Wizardly

Chapter Thirty: New Training

The twenty minutes went by fast and Captain was my next opponent. He had more long range magical attacks and since he had to recite spells they were easier to predict. However, he could control them and they didn't always fly in a straight line. Some of his attacks were much larger and it was hard to move out of the way.

After the second twenty minutes was over I faced off with Zane. From what I remember he was an electric type wizard, this wasn't going to be easy.

As we began his lightning attacks were super fast and he threw them out like whips. Since it was electricity none of his attacks were straight, but he was pretty good with his aim. I could feel the hairs on my arms stand up from being so close to his attacks. Since I could sense when he was about to attack that made it a little easier, but he was fast and it was hard to dodge him.

When one lightning bolt got so close it actually singed my hair, Captain called for a break. He handed me some water and I sat on one of the benches for a minute.

After the ten minute break Zane and I continued and within about 12 minutes Master and him tagged out again. It was actually pretty hard adjusting my pace to match their different styles. After about the third rotation they decided to switch up the order to make it harder. They didn't want me to get too used to their patterns.

Once it was Dinner time I was actually relieved. That means only two more hours of this today. I'm so beat and worn out that this was beginning to get more difficult by the minute.

I grabbed a water from the cooler they had set up by the benches and chugged the much needed cold liquid. Captain tossed me a towel and I gladly took it.

"You're doing well. I might change the line up tomorrow. That said your stamina is impressive. I thought for sure I'd have to call a break more often than I did. We'll see you back here after Dinner, go get some nutrients in your system," Captain said. What does he mean by "change the line up"?

Zane didn't say a word and just headed back inside. Probably to get food too. He's actually been pretty quiet this whole time. I wonder if he's upset he has to spend his time like this? Though, this was probably good training for him too. After all he used his magic a lot, as well as got to practice with someone able to dodge his attacks.

Come to think of it Master was pretty quiet too. Wonder if he's upset because we aren't fighting with swords? Or maybe he's worried that Captain will notice since he has to use his bad arm for this? Whatever the reason it isn't really like him not to say anything at all.

I decided to head to Dinner and let it go. If they don't want to talk or have nothing to say then I won't force them to. Once in the Dining Hall I filled my plate with lots of food and joined the others at our tables.

"You look totally warn out. What did Captain have you do? Are you going to be okay?" Oliver asked.

"He's been having me dodge magical attacks all day," I mumbled and started eating.

"It's impressive you have no marks on you. That must have been rough," Max said and I nodded, since my mouth was full of food at the moment.

Lilliana looked like she was worried again and I poked her gently in the forehead once I swallowed my food. I told her to get that worried look off her face. She looked up at me and sighed.

"I know you told me not to worry, but I just can't help it. I just don't ever want to see you hurt again," she mumbled.

"Get a room you two," Naxos said teasingly. We shot him a glare and I went back to stuffing my face. I'm so hungry it's crazy. I guess I must have spent a lot of energy.

Once done eating I kissed Liliana's cheek then excused myself saying I had to get back to training. Back outside on the training field I saw Zane was the only one there.

The training Field was outside, but it was like a court yard so the building actually surrounded the area. Our property is also surrounded by a spell so if a normal human were to look they wouldn't see us. They'd only see an image of the building and yard, not the people. That's why we have to be careful when we do leave the barrier. A person appearing out of nowhere would freak people out.

"You just want to start while we wait?" Zane asked and I shrugged. I slid my sweaty shirt off and made my way to the center of the field across from him. That was actually the first thing he said to me all day. "I think this training is kind of stupid if you ask me, it's almost as if he's teaching you how to run away, not to actually fight. So, while they're not here why don't you fight back as well as dodge," he added. That might be interesting and difficult, but I'll give it a shot. I nodded firmly to him and he called his powers out.

As we fought it was clear he wasn't holding back. His magic power and speed was almost double what it was earlier. I managed to dodge for a while, but couldn't see an opening to attack him. It's like he's surrounded by electricity. At one point he paused and asked me if that was all I got in me and that kind of irritated me. Was running around dodging and sword fighting all I could do? I really need to work on my hand-to-hand.

I balled my fists and took a deep breath before I took my stance again. Of course I can do better, I have to. He nodded and we started again. I eventually managed to get in close and stopped my elbow before it connected with his jaw. Of course he took advantage of that and I jumped back as he called his powers and a wall of electricity rose up between us.

"You got lucky, but you shouldn't have stopped your blow," he said. Suddenly pillars of electricity sprang up all around me and then closed in on me. It was like a net of lightning. Well this is not good.

As it closed in around me I couldn't really see an escape and then it happened again, just like before everything seemed like it slowed down and I was able to see a way out. I jumped through the small opening and then everything sped up again. That was strange, what just happened?

The electricity exploded as it crashed into itself and I covered myself from the particles of electricity and debris. Once it settled down I stood and took my position again. We both waited for the dust cloud to dissipate and he looked surprised to see me unhurt. Though jumping through that opening where his electricity was thinnest still made my body numb.

"How'd you get out of that unscathed? What did you do?" he asked surprised. Since I don't know much about what happened either I just told him there was an opening for a brief moment so I took it.

It's almost as if when my life is in danger my senses get heightened and everything seems like it's in slow motion and I can discern the way out. That could be it, but I'm not 100% sure.

"Sorry, we're late. We had something to take care of. What happened here, it's like a bomb went off?" Captain said. Zane and I both looked at each other and in union said, "Nothing, we decided to train while we waited."

"Okay, well, we asked around for people to help out tomorrow. So, I think we'll step it up and have you against two instead of one tomorrow. The rules will remain the same. Since we're so late, why don't we call it early tonight," Captain said but I could see in his eyes he knew we were lying about something. He chose to let it go instead of asking us about it, which I was grateful for.

I was glad to call it a day early, but tomorrow will be even rougher than today was. Everyone headed out and I headed back to my room.