The weeks passed by in a blur of activity as the class started to work together in preparation for their deployment. They held training sessions every other day to get used to their various combat styles, and slowly but surely a sense of camaraderie and teamwork developed. In order to coordinate their efforts, they developed a hierarchy with Justain at their head.

Orchid was aware of his own capabilities and putting the prince in charge helped him focus on strategizing instead of leading. Justain was going to be the future king as far as Orchid was concerned, so, if there was anyone who had to get used to leading it was blindingly obvious. Furthermore, even the normally contrary Gertrude would bow her neck in the face of the royal family.

The twenty-five cadets were divided into eight teams of three, with Ilse remaining independent to provide support for the entire class. She’d grumbled at first, but there really was no one else who had her healing skills, the rest of the class at most being able to heal minor injuries. Aiming for balance and coordination among the team members it led to a very unique group for Orchid. Acting as the tactical support for Leon and Gertrude their team was capable of massive firepower, with Gertrude effective at long range and Leon having virtually no match at close quarters combat.

Along with their lessons, the cadets were getting stronger at an astonishing pace. There were times when the cadets could pressure even their various instructors during their combat classes. It had come to the point that the teachers shifted to a more personalized approach in their combat training, making their short-lived success bittersweet as they were overwhelmed individually. All the cadets had started to get used to their Sigils, following Orchids approach of focusing on developing a single Sigil’s skills rather than spreading their training among their various abilities. Orchid started to feel confident about their deployment as he saw the groups progress and felt his own control over lightning growing.

Sevena and Rats operation against Major Sea had returned minimal results. The Majors skulking at night was protected by magical barriers that stopped her discussions from being overheard. Despite their best efforts, the most they had been able to glean was that the person she was meeting happened to be from the military. A flash of his insignia indicated he was an officer from Central command but they only spent short spans of time together every alternate day, meaning there was very little to go on.

The Professor had squirrelled himself away in the library during his free time. Digging through the archives, he was searching for all the information on the south and the Illati he could get. He’d occasionally show his face and they would hold conferences to sift through the information he provided.

The initial conferences that held optimism and confidence, slowly degraded as confusion and frustration set in. No matter how much they dug through the information, it seemed the military planners were right. There should be no way to cross the border without circling around the entire mountain range to head through passes located in other countries. However, the Romanche empire was too arrogant and wouldn’t let foreign troops pass so easily and in the east the Black Forest was home to multiple progenitors and humans weren’t willing to head into open conflict with them.

Their final conclusion was simple. They had to go see for themselves unless some more information came to light.

As the date of their deployment came closer Orchid quietly discussed a plan to gather more information about the military branch.

“We have to break into the instructor’s offices or the Academy Library’s vaults.” He declared, facing the class in their regular meeting spot at Orchid’s villa. His words were met by stunned silence.

“What?” Justain let loose a strangled cry, his eyes wide with disbelief.

“It’s simple your highness. There is information here at the Academy and we know it, but it’s hidden or locked away and we need to get our hands on it as soon as possible. Now, there are only two probable locations where that information can be, it’s too sensitive for it to be anywhere else.” Orchid explained his reasoning, meeting the eyes of all the class to emphasize his point.

“There’s no way we can get it Orchid.” Gertrude whispered. Over the last few days, their initially strained relationship had developed into one of admiration in their respective professional capacities.

“We can’t become friends Orchid.” Gertrude stated after a grueling practice session. “I think you’re much too frivolous. However, I am willing to put aside our differences since we really do work well together.” She held her hand out in a conciliatory gesture and Orchid shook it without much hesitation.

“We might think that right now, but I say we try. At most we’ll be punished. As long as we don’t blow anything up anyway.” Orchid pleaded with his class. He knew this was the only way they could get what they needed, his instincts were screaming to take action.

“Fine Orchid, but how do we go about it?” Justain said after a moment. His words would act as the final decision of the group. Although they didn’t act as a true military force, his position as the head was unshakeable and most of the cadets would follow his decisions without much argument.

“Well, I don’t have it all planned out yet, but here look at this. Rat, please.” Orchid gestured for the Rat to come forward as he cleared the table. She rolled open a hand drawn map onto the table before retreating back to her regular seat near Rock.

“Is this the academy?” Vale asked in surprise his eyes tracing the lines and text scribbled on the paper.

“Right. Rat’s been going through the Academy and noting down its layout. This is the final version. The red areas are all restricted and no information is known about them.” Orchid explained proudly as he pointed out areas of the map. “Our targets are these three places. Geneson’s office, the instructor’s offices and finally the Library. Thoughts?”

“Forget the Library.” The Professor was adamant.

“Why? That would be our best bet, and we could get all sorts of information that’s restricted.”

“The formations that are placed there would take a lifetime to decode. Or at least more than we have now. Furthermore, the restricted areas are under guard. There’s no way we can get in without months of planning.” The Professors firm tone brooked no argument, so Orchid just shifted his attention to the other two locations.

“Alright, then we target the other places instead. Rock, you’re in command from the villa nearest their offices. Anna, we need some sleeping agents. Fast acting ones, it’s alright if their effects wear off after a few minutes, our strike has to be swift and silent.” Orchid waited for them to confirm before marking a set of routes on the map. “Rat, Gertrude and Sevena, you’re the infiltration team. Don’t linger. Copy as much information as you can, that’s why Gertrude is going. We can’t take anything out so Sevena it’s your responsibility to make sure that no one notices you sneaking in or out. The sleeping agent should help, but be prepared for anything. Rat, you’re in charge. You plan and lead them in and out as fast as you can.” Studying the map while lost in thought, the class watched him with bated breath. “Actually, slight change to that group. Derek, you go in with them. Your ability should help them bypass any formations that are set up. There shouldn’t be anything large enough to cause you problems, but if it so happens that there is something, cut your losses and take whatever you can before getting out of there as fast as you can.”

