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Outside of Alana in the north near the desert of decay edge the first year student gather in the military training camp. The camp consist of a few small building, one large warehouse, a shooting range on the northside where a stray bullet shot into a vast empty desert and high mesh fence surrounded the camp edge. A few truck drive up and down the road to deliver supplies but most of the camp is an open area for exercise and practice formation.

“I hope you all finish setting your tent. Now I will tell you what are we doing here" Miss Hellen speak in front of the student who standing in lines under a burning sun.

“This is too dam hot just get it over already" Brant complained.

“Silent! Or would everyone like to do more push up?" Prof. Leon shouted and everyone shut their mouth even though Brant want to ask about the point of this training.

“This group assignment will test your focus, planning and teamwork. You'll need to divide your team into two group, First group consist of three people for transporting this" one city guard push a four wheel steel cart up to the front by himself, on the cart is ten white sack filled with black sand, weight few kilograms each .

“We have several path already prepare, your team leader will draw lot to choose the path you got. Your team will have to deliver all ten sack to your assign destination to get a full score but it won't be just simple delivery since this is where the second group come in, The three person of other team will have a role of attacking the other team cart. We score by weight of the sand that made it to destination. The missing weight will give half point toward the attacking team who success in preventing the shipment of supplied."

'so the priority is to protect our cart'

Each of the team leader come out to the front line and pick a draw from Miss Hellen. Amy got pair with Blake while Marco pair with Brant.

“You're quite unlucky." said Blake.

“On the opposite" she replied.

“Prof. Rio" Brant asked “There must be some mistake. This assignment is clearly intend for martial class, most of us don't even know how to fight."

“There is no mistake and there are many way to complete this assignment without fighting." Rio explained. “We also have a few day for you to prepare your equipment and a short lesson from Prof. Leon about self defend and how to use these wooden sword and shield if you want."

“We are not fighter. You can't make us do stuff outside our curriculum, my parent..."

“Your parent already know all about our class curriculum."

“then" Brant face filled with hope.

“They all agree before you were even sent here." Rio have no plan to explain all the messy demand about the various subject each parent from all six nation want their children to learn, not to mention from which teacher. They combine class on some of these subject to appease the parent and for the sanity of teacher who have to manage each and every student. Most of these extra lesson is good for these elite kid to know anyway.

Brant face look quite shock “by the way all of you are not allow to use real sword, claw, any sharp object, gun or magic that could kill other student. Knock your opponent out is all that allow. Us three along with several city guard will be monitoring all of you while you race to the finish line. Do your best now."

Rio then let's all the student to go to form a plan with their team. Him and Leon go out to check the race track one more time while Miss Hellen gone with the city guard.

Amy walk back to the team with two pieces of paper in her jaw “Look like we get to beat your brother Josh"

Josh smiles but he look a little sad “It's been a long time since I fight against Blake. He's not to be underestimate, among all our classmate he properly the smartest one." Josh then straight up his head “let me see the map."

Amy place the map down and everyone look at the map on the ground for a moment before Bill and Biscuit give up “I have no idea what I'm looking at."

“me too"

“It's a Topographic maps, the line show the shape of Earth's surface, this number is the height of the hill or dune in the area." Josh explained.

“From the size it would take about full day to reach our destination from where we start since we also need to take a brake." said Eirian.

"This line is the road right so we just need to follow it?" Bill suggested.

“The road might get us to finish line fastest but Blake will definitely plant a trap and ambush us there...then again he might know I won't choose the road so he plant a trap elsewhere and the main road could be safe." Josh thinking out loud for his friend.

“Is your brother strong? We can just beat him if he show up." Amy asked Josh opinion.

“He is decent at fighting but hardly in the top bracket. Beside Blake his team consist of one goat, one tiger, one ant, and two bird, a blue jay and another raven." Josh's wing tap his beak “We need to guess who will he sent to attack and defend but let decide our team first. Who do you want on attack and defend team Amy?"

“I think Eirian and I should be on defend team at least since it's the most important. With Eirian magic we should be able to react to any attack and I will personally take care of our cart so that it's reach destination."

