The council chambers burst into arguments. Diplomats in fancy garments were screaming in each other faces till they went red. No one had expected that Jorfrugr would make a play for the Champions, yet the more they thought about it the more it made sense. Most of them knew they couldn't take ALL of the Champions, but if they played along and each acted as if they had a claim in taking them, they could receive a concession and have perhaps a small number return to their country.
The accolades they would each receive would be mountainous from bringing even a single champion back to their country to be trained in their ways. While raising them they could clean up issues in local dungeons and if they raised a Champion stronger than the others… The political gains would be astronomical.
Kings Allaan and Wulfric could see these thoughts flitting back and forth across their minds as they all fought over who was better equipped to take in and train the new Champions. Their acting would have been Oscar worthy had this world the concept. Yet a lifetime in politics granted both the Kings more than enough understanding to see through this ruse.
The only one standing quietly was Hallgrim. After making that proposal he returned to his seat, not joining the arguments he had begun. Instead, his gaze was focused upon the two Kings presiding, a small smile colouring his bearded face. He clearly had his own goals yet allowing him to take the Champions back with him was absolutely unacceptable.
And concessions would not work either. With the Champions being targeted while weak, even transporting a few of them from one country to another carried heavy risks. Not to mention their teacher who was currently helping to hold the reins of a group of immature teenagers flat out REFUSED to have the group separated. The only way to appease these countries and avoiding a political incident… Ah.
Finally, Allaan could see the teeth of the snare Hallgrim had placed around his neck. By insinuating that their people could not train the new Champions properly and giving the other envoys a chink in his armour to attack, he'd left him only one alternative.
BANG
After a whispered conversation with Wulfric, Allaan banged his gavel down repeatedly to silence the screaming ambassadors. He did not enjoy playing into the man's hands a second time so soon yet taking some of the joy out from these irritating, wind filled, gas bags helped to soften the sting.
"The Champions cannot be moved so soon. Clearly, they are being targeted by the Demon Lords for their own ends. Nor…" Allaan shouted the end in response to a few raised hands about to put forward their proposal.
"Can we allow them to be split up and sent piecemeal to different countries. The risks are too great. Should even a single additional Champion be captured it could be the difference between victory, and defeat. However!" Allaan's face twisted as he forced himself to spit his next words, knowing that was a part of Jorfrugr's plan.
"However. If all of the representatives here wish to leave or send for someone from their respective nations to assist in their training, we will make accommodations available and allow them to stay in the palace until such time as they are ready. Are these terms acceptable?"
Several envoys blanked for a moment as they had not expected this turn of events. Yet before they could continue to argue and force more concessions from Aestria, Hallgrim stood up.
"Yes, My Lord, I as a representative of Jorfrugr will stay and assist in the Champions training" The 'My Lord' sounded mocking on Hallgrims lips yet he was careful to not let a trace of it touch his voice.
With the most staunch supporter standing up for the Champions being moved immediately capitulating, the other representatives found themselves without a leg to stand on. They all agreed to the proposal and promised to send experts from their countries in order to make this generation of Champions the greatest ever seen.
"Very well, Hallgrim! I suggest you prepare a lesson plan. When you are ready, you will be assigned a time to spend training the group"
"I can be prepared by tomorrow, your highness" Again no hint of mockery snuck through but was implicit in the fact he obviously already had a lesson plan in mind, ready for when this scheme paid off.
"I see. Then I will make the arrangements with Lord Boriq. As for everyone else, inform your rulers and make whatever preparations you deem necessary"
...................
Aaron awoke early before the sun rose. He could not wait to practice his magic again. Creating a ball of water was far easier now and he could make them roughly the size of two fists, while only using a single point of MP. Next, he tried making it completely smooth without a ripple. This he spent a good half hour practicing and if he moved an inch the ball would ripple again. Still, he felt he was getting better at the mana control side of things.
As the sun began to peek onto the horizon it found him trying to swirl the water in as many different directions as possible, while still maintaining it's shape. The task was incredibly difficult, and he found himself drenched in sweat despite the cool temperature of the morning and the fact he'd barely moved a muscle.
A knock on the door signaled the end of his practice time as he stood and opened the window, then attempted to fire the ball with as much force as he could. The result was… predictably pathetic, as it flew a few feet before losing it's ball like shape and dropping to the ground below. Realising his sweaty condition, Aaron quickly ran a cool handful of water magic, like a wet cloth made just of water, over his face and neck then down beneath his armpits.
Removing all the moisture on his skin, he then flung the most likely filthy water out with the rest then closed the window. Opening the door for a servant he didn't recognize, they walked in, placing workout clothes and another plate with the standard warm bread, meat and cheese for breakfast and a mug of warm milk before leaving.
Aaron hurriedly scoffed the food down, leaving not a speck behind. Getting dressed he checked his status and saw that all his practice last night and this morning had actually managed to increase his water magic and his intelligence by 1.