The professor nodded in agreement and seeing Orchids gesture took his group to the side to discuss their plans.

“Do the rest of us wait?” Vale asked in curiosity.

“The rest of us will prepare a distraction.” Orchid smirked and looked for Leon who was half dozing while leaning forward in his seat. “Hey, Leon. How would you like that duel you keep asking for?”

Leon straightened suddenly and fixed him with a shining stare.

* * * * * *

“Let this be the last time Leon. I don’t like being hounded constantly.” Orchid gestured dramatically, his cloak swaying in the wind as he adjusted his combat gloves.

“I must recover from my dishonor Trickster.” Leon declared woodenly.

I knew we should have ad-libbed. I never should have left the script to Anna.

“Fool! I stand here to abuse you of your thoughts of grandeur!”

“Know this Orchid. My revenge is just and will not be hampered.” Leon choppily swung his axe in a strange motion. The script said to act domineering.

Stupid Anna. Where is this even coming from?

“Stop! Please stop! You’re friends!” Anna stood one hand on her chest the other raised palm upwards, the happiness in her voice a complete contrast to her words. The rest of the female cadets shrieked in excitement from behind her.

Why would they shriek? They’re even more vicious than I am.

Blinking in front of Anna he blocked her with his hand.

“Stay out of this Anna.” Orchid growled menacingly and spun to walk back to his original spot, swirling his cloak to add to the effect.

“My friends, listen to her! There’s no need for this.” Vale’s nervousness was definitely not an act. In a way, this was the perfect role for him.

Shaking his head vigorously, Orchid pointed at Leon.

“Both of us cannot live under the same sky. Your time has come Count Savoy.”

“Come Trickster! Know your doom!” Leon roared as he ground his axe into the earth.

We’re just arguing. This wasn’t meant to be a deathmatch.

More than that, how can he sound so dull when he’s shouting?

Oh well, it’s not like we had time to revise the script.

Seeing Vale nod his head to signal that Rat had started her infiltration, Orchid shouted and charged forward. As Leon ran to meet him they exchanged a dozen quick strikes before falling back to study each other. The cadets all started to cheer and shout for them.

Gathering mana, they both released massive waves of force at each other before striking at each other once more. Flashes of light and booms of sound accompanied their every move. Dashing around, they seemed to flow into a dance, their attacks almost artistic in their precision.

A slash of an axe, arcing with a silver radiance.

Sparks of lightning flaring as a series of martial attacks were launched.

Fire blazed from behind Leon, lighting up the night.

A shrieking sound accompanied Orchid as his hand tore through Space.

Their fighting appeared to be getting more intense and suddenly they struck each other, flying back and hitting the ground simultaneously in an explosion of earth, shrieks accompanying their fall.

Dozens of armored figures dashed to surround the fallen figures.

“Cheater! This was supposed to be a duel!” Leon shouted as he stood.

Fool! You’re meant to struggle to even stand.

Following the script Orchid took Jensen’s hand to stand and shouted back.

“You also had people to protect you! Die traitor!”

“Follow me men! Time to end this plague on justice” The men behind Leon cheered and charged.

“To arms, my Guards! For the Banner!” Orchid roared and led his troops forward and the entire area burst into the sounds of swearing and clashing steel.

Even though everyone was pulling their punches, men and women kept flying out of the melee or groaning and collapsing as a particularly vicious strike slipped through their defenses.

“You kids! Stop what you’re doing!” The shout of the instructors that had shown up didn’t break the melee, so they charged in to suppress the participants of the fight.

Seeing an opportunity, Orchid fired off a fully powered punch as their combat instructor tried to bring down Jacob. Catching her unawares, the instructor fell to the ground unconscious.

That was for last time! I even used the punch you taught me.

You should be proud instructor.

The fighting expanded and the various cadets also joined in to cause more confusion as more and more staff from the Academy rushed to the scene.

* * * * * *

“Their acting skills need work.” Geneson commented as he gazed at the explosive melee below him.

“They’re kids.” Major von Hintelbach stated as way of excuse.

“Well, either way, their plan was successful. You made sure those infiltrators got what they came for?”

“They were already out of the offices by the time the Kale boy got Vivian. She’s going to be furious when she realizes a Cadet got her.” The Major smiled and Geneson roared with laughter.

“He’s a vicious one. Just like me.” Watching Orchid dashing about and causing havoc, the Colonel never lost his smile.

“Is this necessary? The south is not a safe place.” The Major’s concern was clear.

“They need to grow fast. We don’t have time and you know it.” Geneson replied and the Major just sighed in resignation.

“Would you look at that, it took a lot of effort to bring him down.” Geneson’s smile grew wider as he saw Orchid being swarmed by a dozen instructors. “They’re a good group.” He whispered into the night, eyes shining mysteriously.

* * * * * *

“2400 men” Justain breathed.

“They’re giving us almost half a battalion. This must be the entire recruitment for the central region.” Gertrude had the greatest knowledge of the military itself, her father being a general in charge of one of the armies in the Eastern Command. The battered class stared in wonder at the small scrap of paper on the table in front of them.

“This is absurd!” Anna declared, her eyes flickering in worry.

“Now what?” Rock asked quietly.

No one replied.

Everyone’s eyes turned to Justain.

Feeling the stares, he turned to look at the bruised Orchid only to see his friend looking out of the window to the South, frowning in thought.

“We get ready for the Illati and whatever else they may have.” Orchid whispered eyes blazing in determination.

They all felt a small chill at his words and one by one they also turned to follow his gaze.