Chapter 24: Special Team Training

It’s been a few days since the temple. Rina and I are still stumped but it’s nice to get out into nature to get away from it all. Camilla brought our party to a secluded spot outside the city for training this morning. The trees surrounding us all have scars across their bark, indicating past exercises.

Rina and Kizzik stand on either side of me as we face our instructor. The past couple days have been a bit of a blur for me. Camilla has been pushing me past my limits each time we meet up. It’s been pure hell, more torture than exercise but I can’t deny the results. Even after such a short time, I can feel my body getting stronger as a result as it’s able to drink in more mana. This is the first time she’s asked Rina and Kizzik to join in though. Camilla stands proud with her arms crossed and a determined look on her face.

“Since we’ll be fighting together as a team in the future, I want to get a good look at how you all operate as a unit. It will help me see where you’re lacking and where I can be most effective as your fourth.” She says.

Kizzik raises their hand tentatively. “Umm, sorry boss but we haven't really done any team fighting with Kenji. He wouldn't know our strategies.”

He’s right now that I think about it. We’ve just kind of had to wing it the past few times. I didn't even realize working together was an option. Still, having personally sparred Camilla a couple of times, I know that I’m not going to be able to beat her alone. At least not in my current state.

Camilla taps her chin lightly. “Interesting that you’ve made it this far without working together. That suit must be quite powerful to compensate! That won't always be enough though. I’ll give you 5 minutes to come up with a strategy. After that you’ll need to procure this item from me by any means necessary.” She holds out a small silver bell that hangs from a red ribbon, then ties it to one of her belt loops.

“You lose if you take longer than an hour or if all of your teammates are unable to fight. Feel Free to use the suit, Kenji.” Camilla smashes her fist into her palm, smiling brightly. “Your time starts now!”

The three of us huddle together to quickly come up with a plan of attack. Rina takes the lead to strategize.

“Kenji, you’re the only one that can match her physically. We need you to lock down her movement as much as possible. Don’t let her do what she wants. I’ll help you close the gap with cover fire and support you with firebolts if you start to get overwhelmed. Kizzik, get the bell.” Kizzik grins widely, flashing his fangs.

We break from the huddle, ready to blitz the woman. I summon the suit in a flash of light. Rina is about to cast her first volley when Camilla vanishes from where she was standing! Where the hell did she go?! A shadow blocks out the sun and we look up just in time to see the monk crashing down on us. The impact forms a small explosion that sends Rina flying backwards into a tree.

“Gack!” She goes down hard.

I move to help her up but I find myself inexplicably upside down. Camilla tosses me over her shoulder planting me into the ground with a heavy thud! The sensors in my suit light up with warning messages, which are totally unnecessary because my own pain sensors are working just fine right now!

“Slow, disjointed, and predictable. You all need to learn to adapt on the fly.” Camilla towers over me as she lectures us. “Battle is chaos, so your strategies can’t be so linear.”

As she says this, a pair of cleavers tear through the air toward her as Kizzik swings at her neck. She ducks under them with ease and palm strikes the Laczerta in the sternum. Ouch. I know from experience that she’s just forced all the air from Kizzik’s lungs. They tumble head over heels across the dirt before skidding to a stop.

“Again, very predictable. You rely heavily on your stealth ability but your blood lust gives you away at the very last second. You also should’ve just gone for the bell.” She shakes her head in disappointment.

I take her advice, launching myself upward and towards the silver bell while she’s talking. My fingers skate past it just inches away as Camilla spins out of the way. She delivers a devastating chop to the back of my head, slamming me back into the dirt.

“You’re getting desperate. Your best bet here is to fall back to a defensive position.”

A volley of fireballs slam into Camilla, exploding into thick clouds of smoke. I use it as an opportunity to get some distance. I knew she was strong but holy hell, this is like fighting Metial all over again! Should I use a crystal to go up to full power? I’m fairly confident she can't beat me in that form. No, that would defeat the purpose of the exercise. I have to learn to work as part of a group. Relying too heavily on the suit will get me in trouble.

I take up position in front of Rina. Kizzik rejoins us as well,clutching their chest and wheezing.

“We had it wrong! We need to center our assault around you Rina. Take her out from range! Kizzik, try to control the midfield and I’ll be the last line of defense.” I shout.

The smoke clears to reveal Camilla, dusting herself off. She’s almost completely unscathed save for some singed clothing. She rushes us again at blinding speed. Kizzik dashes forward to meet her, lashing out with their blades once again. Camilla dodges backward but is caught by another firebolt to the chest. It knocks her just slightly off balance so that Kizzik can push their advantage. They throw a flurry of daggers at the monk and try to reach for the bell again. Just as they grasp it, Camilla throws a knee at Kizzik's head. They have to abandon the bell to block the blow. Getting their hands up just in time, they are sent flying backward but are able to land on their feet.

As Kizzik falls back, I rush forward to fill the gap. I don't give her a second to recover, using my cannon to blast her with a concussive wave. Camilla is able to get her guard up but it still pushes her back a few meters, giving us enough distance for Rina to bust out the big guns.

“FIRESTORM!” She screams as she unleashes the spell.

Camilla has just enough time to look up as a wide pillar of flame slams into her. The fire punches a perfect circle into the ground, melting the dirt into molten glass. The heat and energy from the blast make my sensors bug out. That new staff Rina bought is really something else. The spell fizzles out until it dissipates completely. I hear someone fall, turning to see Rina collapsed on the ground. Her face is pale and sweaty and she’s breathing heavily. She looks completely drained, supporting her weight with her staff.

The fight isn’t over yet though. I turn back to the hole in the earth, approaching it slowly. I peer inside to see if Camilla is okay. We might’ve overdone it a bit. There is a small pool of lava sizzling away at the bottom of the pit but no Camilla. Oh god did we disintegrate her?! The thought barely has a chance to cross my mind when something grasps me around the ankle. I look down to see a hand sticking out of the dirt.

“Oh shiii–”

I’m instantly pulled down into the earth until just my head is exposed. I cant move! Camilla bursts out of the ground in front of me.

“Now that was a combo attack! Very nice work you guys!” Camilla looks like a parent, beaming with pride. She is notably unharmed. She must’ve used the blast as cover to tunnel beneath me. Damn, she’s so cool. I try with all my strength to wiggle free but the earth around me wont budge.

“I think we can call it here.” Kizzik says, throwing their cleavers down. I hardly blame him. I’m buried like a radish, and Rina looks like she’s about to lose her lunch. We’re done.

Camilla sighs “I can see we still have a long way to go. You two will join Kenji tomorrow at the training grounds. Let’s whip this party into shape!” She says as she drags me out of the dirt.

They both look at me in horror.

“I’m so sorry.” I whisper.