Chapter 68: A Lesson in Synergy

Chapter 68: A Lesson in Synergy*** -Two Days Later- -Lochxen- -Combat Magic Classroom- Looking as beautiful as ever with her bronze skin almost glistening, and dressed in a shape-flattering gown with high-heeled shoes to match, was Professor Cynthia Kragsten who talked animatedly about the topic of the day; Mage Formations and how to work in a Team. According to Cynthia, she had observed in their class last week that the majority didn’t know yet how to act in sync. She acknowledged that this was normal since most, if not all, of them were meeting and cooperating for the first time but decided to teach them how to further the battle chemistry she wanted them to develop. There were various codes of formations that were largely accepted as official in the Acheron Empire with each formation detailing well enough how each individual within a team was to operate so they could synergize well together. Kaya was taking notes feverishly. Eloise looked mostly uninterested. Caius was in the middle which referred to his physical position (he was sitting between the two girls) and his attitude to the class. He just didn’t see himself caring all that much about codes but he did pay attention. It’s hard not to when Cynthia was speaking. Her voice was just so pleasant to hear. And then she smiled at him. Ordinarily, Caius would have been glad for the attention and he was a bit, but he also could tell she wanted something. "How about an exercise to put this lesson in Teamwork to the test? Two teams each composed of three students. Competing in a drill you are all fairly familiar with." With that, the two rings from the class last week made a return, appearing on the ground and as Cynthia was talking, she had her eyes on Caius with a brow raised subtly in what was unmistakably an invitation for him to volunteer. Caius’s lips twitched at that but he didn’t mind. However, right before he stood up, Kaya beat him to it and was immediately on her feet. Her book of notes where she had detailed every single Synergy code was in her hands as she called out. "Professor!" The energy took Cynthia by surprise because she blinked hard as her head turned slightly to the side so she was looking at Kaya’s excited face. "Yes, Ms. Aeisling?" Kaya blushed a bit and her slightly pointy ears twitched but she remained excited still. "I volunteer. For one of the teams," she said, and then added in a lower and slightly embarrassed voice, "Obviously." Professor Kragsten nodded. "Very well. And..." she said and it was clear she was going to say more but Kaya cut in. "And Caius too!" She said and grabbed Caius’ arm to pull him to his feet. Cynthia’s lips twitched in a smile and Caius knew why. It was because she was about to suggest Caius join the budding team as well. "Who’ll be your third?" She asked. "Eloise—" Kaya started with a smile and angled herself past Caius to call for her Amber-eyed best friend. "No!" Eloise answered immediately with her arms folded tightly beneath her breasts. "What?" Kaya said taken by surprise. Eloise looked slightly ashamed to disappoint but held firm. "I’m sorry, I really don’t want to," she said and then looked at Professor Kragsten to ask in a sweet voice, "Do I have to, Professor?" "You don’t," Cynthia said, "Not today." "So who’ll be our third then?" Kaya asked and looked around like it was dawning on her now that it was only Caius and Eloise she talked to enough to call on. Caius decided to step in here. "Delia Kragsten," he called. Everyone’s eyes turned to the back of the class where Delia sat trying her best to look as uninterested in the proceedings as possible. "What?" She asked not just at the sudden attention she was getting but at Caius for calling her name at all. "Be our third," Caius said with a smile. Delia pulled forward in her chair now and narrowed her eyes at him but Caius gave her a pointed look that told her he didn’t just call her at random. This was ’payback’ for her calling him out for a duel in Mage-Knight Training Last week. Sure enough, just like Professor Raoul last week, Cynthia Kragsten smiled excitedly. "Excellent choice, Caius," she said and looked at her sister, "Come on, Delia." Delia took a moment and opened her mouth slowly like she was going to say No and then she let out a sigh and stood to her feet as well. "Great," Cynthia said and clapped her hands together, "Now, what team will go against them?" "We will, Professor," Baler said immediately like he had been waiting for this. He gestured at Aurelius and Doran as the ’We’ he was referring to. Doran looked surprised but stood up. Aurelius looked almost as surprised but was far more excited for it even though he was confused by Baler’s eagerness to offer to be the opposing team. Caius and Baler shared a look and he thought he understood why Baler was so eager to fight him and to be sure, he raised a hand and touched Eloise’s cheek. She blushed but leaned into it. The exchange was subtle and Caius was sure not many in the class would have caught it but Baler definitely did because his lips were now pressed together in a tight frown, surely gritting his teeth. "Huh," Caius said then as he confirmed his guess. "What?" Eloise asked. With his hand touching her, she was so in tune with him that she caught every sound he made. "It’s nothing," Caius assured her in a low voice as he stroked her cheek with his thumb before he and Kaya walked out of their seats and headed down into the Arena below. "Hello. Thanks for joining us," Kaya said and held her hand out to Delia with a friendly smile. Delia looked surprised but she took the hand and smiled lightly. "I’m not happy to be here. But you’re welcome." She glared at Caius then but he made a point not to look at her. Also, his attention was kinda taken by Baler Khione whose glare was becoming more and more intense. "Alright," Cynthia said with an excited smile, "Your tasks are Base Defense and Base Invasion. One Team will be tasked to defend the inner ring—your base—while the other tries to take it over. You are only considered to have taken over the Base if only your team occupies the inner ring. Anyone who is kicked out of the Outer Ring is disqualified but the team can continue to fight without them. I want a clean exchange. No lethal damage and I will be on standby to step in the moment things get out of hand." Cynthia took a moment here and both teams shared looks. At least other members of both teams shared looks while Baler kept glaring at Caius who was just too amused not to glare right back. "Who will defend and who will invade?" Cynthia asked. "We’ll Defend!" Kaya called out. "We’ll defend," Doran called out at the same time but in a less intense tone. Kaya chose defense because she thought it was strategically the best position to be in. At least for her. Doran chose it because, well, Earthen Magic seems just built for defense and he felt it lacked the need for initiative which he didn’t wish to take. "A Coin toss then," Cynthia said and with a flick of her wrist, a coin appeared on her palm, "Heads or tails." "Heads!" Kaya said. "Tails," Doran picked the only option left with a tiny sigh. Cynthia flipped, covered the result before revealing it as she announced, "Heads!" "Yes!" Kaya said and ushered the rest of her team over to the Inner Ring where she bent over in a clear attempt to call for a huddle as she said, "I’ll be Ace. Caius, you’ll be Tav. And Delia, you’ll be Don. Our formation will be B—H2. It’s perfect to start with." "Huh?" Delia said confused. "I second that," Caius said with a small chuckle. "Those are synergy codenames and B—H2 is a Synergy code for a throuple like ours." "Still don’t follow," Delia said and it was clear she had not paid any attention to the class. Kaya groaned a bit. "Fine. It means I’ll stay in the Inner Ring to defend it. You both go out of it to keep them from getting too close." "Acceptable," Caius said with a nod. "Yes," Delia said, "But next time just say that instead of the code thing."