Alvin and Linfel, along with their classmates, gathered at the Academy field. Just like before, several airships arrived to transport the various classes to the next Field Exam. Once inside, they took off and had to endure an hour of anticipation before the instructor finally spoke about the next exam.
This exam was unlike the one Alvin and Linfel had faced before. "Hello, everyone. Some of you might know me already, but to those who don't, I'm Gordi. The Field Exam this time will take place in the Sky Island on the north side of the country."
"Sky Island?" Linfel's brows furrowed in confusion as he turned to Alvin, seeking an explanation.
Noticing Linfel's confusion, Alvin began to explain. "That is an army facility. It uses anti-gravity Magic Runes to keep itself afloat near the border of Volztain Country. You heard how our country isn't really at peace like most normal people think, right?" Linfel nodded and waited for Alvin to continue. "Well, I asked Brother Pamil about it a little more. He said that Volztain Country would most likely be the first one we would go to war against if things took a turn for worse. It's a sobering thought, isn't it?"
Alvin continued. "That's why we have the Sky Island there. In fact, the official name is the Heffal Magus Sky Defense and Research Facility. It's just that the name was too big, so people ended up just calling it Sky Island. We have Maguses and Familiars stationed there in case there is a need for deployment. They act mainly as the support for the normal army located on the ground."
Linfel nodded. "I understand." Having a defense point in the skies seemed like a good idea, in Linfel's opinion. It gave the Maguses and Familiars a vantage point, and they could easily cover any of the surrounding areas. It goes without saying that the army of normal people operating Magic Weapons was many times bigger than the army of Maguses and Familiars in the sky. Usually, the Sky Island doesn't make moves since most of the normal operations could be carried out by the normal army below. In any case, Any big movements attempted by Volztain Country would be easily found through the vantage point in the sky, too.
Gordi noticed Linfel and Alvin's talk and called them. "You two, silence. Pay attention."
"Sorry, sir." The two quickly apologized.
Gordi nodded and turned his attention back to everyone. "Your objective this time is to take part in the Army Training for a day. Do not think it will be easy. The Sky Island knows of your arrival and has prepared a special menu just for this day. Of course, the training will be tailored according to your level as a Magus or Familiar. You will find out more once we land."
"We should arrive there by 8AM, and we are leaving at 6PM. Anyone not in the landing sight by that time will be left behind. Good luck explaining yourself to the officers in Sky Island about your presence there. Understood?"
"Yes!" Everyone answered together.
Not long after, Linfel was able to see the Army Sky Island in the distance. "Wow! That thing is enormous!" The Sky Island was circular, with a ten-kilometer radius. Several buildings could be seen everywhere, making it difficulty to believe such a huge structure could be kept afloat like that.
In the surroundings, it was possible to see many drones coming and going from the island. There were also a few maguses who seemed to be using some kind of equipment to fly as well. Familiars could already float anyway, so as long as they stayed close to the Maguses, they didn't need equipment to continue flying. Of course, if the Magus used the full speed of the equipment, the Familiar would need to hold on to the Magus, or it would be left behind.
The Island was also covered by a very faint green barrier, and any magus, familiar, or drone that approached it had to pass through some small gaps in that barrier. Linfel could feel the energy of the barrier from his seat in the airship. "Green Magic Energy, the fourth level of Magic. They truly don't mind spending a lot to keep it safe."
Felia shook her head. "From what I heard, it is not that expensive to keep this barrier running. Only a few hundred Green Magic Stones per day. Of course, a few hundred Green Magic Stones would cost a fortune for the likes of us that we can only dream about. But, this is a place kept by the country. For the country as a whole, a few hundred Green Magic Stones isn't that much."
Alvin agreed with her. "Besides, the barrier itself is in a dormant state. It will only truly activate if it detects a real attack coming at it. At that time, the expenditure will skyrocket."
Linfel was impressed. "This is truly amazing." At the same time, he thought about the new runes Wosley was working on in the Vaxwel Facility. If he succeeded, a place like this would be within the ones to take the most advantage of the rune's better efficiency features.
For a few minutes, the airships of the academy stopped in the air. The airships of the academy had to wait in queue to enter the barrier. Several types of scans and sensors were used on each of the airships before they were finally allowed to land.
Everyone came out and moved in an orderly fashion according to the instructor's orders. Finally, each group was received by a Private of the Sky Island. Naturally, so did Linfel's group. "I'm Maxtilius. I'll be in charge of your training today. I'll make one thing clear. In the army, following orders and rules is paramount. If anyone goes out of line, they will be immediately disqualified from the Field Exam and sent back to wait in the airships. Now, then, let's move to the first location."
"Sir, what will we be doing there?" Someone couldn't help but ask.
The private glanced behind and spoke with a faint and cold smile. "Magic Endurance Training... with a twist."