'This way I will be under her command and won't get to make any achievement compare to me leading attacking team but I do agree with her.'

“I agree" said Eirian. “Calamity is the strongest fighter among us if we put him on defend our cart safety is guarantee but our attacking team...would have no hope."

Bill and Biscuit look ashamed but Josh speak up “Don't worry we don't need to fight them, just dig a trap or destroy their cart wheel is enough. Too bad there aren't many tree around here surrounded them with fire is not a bad idea as well."

Bill and Biscuit looking panic but Calamity speak up “I'm much better on the move than struck guarding a slow cart. You can put me on the attack team."

“Well he's not wrong..." Josh seem to be in deep thought.

“Very well Calamity will be on attacking team then who should we put on the defend?" said Amy.

Eirian look around and realize he will have to be the one who push the cart if Amy will walk in front 'I hope it not too heavy.'

“I think we should put Biscuit on the defend" Eirian suggested.

“Why?" Amy question this decision “you are not trying to sabotage our team right?"

“What? No! Biscuit is too timid. She won't be able to attack anyone so she is better trying to defend herself. Can you do that Biscuit? You won't have to attack anyone just focus on defending the cart."

“I...I" Biscuit heart races at the thought of fighting “yes...I can defend the cart at least." She try her best just to answer Eirian.

Amy look at her teammates and Blake's team “Fine, we need to stop other team cart if we want to score higher anyway. This way our attack team has higher chance of success"

As everyone settle on the plan Josh is still deep in thought.

“Do you have anymore suggestion Josh?" Eirian noticed and asked.

“There are many way to deliver the supplies, Blake team have three bird they can just ditch the cart and carry most if not all of supplies by air and there will be little we can do anything about it"

“What but that..." Amy stop in her track and realize Josh is right. Each team composition allow for different tactic depend on each member skill and characteristic.

“Can't we do the same" said Calamity.

“All ten sack? Not with this wing" Josh waves “I won't able to even lift off but I do think there is a possibility Blake won't use this tactic though."

“Why? It's an assure win."

“Sure but he also want a chance to test his strength and wit against other races, we used to talk about tactic to fight each races I'm sure he like to test some."

“Oh really? Do tell" said Amy.

Josh evade the question “We need to guess how he will assign his teammate first before we can guess his tactic. Honestly I'm not even sure does he want to match with me or avoid me."

“Does anyone know any of his teammate?" asked Bill.

Eirian remember Rusul “I knew the goat, his name is Rusul, happen to be my roommate. He's...interest in astrology, voodoo magic stuff, reading fate that sort of thing. I don't think he can fight but I don't know about his ice magic skill."

“Voodoo? But Father Pan ban all contact with all paganistic for us." said Biscuit.

“Oh...err he just testing thing out." Eirian try to remember how the church of Amalthaea deal with heretic only to vaguely remember someone being drown “You're not going to report Rusul to the church right?"

“No" Biscuit try to remember where she heard his name before but for her who didn't interact with other goat and sheep much she can't figure it out where she heard of him.

“I knew the ant, her name is Levana. She came from the Second colony near the border of Amalthor, like me she's a royal ant. Talk with her a few time but never spar with her so I don't know about her skill."

"The blue jay, is she the one with camera?" Calamity look at Eirian and Bill.

“Camera?"

“Oh that right we saw her trying to take a photo of the bomb site." said Bill.

Eirian then remember the one bird who are trying to run from city guard when they were on hospital roof “She is quite fast if I don't recall wrong."

“Then we left with the tiger and raven does anyone know them?" asked Amy but it's clear this is all the information they have.

“So this one is their map huh" Josh use his claw to move the map closer “Their path has a bit more dune and slope even more tree in the middle section, easy for us to hide on top and ambush so Blake will properly use one or two bird on defend team to scout ahead."

“If Levana is a royal ant than she should be able to use earth magic, would be easy for her to dig a hole for trap." Eirian look at Amy “Not that I would suggest you be on attacking team of course."

“Right" Amy nod “Their main fighting force should be the tiger and Blake so do you think he would focus on defend Josh?"

“That up to the tiger skill. If Blake judge his skill to be good he would leave him to defend and try his luck with us but if the tiger is not sufficient then he would defend the cart himself."

