Wyll ravenously ate the food brought before him, his stomach feeling empty after the encounter. He had explained to Askalon just what had happened through the {Weapon} seemed to struggle a bit with the idea before shaking his head and sitting down.
"So that gamble thing we did for a skill, I know it was a first for me but you're saying that you had appeared before a large audience and different beings of power, like creator level power, auctioned on the chance to watch you just… normally? Does anything feel different or?"
Wyll quickly shook his head as he finished his meal, huffing as he set the plate to the side, taking a swig of the milk before setting it to the side. He quietly crossed his arms before taking note of the rather lavish room that he was in. Quickly he took a look around and noticed the painting on the wall, the Guépard family portrait. Wyll sighed as he swung his legs off the bed and stood, stretching as he felt his body creak and pop some before smiling.
"Well when you passed out I took the liberty of requesting help from the Guépard family which they eagerly accepted seeing as you two are deeply intertwined with one another. They gathered up all the supplies for the trip and the daughter seemed rather feisty as she was mumbling curses at you as I brought you in. There were twenty-five originally out of the girl's class and all but five have left. Two girls and the rest boys. Of course you know that there is a Beastkin, three humans and an elf."
Wyll nods as he begins to suit up, pulling on his armor as he lets out a sigh. He was nervous as he motions for Askalon, nodding as he turns into a hunting spear. Wyll grips the spear shaft as he begins walking out to the courtyard where his group members are, looking over them all, Maya taking a step forward as she stands ready.
"Good morning sir, we are class B of the {Wielder} academy that my father has hired. Out of the class, your speech and flex of power caused twenty members to leave. The five remaining are myself, three humans and an elf of sorts. {Weapons} are as follows: hammer, two swords, a bow and gauntlets. I am stepping forward to be second in command sir with you as expedition leader, if you have any gripes or concerns we ask you to voice them now!"
Wyll noted her willingness to step forward to the second in command. He nods and looks over them all as he notes of each kid, seeing a boy and girl with swords, another human with a bow but as he looked to the last person he narrowed his eyes a bit, seeing a small elven boy fiddling with his hands as he wore hand wraps. Gauntlets were a strange weapon, not uncommon to hear of but the fact that they weren't armor raised some questions.
"Yes I do have a problem with my second in command. I know nothing about any of you, your teamwork or tactics. I will act alone for the time being. I hope you all understand the reason for the exploration, if not then I will begin. We will be investigating the uncharted territories of the Prairies, finding a place to set up a permanent foothold within the lands. You are all being paid already by the Guépard family with monetary value but I offer experience alongside the coin. I am Wyll Amarok, a champion under a god. I am your leader, if you do not listen to me then it will not be punishment by my hand you will have to face but the dangers of whatever we face."
Wyll looked over the force that had gathered. Ten workers, two carriages with both forming a two car train with supplies in back, two drivers. Wyll nodded as he took note of the lack of horses for the workers as he narrowed his eyes.
"We have carriage drivers, carriages and workers. You will all be giving up your seats in the carriage and letting the workers take it in your stead. We will take up a formation around the carriages by foot. Archer?"
Groans of complaints came from the cadets as Wyll looked over them all and crossed his arms as the boy with a bow took a step forward, losing all composure as his shoulders slumped down.
"Stand straight, stop griping all of you or I will send you back without the pay! We are no longer in the posh academy where you can use money to get your way! From now on we will go by the Turmoil Pack. Each of you step forward and list off your name!"
All of them were a bit shocked as Wyll stood with his chest puffed some, arms crossed as he held his demeanor. Each listed off their name: Maya the Hammer, Bastion and Kist the Swords, Ian the Archer, and Mako the Fist. Wyll then organized them, Maya and Bastion on the left, Kist and Mako on the right, Ian riding on top of the first carriage and Wyll taking the lead. As everyone got into position Askalon began to pipe up.
"Wyll, we should have them train as we are in the Coalition's territories. We might run into a bandit group or two but that doesn't mean we should slack. I still have the sandbags and what not."
Wyll nodded, beginning to dolt out ankle, wrist and weapon weights. They looked at them odd as Wyll took the time to get himself ready, strapping on his weights as he looked back at the group a bit confused. He began to stretch as different parts of his body popped and cracked. Unsure, the cadets had followed his lead after seeing how confident Wyll seemed.
To say that the cadets were under prepared for what Wyll was going to put them through was an understatement as a mile in and they were already begging to take the weights off but Wyll didn't relent as he kept walking, keeping pace with the carriage as Askalon even changed his weight some. Due to traveling with the Purple Dragoons, Wyll was used to carrying his things on his person and some extra weight on him, the weight training had increased his strength and endurance, making sure that his stamina had increased a good amount.
