Third week of August, combat room, Astarte team training, training was already underway and the three young mages seemed to be in trouble, facing standard opponents, lean agility, brute strength, medium and large quadruped beasts and aerial opponents, totaling 300, the situation did not look very good, Artemisia was fatigued, Apollodro already had his medical technique active, but seriously injured, Nathan had many lateral and back injuries. Artemisia bravely faced his share of opponents, Nathan ended up saving Apollodro from being hit by a crossbow coming from behind, but the medical mage was facing an opponent of brute force and Nathan didn't pay attention to it and they were hit by him.
– ENOUGH! – Said Astarte that cancels the attack and dematerializes the opponents, so she easily managed to heal the wounds of the three. – What was that, you never performed such a bad thing. –
– Pardon, Mrs. Astarte. – Said the three.
– It's no use just apologizing, you three aren't in sync... I basically don't see Apollodro fighting because Nathan keeps covering him and meanwhile Artemisia is fending for herself, you're a fucking team, behave like such . – Astarte said she was disappointed.
– Let's do better next time. – Artemisia said that she was not in the best of her abilities.
– I have to resolve some things, you are dismissed and for the love of Athína, get back in sync with that day of the attack, I don't know what's happening to you. – Said Astarte who seemed frustrated.
The three young mages then went to change, went to change into their uniforms. Astarte went to the Royal Guard tower, that training had been a real fiasco.
***
Royal Guard Tower, Astarte went to talk to Otrera, she was worried, feeling like a failure, the two were in Libra's master mage's room.
– I don't know what I do, I don't know if the problem is that I don't know how to train them properly, but it was a fiasco, I don't know if I'm good at it. – Said Astarte depressed.
– Calm down, it's not easy to be a master, I struggled at the beginning too, but we both know that's not it... They're teenagers, they must have some problem that's affecting their performance, but I think it solves itself. .. Me, Mor and Eddy have had a disagreement many times, it's normal, you were trained solo with me after leaving Belladona, did you forget how stressful it was and we had to deal with personal problems and training? – Otrera said that he understood the student's insecurities.
– They have so much potential, but they seem kind of lost, Artemisia has no patience and wants to face everything in the chest, Nathan is very overprotective with Polo and Polo doesn't know who he is, I understand that, but I don't I can just go there and scratch them, they have to figure it out for themselves. – Said Astarte worried about the students.
– I know, but why don't you pass them a rough test? – Laughed Otrera.
– Are you talking about me fighting them? – Said Astarte.
– No, you would kill them with a flick... Choose a newly formed neophyte and tell him to give them a disguised scratch, a "Belladona invasion", those three peck, but they are always together, maybe that will make them wake up. – suggested Otrera with a mischievous smile and lighting a cigarette.
– I think I have someone in mind… Richard Pose. – Astarte thought aloud.
– He's good, melee good, land and water magic, considering that two of them have already defeated sophomores alone, as a group they should be able to face him. – Suggested Otrera. – Send him tonight, I'll talk to Margareth. –
***
The three mages were finishing changing in the dressing room, they were putting on their uniform, but Artemisia was out of patience, she was thinking about Keith, she liked him, but he was on a team with Megara who had shown interest too, and to see the behavior Nathan and Apollodro in training annoyed her, thinking about her friend and her romantic interest, she bursts and punches knocked down one of the rows of lockers.
– I can't take it anymore, since you started dating you got sloppy, smug and dropping our performance, I can't handle it all alone, we're a fucking team, Nathan just keeps covering the Polo, what's less you need because precisely he's a medical mage and physically stronger than the two of us... If you play Romeo on missions we could be dead. – Artemisia said, angry with both of them.
Nathan and Apollodro felt the weight of those words, they knew it was true, they saved things instead of arguing.
– Artê's right, I've been dead weight in recent trainings, I don't even know if my place is here, every time I have to be saved by Nathan or covered by you, I don't know if I'm fit to fight, I should ask me to withdraw, maybe they'll put someone more qualified here. – Apollodro said, he was in a crisis of confidence. – I had to be saved in the final exam of the semester, I had to be saved in the attempt, Nate almost died... What the hell medical mage am I? –
– It's my fault, I ended up making this team a burden, when you two fight together it's a sync, I break it down, I let my feelings take me, I end up covering the Polo more and I should give more coverage to Artê too... But I'm afraid I'm losing you Polo, since we started dating you never wanted to, you know, almost as if you accepted being with me out of pity, and that makes me worried. – Nathan said without confidence.
