The Demon King's Paladin

Chapter 33. Changes, Chats and Takeoffs

The next 2 days were fairly routine. There were only 2 differences, 1st was Asha, she became another student in my classes with Aqua. While Aqua taught us, I noticed Asha staring like she was around a celebrity. I asked her about it during a short break after clashing mana with Aqua, Seems Aqua is who young magicians of Diablos aspire to be like. The more I know, I guess. The 2nd difference was Sharon, she began learning with me and Paul in Crest's classes. Seems they both already know each other. Sharon's father is one of Crest's subordinates. With Sharon now a part of the class I had an extra person to spar with, which is nice. Until Sharon tried striking my head with an overhead slash. Thankfully I dodged it. After that we all had a long lecture from Crest about proper safety during sparring sessions. Paul seemed annoyed at the interruption to his practice.

Then we would all go and spar Warrick. So far Warrick's winning percentage stands at 100%. He praises my growth, even though I can never land a blow on him. being seen as the weakest link, as I'm the rookie of the bunch, Asha and Sharon voiced their displeasure with me. Believing me to be quite arrogant for not wanting their help from a few days before. To this I agreed that it was arrogant, but as I said, I didn't want anyone involved in my fight to begin with. This angered them more for some reason. While I was butting heads with Asha and Sharon, Sarah came between us and simply offered them the chance to fight Warrick together as a trio. They agreed to Sarah's idea. Warrick beat them quickly even though they took the fight quite seriously. The one who lasted the longest was Sarah. Then after that, Sarah asked me to spar as a duo against Warrick. I agreed to it. Going at full throttle, we lasted longer than when Sharon and Asha fought, but still lost.

While I was recovering from a strike to my stomach, Sharon and Asha approached me. Asha looked irritated again but before she could say anything Sharon spoke to me.

" Why didn't you fight like that with us? I mean you were completely different!"

" Because we just started fighting together, I don't know your habits as well as Sarah's. With Sarah I can tell when she wants to attack or pull back and use magic, then I move based on her movement. In a way Sharon, you're just like Sarah. But since you don't possess magic, When Sarah would pull back and cover herself, I can attack in that moment, with you I have to cover you with support magic while everyone else attacks. Warrick can tell we aren't comfortable with each other, so he waits for those moments of awkwardness and takes us out."

Sarah had a difficult look on her face and mumbled to herself, something about " Not asking me to help" I felt a migraine coming on as I told her.

" Of course, you didn't ask. However, if we are a party, we need to cover each other's weaknesses in battle. Otherwise, we fall apart. Add onto that, the reasonability I hold, needing to protect you both as I don't want either of you to die in 2 months, it's no wonder why Warrick has beaten us to a pulp. I am trying to understand both your habits to know when support will be needed and when to attack."

To this Sharon looked to her side, her face was red. Maybe this sounded too much like a scolding, but it doesn't matter. The best case would be if she leaves because of it. But I get the feeling that isn't going to happen. While Sharon was thinking on something, Asha stepped forward. It didn't take long for me to tell another confrontation was about to happen. Where did the proper lady from the first meeting go? While I lamented, Asha spoke.

" If that is what you have to say about Sharon, what about me, John?"

Oh, a question instead of a confrontation. Well, no reason not to answer.

" Since you lack speed and abilities in close combat, 1 of us had to stay back and protect you from Warrick as a precaution, since you're our spell castor. However, you're too stubborn for your own good and decide to meet Warrick head on, leading to your defeat. Sarah is the one closest to Warrick's skill in bladed combat. After her is Sharon, so It falls on me as the most logical person to do it. However, I thought when Sarah and Sharon pulled back, I could go and keep the assault going. However, they both rushed forward with me. Leading to the collapse of our backrow when Warrick easily dodged our strikes. This is why I didn't truly argue when you called me green. From what I understand about my Job class, I should be able to fight at any range effectively. Unfortunately, I'm still far too green and need more practice. But that opens another complication as I'm not allowed to do more than what is asked of me from my teachers. So, I'm stuck learning while doing, during our spars with Warrick."