Chapter 23: Chapter 23 - Combat Training
"No?" The Professor nudged her glasses, "Do you have a problem with my choices Leon?"
"Yes." Leon gritted out, "He can't be partnered with him, he should be patterned with me." He gestured to a confused Aether and a smiling Nox who were sitting quietly side by side.
"Oh?" The Professor glanced at the three than smirked, "I don't think so."
"Wha-"
"Given your history and your brothers special circumstances, I believe putting you two together will result in you not learning anything and him doing all the work, therefore, I partnered both of you with people who have similar academic background." She emphasized the last two words.
Leon's face turned red, "This-"
"If you have a problem with it, then you can go to the board and write up a complaint." She cut him off once more. "Now, if everyone's done complaining. Get out. Go to your next class."
Leon clenched his teeth and slammed his fist on the table causing it to crack down the center. Aether pursed his lips at his brother's actions, but didn't dare to speak. His brother was too caught up in his emotions to control his actions. If he were to say the wrong thing, it would only result in Leon being more upset and grumpy.
"It looks like we will be working together." Nox spoke up, he had placed Aether's pen on top of Aether's book. No longer was it bent in odd shapes, but in pristine shape.
"It seems we are." Aether mumbled back, picking up the book and pen and stuffing it back in his back. "Then, I will see you tomorrow to discuss the project." Aether smiled.
Nox stared at him silently, "It would be better to get the project done as soon as possible."
Aether paused. He couldn't argue with that, but that left them with only two places to do their project, Nox's home or his home. Nox's home was completely out of the question. The Royal Palace was like walking into a death trap, he had no desire to enter there ever again. Which only left him one option. "Okay, then would you like to do the project at my house?"
"No!" Leon snapped, finally noticing what they had been talking about. "He is not coming over, not today not ever." He gritted out.
Aether gave him a deadpan stare and sighed, "Brother, the only time we have to work on this project is after school. Our family library has extensive history books perfect for the project. So, I think it would be best if we do the project at our home instead of the Royal Palace." He hoped Leon was getting the meaning behind his words.
Leon grit his teeth even more, and clenched his fit. He couldn't fight the logic that Aether was saying. "But-" he began. He also needed to complete his project in order to participate in the training competition.
Aether caught his brother's worried gaze, "How about our two groups work on the project at the same time?" Aether suggested, he leaned closer and whispered, "That way you can watch over him while also working on your project." He leaned back and smiled.
Leon's eyes twitched. He glanced at Aether then past him at Nox. "Fine, but we leave together and he stays in my line of sight."
Aether nodded in agreement then turned to face Nox, "Are you okay with that?"
Nox's eyes were screaming boredom as he met Leon's hard glare. He gave a slight hum in agreement and picked up his uniform. He gave the two a nod. When he passed Aether he leaned forward to the point where his head was inches from Aether's and whispered into Aether's ear, "Be careful of my brothers."
Aether flinched at the warm breath on his ear. He quickly covered his ear and glanced at Nox who was already leaving the classroom.
Leon was glaring daggers at him, "What did he say to you?"
Aether opened his mouth then closed it, shaking his head, "Nothing."
Leon's lips were in a thin line as his eyes narrowed. He didn't believe him, but he wouldn't question it, not now. "Let's go, we don't want to be late to the next class." He grabbed Aether by the shoulder and led him out of the classroom and down a couple more hallways.
The hallways were crowded, but unlike last time they were not paying attention to them. The students either had their heads down while looking at a book or paper or they were running with a panicked look on their face.
Aether bumped into a student who was looking down. He hissed out in pain and held onto his shoulder.
"Are you okay?" Aether reached out, but the student pushed him away.
"I don't need your pity." He grumbled out before walking away.
Aether's eyebrows furrowed as he watched the student run away. 'What's wrong with him?' Aether thought as he turned around to catch back up with Leon, but the more he looked around the more he began to notice that students were hissing or groaning in pain.
'What type of class did they just come from? Wait, I wouldn't be going there, right?' Aether shook his head, 'No, father wouldn't have allowed it. He wouldn't risk having one of his children beaten up by others, it would give him a bad reputation.' Aether calmed his worry and caught up with Leon.
