They nodded to each other and then sprang to their feet, dashing toward the golems. Drake was in the lead, Mark just behind him, their movements smooth as a storm across the battlefield. The two golems surged forward, their huge forms pounding on the ground with resounding thuds, shaking the arena like the wrath of titans.
From a few paces away, Drake unleashed his attack. "Draconic Mana: Aqua Dragon Roar (3 circles)." The pressurized water blast tore through the air like a vengeful river unleashed, slamming into the first golem's head with a ferocity that echoed across the chamber. Yet the golem pulsed with a mechanical glow, crossing its massive arms to deflect the attack and advancing relentlessly, its eyes glowing with a menacing hue.
With the fluidity of a predator launching on its prey, Mark leaped from Drake's back. "Torrential Aura: Void Fist Technique, Wave Surge 2 circles!" he roared, and his fist shone with the power of his aura. The first golem met his attack head-on, its fist meeting Mark's in a thunderous impact that sent shockwaves rippling through the room.
The two combatants slid backwards across the ground, neither yielding. The second golem, not missing a beat, leaped toward Mark, its shadow looming like an avalanche about to crush its target. But Drake, quick as a tempest, intervened. "Draconic Mana: Aqua Dragon Roar (3 circles)!" The torrent of water struck with enough force to carve through rock, slowing the golem's advance like a river eroding a stubborn boulder.
Drake stepped closer to Mark, their breaths mingling in the tension-filled air. "It's now or never," he said, his tone unwavering and fatalistic. The two golems tried to try and bridge the distance between themselves and Drake when he summoned a barrier. The translucent shield shimmered with the faint glow of mana, a protective cocoon.
But the golems shattered it with a devastating leap, their relentless momentum like a tidal wave breaking through a dam. Mark, however, was ready. He leapt into the air, hanging for a moment like a hawk diving down toward its prey. "Torrential Aura: Void Fist Technique, Torrential Force (3 circles)!" he bellowed, his aura rushing through his veins and compressing its energy into a blow as jagged and hard as a falling waterfall.
His fist crashed into the first golem, shattering its defenses and sending a shockwave rippling across the arena. The golem exploded into pieces, its fragments scattering like fallen stars across the floor. Mark, though victorious, felt his body numb and drained, his aura flickering like a waning flame.
In the chaos of events, Drake's sharp gaze caught sight of the golems' visual sensors-small, glowing nodes on their necks, resembling the Adam's apple on a human throat. Each time they attacked or reacted, the sensors pulsed with light. He cast a barrier around the sensor, obscuring its vision in order to test his theory.
The golem faltered and pulsed erratically, as though blinded, instinctively shielding the node. "So that's it," Drake murmured, curling his lips into a triumphant smirk. "Their sensors are their weakness."
Mark struggled to get his footing as the other golem charged like a freight train for him. His instincts as sharp as ever, he plunged through the air with the speed of a striking falcon, wrapping Mark in his arm and shoving him out of harm's way.
The golem's fist clipped Drake's left side; the impact running rampant through his body like a live electrical wire, grazing his internal structures. So far, so good, as, despite that, Drake bit the pain and kept his poise, never to yield.
The golem, eyes now fixed upon Drake and Mark, raised the colossal fist to strike down the pair, only for the inspector to interject with an air of commanding presence. "That's enough for today's training," he said, his voice thunderclapping through the chamber as the golem froze mid-motion, its power deactivating with a low hum.
Freya sprang forward at once, her eyes welling up in tears. "I'm so sorry. I feel useless," she cried, her trembling hands raised above them. "Healing Water Aura: Aqua Restoration, Aqua Touch (1 circle)," she intoned. A delicate mana circle formed around her hand, emitting a soothing, cerulean glow. The healing energy flowed over their injuries like a gentle stream, easing their pain and soothing their burns.
"You mustn't feel bad," Mark said as he patted her head, smiling reassuringly. "You've already played your part, and this is just the beginning. Later on, we might need to again rely on you, so steel yourself." Freya raised her head, and her tear-streaked face softened into a smile as she looked at her comrades. Wiping away her tears, she clenched her fist with determination. "I promise," she said with conviction, her tone even. "I won't lag behind."
As they came out of the building, Freya waved at them and walked in the direction of her dorm, leaving Mark and Drake behind. "Sometimes, you give off a vibe of someone not from this world," Mark said casually but curiously.
An eyebrow shot up; Drake's head was cocked slightly. "Why would you say that?" he asked, his tone laced with skepticism. "Sometimes, you ask the most obvious questions," Mark returned, crossing his arms with a knowing look. "And other times, you do things in a way that's. different."
Drake chuckled, a soft hiccup escaping him. "That's not it. I'm just someone who stayed indoors a lot. until recently," he replied, his voice trailing off as their conversation continued toward the dorms.
Back in the training room, Inspector Gru was about to leave when a voice stopped him in his tracks. "It seems you're done for today," the voice said. Gru looked up, startled to see Professor Leo stepping into the room. "Leo, it's strange to find you here," Gru said, his voice wary yet warm. "I hope everything is all right."
"Yes, Gru," Professor Leo responded, his face a mask of contemplation. "I came to ask about the team you are managing. Specifically, how they do their job," he said, describing Drake's appearance. Gru nodded, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"Ah, the new team: one of them is strong, brave, and knows when to retreat. The second is quick-witted, tenacious, and displays promising leadership qualities. And the girl with them? She's timid, but her loyalty to her comrades is unwavering. In short, it's only a question of time before they become a great team."
The mastery training class kept going every week; sharpening, like blades against a whetstone. In his free time, Drake studied his body in depth with the help of the Essence Sight Codex technique and the explanations from Xena.
His body changed, and his fundamental control over the sword was honed, much like a craftsman perfecting his craft. Sparring with Mark after classes further honed his skills, a ballet of steel and strategy. Freya also worked hard, and her healing skills and battle spirit grew day by day. Thus, this went along in circles-training and growth-until they were forged into being able to stand up against anything that may stand in their way.