- Michael -

“Why are you doing this?”

Creeth asked me while we were moving toward the field. We’ve finished our preparations and the strategies have already been discussed, so now all that’s left is to get into position for the battle starting in half an hour.

“Doing what?” I asked.

“You know, the thing with Arthur. No offense, but you haven’t been the type to step up like this.”

I can’t deny that. My participation in class typically amounts to finishing the work early, and occasionally making sarcastic remarks towards my groupmates. Actually taking a lead role in activities is very different from my usual conduct.

But it’s time that changed.

“I was just thinking,” I sighed. “It couldn’t hurt to put in some effort here and there.”

Creeth looked at me carefully, as if analyzing my behavior and movements. From hindsight, Creeth appears like your average carefree student who is naturally casual and gregarious. But throughout the past few months, by watching how he acts and thinks, I’ve now understood him to be more of an analytical type person. As if by an innate quality, he talks to and gets to know everyone he meets, and categorizes them by archetypes and behavioral patterns.

“True,” He eventually responded.

His opinion of me seemed to have shifted slightly, as he returned his gaze forward.

We reached the front of the building, where the other three combat mages were waiting. Contrary to my initial expectations, none of them wore any armor or gear, just simple athletic garbs and coats. Not many students used a bladed weapon, so I suppose it was only natural that they didn’t need hard protection.

“I guess it’ll be the main fighter against Arthur,” I said, holding up my sword.

“Well yeah, no one else can beat him in close quarters. Except me of course,” He bragged haughtily.

We approached the three students and they quickly noticed our presence, turning our way.

“What’s up guys,” Creeth greeted.

Alexander fiddled with his equipment and gear. “Hey Creeth. You ready for the raid?”

“Of course,” He replied confidently. “All I need are these gloves and my head.”

Creeth peered at Emily and glanced at me. “I’m more worried about the two of them. They both seem like the type to sign up for the go-home club.”

“Rude. I’m sure the two of us will work together just fine,” I quipped. “Right Emily?”

She continued looking at the ground, having completely ignored my statement.

“Oof. Rejected.”

“Not too hot with the ladies, huh?”

I simply averted my gaze in pain as the two bitches in the background consoled me with jabs to my pride.

“Well anyway, we’ll be parting ways here. Make sure to be ready by the signal,” Alex said, turning to leave. The other two followed after him and the three of them set off in separate directions. In the end, only the two of us remained here as we waited for the activity to begin.

I stood awkwardly to the side, shooting some passing glances at Emily Canon who was seated on the grass. She adjusted the gauntlet on her left arm, passing idle scripts through the orb stone in the forearm piece.

“So… where’d you get that Relic Arm?” I asked. I waited a moment for a response, but I was met with silence once again.

“Not the talkative type I see.”

We went on sitting there all the way up until the start of the activity. We were alerted by an audio notification via our datacards and we both stood up to get into position.

“Let’s move according to plan.”

I activated my movement algorithm and hastily dashed down the middle of the field. Once I reached the middle section, I launched myself into the air and landed on one of the walls. Our first job was to locate and engage Arthur in combat. We’re under the assumption that he’ll be leading a charge down the center, and we’re here to intercept him.

I scoured the battlefront and began jumping from wall to wall, searching for signs of enemy mages. I didn’t detect any people in the vicinity, so I continued the search for the next few minutes.

“Damn, this is exhausting.”

I dropped to the ground and put my back against the wall, taking a breather. Even at five percent of my vector algorithm, my limit is twenty minutes of use. Any more than that and I’ll collapse from Essence deficiency. My training with Eric has left me a little more exhausted than usual, but the efficiency of my movements have improved.

The fact that I haven’t seen anyone yet can mean one of two things. One, they are playing a defensive strategy and working towards a late offense. Two, they are being very careful on their approach and looking out for traps and ambushes.

Either way, right now I should group up with Emily and send a report to base.

I stood up and started walking to the meet up point, when I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. I whipped my head to see what it was, and the air in front of me distorted, as I was knocked back several feet from my position.

Wind Magic?

I managed to block the attack with my sword, and quickly recovered. I looked towards the direction of the attack, but I was met with silence.

So that’s what’s going on. My prediction that they were commencing a careful push was correct. But I hadn’t accounted for an enemy that specializes in filtering out scouts, nor one that employs stealth and guerrilla warfare.

My top priority is to identify the enemy and stall them. If I somehow lose them, I’ll have to let Jennith and the others know.

I jumped up onto the walls once again and ran along them, searching for the intruder. This was a flat field, with the only cover being the walls and bunkers I had built. They’re either hiding nearby or trying to quickly get out of my radius.

Too bad they’re not fast enough.

I leaped towards the figure of a person running behind cover. I landed in front of them, and they halted to a stop.

“Hello. That was a nice blast of wind pressure back there.”

The person standing before me was wearing a camouflage cloak that was a light brown tint, and held what appeared to be an estoc in their left hand. From the shape of their body, I could assume that it’s a female.

“You're pretty fast,” She uttered. She pulled her hood off to reveal long golden hair that encased a smooth face.

“I do pride myself in my speed.”

Her eyes were sharp, and she analyzed me quickly.

“What’s your name?” I inquired.

“Angela Feather,” she announced. “I guess you would be Michael Magus.”

“I’m happy such a pretty girl knows me.” I announced.

Man… what the fuck am I saying?

“I’m sorry but I can’t keep you company much longer.” She responded curtly, raising the tip of her sword.

“That’s not a surprise. I’ve never been good with women anyway,” I muttered.

“But I’m sorry.” I raised my sword, getting in stance.

“I’ll have to keep you a bit longer.”