.' Wayland thought with determination, knowing she could seem like a breeze on a calm day. 'Faster. Faster. Faster my love.' 'Faster, i.. have.. to... go... faster!' Synclade thought, suddenly finding herself on the other side of the training room. "How did that happen?" Synclade wondered a loud. Suddenly she heard clapping and cheering. Looking around in the trees for the source. She saw Trusga, Pricusla, Gileon, and a broad smiling Wayland standing in the branches shouting their approval. " Ms. Synclade. I, Wayland, would like to offer you a position in our party." Wayland offered, holding out a hand to the Drow elf. " I have so many questions. What just happened? How are you guys even here? Most importantly, what party?" Synclade asked eyeing the offered hand warily. " We'll start with the last question first. Our parties' name is 'The Chaos Eaters'. Next, simple enough. Our time is almost up, so we were transported to the farthest member of the group. Which happened to be you. Finally your first question, you took the next step into being a stronger version of yourself." Wayland explained, "So, what do you say?" Synclade thought for a moment, "No." *Outside the training room.* A fist slammed into the wall as Synclade disappeared around the corner. "I showed her that she could grow into more than what she thinks she could. What did i do wrong?" Wayland asked, looking at his two friends. "Maybe we need to do some digging. I mean, if you think we can all grow stronger by training with you. She just might need some persuading is all." Priculsa thought out loud. *Ding* Persuade Synclade to join 'The Chaos Eaters'. Rewards: Synclade added as an ally. Possible romantic advancement. Exp 50 Do you accept the quest?> The group looked at the screen. Ever since the two students had formed a party with Wayland, they had been able to see some screens. Other screens would just be static, they also could open a screen and look at their stats, skills, and equipment. " Accept, I just hope we can do it. I have a dreadful feeling that things are about to get bad." Wayland told the group as he accepted the quest. *In a dark stone room.* A thin man, half covered in darkness,sat on a throne at the head of a long table. "Are we assembled?" the man asked the rest of the shadowed chairs. They numbered eight including the one at the head. " We are, my leige." a voice answered off to his right. "Envy, i want you to move on The Grand Forest of Drigun. Go forth and claim it." the thin man ordered a being who stood up from their chair. " Your will is my life my liege. It will be done." the being informed the thin man before leaving out the door. "Good. Now for the rest of my sins, we plan for the future." the man explained as he wore a wicked smile.