Leon had frozen in front of the second classroom's door. His face paled and he pulled out a piece of paper from his bag. His eyes glanced over the words frantically. The paper crumbled in his hand and he turned towards Aether and grabbed his bag, proceeding to pull out the same paper his father had given him. He glanced at it before crumbling it up as well.
"Is something wrong?" Aether had not done a thorough look at the paper, instead only focusing on the first class he had to attend. He meant to look at the rest of the classes, but never got around to it.
Leon did not answer his question, "Stay here." He ordered. With the paper still in his hand he entered the classroom. Aether only caught a glance of the inside. Weapons lined the wall like decorations and a few students were standing in front of them conversing with one another while they attached what looked like protective gear on. Aether's worry came back in ten folds.
If the weapons and protective gear were anything to go by, then it was safe to assume that this class had to do with combat training. Something that Aether was unable to participate in. Sure, he had wanted to learn how to at least defend himself, but these classes were designed for those that had abilities. If he were to throw himself into their training, he was sure that he would end up beaten black and blue or in the worst case scenario killed.
'Why didn't Father look over the schedule to make sure I could participate?' Aether thought. His father had surely glanced at the schedule when it arrived and yet he didn't say anything. Aether's eyes narrowed 'Is this a test?'
Leon came out only after a couple of minutes. His eyebrows and nose were scrunched up and he had another scowl on his face. Aether had a hunch he would be seeing this expression a lot more today.
Leon stopped in front of him and grumbled, "The Professor says that you still have to attend class, but you won't be participating." He firmly said.
"Won't participate?" Aether reached for the paper in Leon's grasp and gave it a quick glance. The words 'War Strategy and Combat Training' were listed as plain as day. He wanted to mentally slap himself at missing such words. "This is a combat training class, what else could I possibly do?" He shot Leon a worried glance while briefly scanning the rest of the paper.
'Mythical and Demonic Beasts, Languages, and advanced mathematical practices and theories.'
There wasn't a long list of classes, something that Aether had originally found strange. After the first day of him attending classes he was worried that he had missed a lot due to Leon taking him home early. When he had asked Mina about it she said that it was normal for the children to be back before evening in order to eat and do extra activities that are unique to their family. In the Frenzel household this would have been the training that he had seen Leon going through, and he was sure that Aria was doing the same thing.
"The Professor will explain more, the only thing you need to worry about is staying as far away as you can from the training grounds. Do you understand." Leon emphasized each word as he spoke. His eyes kept glancing back towards the classroom and Aether had a feeling that there were people in there that Leon didn't want him to interact with.
"Okay." Aether nodded along. Leon gestured for him to follow and together they walked into the classroom.
The Professor was standing in the front. He was wearing combat training gear just like the students were. His blonde hair was cut short and he had a couple of scars lining his arms and face. He was broad and muscular and his eyes were sharp and narrow making him come off as intimidating and oppressive.
The students on the other hand were focused on getting dressed. Their eyes may have glanced over at him for a couple of seconds, but that was it.
"Leon, go and get ready." The Professor said, his voice loud and firm. Leon gave one last glance at Aether before he headed off to the back and started to put on his training gear.
"You." The Professor gestured with his head at Aether. Aether turned around and pointed to himself with a tilt of the head.
"Yes, you." The Professor scoffed, "I've been alerted of your…unique circumstances, but just because you can't participate in combat training doesn't mean you don't do anything while in my class." He pointed to himself, "This is War Tactics and Combat Training, I expect every one of my students to be able to identify war tactics and be able to counter attack them. From now on when you're in my class you will be watching the fights and identify the war tactics they are using. I expect you to understand each person's strengths and weaknesses and create a plan to counter attack them with. Understand." He stared down at Aether.
Aether nodded along. It was a lot to take in. As someone who had never actively researched or participated in a war, attempting to learn war tactics seemed difficult, but it was a challenge he was willing to take on. It was the least he could do for being spared to actually train.
"Alright, everyone to the training grounds!" The Professor yelled out.
At the Professor's words, some students went around the room and grabbed a weapon or two before heading out. Leon was one such student. He had grabbed a sword that looked as if it had just been made and polished. A simple jewel decorated the hilt, but Leon covered it up with a black cloth.
"Let's go." Leon gestured for Aether to follow him. As they walked to the training grounds. A few students that had been near the two were whispering amongst each other while gazing at them. Aether thought that they wouldn't make a scene or speak up, but it seemed one student did not fear death.
