"Cooke Party, all present."
"I was hoping you'd change the name you know," Doyle muttered. "But sit tight." He threw his chin across the amphitheater to pull my eyes towards the stage. "The Headmaster will make his announcement soon."
"As if he'd heard Doyle say his title, the False Devil waded across the stage with his arms spread out to his sides. "Welcome back from your extended outing. I hope you had fun. And I hope you enjoyed your day off. More than all, I hope you all are looking forward to continuing your education at the Bodhi Tree of Arcane Knowledge.
"As I'm sure many of you have noticed on your days off and in particular, on your way in, the campus has seen many changes throughout the last couple of days. The increased density of the ambient mana? The paths and corridors that have seemingly sprouted from nowhere? All but a few of many changes that you students will have to accommodate for going forward."
He paused, grinned, then inhaled sharply as if to summon the strength to pivot and begin pacing across the stage. "The quarter of our first year, otherwise known as the 'Grace Period,' gives the students time to acclimate themselves to our environment, to our lifestyle, before we begin forging you into Mystics who can survive in any of the known Realms.
"To do just that, we've categorized each of you into one of three categories and displayed them on billboards spread across campus. These categories hold no real meaning, they only serve as a way to evenly pair you with opponents at the mid-year ceremony." He reassured us with bared palms. Only to drop them in the next seconds, bringing our eyes up to an almost nefarious grin. "That said, these categories will also serve as a way to ensure fairness in any duels that may arise.
"You are shown these placements now for one reason." He continued after a short pause. "To motivate you into rising into the higher tiers before the end of the semester. For it is then that you will face your greatest challenge as of yet. When you will face off against an opponent carefully chosen to test you. Keep in mind that these matches will be spectated, not only by your senior classmates and the class instructors, but by scouts and recruiters from various guilds, militaries, and organizations from across the civilized lands. So!" He clapped his clawed hands and split his face wide in a devilish grin. "With that in mind, I urge you to do your best and face these new challenges head-on."
He left the stage with a bow and a wave. Prompting Doyle and the other teachers to crowd around him and talk for a few minutes before they dispersed once again, with Olga going to her class, Zeff to his, and Doyle to us. Yet they all guided us away from the Hub towards the south side of the root complex.
After cutting through the corridors and courtyards, we continued across a barren expanse for around a hundred meters until we arrived at a cliff that looked over a vast lake. Then continued down some winding roots that served as both stairs and catwalks that stretched down and across the cliff face. Allowing access to what could've been no less than hundreds of alcoves, all dug into the rock and walled off by a thick growth of brambles and wood.
While Olga took her class and kept descending, Zeff and Doyle gathered their parties on opposite ends of a round wooden dais and spread their arms in unison. "Welcome to the Undergrowth!" They shouted as if they were showing a new estate.
"This is the only area by students of all years," Zeff explained with a loud clap. "Save the lowest level, where you'll find the dungeons. Only the second and third-year students are allowed to venture there."
"But the two levels above that are the mines. Followed by this, the Training Huts." Doyle gestured down the catwalk at our level. A wooden bridge that extended nearly a kilometer into the distance. Only a few daises similar to the one on which we stood broke the structure apart until it eventually came to an end in a raised spine of rock running down the face. "They're separated vertically by grade and there are more than enough to house each student in attendance at the academy at once."
"You all will be meeting here for my class. To continue developing spells in privacy and to practice blending your flighting techniques with your magic." Zeff explained.
"And my class will focus on elemental combat." Doyle stated with a grin. "Today and for the next four weeks, you'll train in merging elemental manipulation with your chosen weapon. As before, those of you with natural weapons like claws, fangs or talons are omitted from choosing a weapon. Though you'll still have to train. Any questions?"
"Good!" Zeff clapped after realizing there were none. Then guided his students to another dais with a wave over his shoulder.
"Alright." Doyle turned to us once they were out of earshot. "Gather your weapons and spread yourselves apart for a quick demonstration."
Following the other students, I approached the consoles to tuck my daggers into my belt and store my spear in my shadow. Though, only out of habit or because it felt 'right.' For my training though, I took the three-section staff out of my Shadow Pocket. It was a crude weapon, but a weapon fit for training nonetheless.
But still, it was one of the first things I wanted to make.
"Alright." Doyle shook his arms loose once the party had gathered around him. He still wore his simple clothes. High leather boots paired with black trousers and a white button-up with a ruffled collar. On top of which sat a leather pauldron that acted as the only form of defense. While his offense was an exquisite rapier he kept at the low ready.
"You all know how to manipulate the elements. To such a degree that outclasses even veterans." He muttered under his breath. "However, the focus of this quarter will be learning how to incorporate it into our fighting techniques. Being a physical ability, elemental manipulation is the only thing other than perks that you can use to protect yourself against negstone. And using it in tandem with your fighting will give you an edge you may not have had before.
