Vol. 14 - Ch. 756 - Training Matches! A Prospective Member?

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The first matchup surprised me. 

«Bearkin» were races bestowed with superior strength, fierce in close-combats, and specialised in physical damage. They're the complete opposite of «Elf».

And as the image would give, their weapons revolved among larger categories, like Claymore, Hammer, Greater Shield, Lance, Big Axe and so on.

As soon as the name echoed, one of bearkin girl—«Lord of the Forest» Ady—from Class-2 promptly stepped out of her spot. She was a bit short, almost giving the impression of a loli, with her round bear ears slightly peeking out of her hairs. If I didn't hear «Bearkin», I would've totally missed them. 

She held a hammer bigger than her stature. 

She and I had fought during the inter-class competition. Her "Stupid-idiot-dolt" remarks particularly left an impression on me. Though even more than that, her coordination with archer Remy was terrific. But, this was a solo fight. I wonder how she would fare?

Her opponent, Naivis, was a boy from Class-3. He was almost like a counterpart to Adi, featuring a huge stature covered in full-scale armor. In one hand, he held a giant shield, and on another an axe. He must—no, he was obviously a heavy-weight tank. Though, what stood out was unexpectedly neither of that, but his rugged expression unfitting of his age. 

"He was previously in Class-15. How do you feel, Ady?"

"No problem. I will smash that armor with my hammer,"

Ooh. Like a cornerman, Remy approached Ady, cheering her up.

"Naivis, she's the leader of the assault unit. She's strong."

"Hmm. Fine enough to test where I stood right now. Kubrow, tell me what information you have on her."

It appeared Class-3, too, had their cornerman—huh, a Ninja?

Clad in all-black, someone resembling a ninja gave Naivis his pep-talk. 

Strange. Were cornermen common in such classes? Why I didn't hear any of such rules.

While these thoughts circled in my mind, Ladvena-sensei walked up to the spot of the referee, and remarked in a loud enough voice for everyone to hear.

"Rules are simple. The match will end when either of the students is unable to fight, or if I judge it to be so. Once the fight is over, make your way to «Doctor» Citrus-sensei for recovery. Take this as a chance to test where you stand, and don't hesitate to give your all. Are both students ready?"

"Anytime."

"Same."

Ady, and Naivis, nodded to Ladvena-sensei's question, thus signaling the beginning of the duel.

"Very well. Then—begin!"

"Haa. «High Jump»!"

"Fast?! «Stout Shield»!"

The opening move was played by Adi. 

There was good enough distance between the two. Ady had only raised the hammer overhead, but the next thing I knew, she was already within the striking range of Naivis. 

Fast. It must've been the skill of her equipment «Jump Shoes». 

That was unexpected. The last I knew, you could only jump in one spot when using that skill in the game. But, Ady had just leapt forward, astounding me. I didn't know that.

On the other hand, Naivis pushed his shield before him when he noticed his opponent already about to strike him, and activated his defensive skill. 

That was a mistake. Ady changed her hold on hammer from two-hand to one-hand, and then drove the heel of her palm into Naivis from his flank.

"Face the end. «Bear Palm Stomp»!"

"Wha—?! Gaahhh!"

"Naivis!?"

"From here on, it’s only my turn. «Roar Impact»! »Power Strike»!"

"I-Impooosible?! Just like that?! My defense skill... they're not activating?!"

"Go «Down» for me. «Crashing Present»!"

"Gah!?"

"Alright, this is enough."

—Woah!

Erupted a response from onlookers as Ladvena-sensei announced the end of the duel. 

Though he was sent hurling, Naivis still had half of his HP left. Ladvena-sensei must've figured it would be impossible for him to recover from Downed status before Ady completely plummets the HP.

The key point in this fight was Ady's «Bear Palm Stomp». It was the 3rd order skill of «Lord of the Forest» job, and at impact, it was capable of sealing targets' defensive skill. You might as well call that tank buster.

Well, the downside of the skill was as it was—she had to be very close to the target, must have one of her hands free, and the attack must land on the target itself. The skill was impactful, but the window to exploit it was just as narrow.

