Chapter 68: Real Abilities
Linfel and Nori had told Milia and Alvin about the previous conversation they had with Falagita and Claus. All they had said was already bad news, so how come the bad news was coming out just now?
Claus continued. "Because of the fast pace of the Xanzion Country's advance, our base here won't be able to stay here for long. Projections are that they will advance to this location in the next two to three days at most. If you look outside, you will see that a lot of the equipment is already being moved out."
"However, if we continue to be pushed back like that, we will eventually be trapped between Xanzion and Volztain in the north. Volztain is also advancing with all they have and giving no chance for us to breathe. On the south, things are slightly beter since Porfate Country is located on the other side of the South Sea. For now, we don't need to worry about them."
"Nonetheless, this can not continue. That's why I believe the higher ups will come up with some plan by tomorrow at most," Claus explained. "So, I don't want to scare you, but things should get pretty dangerous for everyone. We need to find a way to at least stop the Xanzion Country, after all."
Linfel shrugged. "It was already dangerous during the last battle anyway. Nothing new here."
"I'm happy you think like that... although you seem to be the only one to do that," Claus said while looking at the worried faces of the rest of his squad. "Sigh... I'm still not sure what will happen. All is just a theory on my part. Who knows?
Perhaps our Heffal Country will reach an agreement with Xanzion, Volztain, and Porfate and bring an end to the war. Let's hope to be the case."
Claus then made his way out of the tent. "Alright, let's go to the training field. I want to see what our three new members can do."
The training field was quite packed. With the last batch of Maguses, Familiars, and normal soldiers for the 12th battalion, all the platoons had to understand their new members. Several drills were happening all around and around the base.
Claus's squad was no different. He performed some very basic formations and watched Julius, Warthon, and Vera's abilities.
Warthon and his Familiar, Zenio, were better at Wind Element. So Falagita, who had the same affinity, helped them. The good thing about Warthon was that he was still in the Magus Academy, although he was close to graduation. He had done quite a few Field Exams as well. That meant he at least had a good understanding of his own strength and could work well with his Familiar and others.
Julius and his Familiar were the same as Milia and Nori, a duo good at using Fire Element. Too bad that he wasn't lying. Julius wasn't a fighter. Although he could use Fire Attacks while connected to his Familiar, they were far from being precise. Both Milia and Julius were Level Two Maguses, but Milia could absolutely destroy him in a matter of seconds.
One would wonder if Julius's presence in their group was bad instead.
Vera and Sando weren't much different from Julius. They also had little experience with fighting. She had Water Element affinity, so Claus was able to instruct her directly since he, too, was a Water Element user. Nonetheless, there was only so much that could be achieved in such a short amount of time.
'Linfel,' Alvin called Linfel's attention. 'What do you think about this group of ours?' Alvin's confidence in Linfel's experience was unwavering now.
'Hum...' Linfel pondered a bit. 'Claus is a very good leader. He definitely has a lot of experience leading, and Falagita supports him well. With you, Felia, Milia, Nori, and I in the mix, I would say we are quite above average. I watched the other battalions and their members fighting during the last encounter in Saleves Region.
It wouldn't be wrong to say we are not far from being an elite little group.'
Linfel then looked at Warthon. 'He, too, is obviously quite talented. Not at Milia's level, but definitely above you and Connor before you met me. Now, I would say you and Warthon are pretty similar, with Warthon being slightly better. He is much older, so that makes sense. Well, you now have experience fighting other humans, while Warthon probably doesn't.
I will need to see more from him when the time comes. Nonetheless, seems promising.'
Linfel's expression changed a little when he turned to Julius. 'Julius is no doubt a lost cause. He truly has no experience. If you ask me, his presence will do more harm than otherwise in our group. If he doesn't die soon, I'll be quite impressed.'
'The wild card in our group, however, is Vera...' Linfel commented with a faint smile.
'Vera?' Alvin was taken aback. Vera seemed to be having as much difficulty as Julius in his eyes. 'Why?'
Linfel shook his head and moved closer to Vera while pretending to be just observing. Yet, Alvin saw things clearly. Right behind Linfel's core, there was a small sphere of water. He had seen Linfel used it before. He compresses it with his Magic Energy to a high degree and releases a shot of water that is quite painful if it hits.
Back in the academy, during their one week of training, Linfel used it many times against Alvin and Felia.
*Ziu!*
Suddenly, Linfel's core went a few centimeters to the side before the Water Ball shot like a bullet. It didn't have the power to kill anyone, but if it hit, it would definitely hurt quite a lot. The target? Vera and Sando, who seemed to be having difficulty following Claus's instructions.
Yet, just as the water ball was about to hit Vera straight on the back, Vera's eyes changed, and Sando changed form. A blade similar to a Katar took shape from Sando's Core before Vera rotated and slashed the Water Ball.
*Slash!*
The Water Ball Linfel shot at Vera was sliced in two, flying in two different directions past Vera. "What the hell are you doing?"
Linfel faintly smiled. "Just checking how good your combat skills are. Seems like the communication companies back in Jenis City also give quite some good self-defense training."
Everyone immediately looked at Vera. However, Claus, who was instructing Vera a moment ago, was the most impressed. That was definitely not the movements of someone who had no experience in combat.
Vera's expression changed while she looked around. Yet, her main focus was Linfel. Just how did he notice her real abilities?