“That tiger is strong" Calamity look at Blake team not far from them.

“So the tiger is strong" everyone add this new info into the plan without questioning further.

“What is Rusul doing?" Biscuit confused when Rusul start shuffle card on the ground.

“Is that a tarot card?" said Bill.

“Oh boy" Eirian remember all the time Rusul play with his exotic toy in the room while chanting which eventually creep out even Marco whom as a son of Fenrir should fear nothing.

“I think he trying to guess which of us will be in which team" Calamity eye meet with the tiger who look this way.

“Is your brother superstitious Josh?"

“Not really...but he might just go along with Rusul for fun."

“His prediction is actually quite accurate too but he doesn't seem to like that he's right for some reason" Eirian now try to remember if Rusul know any curse spell.

“So let's assume Blake know our team arrangement how will he react Josh?" Amy look at the only one who know Blake best.

Josh look at Blake who smiles when their eyes meet “...brother won't come after me, he will be on attacking team with ant and either Rusul or the raven. On defend will be the tiger, blue jay and either Rusul or raven...properly the raven."

Amy think for a moment before agreeing with Josh “I believed your judgement. I'll now tell you all our strategy to beat them."

After listen to Amy plan Eirian can't help but say “The defend plan is fine but are you sure you want attacking team to confront them directly as soon as possible?"

“There's no need to delay is it?" said Amy.

“I agree with her plan." Calamity added.

“Not to underestimate your strength Calamity but I think there is a better way to go about this." as Eirian speak he notices Josh making a disapprove face and tilt his head to the side toward Calamity.

'What is Josh doing?'

“What better way?"

“A hit and run tactic" Eirian answered.

Calamity didn't immediately answer as he seem to think of Eirian suggestion.

“Come now Eirian" Josh wrap Eirian's shoulder under his wing “There no need to worry about such thing isn't? since we got our valiant friend here."

Eirian want to object since he think hit and run is a better plan but since most of his friend want to go direct route he go alone with Amy.

Later Josh drag him out to talk alone “What are you doing?"

“What do you mean?"

“You are suppose to get on Calamity good side to get his vote so why are you disagreeing with him when he clearly want a direct assault."

“But I really do think hit and run would be a better plan."

“Let me worry about the plan on defend team. You need to get on Calamity good side, make him feel like you deserve the team leader position, strength as he said. Be more forceful, assertive."

“There's more to a good leader than looking confident though."

“Doesn't matter. Most people can't tell the different anyway. Calamity doesn't act like most wolf but since he is that strong he would choose a leader that he consider comparable to him at least. You already have higher chance than Amy just don't mire your feather."

“Even if this cost us score on this assignment?"

“Yes. You have to think on the long term Eirian."

“Alright" Eirian doesn't like this but deep down he understand “Then please keep an eye on Bill for me don't let him get into any dangerous fight. Let him support from the side, retreat if it's going bad."

“You worry about him?"

“He didn't react well to mundeus potion." Eirian really thought for a moment he had killed his friend “I'm worry there might be any more side effect."

“I see. I'll keep an eye on him."

“Thank Josh."

In the free time they have left Marco come to say hello to Eirian and his team but one of the wolf from his team, Sharik, insult Calamity for not participate in Numenus casing other wolf to look at Calamity with scorn.

Amy then insult Sharik back speak of how he lost to her in the match and Calamity is much stronger than her. The two was about to start a fight when Eirian and Marco both drag their teammate back.

Jason ignore his teammate and take this chance to check up on Bill and express his joy that Bill and everyone is now in good health after they drank his potion.

Brant's team meanwhile keep to themself and set a plan of their own but no one think they have much chance since they go against Macro team that mostly made up of wolf who know how to fight. Not to mention Marco, the proclaimed white king who won Numenus.

When the day arrive Eirian and Blake teams each ride on wagon with the city guard to their start position. Both team won't know who is the enemy member on attack and defend team. Both team will get to start the race at the same time.