The days dragged on with no excitement, the only real thing that was a constant besides the sound of the carriage and horses was the constant complaining from the others. Wyll found his nerves a little raw but didn't relent as the three days had passed to make it to the edge of the Coalition's land. When reaching the border it was about midday but Wyll didn't want to press everyone too hard. They set up a small camp, making sure to tend to the needs of the horses and everyone as a fire was lit upon dusk's approach. The cadets, or better to say squad members had quickly isolated themselves from the group as Wyll took his time to actually spend time with people more his speed, eating with the workers and drivers. They all had interesting stories about the past and their excitement of what was to come but fear plagued their words. As Wyll sat and ate he was surprised to find Mako coming to sit next to him, quietly eating and picking at his food without much of a word. He held silence for a good moment before speaking up.
"Thank you for taking us under your wing and giving us a bit of training. The others are upset and sore but I feel like it has been the first helpful thing I have done in the academy. They really only focused on {Weapons} and I wanted to learn more… Would you entertain my asking a favor sir?"
Wyll looked at Mako, hearing how quiet and soft spoken the boy was as he nodded whilst eating. He was curious just what kind of request he would have, expecting the elf to ask for the second in command position.
"Will you spar with me? Just hand to hand combat, no weapons. First one to make the other yield wins? No bets or anything, just a friendly sparring. I hope you don't think I'm rude for asking or prying but I heard you took out a rare {Wielder} before even getting a {Weapon} and everyone in class B relied on their weapons."
Wyll was a bit shocked as he glanced at Mako, raising a brow before he swallowed his food, sighing as he nodded and stood up. Wyll was used to sparring without a {Weapon}, something that the Dragoons had done on a regular basis. Wyll began to take off his armor as people quickly shifted their attention to Wyll, unsure what he was doing as he laid his things in a neat pile, left in only his pants. Maya and Kist turned bright red as the others looked away embarrassed.
"I-I didn't mean in the nude sir! I j-just wanted a f-friendly spar!"
Mako spoke up a bit as he seemed a good bit flustered, holding himself a bit as Wyll couldn't help but chuckle as Askalon went into his human form and looked at Wyll, nodding to judge the fight. Wyll offered a hand to Mako who took it and followed Wyll to a bit of a clearing. Wyll shakes the hand of Mako as they take a few steps apart and wrapped their hands to not cause too much harm to one another.
As Askalon gave the signal they began approaching one another. At first it was a step forward but quickly Mako dashed towards Wyll, clearing the distance as he brought a right hook to Wyll's ribs. Wyll stepped back, dodging the hit but Mako kept the pace, applying pressure as Wyll danced between the blows, almost feeling as if he was on the run, taking in the patterns of Mako. Each punch thrown seemed to be from the right hand as Wyll grew a bit weary of the left as the onslaught of blows came raining down. Wyll was sweating some as he kept his eyes glancing between Mako and his fists, barely managing to keep Mako from landing a blow. A ding went off in Wyll's head as his attention was drawn to the window in front of him.
[[Running has hit max level. Authority Hunt of the Moon is manipulating the skill and evolving it. {Wolf Swallowing Magic & Runes} and {Wolf Swallowing Darkness} watch curiously. {Moon Who Drives Away Pain} begins to sweat. Wolf Step (Basic Form) has been acquired and will be used in the stead of Running. Many celestial bodies turn towards you and your achievements as some donations come in. In junction a skill has been awarded with Wolf Step. Predator's Mind has been acquired]]
Wyll had little time to properly react to the information as a fist came from the screen towards his face as his body seemed to lead him. His left foot stepped forward and his right foot stepped back as he dodged to the right as a slight outline of him taking a step to the left showed him taking a jab. Wyll had little idea what was going on but he felt this was the right path as his right hand grabbed at Mako's wrist, twisting it as he stumbled. Wyll took his foot and swiped Mako's feet as Wyll brought Mako's arm behind him, quickly pinning him to the clearing floor, knee on his back as he pulled on the arm to threaten dislocation.
"I give! I give sir! You're hurting me!"
The elf cried out as Wyll felt as if he was in a trance, pulling back on the arm some as he got closer to dislocating Mako's shoulder. Askalon grabbed on Wyll's wrist, giving it a bit of a squeeze before Wyll released his grip, getting off Mako who held his shoulder, the boy looking a bit pale as Wyll cleared his throat.
"I apologize, I got caught up in the fight. You're quick on your feet but need to use your left more. I can tell you try to push people into your left while neglecting its use but that isn't a sure fire way to win. You have great talent but-"
Wyll heard a branch break as the hair on his neck stood up. He glanced to the tree line before Askalon transformed, slipping into his hand as Wyll reared back, throwing Askalon like a javelin into the trees before a cry of pain rang out and the scent of blood tickled Wyll's nose. People began to step from the woods as Wyll narrowed his eyes and shouted out.
"Ambush!"