The Desire to Train

Rell awoke in the same bed as yesterday, a suspicious lump forming under his blanket. He lifted it to find the little purple haired Sister cuddling him in his sleep. He sighed, carefully inching his way out of bed. Rena sat on the chair nearby, asleep. 

"I thought you promised to keep guard outside?" Rell whispered, annoyed at the girl. 

The clothes that had been prepared for him laid neatly on the floor; A gift from Mira, in order to replace the ragged Holy Knight uniform he was wearing. Next to the stack of clothes sat a sheathed sword. He picked it, pulling the blade out and examined it. It was finely made, although the weight was a little lighter than he would've liked. After ensuring the two unwelcomed guests were fast asleep, he put his new outfit on. 

Mira was clearly going for some kind of heroic look, with the excessive uses of blue and white. It was pretty functional however. It used leather as basic armor while still allowing a wide range of motion. The gauntlets also fit surprisingly well, and gave him a good grip on his weapon. He decided not to wear the cape, instead draping it over the sleeping Rena. After ensuring the little one in bed was properly tucked in, Rell decided to go outside. 

The morning sun was just creeping over the horizon. The cold morning chill felt fresh in his face as he stepped out, fully dressed in his new clothes. He walked only a short distance away, towards a grassy clearing, before drawing his weapon. 

His memories drifted to his academy days, when he practiced his sword forms. Early in the morning he would get up and practice for an hour. Then it was time to wake Alicia up for class. He went to classes, then he practiced his sword form at lunch. More class, then he practiced afterwards, before dinner and evening study. Thus was his lot in life. It was simpler then. Even now, just the simple act of swinging this new weapon brought him serenity and peace in this unknown world. 

The sun was fully up by the time Rena rushed out the door, weapons drawn. 

"You rat!" She screamed, training her guns at Rell. 

He ignored her, fully immersed in his form, a flick of sweat running down his forehead. 

"Hey! I'm talking to you!" she threatened. "What are you doing anyway?"  

"Training." He gasped, changing his footing as he sparred with an imaginary foe. 

"Training?" Rena tilted her head. "Why?"

"To get better. To maintain. To clear my head." he puffed, swinging his weapon in a downward stroke. "To learn." He answered again. 

"So it is true." Rena noted, reluctantly holstering her pistols. 

"What is it this time?" He sighed. He was already tired of explaining all the weird things humans did that Sisters didn't understand. 

"How you don't know how to fight when you're born." Rena answered. "So you have to train." 

"It's mostly true." He answered, swinging outwards. "I've only known one human who didn't have to train. The rest of us do." 

Rena watched him thoughtfully, taking a seat on a nearby stump. 

"Hey..." She asked. 

"What?" He exhaled, annoyed his peace was being disrupted. 

"Do you think if I...trained... I could be better than Rin?" Rena asked, eyes fluttering side to side. 

"Probably." Rell answered. "Although I've never beaten the person I was training for."

Rena nodded, disappointed. 

"But you'll never know unless you try." He said, sheathing his blade and turning towards her.  "Even the person I knew who didn't need to train became exponentially stronger when she did." 

Her eyes widened, as if a spark had been ignited in her. 

"Oh, you're awake!" Elena yelled, peeking out the door and waving her hand. "I'm making breakfast in a bit!" She said, rushing over to two. "I already sent the Tia squad out to make sure the rest of Alpha squad is awake." 

"Just so you know, even if it isn't my squad, I'll be coming along to watch this one." Rena said, pointing at Rell. 

"Fine with me!" She answered. "Besides, the more friends, the safer it is." 

"I'm not taking orders from Rin though." She established, folding her arms.

Alpha squad formed up fully about an hour later, dressed in their combat clothes. 

"Make sure you don't get in the way." Rin threatened, pointing at Rena. 

Rena shot her a venomous look, but didn't say anything. 

"How's it fit?" Mira asked, scanning Rell from head to toe. "And where's the cape?"

"It fits really well actually. And i'm not wearing a cape." He said. 

Mira let out a disappointed sigh, before scanning Rell further. 

"Man, I do some really good work. Those measurements I took when you were in a coma proved worthwhile." 

Rell ignored that, even if it irked him. He had come to notice that a lot of Sisters did not understand the concept of personal space. 

"Everybody ready?" Elena asked.

Hina followed closely behind her, dressed in her white uniform.

"Wa... the Major's coming too?" Rena groaned, carefully not to attract attention to herself. 

"Not good..." Rin muttered. "It's easier to hide things when she can't actually see what's going on..." 

"What was that?" Hina glared. 

"Nothing Ma'am!" Rin answered at attention. 

"I thought so." Hina turned to address the group. "Alpha Squad. Your mission today is assist the forward outpost. There have been repeated reports of encroaching Shadows, with the possibility of a behemoth class or greater. Four Sisters have already lost their lives. We are to travel to the outpost and bolster their combat forces." Hina crossed her arms. "Questions?"

Rin raised her hand. 

"Isn't this combat force a bit excessive?" Rin asked. "I know we were picked to assess Rell's abilities, but not only do we have the Star of the Seventh, Rell, two sniper classes, but with you Ma'am were pretty much unstoppable." 

"You should watch your arrogance captain." Hina shook her head. "That arrogance is what lead to most of the Second generation getting wiped out. Besides, I only plan on observing. I'll only intervene if we get overwhelmed." 

"Star of the Seventh?" Rell asked.

"Please don't say that name." Elena protested softly, her face turning beet red. 

"Sir Rell." Hina adressed, approaching Rell. he noticed that she had several Light Nin orbs floating near her. "This is for you." She gestured, one of the orbs floating towards him. it began to orbit him. 

"To keep an eye on me?" Rell asked, but he knew the answer. 

"To maintain communications." She said. "And don't worry. this orb is only connected to captain Rin's; I won't be able to spy on you directly." 

"Reassuring." Rell said sarcastically. 

"Enough chit-chat!" Rin ordered, taking on her captain persona. "Once all preparations are ready, let's set off!!" 

"Yeah!" all of Alpha squad cheered. 

After a few more minutes, they set off as a group, leaving the Sanctuary behind, the glimmering tree looming behind them.