– And I also have to admit my guilt, I let my mind worry about other things and took it out on you, I'm probably missing the chance with the only guy who really interested me and it affected my behavior, my performance, my way of treating my teammates. – Artemisia said, she seemed to have a thousand things on her mind.
– Sister, why didn't you tell me? We never hid anything from each other, never, even in the most delicate things, we have to trust each other... Nate, don't be ridiculous, I just don't feel like it, I want the first time to be special. a random thing and it's no coincidence that I asked for the gift that Megara brought me, at the right time it will happen, a relationship is not just based on sex. – Apollodro said, he was unsure at the time.
– I didn't mean to say that sex is the most important thing, but after so long, I thought that love was lost and that I felt sorry for me. – Nathan said sadly.
– Never, I went through so much, so many fears to give you this chance, I'm just waiting for the right time. – Apollodro said with his smooth way.
– And as for training and fights, Polo you're not dead weight, you're an amazing and versatile fighter, no pun intended here, you're very good, it's my fault I was protecting you too much for fear of getting hurt, of me not being able to protect you, I'd be a shit boyfriend if i let you get hurt, but i want you to know that i think you're just as capable as the rest of us, I'm a hopeless romantic. Team, rough and fuck, I think I was so blinded by love that I overestimated your abilities and forgot that we were a team and that you need my help as much as he does. – Nathan said, assuming his failures.
– It's okay Nate, I understand how passion can make us flustered, we're a team, let's get better from now on... Man, you're very capable, only I know how much you've worked all these years to be here, you are capable yes, and you will improve, you only need to increase your confidence, you are as vital a member as the others and I would trust you with my life my brother. – Artemisia said with the most controlled temper.
– Thank you so much sister, it means a lot, I promise I'll give my best, become as good as Astarte and even Otrera, train more and more, have more confidence in the battle... Nate love, you're so sweet , but I don't always need to save myself, I can manage, and I'm precisely the one that can hurt me the most on the team without any major risks, we need to find a balance in the battle... As for the other thing, we can continue to sleep together, but sex not yet. – Apollodro said more confidently.
– I understand my love, I know you'll be devastating in battle, you have more melee potential than us, the truth is that each one has to be in their own area of expertise... Artemisia, I promise I'll be a more focused member, I will fulfill my role, you are my friend and my sister-in-law, I need to be a lot more partner, you helped me a lot, I have to be more grateful. – Nathan said, he realized that he owed much more to Artemisia than he gave him credit for.
– It's okay Nate, I understand what it's like to be in love, I also have to admit that I was kind of hurt, you two sweethearts made me resentful. – Admitted Artemisia.
– Open the game, are you like this because of Keith? – Apollodro said perceptively.
– Yes, it's just that I like him, he responded, but Meg is on the chart too, I don't know if I have a chance, they're on the same team, I don't know. – Artemisia said confused about what she wanted, and also who she wanted.
– Crack your ass with her if that's the case… I don't know if I should say it, but Keith likes you, but he also likes Megara, he's indecisive. – Nathan said opening the game.
– I understand, but he is not the main one, the main thing is for us to train and improve until the next training session, otherwise Astarte will eat our liver. – Artemisia said, swallowing her feelings and focusing on herself.
– I agree, where are we going to train? – Apollodro asked.
– At the lake, at night, it'll be good, it's pretty well stopped there after eleven o'clock. – Artemisia said.
- Deal! – Said the boys.
The three hugged, they were falling apart, but after putting the problems out of the way the mood seemed better, they were finding their own axis of action.
***
Belladona Academy Lake, night, the three young mages from the Astarte team went to train there, they were warming up in their training clothes, they would fight each other and then practice combos, they were almost ready to start, but Nathan felt something approaching, they were shots of boiling water, so he designed a dome of darkness to protect the group. Soon the person responsible for the attack appeared in black tactical outfits that covered the whole body, a special defensive mesh shirt and tactical pants, his eyes are light brown, his thick hair, brown and slightly curly, his white skin, he is a neophyte of Royal Guard, water, fire and earth mage, Richard Pose.
– Who are you? – asked Artemisia already in battle position.
– It doesn't interest you... It only matters that I received orders to kill the three of you. – Richard laughed, who had to act, had to make it seem real.
– He managed to penetrate Belladona, impressive, but we manage, don't you think it will be quite a test? – Apollodro said excitedly preparing the water blades.
