Henry had found himself tapping his desk.
In front of him were two of the teachers for night class. Having cancelled the practical class, they were convening on their current problem. Henry having learnt that a student was missing had sent the two to bring them back and report what occurred.
"What of the Number?"
"They are very dead sir" the quaking of the man's voice reflected his current state of mind.
"They were a number five no? They were champion rank for gods sake. How did they die?"
The other teacher speaks up "They appeared to be brutalised. If I may?" Giving a short pause, they continue once Henry gives them a nod. "The attacker likely was significantly stronger than them."
"Your suggesting that a paladin killed them. You know well that there are only a few dozen of them, perhaps we can use that information to find them." Holding back the final thought of 'why would another family get involved.'
"There's more, they left a note. They said 'Its not a very strong secret force, now is it?'"
"Fucker" Henry splits the table into two.
"Gather up any information you can tonight. If we find nothing we may have to cut our losses." With his command, the pair disappear. 'Some punk wants to ruin years of work, I will show them.'
The next morning Leon walks to class with Albert and Victor in tow.
"I heard you'll be up against Galatea today, my condolences bro."
"Why are you acting like I'm already dead?"
"Aren't you?" Victor responds with a deadpan face as the three guys arrive at class.
"For today's lesson we will be working on teamwork skills, as its common practice for monster subjugations to form squads between three and six people."
For most of the lesson, Leon spent the time grouped with Albert, Lydia and Victor. The other guys spent most of the time taking the lead, while Lydia watched and learnt. Leon made sure to save his strength for later today.
After a couple of hours spent doing drills Croyden dismisses the class, with a final message of a curfew being in place from 8pm till morning.
Sitting down for today's lecture Leon tries to relax, having trouble focusing on the details of 'magic projection', time flies by quickly. Soon the time comes for class to end.
"Leon, good luck for today's fight", Lydia tries her best cheer him on.
"Thank you."
"Are you ready?" having finished the lecture Hela walks over to Leon.
"Yes, let's go."
With that the stage is set for the fight.
Hela and Leon walk into the arena, the chalk on the brick floor giving outlines of their starting positions. Galatea and Alice already positioned on the far side.
Picking up the spear and attaching the sword, he strides over to position.
With everyone in position, Croyden jumps down.
"For this fight, Mrs Bell and I will be refereeing. The rules are simple, the pair with the first member unable to continue will be the loser."
"What?" before Hela can voice her complaint Croyden cuts in.
"This is meant to be a joint exercise after all, the loss of your partner greatly swings how battles go. Also, to be very clear, I will step in if I deem things to be going too far" staring at Galatea, resulting in her moving her gaze.
"Alright are you ready then?" Croyden leaps back, landing in the stage area.
Hela gives a stare to Leon, as if to say, 'don't mess this up', which he flashes a smile to.
"Then begin."
Instantly the floor freezes.
Seeing this Hela stamps down on the floor, a wave of flame burst forth preventing the ice from settling at her feet, a great surge of vapour occurring where they meet at equilibrium.
Wasting no time himself, Leon skates forward at maximum speed. Light pillars firing at him as he speeds forward.
"Shall we bet, whoever picks the person to be eliminated gets to choose the names for the expedition?" Croyden spurs Mrs Bell.
"Fine, I bet that Leon will be eliminated, he is obviously the weakest" the mature woman gives her guess without much deliberation. Having seen the participants she was sure of her response.
Croyden hands over a piece of paper in response.
"Of course, you would write it down prior" giving a slight scoff.
Leon in that time had closed in the distance by half. The pelting of magic Alice hurled at him was blocked each time. The ice obstacles constantly being formed to break his momentum failing. 'All is going to plan, Galatea used power to defeat Hela at close range and I will take advantage of that.'
Having seen their fight prior he had formulated a plan. He ignores Hela's protest at him taking the lead, finally breaking through into range. Unable to prevent his advancement, Hela focuses on long range fire attacks, pelting Galatea with balls of fire.
Galatea, splitting her attention between both Hela and Leon was caught slightly off guard. Using her left hand, she forms a condensed ice sword blocking Leon's attacks, her right hand focused on launching attacks at Hela who is quickly closing in now as well.
With Alice unable to provide ranged support due their closeness, the sword and spear begin to dance. Leon being careful to make sure it remained a battle of skill instead of power unleashed blow after blow. Each strike calculated perfectly to unbalance her.
Under the flurry of blows from Leon, Galatea's face darkens slightly.
"Persistent pest." unable to break Leon's defence with her swordplay she immediately drops it and uses her magic instead.
Galatea sends a heavy blow to Leon, jolting him into the air with a large wall of ice.
In the air, Leon rights himself. His spear arm pulls back and his muscles tighten. The spear speeds from his hand making Galatea dodge. Hela now upon, they lock up in close combat.
Landing Leon puts power into his legs and draws the sword. Flames erupting from his feet he jumps forward, twice the speed from earlier. His target, Alice. 'With Galatea held up, it will come down to whether I can beat Alice fast enough', his prediction of the fight becoming truer as it progresses he pushes forward.
Seeing the change in targets Alice quickly prepares herself sending a large pillar towards Leon. Unable to dodge, he does what he can. Covering the swords in flame, they slice through the pillar.
Panic reaches Alice's heart. It had been only a couple of seconds and he was bearing down on her. Using most of her magic reserves she creates many needle like spears from the ground blocking his path. Leon jumps, keeping his momentum. A few of them graze his feet as he passes though her last line of defence.
As he does so his instincts shudder. Flinging the sword to the side, huge bolts of electricity strike from above. Being drawn to the metal sword, Leon escapes relatively unscathed. Given the half second, Alice creates a rudimentary crystal sword with the last of her magic. The action doesn't faze Leon. Her swing looks slow and sloppy in his eyes. Forming a fist, the huge blow strikes her head knocking her to the ground. His knee then meets her face, causing her to slide along the ice.
"Wait, wait" as Leon steps forward to catch the back pedaling Alice, ignoring her pleas. Just as he reaches her, a voice breaks his thoughts.
"The match has concluded." Leon's eyes drift to were Croyden is.
"Galatea and Alice have won".
Looking over to where the two were fighting it was obvious what happened. The many black streaks caused by Galatea's lightning covered Hela's body. Unable to dodge at such short range, she could only take the brunt of the attack. The field stilled crackled with the flow of electricity, making it clear how devastating it would be if one was to be hit with them.
'It seems my plan was flawed. Galatea isn't weak at close range. She withheld her abilities during the first fight with Hela. Under the pressure of this fight she must have decided to release them.'
He walks over towards Hela somewhat annoyed at his lack of foresight, as the medical workers put her on a stretcher and walk away.
As he leaves Galatea's voice drifts towards him "How resourceful, I didn't think I would have to use the Bright's lightning, let alone against a class E student. How about joining our family once you graduate?"
Feeling it was a genuine, Leon respectfully rejects her "thank you for the praise but I don't believe I will be joining a family."
"Take your time to think it over."
"This isn't over Leon, this is my victory!" embarrassed by her position and jealous with Galatea's praise Alice shouts at him. Swearing to herself that the next time would be different.
'Yes, she should be back soon' at her maniacal plans Leon shrugs and leaves the building.