"Hey!" A young girl called out. Her long light brown hair was pulled up into a messy bun and she wore rounded glasses that hid her unique purple eyes. She carried an ax, but unlike the other students she didn't appear deadly and ready to fight, instead she came off as nerdy and clumsy.
"Hey! Yeah, you!" She pointed to Aether while pushing through some students, almost tripping over her own feet. "Hey." She took a deep breath when she finally made it to Aether's side. Completely ignoring Leon's blatant glare, she began to go off on a small tangent.
"So, I noticed that you're new in this class and I was wondering, well, actually, no, I heard from another classmate that you were incredibly intelligent and I was wondering if you would help me in my research of languages and how they could affect abilities like mathematical equations do. I mean you don't have to, if you're busy and all, but it would mean so much to me!" She beamed up at him, her glasses sliding off her nose just a smidge.
Aether gave her a soft smile. She reminded him of his grandmother, someone who was passionate about what they loved and wasn't afraid to show it. Aether gave her a once over. Not only did she seem kind and energetic, but she also gave off this comforting and homey vibe as well. She spoke very bluntly and it made Aether feel like she held no bad motives.
"Perhaps we should start with our names?" He suggested.
The girl stilled for a moment, blinked twice then opened her mouth wide, "Ohhhh! I forgot sorry! My name is Kirtiya Limon of the Lemon family. It's nice to meet you! What's your name?" She glanced at him up and down, "I mean your obviously a Frenzel, but I've never heard of the Frenzel's having a third child." She gave him a questioning gaze and got into his face, "Are you sure you are a Frenzel?"
Aether laughed, "Yes I am a Frenzel, my name is Aether Frenzel. It's a pleasure to meet you as well."
"Oh! How exciting! You're nothing like those sticklers of siblings you have." She gave a pointed glare towards Leon, "So, what do you think? Working together to solve theories together." She put her hands on her hips and held her head up high, "Doesn't it sound exciting."
"I must admit, I never heard of languages being used to affect abilities. How exactly does that work?"
"You haven't heard of it because it doesn't exist yet." She waved her hand, "I'm inventing it! My theory is that you could solve certain theories with languages instead of using just mathematical theories. Like what if you could substitute the mathematical theories that haven't been solved yet with languages instead and still get that same result."
Aether thought back to the Novel. Not once had he ever heard of languages being used as an alternate method to solve theories, but then again he didn't know that mathematical equations were used to solve these theories either.
'Did this ever come up in the original novel?' Aether glanced over at her. Based on her appearance and name, not once did she ever appear in the novel. 'Did she appear because of me?' He thought.
"Have you ever tested your theories?"
She froze and scratched the back of her neck, "Well, no, but it could work! I just need some help. Come on, please help me." She whined.
Aether smiled. "I'm not sure how much I could help, but-"
"Yes!" She grabbed his hands and began to shake them roughly, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You won't regret this!"
"Hey." Leon shoved her off and gave her a hard glare.
She held her hands up in defense, "Okay, okay, touchy, touchy." She rolled her eyes and backed away with a smile on her face. She glanced over at the Professor who was jotting down names on a board. Her eyes lit up.
"See you on the training field Mr.Grumpypants!" She stuck out her tongue and ran away.
"Wha-" Leon glanced at the board and groaned.
Aether followed his gaze and let out a small chuckle. 'It seems the Professor has a sense of humor.' Leon was paired up with Kirtiya.
"Have fun." Aether patted his brother on the shoulder and headed over to a small sitting area by the Professor. Only a couple of students were sitting there and most of them had injuries of sorts. Aether got comfortable and pulled out a notebook. If he was going to learn war tactics then he would take it seriously.
"First group, begin!" The Professor yelled.
Leon and Kirtiya had both walked on a leveled grass area. The round training field was cut off by a small fence to prevent others from accidentally walking on to it. There were six of these leveled training grounds. Each had different environments and grounds. For example, the training ground to the left of Leon and Kirtiya had a ground as dark as a crisp. While the training ground on the right had pools of water covering almost the entirety of the ground.
"Ah, looks like Kirtiya has the upper hand this time." One of the injured students next to him said. He had a sling over his arm and was conversing with another student.
"Yeah, but Leon has two abilities and a unique ability. She doesn't stand a chance." The other student said.
