Giggling broke through Ethan's thoughts. Wendy and Lucy were talking in hushed voices, making it hard for him to hear. He could fly. How can he fall? Ethan walked on. They were right. Of course, he was distracted by everything that had happened. What would they find at the academy training grounds? Would any of the demi-humans even come? Grace had told Wendy and Lucy about flying on his sword and divulged the whole hunting trip. Strangely, she neglected to tell them about her teasing. They knew about his weapons, and he felt a bit disappointed. He wanted to see their surprised faces when he used them.
Ethan could feel a smile coming on as he thought of Grace. She was something else. Her tight ass and voluptuous breasts and those white panties flashed in his memory. As far as he could tell, she was lovely, and he felt relaxed near her. She could use a bow and worked hard when the time came. Ethan stopped at the portal. He looked down, and the girls had his sleeves in hand. When did they catch up to him?
They looked up at him, and it felt like an arrow pierced him through the heart. What was this feeling? He wanted to hug them and protect them. No, stop it, Ethan. I need to work and focus, he scolded himself. He could hear Sophia and the girl's giggle. He suddenly concluded that they should also know he was terrified of dual cultivation. Doing that with a woman, he could feel his face heat up.
"Squee, what is wrong, Ethan."
"Hail, are you feeling unwell."
Ethan stepped onto the portal and touched the side, and it lit up.
"Alas, I am fine."
The academy was bustling with students coming and going. Ethan tried not to look at the girls. They walked to the training stall, outfitted with their training gear. Lucy held her shield, swinging it up and down.
"Squee, this feels lighter than the one I had before."
Ethan looked at the shields stacked against the wall. The shields looked identical. He was proud that her skill and strength had improved, and he wondered by how much. Now that they had enough resources when they used their skills, they would increase them bit by bit. Ethan looked at his two middle fingers and was astonished at how effective the essence sharing was. Wendy and Lucy looked at his fingers, and they turned red like tomatoes.
"Hail, let us go to the training field."
Wendy and Lucy speed-walked ahead, leaving Ethan stunned. What did he do? Ethan thought. He followed them quickly, deciding to keep at the back as Wendy's ears glowed red and moved radically. Lucy's ears moved like radars but primarily focused on him, pointing back frequently. They walked through the forest and came onto a scene that had them speechless. Standing in the clearing were around seventy demi-humans, bruised and bandaged, ready for training. Ethan could see the determination on their faces.
"Alas, good morning, everyone. Today, we will focus on the basics."
Ethan inspected the injured students, who were in a sorry state. Healing would take time and patience. He was trying to remember his training, but nothing came to mind. Now that he thought about it, he had never had any formal training in fighting. Sophia brought up a schedule in his mind's eye for all the academy disciplines.
"Alas, break up into your groups, and we will begin."
Wendy and Lucy rushed to their groups and excitedly chatted with the people. They were astonished at their recovery. Ethan approached a Giant Bear kin carrying a big bag and spear. There were bear kin, catkin, and a few elves. He looked down at the bear kin, his head almost reaching Ethan's chin. He was tall and wide set with arms like boulders. He had black fur, and his bear ears drew Ethan's attention. He had a bushy tail. Ethan wanted to touch all their ears and tails. Ethan did not spot shifters or vampires in the group.
"Alas, what type of strength do you have."
Ethan knew by now that all the demi-humans possessed this magic in abundance. He suspected they were magical creatures like the fairies and pixies that populated all the forests in this realm. As far as he could tell, only Wendy and Lucy were the exceptions.
"Growl, we are body-strengthening magus."
Ethan was surprised to see two human men standing to the side carrying big packs with spears.
"Alas, those two are with you."
"Growl, they are also body-strengthening magus like us. The other disciplines of the magus look down on us."
Ethan waved the two strong men over.
"Alas, you will train together, and there will be no special treatment."
The two men looked at each other and nodded.
"Alas, fall in and stand arm's length apart. Put your bags to the side. We will train without them today."
Ethan took a spear from the rack and stood in a defensive stance. He had Sophia's chart help him. Soon, he had all the students practising their two moves in a combination. It was a block and a strike that would create distance between them and the enemy. The magus stood astonished as Ethan explained a barrier and reflective spell that could deflect magic and physical attacks back to the enemy. Ethan showed the archers the maximum distance to be at the back. He also gave them tips on defence with their arrows and counter shots that would buy them time till they found an advantageous position to take a killing shot.
Ethan walked between the groups, correcting forms and ensuring they did not injure themselves more by overdoing them. As the day was getting on, Ethan called an hour's break. They would meet back here and continue training.
"Hail, I will pay for the food at the cafeteria today. Ethan has been spoiling us."
"Squee, I will pay tomorrow."
Ethan received kisses as Wendy pulled him down by the hem of his robe. After a few kisses, Ethan hugged the two tired girls.
"Alas, let us go to the cafeteria."
The academy was busy, and a group of students ran in two rows with a woman behind them shouting instructions at them. She saw Ethan and waved at him. Her blond hair came down to her knees, and she had red eyes. Lara earned respect as students moved out of the way of the jogging students. The bear kin stood beside them, looking at the professor.
"Growl, that human woman is Professor Lara. She is a body-enhancement magus. Our deaths would be certain in the training if she did not teach defensive magic."
Ethan wondered who would win between her and Grace for breast size. He stopped staring as she started to blush at his gaze. They disappeared around a building. Ethan looked down. Wendy and Lucy gave him pondering stares as they slipped their arms through his.
Just before they reached the cafeteria, a group of young men stopped them. The leader tried to look down on Ethan but failed in the end as he had to strain his neck to look up at him as he stood before Ethan. The young man lowered his head and looked at Ethan's solar plexus. He looked up, his brown eyes fierce. Ethan could respect that.