On Calamity side the three start position at the end of Blake destination, to act on their plan of direct assault they must race toward the coming cart. Bill bring a shield, Calamity a wooden staff and Josh a wooden throwing knife in his front vest pocket. All three wear a light armor and helmet to protect their body. The helmet has a black tassel and so is theirs armor theme.

“Please don't take these off and don't go for your opponent vital spot like eyes or under belt" said the city guard.

“Why does you armor lighter than us?" Bill look at Josh.

“I got to fly aren't I." Josh flutter his wing. His armor focus on protecting the main body but have no protection on wing since bird need a lot of space to flap their wing.

Calamity start running at the moment the flares is set off with loud bang on late morning only for Josh to call him back because him and Bill couldn't follow his speed.

“Let's keep walking to preserve strength. I'll fly around in case they go through hill and don't follow road. There's no need for us to run toward them."

Bill and Calamity then walk together on the road in silent since the armor made movement harder for Bill and Josh. Above Josh fly alone observes the sea of sand in the north mix with scatter palm grove among small rock and hill with varying elevation, some natural while some man-made for military training.

They stop and eat lunch while chat about what Bill will have to do when Calamity charge.

“What that sound?" Bill jump when he heard the branch move.

Hiding behind the tree something move “it's just a sparrow" said Josh. One of many species that didn't awaken and remain small simple creature.

“I thought they were already here."

“Don't worry about them sneak pass us since they carry supplies they will never move faster than us. If they don't use main road they will be even slower."

The three finish their break and continue walking to confront supplies team.

For hours all is quiet but the sound of wind which glide up and down dunes and rustling leaf. There aren't many palm tree at the start of this track but many in middle.

Due to Josh suggestion their team travel slow and only face Blake's team in late afternoon. They already manage to travel more than half way with only three hour left to reach the goal.

The supplies team consist of tiger, raven and blue jay. Their armor color red. The tiger carry a big wooden Glaive. The other two doesn't seem to have a weapon.

“two bird." said Calamity.

“You were right Josh, the tiger is here."

“alright do as we plan, I'll deal with the raven."

The tiger spot Calamity immediately and shout to challenge Calamity to meet him “No trick? Good I like a good fight. I am Ken. Who are you wolf?"

“Calamity" he said as he step up.

The raven and blue jay stay back on both side of their cart to protect it. The raven recognized Josh so he greet him “Hello Josh Blake told us about you. My name is Edwin and miss blue here is Ava. Please excuse us for anything that will happen next."

Edwin speak like this because he and Ava is just a commoner whom their family live here in Alana, compare to Josh's father who stand at the top of Corvidia they don't want to get on his bad side if possible.

“Don't worry I don't care about that." Josh take flight as Edwin follow up to the sky.

Bill walk closer to Ava and greet her but didn't start a fight yet since both are waiting for Calamity and Ken.

Calamity charge in first with a swing of his staff which Ken block with his own glaive “Not bad" Ken said as they start exchanging blow. Ken focus on striking while Calamity focus on dodge and parry.

Bill turn his head to focus on the cart. He can see three sack of supplies sand on top.

“So what your guys plan?" said Ava.

“Simple. Beat you guy and destroy your supplies." Bill activate his MAM and rush toward Ava.

“Espiro" Ava blast a powerful wind. Bill lift up a shield to block but still got push back. Bill aim his MAM and fire a lighting bolt which surprise Ava so she didn't dodge. And because miracle is real it's hit her.

The bolt hit but due to armor made of wood she only suffer a little shock. “MAM? I never fight with MAM user before."

Bill and Ava then keep exchange attack as Ava keep push Bill to stay far away from their cart and Bill fail to hit nor close their gap.

In the sky Josh and Edwin clash into one another and both try to take the other down. They fly past each other and exchange an attack of magic to make other loss control and fall or spin out of control. He also try to throw a knife at Ava from above by using his leg but Edwin noticed and block all attempt with his magic.

Among all the six people here the person who know how to fight is Calamity and Ken but the assignment is to deliver supplies not win a fight so as long as the cart stay still it's defend team win.

“Impressive, no one manage to fight me one on one this long before." said Ken.

“Didn't Blake beat you?"

“With trick and magic of his own. It's still a win of course but he barely get in close when he fight. Those bird love to swoop and dam hard to catch." Ken strike again at the same spot and break Calamity staff.