– It doesn't matter, you'll be dead soon. – Richard said that he died quickly already shooting jets of hot water and earth thorns shooting from the ground.
Artemisia took care of the firings with a wall of fire to evaporate the water and Apollodro used his ice magic to freeze the thorns and crush them, Nathan then takes advantage of it by launching spheres of darkness at the attacker, but Richard dodged it gracefully.
– Combat rule number 1, always get rid of the medic first... Scalding Water Dragon. – Conjured Richard who launched two large steaming water dragons that hit Artemisia and Nathan sending them away and leaving for direct combat against Apollodro.
– This med here is not helpless. – Apollodro said that he used his physical reinforcement power, his legs and arms had magical circuits emanating, his agility and strength were greater.
– Impressive, you don't even need to recite the reinforcement spell, but it will need more than that, it's no use being stronger than me if I don't get it right. – Richard said, he was very agile, escaping the punches and fitting a series of blows into Apollodro's knees and powerful punches and then blasted one of his scalding dragons straight into Apollodro's belly, launching him into the shallows of the lake.
Artemisia and Nathan were already back to the fight, Apollodro didn't stay down for long, they had to work together.
– Icely Spears. – Conjured Apollodro who demonstrates a great mastery of his ice magic causing a series of ice spikes coming out of the ground just to push Richard away, he knew that would not keep him away for long. – We don't have much time… My water magic won't work much against him, I'll have to go melee… Baby, distract him with your shadows so Artemisia can make a direct attack on him and I close. –
– Right! – Said the other two.
Richard was back and with everything.
– When will they start giving me work? – Richard laughed, who went towards Apollodro again.
– You're not getting your hands on my boyfriend… Embrace Of The Dark Serpent. – Nathan conjured that he was inspired a lot by Morrigan, but snakes weren't because of her, this animal was his favorite, he even had a pet that was in the palace, since he was little he always liked snakes, in many ways. The spell invokes a snake of darkness that advances against Richard, it multiplied from 1 to 2, from 2 to 4, from 4 to 8, from 8 to 16 trying to immobilize Richard, it was not possible to compare with Morrigan, but these snakes were Strong, not all of his dark techniques involved snakes, but he liked them.
Nathan knew the snakes wouldn't be able to hold Richard for long, but that was a distraction, it was Artemisia's turn.
– It's my turn... Firebreathe + Wind Gate. – Conjured Artemisia that converted her magic and elemental nature into fire that spit vigorously through the mouth passing through a magical seal of wind, passing through the seal that spit of fire that was already strong turned into a wild and uncontrolled firestorm.
– Classic combination, I like it... Swamp Trap. – Conjured Richard, he joined the magic of water and earth to make a mire that had caught Artemisia and Nathan, soon after using fire to harden, were trapped by the feet in a special hardened mud, in addition to causing harm to opponents. – But where's the... –
– I don't think you paid attention to me… Supreme Regenerative Skill: Advanced Mitosis. – Conjured Apollodro, this spell is the most advanced he has managed to master in the field of medicine so far, this spell accelerated the mitotic process of cells making regeneration faster, but it didn't even come close to the power of Otrera's techniques, but it allowed Apollodro recovers during the battle and from the moment that this technique is active he is stable, he gradually increases the other attributes, having as a mark some magic circuits of organic pattern on the mage's face.
Apollodro came from behind and landed a punch on Richard that sent him to the island in the middle of the lake, he then went to his companions and got them out of the mud prison and began to treat their wounds, one hand on each of their backs and influencing your medical magic to heal physical and special damage.
– He won't be long, what we did will not stop him, but it was much better than in training. – Apollodro said, he was engaged in the cure.
– What do you want to do? – Nathan asked.
– Do you think we can replicate the training that Astarte taught us? – Artemisia said anxiously.
– We only saw that in theory and it's one of the most iconic group moves by 3GLWM, I don't know if we got it. – Nathan said, doubting his abilities.
– Yes, we got it, at least our own version… He'll come after me… Nate, you're the one who does the first part, Artê is the second and I'll go last. – Apollodro said fearless.
– Right! – Artemisia and Nathan said
Richard came with everything, he was not far away and was already launching boiling water dragons, but the mage were deviating, as predicted Apollodro was the opponent's target.
– You guys are good, too bad it wasn't enough. – Richard laughed.
– Now that you will see that it is good here. – Apollodro said, with his agility increased he took a double jump backwards away, but freezing the opponent's feet just to buy a few seconds, it wouldn't last long.
