Astral Flow

Chapter 14

The following days seemed to fly by as Aranea and Ryder began the training program.

Those who wished to participate were kept at the now empty fort, while everyone else was allowed to return to the village, either to help any solos that arrived or simply go about their days how they wished.

Many volunteered to scout for more dungeons and villages, only a handful were sent though, as to try and not overextend their resources.

Most everyone Ryder knew stayed at the fort, hoping to further increase their skills, as well as hone their own tactics.

Ryder stood on a platform overlooking the courtyard, taking a momentary break as he watched everyone train.

Oto and Feros were in charge of basic combat, teaching better techniques with most weapons, so that hopefully those that stayed could better defend themselves and each other.

Radogan was in charge of tactics and group combat, his lessons were much slower but far more effective, even getting some of the more reckless members to slow down and think.

By far he was truly the scariest member here, brains and brawn neatly packed into one amazing strategist who's been reading everyone like an open book.

Then there was Lily, who was teaching everyone the more advanced movement options she'd been using.

Though how she was able to freely backflip around, parkour, and hang from walls was beyond most people... her tips did let people move faster and more fluidly though.

Lastly there was Demea and Laurence, teaching everyone to properly combat magic and showing that it wasn't just a ranged option.

It was far more versatile than one would think, able to even catch Radogan off guard at points.

"What are you doing up here on your own?" Aranea's voice called out to him as she reached the top of the stairs, a softer and more relaxed smile on her face. "Skipping out on training today?"

"No, not really, just clearing my head before I inevitably get beaten by everyone again." Ryder lets out a slightly awkward laugh at his own joke. "So how's it going for you? Noticing any improvements in your skills or the group?"

"So far? I've noticed small improvements here and there for myself... i'm actually able to somewhat keep up with Radogan now, our match history is still heavily one sided.'' She quietly walks over and stands next to him. "How about you?"

Ryder sighs a little and shrugs. "While I have gotten slightly better with magic I'm still not the best at fighting anyone normally." he focuses on Lily, who's cheering on a crowd of people attempting a rather dangerous looking obstacle course. "Still can't even last ten seconds against a pro like Lily."

"Well you're not the best in a fair fight, but from what i've heard you're pretty good in an actual fight." she looks down at Lily as well now, following the movements she's making. "Besides, no one here is really better than anyone else, all we're doing is covering one another's weaknesses."

"Yeah, that's true, I just want to be able to contribute more than some out of the box tricks here and there-" Ryder is cut off as suddenly a fragment of a wooden blade flies past his head, only barely missing them.

Following the direction it came from the two of them see Radogan and Oto standing there waving at them.

"Are you two lovebirds done chatting yet?!" Radogan calls out, not caring who's listening. "Or are you going to burn more daylight just being lazy?!"

Ryder pauses for a moment before looking at Aranea. "Is he always like this?"

The paladin has to stifle back a laugh as she rolls her eyes. "Oh you don't know the half of it, let's get going before that big oaf gets any more impatient." She quickly moves down the stairs, making her way to the duo awaiting them.