“You should have pick a bigger weapon" Ken laugh.

Calamity throw what left of his staff in Ken face and follow with a punch of his own and break Ken's glaive that he pull up to block.

“Well these fake weapon suck." Ken throw his weapon away “If only we have a real sword or claw."

“Not the rule"

“Yeah yeah don't want to hear Blake complain either." Ken punch and both continue in hand to hand combat.

Ava seeing Ken weapon break panic and although Blake told her to only stay by the cart side and stop anyone who try to get close repeatedly cast Espiro like this quickly worn her out so she decided to fly up and swoop down pining Bill on the sand with her claw thinking she won.

Bill activate his MAM glove and grab her leg electrocuted her on the spot. The moment Ava fell Bill rush toward their cart and fire a flamethrower with another glyph burning all the sack of supplies.

“No!" Ken turn back but it's too late the cart is burning and there is no saving any sack inside.

Josh and Edwin land, both lose a few feather.

“Look like it's your win" Edwin sound disappointed. Ava get up and three of them gather by the fire.

“I guess we can head back to the camp now." said Bill but then as three of them start to walk away Josh stop.

“Too easy." he turn back “What did Blake tell you to do? Just push the cart toward main road until you reach the goal?"

“About it yeah" said Edwin.

“Then you must have take your sweet time walking huh. We talk it slow since there's no reason for us to rush but you guy arrive here too slow." Josh look around “Three sack we see on top...where the rest of it."

Ken smiles and rush toward Bill as Edwin and Ava lift up and fly backward in two different direction.

“Shit! Follow Ava, I'll get Edwin."

Calamity didn't follow Ava immediately but jump to block Ken punch at Bill first. Bill scare but run after Ava as Ken continue their duel.

At this point Josh know Bill will never catch up with the blue jay so it's all up to him to stop Edwin. He fly in the direction Edwin headed and found him standing on one of the palm trying to pick up four sack hidden in a bag.

Edwin quickly take off and fly toward the goal while stay low in tree line. Josh fly after him and try to throw a knife at the sack but all miss the mark.

“Raven are a better flyer than crow you know" Edwin taunt.

With his last knife Josh cast a wind magic hoping to boot its speed and at the last moment manage to cut a small hole on one of the sack. In his moment of triumph Edwin take a sharp upturned and Josh found himself hitting a net that trap him inside.

“Gift from Blake, see you around Josh." Edwin soar up high and head to their goal with no more obstacle.

“Dam you Blake" Josh can no longer do anything but wait for his friend to come save him.

Calamity and Ken continue fighting until Ken finally fell down after Calamity's punch him in the face several times “Blake said you didn't join Numenus...I guess a monster don't need to prove himself."

Calamity didn't answer and check his own left eye before run past him after Bill.

Ken enjoy a good fight but disappoint in himself that he fail Blake order to deliver all ten sack. “Here to prove myself and get a good paying grunt work but lose to Marco in the first round before get to show off in Numenus and now this. Luck is really not on myside...his swordsmanship is not too bad too if only we have a real weapon."

For Bill he try his best to catch up to Ava but it's simply impossible for human to chase after a bird in the sky. She get away with all the rest of three sack. Calamity found Bill later and both finally rescue Josh after looking for him past sunset.

“It's getting cold we should head back now." Josh shake his leg to get the net that tangle out.

“What about Amy side?" said Calamity.

“There still time to deliver but it's quite far from here. Rule didn't state we can't go and help but there's no way we could find them in all those big area in time."

“I'll go check. I can track them."

“It's could be a waste of time though"

“They got seven sack we don't know if your brother has any more trick I move fast can still help them."

“Six full sack. I cut the last one a little so some sand should fall out but go if you want me and Bill are too tired to run any more. See the north star? Head west, if you see the Great Red River or went past the tree line up north then you go too far."

Calamity nod and run off at full speed.

“...hey Professor! Can you take us back? Anyone around?!"

One raven guard fly down from the palm hundred meter away “Good work kid, I'll guide you back."

“We have to walk?"

“Yes."

Bill and Josh sigh.