– I told you not to mess with my sweetie... Hallowed Shadow Mirror: Prision Formation. – Conjured Nathan, who summoned three giant shadow mirrors in a triangular formation from which spirits that were trying to suck Richard came out.
Artemisia, Apollodro and Nathan were on top of the mirrors, one on each of the three.
– Bombing Fire Storm. – Conjured Artemisia who formed a violent firestorm with air pockets inside it strategically placed to intensify the spread of flames and explosions, and even more so in a concentrated place, it was quite an attack.
– The Grand Finale is mine! – Apollodro said, he came from above with his fist stretched to punch Richard in full and with the shock waves destroyed the dark mirrors and the flames dissipated, they had defeated the opponent who was well wounded.
– TSC! These newbies are no joke, you did very well. – Richard laughed.
Astarte revealed herself and went to them.
– Yes, they are, as I wanted you to be like that in every practice. – Astarte laughed, who was soon going to cure Richard.
– What? – Said the three.
– This was a test, I wanted to see if in a situation of real danger you would work better as a team and congratulations are in order. – Said Astarte.
– Got it, sorry about earlier today. – Artemisia said embarrassed.
– No problem, this age brings a lot of worries, fears and insecurities, it's difficult to measure all of this, especially with the pressure you have on your back, but apparently you managed to manage well... I'm proud. – Said Astarte smiling.
– Thank you very much. – Said the three.
– You guys performed one of the most famous combos of the legendary ones, you really tuned in, I'll just wait for this level up from now on, understood? – Said Astarte.
– Yes ma'am! – Said the three.
– Richard, thank you so much for this help, this will count for nomination for paladins, very well, you can go. – Said Astarte.
– Of course… It was an honor, they have a future. – Richard said smiling and giving a wink to Apollodro and leaving there with a teleportation seal.
– Abused, he has a boyfriend, see! – Nathan said, he didn't like the wink.
– Stew. – Apollodro laughed.
– And I made a decision, I was in doubt, but I've already made up my mind... Apollodro, you proved to be a natural leader in this fight, you're smart and strategic, you have a macro view of the situation and you're also a medical mage... Remember the rules of medical mages, but you did very well, you will be the leader of the trio. – Astarte smiled.
– Congratulations, love! – Nathan said giving his boyfriend a kiss.
– Well done, bro. – Artemisia said, punching her brother's shoulder. – Not to be obtuse, but what are the rules of medical mage? –
– Do you sleep in class? – Nathan said ironically.
– Sometimes! – Artemisia laughed without grace.
– It doesn't matter... The medical mage are different from the others, they have a series of specific rules that we must follow, the main ones are five, taken as the five essential rules: I) A medical mage must treat all his teammates, without ever giving up on the patient while he is still alive; II) A medical mage should avoid direct confrontation whenever possible if he has companions to back him up; III) A medical mage must watch over the lives of all his companions, but also be the last to die in the battle squad; IV) Medical mage after the battle are obliged to the extent of their abilities to take care of the wounded, be they civilians, allies or captured enemies; V) Medical mages who master the "Supreme Regenerative Skill" archetype can disobey the first three sacred rules of medical mages... Each of these rules was made thinking about how vital the medics on teams are, if they get lost, who will heal the team and the injured? These are norms that aunt Otrera defends, she even created the fifith rule after creating the archetype, she lost a lot of people, she defends these rules with everything, it is sacred for any medical mage. – Apollodro told, he was very attached to the rules.
– That explains a lot… I understand, apparently you have a long way to go, but don't worry, you have two barriers to back you up. – Artemisia smiled, throwing her arm around her brother's shoulder.
– Yes, we'll help you as much as possible, you'll still shine a lot. – Nathan said, he gave Apollodro a tender kiss.
– Go to sleep now, tomorrow we will have more training, you have to retake that challenge that you were unable to complete. –Astarte said with a smile of joy and proud of the performance of the trio.
– Yes, and you can be sure it will be very different from last time. – Apollodro said confidently.
– We will have a much better teamwork. – Nathan said.
– Just like that to get to the next level, we'll be the best group in the triad exam. – Artemisia laughed.
The Astarte team was more united, better suited, a more aligned pace, problems happen, discussions arise, but they were a group, you have to support each other, be honest. The three were on a path of learning and wisdom, learning more about themselves each day, and this was reflected in their performance in battle.