Name: Aaron
Title- None
Class: Water Mage
Level: 1
HP: 22/22
MP: 4/6
Strength: 11
Dexterity: 12
Endurance: 11
Intelligence: 13
Wisdom: 8
Perception: 8
Passive Skills:
???,
Language Comprehension- Level 10 (Inherited)
Sense Hostility- Level 1
Active Skills:
Inspect- Level 1
Magic:
Water Magic- Level 2
Quickly jumping up and heading out the door he joined the others who were again still slowly waking up and almost skipped as he was so excited to see what their training would be for the day.
...................
Finding themselves back in the arena, they all crossed the sands to see Lord Boriq waiting. Yet in Aedir's place stood a large, bearded man, dressed in fine looking silver embroider leather armour. Behind him stood two hulking men dressed in furs that looked swelteringly hot in such a fair clime. One held a wooden barrel, with numerous hilts sticking out. The other stood with one foot on a box, that rattled around ominously.
As they arrived Lord Boriq roared out.
"Stand at attention!"
Having learnt a lot from Lord Boriq, including his lack of patience for any tarrying in obeying his commands they all quickly formed a line, feet shoulder width apart and arms behind their back.
"This is Lord Hallgrim, of the Viking tribes to the North!" Boriq introduced in his standard carrying baritone.
At the word Viking a few eyes widened, and the teenagers looked around at each other in bewilderment before Boriq's barking words drew back their attention.
"He has offered to assist in your training. As such, your drills for the morning today will be covered by him!"
Applause was frowned upon in a training setting and those who had attempted it in relation to any of Boriq's commands, comments or even at the end of training had been met with his textbook glare. Hence the group stood in a silence that dragged for a moment before Hallgrim stepped forward, an amiable smile on his face.
"Welcome children! I am here to assist you in becoming warriors! In order to do so I need one of you to step forward!"
Aaron and Jarred had seen this set up in movies and shows many times before, and despite their excitement, knew better than to volunteer. This is usually when a character is made to look like a fool in order to show off a teacher's power. After a couple of hesitant moments James stepped forward.
He was the most athletic and coordinated of the group, and while he had tried to disguise his intentions, it was obvious he was attempting to take a leadership role in this new world. Approaching Hallgrim he shouted.
"I volunteer!"
"Well done boy" Hallgrim congratulated him, causing James to bristle in response. He was after recognition, being called boy wasn't helpful.
"Take this sword" Hallgrim passed a large steel blade to him. Despite its size, James's strength stat must have been high enough, as he was able to lift it relatively easily.
"Now. I want you to swing it at me. Hard as you can" Hallgrim said with a fierce look in his eyes. Then he crossed his arms and waited.
A look of shock crossed James's face, before he swung the blade. Yet as it drew closer it slowed, until eventually stopping, still a good foot away from their instructor.
"I SAID swing at me. Come on boy swing the bloody sword!" He taunted.
This time the blade actually came close enough to touch before stopping, pressing against the leather yet without enough force to puncture the tough hide.
"Again boy, come on hit me don't tickle me!"
James was becoming more and more incensed at the provocations. This time he drew the sword up above his head and swung down hard! Had Hallgrim stood still it would have done much more than tickle, yet in one move he stepped aside, taking the blade from James in one hand and pushing him to the ground with the other.
"Up and back in line!" Hallgrim shouted, ignoring the humiliated look on James's face. Once he reached his place, a few tears hurriedly scrubbed from his eyes when he thought no one noticed, Hallgrim continued.
"Does anyone think they could do better?" Silence filled the coliseum as no one spoke a word. They had seen what happened to James and no one wanted to be the next example.
"This world EATS the soft and weak" Hallgrim declared in a loud echoing voice.
"Perhaps where you are from, this weakness is a virtue but HERE it will get every one of you killed. Which is why I am here to teach you to kill it first!"
At his gesture, one of the Viking guards opened the lid of the wooden box and withdrew it holding a furry creature unlike any they had seen before. It looked much like a large cat, furry with fierce red eyes. Despite those it appeared docile in the Vikings hands and a few of the girls nearby commented that it was actually kind of cute.
"Cute you say?" Hallgrim roared overhearing.
Aaron used his inspect skill and instantly understood what he meant.
Lynx
Class: Monster
Level: 2
Attitude: Aggressive
Fixing a leash to it the Viking then let it go free. Immediately the creature ran at the group, who for the most part began to run backwards, a few screaming as the creature foamed at the mouth, its eyes fixed on its prey.
Just as it was about to reach Hannah, a stern tug on the chain holding the leash dragged the creature back just keeping the class our of reach. To the side Aaron could see Mr McGilvray starting towards the class, anger and concern written across his features before one of Lord Boriq's heavy hands stopped him in place.
"This is what I mean by weakness. Not one of you attempted to fight! A lynx preys on the weak, hence why it won't come near us despite there being nothing to hold it back from doing so! Now!"
The other Viking ambled forward, carrying the barrel full of weapons without a hint of strain.
"Each of you will take a weapon. You must each kill one of these creatures, before you may leave the arena today!"