"That said, you must train to learn how to use the elements in accordance with your chosen weapon. That is why we're here. Take my rapier for instance." He snapped the blade up in a salute.
Raising his blade high, Doyle inhaled sharply then swung his sword down, forming a thin line of fire that became a sphere of indecipherable scribbles as the blade danced around in a frenzy until he lunged forward with a thrust. Sending a small fireball rocketing forth from his blade to crash into a nearby tree.
Again raising his blade overhead, Doyle slashed down towards his right and brought the blade upwards in the same motion. Sending vertical arcs of water and air crashing into the nearby environment before he thrusted forward once more. Only to chuckle pitifully at the sight of a small pebble skittering to a halt before his feet.
After a final deep breath, Doyle sheathed his blade and turned back to us with a meek expression. Though it didn't show in his voice. "As you just observed, my rapier is compatible with fire, air, and water. But not earth. That won't be the case for a great sword, nor will it be for a spear or dagger. As I said before, you'll need to find a method that works for you, so if there are no questions. Pick a hut and get started. You'll find the dummies inside to be more challenging than the ones you've faced before."
Turning away from his anticipatory grin, I joined Zakira and the rest of my squad to choose the final set of five huts and went inside after a few words with them. And for the rest of the day, I trained in peaceful solitude.
Mostly with the staff while my doppelganger train with first my spear, followed by my daggers after lunch. Only, it used shadows that acted like the elements rather than the elements themselves.
With the staff, however, I quickly learned that manipulating the earth with it was by far the most efficient, followed closely by air. Swings and slams pulled great pillars up from the ground or shattered it entirely. And great gusts could be produced as I swung and twirled it around. But water and fire were no better than what I saw Doyle use.
By toying around with my other weapons for a bit, I learned the daggers favored air and water. As it was almost effortless to use those elements to the length or increase the deadliness of the blades. The Shadowsteel Reaper, however, was far more surprising.
The weapon was already magical, but being made from adamantine, stone-mammoth ivory, and wood from a divine tree gave it an attunement with nature that it otherwise wouldn't have had to begin with. In the same way that Karu's gold-dusted quills graced the weapon's movements in the shadows, these materials allowed the blade to be wreathed in flames without the risk of melting or becoming malleable. Columns of earth and dense boulders could be sprouted from the ground or flung about each way with but a swing. Waves and hurricanes could be inflicted upon my surrounding almost without effort.
And adding death or shadows to the mix was just as easy.
By the end of class, I was more than satisfied with my progress. But eager to know that I've only scratched the surface of what was possible. I still haven't tried the art with my unarmed style after all. And there were many other weapons that I wanted to become proficient with as well.
As always, Doyle approached me to tell me to have the party here tomorrow for Zeff's class, and dismissed me with no prying words, much to my astonishment.
With my class relatively far ahead by now, I lazily trailed behind them to soak in the environment while I could. The cliff face was by far the most serene place here. The views granted nothing but the still blue sheet of Crater Lake stretching out far past the horizon.
Besides that were the mines and dungeons far below us, appearing as nothing more than additional catwalks and platforms akin to the one I was leaving. Sights that made me all the more eager to explore them and learn about all the magical ores and materials this universe had to offer. And, more importantly, how to refine and use them to my end.
Though, like virtually everything at this point, that had to wait for another time. So I cleared my thoughts while I trailed to the cafeteria behind my class and took to my table for a short and peacefully quiet meal with Peter and Zakira.
Seeing one of the many aforementioned pillars on our way back to the dorms, we made a detour and gathered around it to learn just what the categories Zorrenor mentioned were.
In short, there were three clipboards- or stages, labeled Natural, Supernatural, and Arcane.
As the name implied, Natural students were described to be able to utilize only their natural abilities, be they physical or magical in nature. To what degree wasn't stated, but 25 out of 55 of the first-year students had their names etched onto the board. Most of them human.
Similarly, Supernatural beings were those with immense strength or speed, regenerative properties, and the like. As one would expect, 14 mostly inhuman students were held in this tier. The vampires, the goliaths, and the other innately strong races. Though all of the Amazonian Warriors were surprisingly found in this tier as well.
Arcane beings, however, boasted a total number of 16 members who were said to have power that was either rare or powerful enough to dominate any battlefield. I was pleased to see Toril, Roheisa, Ed, and the others in the same category. Winston too. But what was more curious were the other names listed alongside mine.
Zaos Torhorn. Hogaz. Ash. Bazzric Baal. Elurial. And, of course, Zeke Silva and Lance Morningstar.
Naturally, it was those seven names that I added to GetHelp and sought to find in these here roots.