"What do you have in mind?" Zess asked.
"Ella will attack first, and when she does you need to release the barrier."
Zess glanced back to see a snapping turtle being formed behind him. The water in Emma's hand saturated the ground as the familiar began burying itself in the mud. It was the size of a medium dog, and Zess didn't see how it could help. Seeing the serious look on Emma's face he nodded listening to her plan.
The wind swirling around the blades reached its climax as Ella crossed the blades. With a swift swipe, a devastating force of wind was cutting across the land resembling a giant X. Zess saw it encroaching, and at the moment of impact, he released the barrier. As the blast hit the shield Zess used the other mode while bracing himself.
As Zess was sliding back the shield was glowing immensely as the magic was being absorbed. Amara knew what they were trying to do, and didn't wanna give them a chance. Knowing this world was cruel Amara wanted to make sure he was prepared.
'Why is it getting so bright?'Zess looked up to see a small sun heading his way.
Every instinct in his body was telling Zess to flee or switch back to the barrier, but he held firm. The ground in front of him began shifting into a swamp and rapidly spreading. Emma's familiar reappeared from the ground large enough to shield them both.
Emma pointed at the incoming blast as Ella charged in to intervene. A large orb of water formed in the familiar's mouth, and with it, Zess released the stored winds. The two forces collided as steam filled the barrier. Zess could hear faint footsteps and moved over to defend Emma. He made it in time to narrowly block a blade from striking Emma, and he quickly delivered a thrust sending Ella on the retreat.
"Not bad," Ella smirked.
"That was some good teamwork." Amara praised.
"We should keep going," Zess replied.
"A man with stamina," Ella said while dashing back in.
As the training continued one of the students was nearby watching from the shade of a large tree. He was adjusting his glasses and marked his place in the manga as he moved to a nearby bench. Why read a book he's carried for months when real battles of magic were taking place in front of him? The student's name is Suzuki, and he has messy black hair that he brushed aside to focus on their battle.
'Zess was fighting the whole way here, but this is another level. Those weapons are a marvel of engineering. I saw the forge during the tour, but we didn't go inside. Is it a trade secret, or will they let others see?'
Suzuki gazed across the training fields and saw how strong the children were. Watching them use magic like that by taking classes for only a few months gave him hope. Using the new ring gifted to him he retrieved a notebook. While watching the battles he took notes of the types of magic he saw, and the weakness they presented.
'I wanna go closer to see those weird inscriptions better, but there are so many people already.' Suzuki gazed at all the women gathered around.
Suzuki was always a quick learner, and already working through some college credits with the hopes of being an engineer. If he could accomplish that with a little free time after school then this should be easy. With nothing, but free time in this new world it was the perfect time to learn some new skills.
While taking notes Suzuki noticed a group approaching. Kintaro was walking by with a squad of shinobi behind him. Walking at his side is a kunoichi and the younger sister of Kintaro. She had spiky black hair tied up in a ponytail with bangs barely obscuring her eyes. Her name is Miu, and she was the only shinobi in the group to be out of the standard uniform.
Miu is wearing a short blue skirt with black spandex underneath. Along her shins were mithril plates dyed black, and weaved into her boots. Instead of the typical chest armor issued she was wearing a low hanging v neck revealing her ample form. The chainmail underneath was dyed black but had a dim shimmer from the sun.
"You were supposed to wear the standard uniform in case of a mission you know." Kintaro scolded.
"First impressions are important, and you know what's at stake. Besides I'm wearing some armor." Miu replied.
"Great job on protecting the vitals," Kintaro said sarcastically.
Hearing the familiar voices Haruna turned around surprised to see so many shinobi in Eden. Thinking something was wrong she left the side of the students rushing to find out the reason for their sudden arrival. Miu gave Haruna a wicked smirk as she approached.
"Why are you here?" Haruna investigated.
"You have to ask the boss about that," Kintaro replied.
"You expect me to return all the way home?" Haruna asked.
"We take our orders from Zack now," Asad stated.
"I'll go speak with him then," Haruna replied rapidly disappearing.
"Have they gotten together yet?" Miu asked.
"Doubt it. She's a talented shinobi but you know how she is." Kintaro replied.
"Guess I'll go introduce myself," Miu smirked chasing behind Haruna.
"Was it really wise to bring her?" Asad asked.
"I preferred if she stayed home, but somehow she found out about it. You know how persistent Miu can be, and the retaliation waiting if I denied her would've been worse. I hope he turns her down, and she will just drop it. Don't get me wrong Zack's a nice guy, but it's still my sister." Kintaro replied.
"The city has gotten a lot bigger, and we can't have her getting lost after," Asad stated.
An older kunoichi in their group was observing their surroundings and saw Suzuki watching them. When his gaze met her eyes he rapidly stared down at his notebook. Seeing the embarrassed young man put a smirk across her face.
The woman is named Asami, and she's Kintaro's aunt. Having just returned from an extensive undercover operation leisure activities were something she had forgotten. Hearing the stories from Asad about Eden she was eager to visit. She had every intention of working in a professional matter, but while off duty, this was their home. Having no mission currently, she could afford to indulge her former hobby.