"True, but at least she will be able to stand in the training ground for more than a minute."
"Haha, yeah last time was a joke." The two laughed.
"Um, hi, I didn't mean to overhear, but why does Kirtiya have the upper hand?" Aether decided to ask.
The two students stared at him in disbelief. The one closest to him laughed, "Do you seriously not know?"
His friend nudged him on the side and whispered, "Hey, he's the new student. He wouldn't know."
"So what if he's new, everyone knows about the pride of the Limon family." His friend nudged him again.
The other rolled his eyes, but otherwise said in a lazy tone, "The training grounds are designed to give a single ability an advantage. The one Leon and Kirtiya are on is the Earth ability. Kirtiya has the earth ability, so she will be at an advantage, but not really."
"Not really?" Aether repeated.
"Yeah, Kirtiya may have the upper hand, but when going against someone who can use two abilities and a unique ability, she doesn't stand a chance."
"Kirtiya Limon." The other sang, "The only girl in the Limon family who inherited the precious Limon earth ability, too bad she's an idiot who doesn't know when to keep her mouth shut." He laughed.
Aether frowned at the two. He wrote a side note in his journal [The Limon family is known for their earth ability and Kirtiya is the only girl in the family.] He tapped his chin with the end of his pen. He wanted to gather a bit more information, but was caught off guard by the fight beginning in front of him.
Leon and Kirtiya circled one another. Leon held his sword in one hand, his back straight and his eyes narrowed. He screamed confidence as he calmly walked around. Kirtiya on the other hand was holding her ax with both hands, her face was scrunched up in determination and she walked backwards, creating a scene of her fleeing from Leon. It wasn't hard to see that she was nervous.
Her stance suddenly changed. The weight in her feet shifted to one another and her hands clenched harder on her ax. The earth around her began to rumble and move. In a matter of a few seconds she leaped towards Leon, at the same time spikes of rock launched themselves at Leon.
"Haaa!" She held the ax above her head and brought it down on Leon's unmoving body. The spikes and ax hit an empty space. She clicked her tongue and launched to the right, hitting nothing but earth once more.
Aether watched with wide eyes as his brother's figure barely appeared less than a second before disappearing again. Every time Kirtiya hit an empty spot she would yell out in frustration and leap once more. This went on for at least a minute.
Aether had to give her props. No matter how many times she would miss, she never gave up. In fact she looked even more determined with every miss. But sadly the fight had to come to an end.
Kirtiya's ax flew out of her hands, landing on the far side of the training ground. She cried out and fell to her knee, gripping her stomach. Leon appeared next to her, his sword was held to her neck a faint line of blood laced it.
"Well…it seems..I..lost again." Kirtiya panted out.
Leon didn't say anything and walked over to the name board. He erased Kirtiya's name and went to talk with the Professor.
"I won." He said bluntly.
"I see that. Sit and wait for the others to finish." The Professor clicked his tongue and gestured to the seats.
Leon took a seat next to Aether and focused on the fights still going on. Currently four fights are still going on.
The closest fight was happening on the water training ground. Two girls were going against each other. The water rose on both sides of the field as they fought one another, indicating that they both had the water ability.
The training field next to them was shrouded by a blinding light, only a few shadows could be seen from the inside. The same could be said about the dark ability training field. A pitch darkness encased the training field, but a few strands of air that twisted around like a tornado indicated that one of the students fighting had to have the air ability.
The last training field was interesting. It was covered in flowing lava with fire swirling in every direction. The two people on the training field were sweating bullets as they attacked one another. The fire raged, but did not move with the two. Aether leaned over to his brother and asked, "Do either of them have the fire ability?"
Aether had assumed that the Professor would put at least one student with a matching ability on the training ground, but it seemed he was mistaken.
Leon shook his head, "No, those two are known for having duel water and air abilities."
"Then why did the Professor place them on that training ground?"
"Because in war you don't always get to choose your battleground."
Leon's words echoed in Aether's mind. It was a cruel reminder that most of these children would go on to enter a part of the army and in most cases go on to participate in a war.
The fights ended one after another. Aether watched as the students went to the board and began to erase the names of the losing party. It was interesting to watch, but when the light surrounding the training ground dispersed, Aether finally realized why Leon kept looking around.
Prince Lucian glanced around, a smile gracing his lips as his eyes landed on his.
'Fuck.'
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