Wolfe had never been back to the training grounds behind the school before, but they didn’t disappoint. It was mostly an open field, but there were stands of metal and leather armour as well as weapons arranged around the area, a running track and two first aid tents.
The main inner area of the training grounds was taken up with senior-class Witches practicing their fighting skills without offensive magic since magical combat training had an indoor practice room with an abundance of protective wards cast on it, while the section of the field beyond the running track was slowly filling with reluctant-looking young men.
A few seemed competent, but the rest were only here because they were ordered to attend or they had been scared so badly by the imminent prospect of having to go outside the walls that they didn’t dare to skip combat training.
“It’s good to see so many of you here today. We’ve got enough of you now to split up into proper practice pairs, so everyone can grab a weapon.
It is a common misconception that the undead horde is the greatest threat in the wastelands. But mutants, exiles and monsters are far more intelligent, and many of them will use weapons against you.
Your Witches will be able to cast an armour spell to defend you from basic attacks, but exiled witches can often use magic, humans will use guns, and monsters can tear through an armour spell on their own.” Dean began.
“And that’s assuming the threat is from outside the city.” One of the men muttered.
“Keep the city politics to yourself if you know what’s good for you. Knowing what cannot be said is just as important to your survival as your fighting skills.” Dean answered quietly, but everyone got the message.
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Infighting was a taboo topic, and making a fuss about it was a good way to meet an assassin after you were recalled to the city without warning, especially for the children of Nobles.
Dean’s response silenced the group, and everyone went to collect a melee weapon of their choice. Wolfe had the batons that he had chosen when he first arrived, and they didn’t need to be replaced with a training version, so he stayed with them, going for familiarity over learning new techniques.
The Nobles would have learned to fight with various blades and other weapons as children, and he didn’t want to embarrass himself on the very first day.
“Wolfe, as a Demonic Familiar, can you use an armour spell?” Dean asked.
“Lightning, Unholy or Fire,” Wolfe informed him.
“Then you train with me today. Soon, everyone who is assigned to a second-year or later student will be joining their Witches for training, but first, we need to address any holes in your basic skills.
So, follow this pattern and come at me. Middle, high, low, middle, high. Then we switch. Everyone, please pay attention to what he is doing. This is the pattern you need to follow for the skills assessment.”
The actual attacks would vary by weapon, but knowing the pattern let the defenders plan their moves, reducing injuries among the men who were only wearing the Academy’s provided padding.
Wolfe activated [Unholy Armor], creating a set of full plate armour in a dull black colour and a medieval style, which covered his weapons with a solid layer of energy. Then he began the attack pattern at what he hoped was a slightly above-average human speed.
Instructor Dean touched the metal chest plate that he was wearing, and a shimmering light surrounded him, creating a thin, translucent magical armour. With that precaution in place, he blocked Wolfe’s attacks easily and then counterattacked quite a bit faster than Wolfe had been moving.
“I’m a trained Guardian and enhanced by spells. There’s no need to hold back.” The instructor reminded Wolfe once the first exchange was over.
The other men began their attacks while a dozen staff members gathered to take notes on their performance and weaknesses.
Dean signalled for Wolfe to come again, this time at full speed, which the Instructor still handled with relative ease, though Wolfe was sure he had activated a talisman to increase his speed a bit more than it had been enhanced before.
He returned the attacks, then stopped to write his assessment of Wolfe and watched the class spar for a few seconds before going for another exchange.
“If you’re already at that level, we can’t put you with these kids. Their Witches are just learning the advanced enhancements. Their Butlers won’t be able to keep up, and your attacks will break their armour spells when you inevitably hit them.
Most first and second-year Witches struggle to create armour around another person without using an amulet since they’re not Bonded like a Familiar, which is what the witches are learning in this class. When they go out into the wilderness, most will use an amulet for their Butler, but we don’t use them during training, as it defeats the point.” Dean explained.
“Well, that’s a relief for my Witches. But I’ve got two to defend, and even with the help of the lovely Miss Stephanie, that won’t be easy.”
Wolfe gestured to where the cat was lying on a table of padded armour, enjoying the autumn sunshine.
“It could be easier than you think. Shields that aren’t attached to anything are taught at the beginning of the second year. You can likely see them working on them in the practice room later. It keeps them from getting surrounded as easily, and you can use them the same way once you learn the trick.”
That was about all Instructor Dean could tell him since he wasn’t a magic user, but a pair of moving shields would make up for the lack of an extra defender as long as the girls stayed close together.
“Alright, everyone, go again. You’re all noble sons. You have been trained on how to fight, so show us properly, or we will fail you on your evaluation.” Dean called to the men, who had mostly stopped once they thought their assessment was finished.
The back and forth of attacks and defence went on for an hour until the class ended for lunch.
“Fighting Skills class is every Tuesday and Friday. Mark it in your calendar. Now get showered and get to your Witches before they come looking for you.” Dean yelled over the din of students taking off their armour and weapons being carelessly thrown in piles.
“I hope to see you again. We will start teaching real fighting skills after the midterms are done, using magical constructs. You can take the place of a staff member and guard for one of the second-year witches who doesn’t have an attendant.” Instructor Dean informed Wolfe as everyone else was leaving.
“I’ll be here. See you at the gym.”
Wolfe took another quick shower and went to join the girls for lunch, carrying the excited form of Stephanie on his shoulder. She really wanted to get in on the match and beat someone up to vent her frustrations, but in the body of a cat, there wasn’t much she could do. Plus, she didn’t know any spells yet.
“I will let you use a lane in the practice room if they’re not busy. Lots of Familiars are trained there, so you will fit right in. Just pay close attention in the afternoon Classes so you can pick up the spells.” He whispered in her ear, much to her delight.
Being Wolfe’s Familiar wasn’t shaping up to be as bad as she had expected.