Twisted-Wonderland: Our Precious Treasure (Part 2)

(127) TTotSS: Resist Betterment!

"Slight exercise helps with concentration, too. However, do not exert yourself to the point where you're exhausted." Azul walked around the courtyard, watching the students spared with each other. "Doing spars helps relieve some stress as well."

Among the students, Kalim was paired up with Jonah. Their fight turned out to be more of a physical match rather than magical combat. Jonah had his cutlass with both hands, running toward Kalim with a scream. Kalim quickly raised his staff as a shield and firmly blocked the sword. With solid strength, Kalim pushed the sword back as Jonah tried to kick him, water gathered underneath his feet and Kalim leaped with the help of his water-booster. With a wide grin, Kalim pounced down upon his opponent, his staff meeting with Jonah's raised sword but the force was greater than he expected, knocking the captain away.

"Yahoo!" Kalim cheered. "I win!"

"Good job, Senior Kalim," Jonah laughed, raising his thumb while still on the ground. Kalim pulled the arm, helping Jonah to get up again.

"You did well too!" he grinned. "But, maybe you should hold your sword with one hand instead." He lifted Jonah's arm that was still holding his cutlass. "It's pretty light, so it won't be that efficient if you hold with two hands."

Jonah hummed, nodding. "Yeah. I'm still looking for a good fighting style."

"Well, that's what training is for!" Kalim said, patting Jonah on the back.

Not far from Kalim, Jamil was huffing, glaring at the two boys, not noticing how Chandra sneaking up behind him with a sparking lightning ball in his palm.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!" he screamed, running toward Jamil who was his partner. "SNEAK ATTACK-"

Jamil just blasted him with his fireball.

-----

"Do you know what is the most important for growing boys like us?" Without waiting for anyone to answer, Azul snapped his fingers. "Yes! It is food. We must make sure that we have well-balanced nutrition. Overeating or not eating at all will affect our performance later on."

"Knowledge of food preparation and ingredients is very valuable, too," Jade added, bringing a basket filled with vegetables to the simmering chicken stock.

"Maybe I should try learning how to cook," Kalim mumbled, spinning a wooden spoon in his hand, "I don't have to worry about poison if I made them myself, too."

"Oh, please." Jamil rolled his eyes, taking the spoon from Kalim's hand. "You'll just get hurt from peeling potatoes."

"Baby Otter can help with stirring the soup, then~" Floyd suddenly appeared between him, swapping the spoon with a single tomato for Jamil and giving it to Kalim.

"That's right," Jade said, walking next to Kalim with arms around his shoulders toward the giant pot on the stove. "Please watch over it closely so the soup does not boil over."

Kalim's eyes twinked and he nodded excitedly. "Yeah! Leave it to me!"

Jade chuckled and turned to the rest of the cooking team ."Come, everyone. Let us prepare some delicious food."

"Yes!"

Jamil was gritting his teeth. He crushed the tomato with his bare hand.

-----

"Alright." Grim was sitting on top of Kalim's head who was walking around the lounge, flipping the book in his paws. "What is the incantation for the shield charm?"

"Uh..." Kalim tapped his chin, frowning a bit. He took several steps before he beamed, snapping his fingers. "Protego!"

"If one wished to increase the effect of the bombarda spell, which incantation would you use?"