She'd managed to create that window by using feints of her hammer attack. Naivis, too, got flustered at a sudden approach from Ady, and used his defensive skill, locking him in that position. He might have been able to dodge or defend had he not used that. Her strategy was amazing.

"V."

"You did it, Ady-chan!"

"Truly, you can expect that much from Ady-san."

"It's impressive to see you charging against even a boy so unhesitatingly~."

"Isn't that why she's the Anti-Boy Assault Unit Commander?"

A wave of cheers and praises welcomed Ady as she joined her fellow classmates. It appeared she was a famous person among them. 

"Rgh. That was bad."

"It's alright, Naivis."

Opposite of them, Naivis showed a depressed outlook. It must've been disappointing to lose without even being able to make any move.

"Do you know what to do now, boys and girls? Come forward when I announce the names. Don't feel down too much, alright? After all, Class-2 and Class-3 often don't have much chance to fight the advanced jobs!"

We nodded at Ladvena-sensei's speech, but soon that attention turned to the researchers as they furiously jotted down something. ...They're here?

"Ah, and do not mind their presence. They're simply here to keep records."

Said Ladvena-sensei, but, if that was the case, why in the world were there eyes bloodshot?

"Alright, let's increase the pace now. Oh, and don't keep yourself stuck among your classmates. Remember, this is class exchange. Try more to interact with other classes."

Talk about raising the hurdle. Though, I was just waiting to hear those words. Promptly, I walked toward Class-2.

"Let's start with the next matches then. Jay from Class-2 vs Gou from Class-3. Kajmal from Class-2 vs Kubrow from Class-3. Keel from Class-1 vs Remi from Class-2. Haku from Class-1 vs Highwood from Class-3——"

"Everyone whose name has been called out please take your position by the researchers spread across the training ground."

With that remark, Ladvena-sensei began revealing matchups as she read it out from some sort of list. On the other hand, Phyllis-sensei guided the students.

"—Lana from Class-1 vs Eirosel from Class-2."

"Finally my turn!"

"Ah, your name is up, Lana. Your opponent is... didn't ring a bell. What do you say I follow you? It didn't get called out yet."

"Sure, if you want to!"

I halted my steps midway when I heard Lana's match being announced. Lana was looking so upbeat I felt like following her. Besides, it didn't seem like it's my turn anytime soon.

I was not alone in that. The rest of the students of each class also scattered across the field, some went to watch the duels, while others strike up a conversation with students of other classes. Of course, since this class was primarily about sparring, students appeared to be favouring the former.

So far, only Lana had been called out from «Eden» to have her match, so all the guild members followed her. 

There were many aside from us as well. Perhaps due to her prestige as princess, saintess and rumours of advanced job. 

As Lana stepped out of the crowd, so does her opponent, who was—

"An elf?"

"Mhm. He can be said to be my distant relative."

A sudden voice echoed from my side, answering to my murmur. I craned my head to see Cecilia standing there. Ester was next to her.

"Rosel, huh? It's been so long since I last saw him. He sure has grown up."

"I guess you can say that about me too, Ester."

Ah, right. Ester and Celia were childhood friends. I didn't really ask around, but from what I heard, they knew others through their family connections. So that *boy* is an acquaintance of them, eh?

The elven boy had the same long, yellow-green hair as Celia, tied behind his back. He had a helmet with horns resembling a dragon, though it didn't put a single blemish to his well-sculpted face. He was extraordinarily handsome, just as you would expect from an elf. 

He donned a loose, traditional elven costume for movement of ease. The entire costume was beautifully embroidered, something you'd expect for an elven elder to wear. They were signature equipment of a certain race.

I glanced at Celia with an expectant gaze. Of course, to introduce us to each other.

"Haa. To be honest, I was planning to introduce him at another moment but, alright. He's the grandchild of my clan's elder, and a healer. His job is «Guardian of Arf», and I was planning to introduce him to the guild, but he turned it down."

After the last mass interview, we were still short-staffed for healers. Plus, I really wanted another boy to push back our minority status. But since the interview didn't do much, I turned to our guild member, hoping that they could introduce someone fitting the bill. 

Celia informed me she'd someone in mind. A month later, however, she replied he wasn't inclined to join us. Turns out Lana's opponent was that boy.